High pressure Fred Locke insulator of new construction

High Pressure Insulator of New Construction.

The illustration shown below represents a high pressure insulator manufactured by Mr. Fred M. Locke, Victor, N. Y., which has been the subject of an interference case in the United States Patent Office. A decision in the case has just been rendered by the examiner, and promulgated by C. H. Duell, Commissioner of Patents. It is in favor of Mr. Locke and against Boch, who asked for the dissolution of the interference.

Built-Up Porcelain Insulator.

The insulator in question, as constructed by Mr. Locke, is made of three shells of vitrified china, fused together. The illustrations also shows a steel pin, with porcelain base, which is being generally adopted on high voltage power transmission lines. It is stated that the sleeve on the pin increases the arcing distances by at least 10,000 volts. In the event of arcing on such an insulator, however, there is no danger of ignition and consequent destruction by fire of the pin and pole. Pins and poles have in some cases been destroyed by fire as a result of short circuits between the insulator and pin.