Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed herein is a female electrical connector for separably connecting a male contact element with a high voltage circuit. The connector comprises a conductive housing having a first end adapted to receive the male contact element, a second end adapted to be closed and an internal wall surface providing an axially extending opening therebetween. The connector includes an elongate female contact assembly including a tubular conductive piston within and in conductive relationship with the housing and axially movable between a normal first position wherein the piston is maximally spaced from the first housing end and a second position. The piston provides a chamber adjacent the second housing end. The assembly also includes female contact means, for engaging the male contact element, carried by and movable with and in electrically conductive relationship with the piston. The female contact assembly is configured to transmit to the chamber arc-quenching gas which is generated when an arc is truck between the male contact element and the female contact means. The connector further comprises a latch mechanism for retaining the piston in the first position until gas pressure in the chamber attains a predetermined value and for releasing the piston to cause the same to move toward the second position when said pressure exceeds said predetermined value.

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First Claim