Method and apparatus for mounting vapor shield in vacuum interrupter and vacuum interrupter incorporating same

The tubular vapor shield (25) of a vacuum interrupter (1) is secured to the ceramic (3) by a shield mount (31) which includes a split ring (35) seated in a circumferential groove (33) formed in the inner surface (23) of the ceramic (3). The tubular vapor shield (25) is secured to the split ring (35) by a connection (41) which includes a circumferential flange (43) brazed to the shield (25) and a braze ring (55) which is wedged in an annular gap (49) between the flange (43) and the vapor shield (25) and which melts when heated in a vacuum oven to braze the split ring (35) to the vapor shield (25) and the flange (43). In another embodiment, the flange (43) has a radial outward rim (53) which seats on the split ring (35). In an additional embodiment, the connection (31") between the split ring (35) and the vapor shield (25) includes a circumferential shield groove (57) in the outer surface (59) of the vapor shield (25) in which the split ring (35) is also seated and optionally secured by a braze. In yet another embodiment, an additional split ring (63) seated in a circumferential groove (61) in the outer surface (59) of the vapor shield (25) is brazed to the split ring (35) seated in the groove (33) in the ceramic (3).