Abstract: For the purpose of providing a gas circuit breaker with a structure of hydraulic pressure operation system capable of detecting the occurrence of an incomplete closed state of the valves therein to prevent their erroneous motion during the subsequent motion, and a liquid-pressure driving system to be used therefor, a check valve is arranged so as to suppress the flow into the space on the side of the downstream of a closed-circuit operation spool valve, wherein the space on the side of the downstream of the closed-circuit operation spool valve is connected through a second diaphragm to a low-pressure oil tank and the operation time or operation number of a liquid-pressure pump is measured.

Abstract: A device for controlling a breaker in construction vehicles is disclosed. The device includes a control circuit provided with a power supply, a first solenoid valve used for controlling the breaker, and a second solenoid valve used for boosting the relief pressure of the circuit. The device also includes a control switch and a select switch. The control switch is installed in a control lever and is handled by an operator in order to selectively open or close the control circuit. Meanwhile, the select switch is connected between the control switch, power supply and first and second solenoid valves. The select switch selectively connects the power supply to the first or second solenoid valve in order to select either of the breaker and pressure boosting operations, which are commonly controlled by the control switch.

Abstract: A hydraulic device for a moving contact piece of a high-voltage power circuit breaker includes a reservoir and a low-pressure tank for hydraulic fluid. A changeover valve has a slide for alternately connecting one of the spaces in the drive-piston/cylinder configuration to the reservoir and to the low-pressure tank. At least one separately controlled and arranged control piston is associated with the slide. A servovalve controls the at least one control piston to drive the slide from a first position to a second position, i.e., from a connected position to a disconnected position of the power circuit breaker.

Abstract: Occurrence of erroneous operation in which circuit closing operation unexpectedly happens after circuit opening operation even though an abnormality such that a circuit closing system is left in a circuit closing condition even after completion of the circuit closing operation. Accordingly, a circuit closing control valve has such an arrangement that its pilot chamber becomes a low pressure so that the circuit closing control valve is opened, and a lock valve having two pilot chambers connected to a circuit closing pilot valve and a circuit opening pilot valve, which are both become a low pressure, is located in a passage connecting between the pilot chamber of the circuit opening control valve and a return port.

Abstract: A switch automation system which activates poletop power line switches in response to signals received from a remote location. An actuator piston and cylinder assembly is mounted to a power pole in alignment with existing actuator linkage. The piston and cylinder actuator assembly is translatable in response to pressurized fluid delivered through fluid lines to the cylinder. A control unit also mounted to the power pole, and in operative association with the piston and cylinder actuator assembly, houses a source of pressurized fluid. Manual operation of the poletop switches is retained by an existing operating lever. Adjustment linkage is provided for proper positioning of the actuator assembly with the existing actuator linkage. Operating signals received by the control unit result in activation of solenoids to deliver the pressurized fluid to the cylinder. Simplicity of design and linear alignment with the existing actuator linkage allow for easy installation and operation.

Abstract: A switching mechanism for use e.g. in a circuit breaker of an underground electric substation has a movable rod which causes opening and closing of an electrical contact and a hydraulic operating system. The hydraulic operating system uses a hydraulic fluid which has a high flammability temperature or is incombustible. Thus, even if such fluid leaks from the hydraulic operating system, the risk of fire or explosion is minimized. The hydraulic operating system may have a sealed tank for the fluid, preferably with a variable volume expansion chamber. In a further development, the hydraulic operating system and possibly parts of the movable rod, is enclosed in a casing which is sealed and is filled with a gas which does not support combustion therein. Thus, the risk of fire or explosion is further reduced. The casing may have a variable volume expansion chamber.

Abstract: An electric switching device according to the invention comprises two fixed contacts and one movable contact, referred to jointly as the main contact system. The main contact system is located in an oil-insulated cavity enclosed in a housing. In its direction of movement, the movable contact has an extension in the form of a shaft. The shaft is formed with a hydraulic piston by which the movable contact is operated. The hydraulic piston is surrounded by a cavity in which a piston cavity is formed on each side of the hydraulic piston. The piston cavities are oil-filled. The movement of the shaft is determined by an electrically controlled directional valve. The directional valve receives signals as to whether the electric switching device is to be opened or closed. At a given signal, the directional valve distributes a high pressure to the piston cavity that is to be enlarged.

