Patents Represented by Attorney John D. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 4308441
    Abstract: A manual operating handle assembly for an enclosed switch includes a walled frame which resides within the switch enclosure and rotatably mounts a shaft. A sprocket on the shaft turns therewith to move a chain coupled to another sprocket which operates the switch or a stored-energy operator therefor. A pair of arms keyed to the shaft mounts a handle for longitudinal sliding movement toward the shaft and into the frame, and away from the shaft and out of the frame. Rotation of the handle between extreme rotative locations rotates the arms and the shaft. A contoured surface within the frame interferes with the handle in its extreme rotative locations when it is within the frame to prevent rotation thereof. Only if the handle is first slid out of the frame does it clear the surface for rotation between its extreme rotative locations. When the handle is between its extreme rotative locations, it cannot be slid into the frame due to interference of the contoured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Evans, Joel A. Ramos
  • Patent number: 4307369
    Abstract: An improved fuse tube for a high voltage fuse contact used to interrupt low and high fault currents. The fuse tube has an arc-extinguishing bore into which a fuse link is insertable. The fuse link includes an arc-extinguishing sheath surrounding a pair of separable terminals and a fusible element normally between the terminals. An arc established and elongated between the separating terminals after the fusible element melts and decomposes the bore, the sheath, or both to rapidly evolve large amounts of arc-extinguishing gases which are exhausted from an open end of the bore. A conductive chamber in the bore is electrically connected with one of the terminals and surrounds a portion of the sheath and the terminals. A mild taper is formed in the bore so that its larger end is at the open bore end. The chamber permits the fuse link to be positioned deep within the bore so that low fuse current interruption is not compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Hiram S. Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4282504
    Abstract: An improved housing for a high-voltage device which may be subjected to rough handling during installation and to high internal pressure during operation. A flexible, thick outer enclosure is molded about an inner, thin reinforcing layer which has interstices and high tensile strength. The molding locks the enclosure to the layer as the material of the former enters the interstices. The flexibility of the enclosure protects the housing and the device from the effects of rough handling. The flexibility of the enclosure also ensures that it is deformed or stretched sufficiently by high pressures accompanying device operation to ensure that the layer is loaded in tension. Loading the layer in tension ensures that the housing does not fracture or violently rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Tobin
  • Patent number: 4272751
    Abstract: A fuse link and a method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The fuse link comprises a fusible element extending between an upper terminal and a lower terminal. The lower terminal includes a compressed segment of a multi-strand cable to which the fusible element is attached. In practicing the method of the present invention, a segment of the multi-strand cable is first radially compressed, as by cold-forming, to produce a longitudinal receiving region or pocket indentation for receiving an end of the fusible element. Thereafter, an end of the fusible element is placed into the receiving region. The region is then further compressed and collapsed to secure the fusible element therein by crimping a compressible sleeve previously placed around the fusible element and the cable-segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Biller, Hiram S. Jackson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4271339
    Abstract: A rapid opening and closing interrupter includes a stationary contact mounted in a cylindrical housing and a moving contact mounted on an operating rod by an opening spring. A trailer formed of a material that produces an arc quenching gas when exposed to an arc is mounted on the moving contact, and an engaging nipple is formed on the end of the trailer. A snap spring engages the nipple in such a manner that when the operating rod is moved in a direction to open the contacts, the contacts remain in engagement until the force exerted by the opening spring overcomes the force exerted by the snap spring on the engaging nipple causing the contacts to snap open rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Otto Meister, Thomas J. Tobin
  • Patent number: 4268811
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is disclosed. A stationary contact is mounted within a stationary hollow insulator and connected to one side of an electrical circuit. A movable contact normally engages the stationary contact and is mounted for movement within the stationary hollow insulator. The movable contact is connected by a contact rod that extends through an opening in the insulator to a set of spring detent fingers. The spring detent fingers electrically and mechanically engage the end of a movable conductive element, such as a power fuse or disconnect switchblade, which is connected to the other side of the electrical circuit. A spring biases the movable contact toward engagement with the stationary contact. When the movable conductive element is moved away from the device, the spring detent fingers grip the element and cause the movable contact to move to disengage the stationary contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Evans, Edward J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4263572
