Abstract: A high voltage air disconnect switch having an electrical load interrupter unit responsive to the opening of the high voltage air break disconnect switch. The electrical load interrupter unit including an actuating arm is contacted, during the opening of the switch, by a moving arc horn attached to and in electrical circuit with a switch blade of the high voltage air disconnect switch. The moving arc horn has operatively attached a spring catch which engages the actuating arm with a physical holding force applied to an electric contact point between the actuating arm and the moving arc horn to firmly capture the interrupter actuating arm against the moving arc horn during opening of the switch to prevent any arc burning damage due to arcing between the actuating arm and the moving arc horn as the switch opens.

Abstract: A high voltage center break disconnect switch with two rotatable switch blades each operatively attached to a respective rotatable insulator for opening and closing the switch. A toggle locking drive assembly including a two-sided lever having three pivot points colinearly aligned thereon and two drive links each connected at one end thereof to one of the three pivot points. The two-sided lever connects at the third pivot point to a perpendicularly attached rotating shaft operatively connected to a drive pipe for opening and closing the switch. The drive links are each connected at the other end to a pivot point of a respective one of two levers each operatively mounted to one of the rotatable insulators. When the switch is in the closed position the five pivot points of the locking toggle drive assembly are aligned colinearly in a toggle lock position preventing the switch from unintended opening.

Abstract: A high voltage electric disconnect switch having a rotatable switch blade in operative arrangement with a rotatable high voltage electrical insulator. A rotating bearing assembly in operative supporting arrangement with a rotatable shaft. The bearing assembly containing corrodible ball bearing assemblies including associated corrodible ball bearing races. The rotatable insulator is operatively mounted to the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has a lower rotatable shaft portion contacting the corrodible ball bearing assemblies housed within a sealed housing of the bearing assembly. An air permeable hydrophobic membrane mounted in a membrane assembly is mounted in an aperture of the housing to eliminate condensing humidity within the housing, thereby preventing corrosion of the corrodible ball bearings and races, freezing water, and lubrication degradation by keeping the surfaces dry to prevent switch failure.

Abstract: A high voltage vertical break disconnect switch with a planetary gear reduction drive assembly including at least one stage operatively attached to a perpendicular rotatable insulator of the high voltage vertical break disconnect switch. The planetary gear reduction drive assembly includes a lower crankshaft part and a cooperating upper crankshaft part. The lower crankshaft part is solidly connected to the perpendicular rotatable insulator. The planetary gear reduction drive assembly includes an output that drives the upper crankshaft part. The upper crankshaft part drives a movable link assembly that causes a switch blade of the vertical break switch to open and close.

Abstract: Switch gear for interconnecting a plurality of power transmission lines including a number of high voltage switches arranged in three phase unitized relationship for routing power. The switches are each pre-mounted on a transverse beam which is operatively attached between two oppositely disposed longitudinal parallel beams forming a unitized switch assembly with a common base structure with a transformable parallelogram outer perimeter which may be attached in the field to a support structure. The outer perimeter of the common base structure of the unitized assembly transformable common base can be transformed with a power actuator from a rectangular configuration to a rhomboid configuration that permits the width of the unitized assembly to be reduced so that the assembly can be transported by truck to an installation site and then the switch assembly may be transformed back to the rectangular configuration with the final width for installation at the site.

Abstract: A high voltage vertical break disconnect switch with a planetary gear reduction drive assembly including at least one stage operatively attached to a perpendicular rotatable insulator of the high voltage vertical break disconnect switch. The planetary gear reduction drive assembly includes a lower crankshaft part and a cooperating upper crankshaft part. The lower crankshaft part is solidly connected to the perpendicular rotatable insulator. The planetary gear reduction drive assembly includes an output that drives the upper crankshaft part. The upper crankshaft part drives a movable link assembly that causes a switch blade of the vertical break switch to open and close.