Abstract: Apparatus for switching a high-current power supply, for example for transportable melting systems in melting and remelting plants, with a stationary apparatus part and a movable apparatus part, a contact surface between the stationary and the movable part as well as a device for locking the two parts, the contact surface (2d) on the stationary part (S) being preferably in the form of a hemisphere (2a) and the corresponding contact surface (3d) on the movable part (M) being preferably configured as a conical inside surface (3a) and the contacts being joinable forcibly with one another by means of a clamping device, the clamping device consisting for example of a centering and drawing bolt (2b) and of a corresponding ball clamping device, and that the clamping device is electrically insulated by means of insulators (7, 12) from the current-carrying contacts.

Abstract: An operating device for a gas circuit breaker includes an operating piston reciprocably movable between a first position and a second position, with the operating piston dividing an internal space of the operating cylinder into a first chamber and a second chamber. An exhaust port in the operating cylinder communicates with the first chamber when the operating piston is disposed near the second position, and the exhaust port communicates with the second chamber when the operating piston is remote from the second position. High-pressure air is introduced into the first chamber at the time of the breaking operation. An exhaust valve device discharges the air from the first chamber when the air pressure within the first chamber decreases below a predetermined level. The exhaust valve device includes a valve element having a pressure-receiving portion receiving the air pressure from the first chamber.

Abstract: A high-voltage circuit breaker includes a first compartment with SF6 under pressure having stationary and movable contacts therein, and a second sealed compartment housing having an operating mechanism with a pneumatic jack actuated by the gas contained in the first compartment via closing and opening valves. The second sealed enclosure is at low pressure playing the role of expansion volume of the gas expelled from the jack at the end of travel of the piston. The gas pressure in the jack is controlled by means of a control device sensitive to the temperature variation of the gas under pressure in the first compartment.

Abstract: A high-voltage switchgear having a fixed and a moving contact member includes a hydraulic drive for operation of the moving contact member having a piston and cylinder configuration with a piston coupled to the moving contact member. A fluid reservoir configuration supplies fluid under pressure to the piston for driving the piston. A compressor unit at ground potential charges the fluid reservoir configuration. Electrically-insulating, pressure-resistant lines respectively connect the compressor unit with the piston and cylinder configuration and with the fluid reservoir configuration. The piston and cylinder configuration and the fluid reservoir configuration are disposed spatially close to and at the same electrical potential as the moving contact member.

Abstract: A differential hydraulic jack with a damping system for the control of electric circuit-breakers is provided with a floating ring which produces a damping action at the end of travel and is also provided with a damping extension stud which forms part of the jack piston and penetrates into the damping ring. No provision is made on the jack piston for any packing ring forming a seal with the jack cylinder. The damping ring carries two projecting lips constituting a double valve which forms a leak-tight seal with the bottom face of the jack piston and the internal face of the cylinder end. At the end of the travel of the piston, the damping ring forms a double sealing valve for shutting-off the supply/drain orifice of the jack.

Abstract: A hydraulic or pneumatic drive for actuation of a movable switch contact of a medium and/or high-voltage power switch, especially an SF6-gas-insulated high-voltage power switch, includes a drive piston coupled to the movable switch contact. Fluid is delivered under pressure to the drive piston from a fluid reservoir configuration in order to perform one switching cycle having a given number of required switching operations. The fluid reservoir configuration has the given number of mutually separate independently acting storage chambers each having an energy content sufficient for a required switching operation.

Abstract: A hydraulic operating apparatus in which a differential piston is used as a drive unit, and in which the differential piston is driven by applying a high pressure fluid on a large piston face side through a hydraulic pressure control device for controlling the hydraulic pressure, and a high pressure fluid always being applied on the small piston face side. The hydraulic operating apparatus is constructed such that a high pressure fluid is applied concurrently on both piston faces when the differential piston stops at its receded position, and a thrust generated due to the difference between the forces applied on the both piston faces is held in check by a holding device acting on the differential piston or its extension. The differential piston is moved forward upon the removal of the holding force of the holding device, and the piston is moved backward upon the removal of the high pressure fluid on the large piston face side.