    Abstract: A shunt trip mechanism includes a ratchet facility added to a self-contained, line potential stored-energy operating mechanism of a circuit interrupting device. Operation of the ratchet facility releases the stored energy to operate the device. A portion of the ratchet facility may also be operated to reset the device if it has previously been operated by either the shunt trip mechanism or the operating mechanism's current-responsive elements. The main portion of the shunt trip mechanism is at ground potential and is mechanically tied to and operates the ratchet facility by a movable insulated strut. The strut is moved by the shunt trip mechanism upon the occurrence of an event such as transformer overpressure. A ground level handle may be operated to reset the device whether it was operated by the operating mechanism or the shunt trip mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph Bernatt, Karel E. Vojta
  • Patent number: 4253081
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanism for preventing the operation of a circuit interrupting device during the occurrence of excessive overcurrent. The circuit interrupting device includes an insulative housing having circuit-connectable opposed terminals thereon. Included within the housing is an arcing rod which is electrically connected to one terminal and which, in response to an overcurrent, moves away from a stationary contact electrically connected to the other terminal. Arcing rod movement elongates an arc formed between the arcing rod and the contact in an arc extinguishing environment to extinguish the arc and interrupt the circuit. The mechanism of the invention includes a shoulder on the arcing rod and one or more magnetic yokes positioned adjacent, but normally out of contact with, the shoulder. When an overcurrent through the device occurs which exceeds the device's rating, flux generated by current flow through the arcing rod moves the yoke to engage the shoulder thus preventing arcing rod movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Tobin
  • Patent number: 4251699
    Abstract: An arc quenching composition suitable for deionizing and extinguishing a high voltage electrical arc comprising an effective proportion of dicyandiamide. Depending on the application in which the arc extinguishing composition is employed, the dicyandiamide may be utilized alone, admixed with a suitable binder, or used to impregnate another material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: Bernard M. Wiltgen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4250476
    Abstract: An indicator is disclosed for a high voltage circuit interrupter having a stored-energy mechanism for biasing the contacts open.The interrupter has a shunt trip mechanism to open the contacts in response to either circuit conditions or a remote command, and a manual mechanism to trip the store-energy mechanism and to recharge and reset the store-energy mechanism. The indicator mimics the operation of the circuit interrupter and provide three signals indicating that the contacts are closed and the manual mechanism are between home and trip position, that the contacts open and the manual mechanism is either in the home or trip position, and that the contacts are open and the manual mechanism is between the trip and reset position or at the reset position. The indicators are preferably two lights with either light on or with both lights out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventors: David M. Evans, Richard J. Sabis
  • Patent number: 4241248
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device has a stationary contact. A movable contact is carried by a movable double-walled conductive tube which is telescoped and electrically continuous with a stationary tube. The tubes carry all of the current through the device. A piston carried by the stationary tube defines a piston-cylinder with the movable tube. When the movable tube moves to open the contacts, the piston-cylinder forces dielectric gas to and past the gap therebetween. In a two-gap version of the device the stationary tube is also double-walled and carries a second stationary contact. A piston carried by the movable tube defines a piston-cylinder with the stationary tube. When a second movable contact jointly moves with the first movable contact to open the contact pairs, both piston cylinders force dielectric gas to and past both gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph Bernatt
  • Patent number: 4238657
    Abstract: Disclosed is a switch operator condition and position indicator mechanism for high voltage switch operators. The indicator mechanism provides a visual indication of the charged or discharged condition, as well as of the "switch-open" or "switch-closed" position, of the switch operator. Another feature of the indicator mechanism provides a visual indication of whether the high voltage switch being operated by the switch operator is in the open or closed position. The charged or discharged conditions of the switch operator are indicated by labels on a first indicator disk which rotates conjointly with the shaft used to charge the switch operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: John C. Opfer, Edward J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4237357
    Abstract: An improved operator for a high-voltage switch. Prior art operators have a drive member connected to the switch for operation thereof. Immediately after the switch is opened, the drive member is held by a first latch and a spring is automatically charged to bias the drive member to close the switch. When the first latch selectively releases the drive member, it moves to close the switch. Immediately thereafter, the drive member is again held by a second latch and the spring is automatically charged to bias the drive member to open the switch. When the second latch releases the drive member, it now moves to open the switch. In prior art operators the latches sometimes fail to immediately hold the drive member rendering ineffective attempts to recharge the spring. A control system is provided which permits charging of the spring only if the respective latches hold the drive member following a switch operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: John C. Opfer
