Solid-dielectric switch including a molded viewing window

摘要

A solid-dielectric switch including a visible disconnect assembly having an open state and a closed state, a molded housing at least partially encasing the visible disconnect assembly, a viewing window molded into the molded housing, wherein the visible disconnect is visible through the viewing window. The invention also provides a method of molding the housing of the solid-dielectric switch. The method includes providing a mold including an external shell and an internal mandrel. The external shell defines external dimensions of a housing of the switch, and the internal mandrel defines internal dimensions of the housing. The method also includes providing a lens for a viewing window, sealing the lens between the external shell and the inner mandrel, and filling the mold with epoxy to mold the viewing window into the housing of the switch.

主权项

1. A method of molding a housing for a solid-dielectric switch, the method comprising:
providing a mold including an external shell and an internal mandrel, the external shell defining external dimensions of a housing of the switch and the internal mandrel defining internal dimensions of the housing; providing a viewing window having a lens and an outer edge; sealing the viewing window between the external shell and the inner mandrel; and filling the mold with epoxy so that at least a portion of the housing forms a one-piece wall and molding the viewing window into the one-piece wall of the housing, wherein the viewing window is held and sealed between the external shell and the internal mandrel to prevent the flow of epoxy over the window and form an aperture in the one-piece wall of the housing, and wherein the external shell and the internal mandrel are shaped to permit the epoxy to surround at least a portion of the outer edge of the viewing window and thereby embed the outer edge of the viewing window in the one-piece wall of the housing to secure the viewing window within the housing aperture.