Abstract: In a hydraulic driving device for an electric pressurized-gas switch, the piston-cylinder systems are responsive to pressure from a hydropneumatic pressure accumulator. The driving device is equipped with a hydraulic pump which feeds several pressure accumulators and is controlled by pressure monitors, and with a gas monitoring device for the pressure monitors. For solving the problem of carrying out indirect gas monitoring while feeding several pressure accumulators by one hydraulic pump instead of direct gas monitoring, there is provided at least one threshold switch for measuring the feed pressure of the hydraulic pump as part of the gas monitoring device. By feeding the pressure accumulators which takes place sequentially in time and is controlled on the one hand by the gas monitoring device and by the pressure monitors on the other hand, it is possible to establish a correlation specific as to the pressure accumulator of the gas loss signal delivered by the threshold switch.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive includes a pressure housing having a blind axial recess formed therein with a wall and a bottom, an accumulator piston with first and second opposite ends disposed in the recess, an energy accumulator in the form of springs disposed symmetrical to the central axis of the accumulator piston for continuously engaging the accumulator piston braced against the springs, a working piston in the form of a differential piston guided in the recess having a piston rod passing through the accumulator piston and disposed centrally in the pressure housing, the piston rod, the pressure housing and the accumulator piston defining the wall of the recess, the piston rod, the pressure housing, the first end of the accumulator piston and the working piston defining an accumulator space in the form of a hydraulic accumulator providing pressure energy for the hydraulic drive without requiring an external energy supply, the second end of the accumulator piston and the wall and the bottom of the recess defining a

Abstract: An energy-absorbing element is provided between an insulative piston and a movable contact of a switch for a high-voltage device. In arrangements where a fusible element is in electrical shunt with the switch, the energy-absorbing element improves the rapid commutation of the current from the switch to the fusible element where final circuit interruption takes place. The switch is of the general type in which ignition of a power cartridge moves the insulative piston, which is normally located in a bore formed in a conductive member, away therefrom and into a passageway formed in an insulative liner. The movement of the piston moves the movable contact through the passageway and away from the conductive member to break an electrical interconnection between the conductive member and the movable contact. This forms a gap between the conductive member and the movable contact and opens the switch. The ignition of the power cartridge evolves high pressure within a chamber defined by the piston and the bore.

Abstract: A double-acting chemical operator drive assembly having a pair of pistons that are secured to the ends of a single piston rod and cooperate with a pair of power cylinders provide a positive drive for opening and closing the separable contacts of a circuit interrupter when the pistons are sequentially actuated by high-pressure gas generated by chemical propellant charges. The power cylinders are spaced apart and aligned with one another and the piston rod extends through open ends of the power cylinders. This eliminates the need for shaft seals and simplifies the manufacture and maintenance of the drive assembly. The operator drive assembly is coupled to the operating mechanism of the circuit interrupter by a yoke that is secured to an exposed medial part of the piston rod and then to a tie bar by a pair of drive rods.

Abstract: The times of response of a circuit-breaker control system to breaker-closing orders are reduced by means of a unit comprising a pressure reducer and a low-capacity compensating hydraulic accumulator, the unit being connected to the portions of the hydraulic control circuit which are alternately pressurized and depressurized. The hydraulic accumulator resupplies oil at reduced pressure to the portions of circuit in which there is a lack of oil or which are filled with emulsified oil as a result of depressurization operations.

Abstract: An actuator for an electrical circuit interrupter has a power cylinder for operating the circuit interrupter from a high pressure gas flow provided by a gas generating power unit which is a shotgun type shell container filled with a propellant. The propellant is characterized as being composed of spherical nitrocellulose grains having a nitroglycerin content; it is essentially free of deterrent coating and may have a granulation of 0.038/0.020 inches diameter range. Two suitable types are WC 630 or WC 615 manufactured by Olin Corporation of East Alton, Ill.