  • Patent number: 4233483
    Abstract: A high-voltage switch is operated by a reciprocable link. The link is reciprocated by a rotatable driven member. A rotatable drive member is rotated by a switch operator. It is desired to lock the members together for conjoint rotation after each is placed in a predetermined position, for example, when the switch is closed and the operator is in the switch-closed position. The members are intended to be locked together by a fastener which passes through a hole in each member, but normal tolerances often lead to the holes being misaligned in an unpredictable member. Accordingly, an elongated slot is formed through one member. A hole is formed through the other member. The hole is so formed as to generally overlie and encompass the slot when the members are in their predetermined positions. A disk having an off-center aperture is put in the hole and rotated until the aperture overlies and is aligned with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4231028
    Abstract: A "ready" indicator for high-voltage switchgear. The switchgear contains switches having normal positions (opened or closed) and switch operators therefor. The switch operators may include stored energy devices which may be charged or uncharged. The switch operators may be selectively coupled to or decoupled from their respective switches. The switchgear may include an automatic control device which, depending upon circuit conditions, causes operation of the switch operators to operate their respective switches to selected positions. Appropriate sensors detect the presence or absence of certain conditions. For example, the sensors may detect the ability or inability of the automatic control device to effect operation of the switch operators, the position of the switch operator or of the switches (open or closed), the charged or uncharged state of the stored energy devices in the switch operators, and whether or not the switch operators are properly coupled to their switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: John A. Zulaski
  • Patent number: 4229723
    Abstract: An improved circuit-interrupting device of the type which includes an arcing rod which is moved away from a stationary contact in response to an overcurrent through the device. The device includes a container of pressurized dielectric fluid having a port from which the fluid is directed at an elongating arc formed between the moving arcing rod and the stationary contact. The device also includes a diaphragm normally contacted by the arcing rod which normally closes the port and restrains arcing rod movement. The improvement includes a pattern of reduced thickness in the diaphragm about the point of contact between the diaphragm and the arcing rod. The pattern may be circular or star-shaped and may be produced by pressing, dieing, stamping, scoring, forming, etching, or coating. Depending on the specific construction of the device, the diaphragm either fuses or melts along the pattern or is ruptured or torn by arcing rod movement following an overcurrent through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Tobin
  • Patent number: 4229403
    Abstract: A helical fusible element is supported by an element support member which is disposed between two terminal assemblies, which terminal assemblies are of larger diameter than the diameter of the combination of the fusible element and the element support member. A flexible container is formed around the element support member and the fusible element on the circumference of the terminal assemblies to enclose these elements except for the ends of the terminal assemblies. A hole through the enclosure is provided through which a suitable particulate arc quenching material is admitted so as to completely fill the enclosed region. The hole is then sealed. The completed subassembly is then encapsulated in a resinous compound using a split mold. The contraction of the resinous compound as it cures compresses the flexible container and the particulate arc quenching material, thereby insuring maximum density of the arc quenching material without interfering with the desirable porous nature of the arc quenching material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: John E. Guleserian
  • Patent number: 4220942
    Abstract: An improved circuit interrupting device includes a pair of contacts which are relatively movable and between which an arc is established. Following melting of a fusible element, a stored energy source relatively moves the contacts apart to elongate the arc, and a container of pressurized dielectric fluid simultaneously directs fluid from a port at the arc. The fluid and the arc elongation ultimately extinguish the arc. A fusible diaphragm normally closes the port to prevent the escape of fluid, and also, due to its mechanical attachment to the contacts, restrains relative movement therebetween. The fusible element is so connected as to normally shunt current through the device away from the diaphragm. When the fusible element melts, all of the current through the device flows through and melts the diaphragm. As the diaphragm melts, two results are effected: fluid is permitted to escape from the port, and relative movement between the contacts occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventors: Otto Meister, Thomas J. Tobin
  • Patent number: D256352
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: David M. Evans
  • Patent number: D256353
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: David M. Evans