Abstract: A high voltage electric disconnect switch having a rotatable switch blade in operative arrangement with a rotatable high voltage electrical insulator. A rotating bearing assembly in operative supporting arrangement with a rotatable shaft. The bearing assembly containing corrodible ball bearing assemblies including associated corrodible ball bearing races. The rotatable insulator is operatively mounted to the rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has a lower rotatable shaft portion contacting the corrodible ball bearing assemblies housed within a sealed housing of the bearing assembly. An air permeable hydrophobic membrane mounted in a membrane assembly is mounted in an aperture of the housing to eliminate condensing humidity within the housing, thereby preventing corrosion of the corrodible ball bearings and races, freezing water, and lubrication degradation by keeping the surfaces dry to prevent switch failure.

Abstract: A sensor assembly system and method for providing good voltage accuracy for monitoring a three phase high voltage power line without connecting to ground. The sensor assembly system comprises three sensor assemblies having reference point ends not connected to ground. All three sensor assemblies are connected together at the reference point ends to create a neutral common reference point not connected to ground potential that is at zero volts when all of the three phases are at the same line voltage.

Abstract: A sensor assembly system and method for providing good voltage accuracy for monitoring a three phase high voltage power line without connecting to ground. The sensor assembly system comprises three sensor assemblies having reference point ends not connected to ground. All three sensor assemblies are connected together at the reference point ends to create a neutral common reference point not connected to ground potential that is at zero volts when all of the three phases are at the same line voltage.

Abstract: A high voltage motor operated in-line double break disconnect switch suspended by an electric power line conductor wherein the switch includes a horizontally rotating switch blade, that is suspended by a motor output shaft attached to the midpoint of a blade of the switch blade to balance the blade. A communication system for controlling the motor including a switch mounted radio which may be controlled by another radio located at a distance and powered by a solar charged battery or alternatively controlled by a hand-held controller. The motorized in-line double break disconnect switch may also be arranged in a three phase installation in a two-way or three-way switching arrangement attached to a utility pole or other structure. The communication system controlled motorized in line double break disconnect switch may in addition be arranged in a phase over phase switching arrangement supported by a utility pole or other structure.

Abstract: A communication system controlled motorized in-line high voltage air break disconnect switch with a lock out system including a communication device remote controlled lock out. Also a mechanical lock out is provided if a battery that powers the remote controlled lock out is not functioning or other unforeseen problems cause a failure of the switch or the remote controlled lock out to operate. The remote controlled lock out when operative can prevent the switch from operating the motor when the remote controlled lock out is actuated. The motorized switch typically includes the motor having a worm drive shaft carrying a hookstick eye ring. The remote controlled lock out includes a locking gear mounted on the drive shaft. A lockout lever having a locking tooth is provided that engages or disengages the locking gear when appropriately actuated by the remote control to lock or unlock the switch blade drive motor.

Abstract: A communication system controlled motorized in-line high voltage air break disconnect switch with a lock out system including a communication device remote controlled lock out. Also a mechanical lock out is provided if a battery that powers the remote controlled lock out is not functioning or other unforeseen problems cause a failure of the switch or the remote controlled lock out to operate. The remote controlled lock out when operative can prevent the switch from operating the motor when the remote controlled lock out is actuated. The motorized switch typically includes the motor having a worm drive shaft carrying a hookstick eye ring. The remote controlled lock out includes a locking gear mounted on the drive shaft. A lockout lever having a locking tooth is provided that engages or disengages the locking gear when appropriately actuated by the remote control to lock or unlock the switch blade drive motor.

Abstract: A high voltage motor operated in-line double break disconnect switch suspended by an electric power line conductor wherein the switch includes a horizontally rotating switch blade, that is suspended by a motor output shaft attached to the midpoint of a blade of the switch blade to balance the blade. A communication system for controlling the motor including a switch mounted radio which may be controlled by another radio located at a distance and powered by a solar charged battery or alternatively controlled by a hand-held controller. The motorized in-line double break disconnect switch may also be arranged in a three phase installation in a two-way or three-way switching arrangement attached to a utility pole or other structure. The communication system controlled motorized in line double break disconnect switch may in addition be arranged in a phase over phase switching arrangement supported by a utility pole or other structure.