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator for providing pressurized fluid for a hydraulic system, includes a cylinder, a piston movably disposed in the cylinder defining a space in the cylinder on one side of the piston for pressurized fluid, and a mechanical spring device connected to the piston for generating pressure in the pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An actuator for an electrical circuit interrupter utilizes a gas generating chemical charge which is carried in its own cylindrical operating chamber. These power units are stored in a magazine and are fed into an operating position by a transfer cylinder in the form of a rotary turret head having cylindrical cutouts for the power units. The operating position specifically is with a chamber juxtaposed opposite one of the two input ports of a duplex power cylinder which is connected to the operating linkages of the interrupter itself. After the power unit has operated to open the interrupter, it is ejected. The operating action is linked to a duplicate set of a storage magazine and transfer cylinder for the close direction so that while the interrupter is opening the duplicate close actuator portion is readied for instantaneous action. This provides for a fast reclosing duty cycle and multiple operations. Also, for high operating speeds and good reliability.

Abstract: An electrical high-tension circuit breaker with main contacts and auxiliary contacts in parallel to the main contacts. Both sets of contacts are actuated by hydraulic drives which are fed from a hydraulic accumulator. The drive of this circuit breaker is of high reliability and small size considering the power to be switched. This is achieved with a main drive which contains a piston-cylinder arrangement which can be pressurized with hydraulic fluid via a main valve and a secondary drive which is actuated via a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement is controllable as a function of the position of the main contacts and/or the auxiliary contacts. With this drive, failure-susceptible elements, such as catches, mechanical dampers and couplings, are avoided. The drive is preferably for high-tension circuit breakers for voltages above 220 kV.

Abstract: In an electric circuit interrupter actuator which utilizes gas generator chambers to activate a power cylinder to provide opening and closing of the interrupter, an improved dynamic seal is provided. Such seal works in the reverse direction of an obturator of, for example, a machine gun or artillery piece in that a slidable spring biased sealing ring is provided in the input port to the power cylinder which successively seals with the gas generator chambers which are rotated by it. In order to overcome the friction forces of the initial high velocity gas flow which would otherwise force the ring out of sealing contact, a spring washer is provided having sufficient force to overcome this initial friction force. Thereafter, the high pressure gas exerts a force on the end of the ring in a direction opposite the gas flow to force the sealing ring into tighter engagement. Also, the natural circumferential expansion of the sealing ring, due to the high pressure, promotes radial sealing.

Abstract: An internal combustion electrical circuit breaker comprising at least one: (a) insulating cylinder; (b) pair of electrical conductors penetrating the cylinder approximately perpendicular to its longitudinal axis at a distance from both cylinder's plane sides; (c) conducting hollow piston contacting the conductors and an insulating pipe at its open portion, which pipe extends within that axis and penetrates the cylinder's first plane side; (d) arcing chamber extending from that plane side to the conductors; (e) pair of arcing blades within the arcing chamber at a distance from the conductors, piston and pipe; (f) valves within the pipe and first plane side, communicating with the arcing chamber and hollow piston; (g) combustion chamber extending from the piston's closed portion to the cylinder's second plane side; and (h) ignition, gas injection and valve means within the plane side and communicating with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: At least one actuating or cut-off spring is provided which is compressed in the cut-on or closed position of the switch and is coupled to an actuating linkage or rod leading to movable contacts of the switch. An arrangement is provided to variably modify the force exerted by the actuating spring on the actuating linkage in relation to the stroke. This arrangement consists of a force transmission device arranged between the actuating spring and the actuating linkage. The force transmission device permits taking into account the type of switching stroke to be executed and optimally adapting the force pattern during a switch cut-off stroke thereto. The variation of the force pattern during the switch closing or cut-on stroke is not symmetrical to that of the switch opening or cut-off stroke. The force transmission characteristics of the force transmission device are different according to the requirements of the switching stroke to be executed.

Abstract: Power circuit breaker apparatus having a novel trip valve on the pneumatic operating mechanism for reducing air consumption of the pneumatic breaker operating mechanism. The novel trip valve includes the addition of a valve stem extension to the trip valve shaft disposed in a sliding fit with an exhaust port to the trip valve actuating cylinder which together provide for quick elimination of compressed air from the trip valve actuating cylinder at a predetermined time during the operation of the breaker mechanism. Positive positioning of the breaker contact and rapid closing of the trip valve at a predetermined time is effectuated thereby reducing air consumption while providing a fail-safe air cushion to the driving piston of the pneumatic mechanism to insure positive positioning of the breaker contacts.

