Importance

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Abstract

A high current direct current switch which has no significant arcing and which is capable of high rate repetitive operation. A collector member has a plurality of electrically conductive leaves which are arranged in a stack. All of the leaves in the stack have substantially the same outside area and the same thickness. However, leaves in the stack have various resistance-conductive paths and values. The leaves are arranged progressively so that leaves in the top portion of the stack have greater resistance values than leaves in the lower portion of the stack. The various resistance values are obtained by providing the leaves with openings therethrough which establish resistance-conductive paths through the leaves. Some of the leaves are electrically insulated from all of the other leaves. A rotor is positioned in engagement with the stack of leaves. The rotor is provided with an electrically conductive section and an electrically insulative section. As the rotor rotates the insulative section first engages the leaves of least resistance and then progressively engages the leaves of greater resistance. Thus, as the insulative section of the rotor covers all of the leaves, current between the rotor and the collector member is reduced to zero without significant arcing therebetween.

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First Claim