Abstract: A disconnect switch blade electronic sensor assembly system for a disconnect switch including a sensor assembly directly attachable to a switch blade for detecting the switch blade position, acceleration vectors and angular velocity of the switch blade relative to a cooperating disconnect switch stationary break-jaw contact assembly using a self-contained array of on board sensors for detection to ensure that the switch blade is in full electrical and mechanical contact with the stationary contact assembly in a switch fully closed position switch and fully out of electrical and mechanical contact with the stationary contact assembly in a switch fully open position. The switch blade sensor assembly can include a visual indication component to provide visual indication on the sensor assembly of switch status relative to the break-jaw assembly which can be seen on the ground or may initiate a remote visual or other indication of such switch status.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter for a high voltage air break switch is disclosed. The interrupter has a plurality of load interrupter contacts enclosed in axially aligned vacuum bottles, each bottle containing a fixed contact and a second contact movable axially away from the fixed contact to open position and toward the fixed contact to closed position. The bottles are positioned in an tubular housing of dielectric material having a top end member and a bottom end member. The vacuum bottles are mechanically coupled to one another in a stack with the top bottle supported by the top end member. At least one air permeable hydrophobic vent member is operatively disposed in the top end member and/or bottom end member and/or tubular housing to prevent condensation in the housing. The stack of vacuum bottles are axially supported at the bottom by a cushion spring assembly keeping the bottles in compression to prevent tension loads on the braze joints of the bottles.

Abstract: Switch gear for interconnecting a plurality of power transmission lines including a number of high voltage switches arranged in three phase unitized relationship for routing power in one or multiple directions. The switches are pre-mounted on a beam to form a unitized assembly which is attached in the field to a vertical support structure or substation structure. The unitized assembly includes a telescoping base design that permits the width of the unitized assembly to be reduced so that the assembly can be transported by truck to the installation site and then the switch assembly may be extended to the final width for installation at the site. The telescopic base design is preferably cantilevered and includes free rolling capability for easily manually reducing or expanding the width of the unitized assembly when the beam is lying on a ground surface.

Abstract: A high voltage in-line air break disconnect switch suspended by an electric power line conductor wherein the switch includes a rotating switch blade that is operated by a communication system controlled motor that may include a switch mounted radio which may be controlled by another radio located at a distance and powered by a solar charged battery. The communication system controlled motorized in-line air break disconnect switch may also be arranged in a three phase installation in a two-way or three-way switching arrangement attached to a utility pole or other structure. The communication system controlled motorized in line air break disconnect switch may in addition be arranged in a phase over phase switching arrangement supported by a utility pole or other structure.

Abstract: A high voltage in-line air break disconnect switch suspended by an electric power line conductor wherein the switch includes a rotating switch blade that is operated by a communication system controlled motor that may include a switch mounted radio which may be controlled by another radio located at a distance and powered by a solar charged battery. The communication system controlled motorized in-line air break disconnect switch may also be arranged in a three phase installation in a two-way or three-way switching arrangement attached to a utility pole or other structure. The communication system controlled motorized in line air break disconnect switch may in addition be arranged in a phase over phase switching arrangement supported by a utility pole or other structure.

Abstract: A high voltage folding disconnect switch including a folding switch blade that folds as it opens or closes and which is divided into a fixed blade portion attached to a rotating insulator and a folded blade portion having an electric contact surface engaging a break jaw contact surface. A trigger lever-locking bar is mounted to the fixed blade portion. The trigger lever-locking bar includes a trigger finger for contacting a trigger surface mounted on a stationary insulator. The trigger lever-locking bar has a cam slot for interaction with a cam follower pin that locks the movement of the folding blade so that premature straightening of the blade is prevented until any ice build-up on the switch has been alleviated.

Abstract: A high voltage in-line air break disconnect switch suspended by an electric power line conductor wherein the switch includes a rotating switch blade that is operated by a communication system controlled motor that may include a switch mounted radio which is controlled by another radio located in a hand-held portable controller that is battery powered to provide a secure way to open and close a switch without traditional padlockable manual operators that are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The communication system controlled motorized in-line air break disconnect switch is battery operated and solar charged.