Abstract: A movable high amperage electrical switching buggy which is adapted for use in a corrosive atmosphere includes a wheeled chassis and spaced apart first and second electrical terminals housed on the chassis and extending therefrom. First and second electrical conductors are positioned within the housing and communicate with the first and second terminals respectively. At least one high amperage electrical switch is housed on the chassis with respective terminals of the switch being in electrical contact with the respective electrical conductors. The switch includes a first switch terminal including a piston chamber and a movable piston contact member housed therein and a second switch terminal. An insulating member is secured between the first switch terminal and the second switch terminal to prevent electrical contact therebetween unless the piston is in contact with the second terminal.

Abstract: An electrical switch includes an alternating series of first and second switch cells. Each first cell includes a first conductive member with a first bore and a first insulative member conformally located in the first bore and movable through the first bore. Each second cell includes a second insulative member with a second bore and a second conductive member conformally located in the second bore and movable through the second bore. The first and second bores have substantially the same cross-section. The cells are mounted end-to-end in the alternating series so that the bores align. Severable diaphragms electrically interconnect the second conductive member of each second cell to the first conductive member of the first cells adjacent to the second cell. The first insulative members and the second conductive members are simultaneously moved to simultaneously sever the diaphragms. A plurality of insulated gaps are thereby produced between the first and second conductive members of adjacent cells.

Abstract: A power circuit breaker has a novel trip valve on the pneumatic operating mechanism for reducing air consumption of the breaker pneumatic operating mechanism. The novel trip valve includes the addition of a valve stem extension to the trip valve shaft disposed in a sliding fit with an exhaust port to the trip valve actuating cylinder which together provide for quick elimination of compressed air from the trip valve actuating cylinder at a predetermined time during the operation of the breaker mechanism. Positive positioning of the breaker contact and rapid closing of the trip valve at a predetermined time is effectuated, thereby reducing air consumption while providing a fail-safe air cushion to the driving piston of the pneumatic mechanism to insure positive positioning of the breaker contacts.

Abstract: A contact operating mechanism is disclosed which employs a hydraulic motor means for moving contact members between closed and tripped positions, an accumulator for supplying hydraulic fluid under pressure to the motor means, and a separate gas supply means in fluid communication with the accumulator. The accumulator includes a piston or separating means for dividing the interior of the accumulator into two separate pressure chambers. One of the pressure chambers is connected to the hydraulic motor means and the other is connected to the gas supply means. Preferably, the gas supply means is separately disposed from and permanently connected to the accumulator with a sufficient volume of pressurized gas such that in the event that the piston repositions so as to completely fill the accumulator with hydraulic fluid sufficient gas under pressure is available to stroke the accumulator piston and operate the motor means.

Abstract: A multiple shot selective fire perforating gun is provided for piercing oil field tubular goods, typically during the process of completing an oil or gas well. The perforating gun includes a multiplicity of shaped charges which are fired individually by an associated blasting cap and switch. The switch of all but the lowermost charge is configured to disarm its associated blasting cap until the next lower shaped charge has detonated. The generation of the pressure pulse from detonation of the next lower shaped charge causes a piston in the switch to move to compress a body of flowable material. The flowable material acts on a projectile which moves in a switch closing direction to arm the associated blasting cap.

Abstract: An electric circuit interrupter comprising a pair of separable contacts, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contacts and a drive mechanism including a cylinder-piston assembly and a gas pressure generator having multiple stationary combustion chambers and a directing device for selectively directing an expulsion of gaseous medium from any one of the multiple stationary combustion chambers.

Abstract: An electric circuit interrupter comprising a drive mechanism with a stationary drive piston and a movable drive cylinder for actuating an operating mechanism to selectively open and close a pair of separable contacts.

Abstract: An electric switch includes a pair of separable contacts operable between open and closed positions with respect to each other. An operator shaft is utilized for moving one of the contacts, and the operator shaft has attached thereto at the opposite end an operator piston which is disposed within an operator cylinder. A chemical operator is utilized for generating a hot gas within the operator cylinder and against the operator piston to cause movement thereof.

Abstract: This actuator comprises a fluid motor having a piston, a breaker-opening space at one side of the piston, and a breaker-closing space at its opposite side. An accumulator freely communicates with the breaker-opening space for supplying pressurized fluid thereto during a circuit breaker opening operation. The breaker-opening space and the breaker-closing space are connected by an impeded flow passage. A pilot valve opens to allow the pressurized liquid in the breaker-closing space to flow to a back chamber of a normally closed main valve to cause the main valve to be opened during a circuit breaker opening operation to release the pressurized liquid from the breaker-closing space. An impeded passage affords communication between the back chamber and a sump located on the opposite side of the main valve from the back chamber. The pilot valve and impeded passage allow rapid opening of the main valve with pressurized liquid from the breaker closing side of the piston.

Abstract: A circuit breaker characterized by a pair of separable contacts, operating means for opening the contacts and comprising a cylinder and piston mechanism, closing means for closing the contacts and comprising a second cylinder and piston assembly operatively connected to the contacts.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a pair of separable contacts, an operating mechanism for causing separation of the contacts, and a drive mechanism for causing movement of the operating mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a pressure generating propellant charge in communication with an operating cylinder which contains a piston and a piston rod, which piston rod is operatively connected to the operating mechanism. Either or both the propellant charge and the operating cylinder are preselected from a plurality of similar and interchangeable components which have different amounts of effective charge or cross-sectional interior areas respectively, to thereby modify the performance characteristics of the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A high speed high voltage electrical switch opens a current path in which the switch is included. The switch includes first and second normally electrically interconnected contacts which normally carry current in the current path. The contacts are relatively movable along a fixed line of direction. When the contacts move apart, the electrical interconnection therebetween is broken to open the first current path. A piston carried by the second contact defines an enclosed chamber in conjunction with the first contact when the contacts are interconnected. A power cartridge or the like selectively pressurizes the chamber to rapidly drive the contacts apart. The piston enhances the action of the power cartridge by ensuring that pressure increases caused thereby are effected to drive the contacts apart. The piston may be configured to ensure positive sealing engagement with the walls of a cylinder through which the piston and the second contact move following the ignition of the power cartridge.

Abstract: An improved fluid actuating device for an electric switching apparatus such as a high-voltage power circuit breaker or the like includes an actuator for actuating the electric switching apparatus. The actuator has a cylinder and a differential piston movable in the cylinder between first and second end-positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the switching apparatus. The differential piston has two end-faces for receiving fluid pressure force. One of the two end-faces has a surface area greater than the other one of the two end-faces. A high-pressure fluid supply supplies fluid to the two end-faces and a valve alternately interrupts and passes the fluid from the fluid supply to the one end-face whereby the differential piston is caused to move from the first end-position to the second end-position when the valve passes fluid to act upon the one end-face of the piston.

Abstract: A synchronous closing system for high voltage circuit breakers is disclosed wherein the circuit breaker main contacts close within about 1 millisecond of a current zero in the current through a closing resistor in a 60 hertz system. Closing accuracy is obtained by delaying the release of a latch which holds the closing system for a given delay following the appearance of a closing signal, which delay enables hydraulic operating pressures to come to full value before permitting the hydraulic operation of the closing piston. The latch release instant is controlled from a signal derived from a zero cross-monitor circuit, which monitors resistor current and releases the latch at a time which allows contact closing at a subsequent current zero. The closing mechanism may be slightly jogged before full motion and during the delay time.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter characterized by a pair of separable contacts, operating means for opening and closing the contacts and comprising a piston for opening the contacts, the piston being operative at a range of 3,000 to 10,000 psi, generating means comprising a solid expulsive charge when ignited for moving the piston to the contact-open position, an igniter for the operating means, a primer for the igniter comprising a mixture of flammable material, means for producing an electric charge in the primer, and spring means for returning the piston to the contact-closed position.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter characterized by a pair of separable contacts with operating means for opening and closing the contacts and comprising a cylinder and piston mechanism which cylinder has opening means at each end of the cylinder chamber. Rotatable means are provided at each end of the cylinder and have a plurality of spaced chambers which are sequentially alignable with the opening means. Means are also provided in each chamber for generating a sudden expulsion of gas against the piston and the rotatable means at each end of the cylinder being simultaneously rotatable. The circuit interrupter is also characterized by an adapter means for converting the gas from a high to low pressure status to operate the piston.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the utilization of a surge tank in the pneumatic line interconnecting the high-pressure reservoir with the pneumatic control valve controlling the operation of a driving, or operating piston reciprocally operable within a surrounding operating cylinder to operate a circuit-breaker. Preferably, the volume of the surge tank is roughly of the order of the piston-displacement volume traveled by the driving piston in its opening tripping movement of the circuit-breaker, when the mechanism is used to open the circuit-breaker. However, the mechanism may also be used, if desired, to effect closing of the circuit-breaker.

Abstract: This operating system comprises a fluid motor having a piston, a breaker-opening space at one side of the piston, and a breaker-closing space at its opposite side. An accumulator freely communicates with the breaker-opening space for supplying pressurized fluid thereto during a circuit-breaker opening operation. A normally-closed valve located on the breaker-closing-side of the piston is openable to release liquid from the breaker-closing space so that pressurized liquid in the breaker-opening space can drive the piston in an opening direction. Means is provided for restoring the valve to its closed position following the circuit-breaker opening operation. An impeded passage affords communication between the accumulator and the breaker-closing space to allow pressurized liquid to flow from the accumulator to the breaker-closing space and develop a pressure therein substantially equal to accumulator pressure when the valve is restored to closed position following breaker-opening.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter characterized by a pair of separable contacts, operating means for opening and closing the contacts and operatively connected to the contacts, drive means for driving the operating means and comprising a cylinder and piston, the piston having a piston rod extending from the cylinder on the side opposite the operating means, generating means for generating a sudden expulsion of gaseous medium into the cylinder and against the piston, and a connecting link comprising a yoke extending around the cylinder and connected on one side to the piston rod and on the other side to the drive means.

Abstract: This hydraulically-actuated operating system comprises a cylinder, a piston movable therein in an opening direction to open a circuit breaker, and an accumulator for supplying pressurized liquid to a piston-actuating space within the cylinder. A normally-closed valve between the accumulator and the actuating space is openable to allow pressurized liquid from the accumulator to flow through the valve into the actuating space to drive the piston in an opening direction. A vent is located hydraulically between the actuating space and the valve for affording communication between said actuating space and a low pressure region.Flow control means is provided for restricting leakage through said vent to a rate that prevents said leakage from substantially detracting from the development of pressure within said actuatng space during the period from initial opening of the valve to the time when said piston has moved through most of its opening stroke.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the drive for an hydraulically actuated high voltage power circuit breaker is disclosed. More particularly, the apparatus includes a number of position signal transmitter means each associated with a different one of the circuit breaker contact units. These means are each connected to respective freewheel clutches which are connected to the actuating member of a control switch means. The latter switch means is constructed so that it provides off commands to the breaker units only when all the transmitter means connected thereto are in an on or off position. The switch means is also continuously biased toward an off condition with the force of an energy accumulator.

Abstract: An improved modular, puffer-type circuit-interrupting unit is provided capable of its own independent support, and adaptable for use, either as a singular modular unit, or when used with a plurality of similar units, constituting a conjointly-acting group of serially related puffer-units suitable for the higher-voltage applications.The modular puffer-unit of the instant invention is capable of independent support, and is adaptable for very simple straight-line actuating movement, for not only causing contact separation, but also a simultaneous compression of the utilized gas to a pressurized state for gas ejection into the established arc for rapid arc extinction thereof.

Abstract: A high speed switch usable at high voltage includes a pair of contacts movable apart along a fixed line. When the contacts are normally interconnected, at least one of them contributes to the definition of an enclosed chamber. Pressurization of the chamber by the ignition of a power cartridge therein rapidly drives the contacts apart, forming a first gap between them. When the contacts are interconnected, a first one of them is electrically connected to a terminal. As the contacts move apart, a second gap forms between the first contact and the terminal. The second gap is electrically insulated and may both be shielded from the ignition products of the cartridge and have any arc forming therein constricted and subjected to arc-extinguishing gas. The contacts may be shunted by a fuse to which current is commutated after the contacts move apart.