Abstract: An operating mechanism that provides multiple operational output states at a first output and additional operational output states at a second output that are synchronized with the first output to provide a predetermined sequence of control. The operating mechanism includes an output lever that is pivoted by the stored energy in a spring and latch levers that are selectively operated to release the output lever. When the output lever is moved between operational positions, the output lever is stopped in its pivoting movement via the latch levers.

Abstract: A switchgear module is provided that is assembled from one or more molded housing portions to provide a gas-tight volume for the housing of electrical components. The switchgear modules include provisions for assembly of various combinations of switchgear modules into a variety of electrical circuit configurations while maintaining a gas seal of the switchgear modules. In a preferred arrangement, the switchgear module includes bus conductors that are integrally incorporated during the molding of the switchgear module housing and that are accessible from opposite sides of the module. Further, the switchgear module includes integrally molded features for providing access to make electrical interconnections between the bus conductors of adjacently positioned switchgear modules.

Abstract: An operating mechanism that provides multiple operational output states at a first output and additional operational output states at a second output that are synchronized with the first output to provide a predetermined sequence of control. The operating mechanism includes an output lever that is pivoted by the stored energy in a spring and latch levers that are selectively operated to release the output lever. When the output lever is moved between operational positions, the output lever is stopped in its pivoting movement via the latch levers.

Abstract: A multi-pole group-operated switch is provided for electrical power distribution circuits. The switch is self-contained and suited for ease of use with various line spacings and arrangements of the distribution lines; e.g., side-by-side (horizontal plane), phase-over-phase, and cable drops. The switch includes a plurality of switch-pole units carried at desired spacings by a base support and drive arrangement. Each of the switch-pole units includes a housing, interrupting contacts, and disconnect contacts. The housing that encloses the interrupting contacts in movable to perform the disconnect function. The base support and drive arrangement encloses a high-speed interrupting linkage for operation of the interrupting contacts of each of the switch-pole units and carries an operating mechanism that is connected to the interrupting linkage internal to a base support member of the base support and drive arrangement. The switch also includes a disconnect linkage to move the switch-pole housings.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided that includes a coordinating input for a mechanism of an interrupter switch; the coordinating input being derived from sensed movement of an element away from a first position and toward a second position. The coordinating input is utilized to trip the interrupters if they are closed. In a specific arrangement, a stored-energy mechanism is tripped to provide opening and closing of the interrupters via a high-speed interrupter drive train. The tripping arrangement is operable via a first input to cause movement of a latch member to release the stored-energy mechanism to operate the interrupter drive train. The first input may be actuated via open or close instructions, including both local and remote capabilities. The latch for the stored-energy mechanism is reset after each actuation. An output shaft of the mechanism is connected to drive the interrupter drive train. Both opening and closing are accomplished via rotation of the output shaft in the same direction.

Abstract: An interrupting unit for a switch is provided that includes the efficient combination of a molded housing and a shunt current path therethrough. The shunt current path includes easily assembled components that provide positive contact at a point in the current path at which the components are relatively movable with respect to each other. The interrupting unit includes an operating mechanism with movable linkage components that operate the shunt interrupting contacts. The linkage components also provide a portion of the shunt current path. The shunt current path also includes a stationary auxiliary contact which extends outside the molded housing and which is cooperable with a moving auxiliary shunt contact of an overall interrupting switch. The molded housing includes a cover portion having a section that extends beyond the main integrally molded housing portion. The stationary auxiliary contact is a protruding member or stud disposed from the extending section of the cover portion.

Abstract: An interrupter switch is provided that includes an interrupter housing that is integrally formed from insulating material. The interrupter housing defines structure to house the interrupting contacts and the operating linkage for the interrupting contacts. The interrupter housing is selectively movable after circuit interruption to perform a visible, circuit-isolating function; the interrupter housing functioning as a movable switching member and carrying a disconnect contact that cooperates with a stationary disconnect contact at a first circuit terminal. A second circuit terminal is defined at a swivel or hinge contact carried by the interrupter housing. The interrupting contacts are connected between the movable disconnect contact and the second circuit terminal. The operating linkage includes a rotatable operating member which extends from the interrupter housing. The interrupter housing is filled with an insulating gas. Seals are provided between the interrupter housing and the operating member.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement is provided that clamps a switch pole-unit (or portion thereof) to a support member. In a preferred embodiment, the clamping arrangement includes a first member that functions as a pole-unit base to support the switch pole-unit, a second member, and facilities for clamping the first and second members about the support member. The first member includes notches that each have a length that is greater than or equal to the dimension of a predetermined portion of the support member that is assembled to the first member. The clamping arrangement further includes provisions operative during or after that apply a force to secure the support member in the notches so as to prevent any movement of the support member relative to the notches of the first member; e.g., by forcing the support member into engagement with a first end of each of the notches.

Abstract: An operator is provided that includes a common drive for charging an operating mechanism and for driving a functional accessory device in predetermined coordinated relationship. The common drive in a specific embodiment is provided as a drive shaft at the output of a drive train. The operating mechanism is charged as the drive shaft is rotated from a first to a second predetermined position. The functional accessory device is also driven via the drive shaft; the functional accessory device being operated from a first predetermined operational state to a second predetermined operational state in response to the rotation of the drive shaft between the predetermined positions. When desired, the functional accessory device is operated from the second predetermined operational state to the first predetermined operational state by subsequent rotation of the drive shaft to the first predetermined position. The operating mechanism is controlled thereafter to close the contacts of one or more interrupting units.

Abstract: A decoupling arrangement that includes a manually operable latch member is provided between an output shaft of a drive source and a power train. In a first coupled position, the latch member cooperates with slots in a tubular member that is arranged to be rotated by the drive source. A driven member is arranged coaxially with the tubular member and pivotally carries the latch member. To accomplish decoupling, the latch member is pivoted out of the coupled position. The decoupling arrangement includes provisions to prevent decoupling movement of the latch member except when the power train is at one or at one of a plurality of predetermined operative positions. The decoupling-preventing provision also serves to restrain the power train against movement when the latch member is moved out of the coupled position.

Abstract: A linear operating mechanism is provided for operating one or more electrical switches or interrupters, the mechanism selectively closing the switch via movement of a switch operating member and immediately thereafter being capable of opening the switch as required. The operating mechanism includes a carriage that is movable over a linear path to charge an opening spring and a closing spring. The switch operating member is movable along an axis parallel to or coincident with the path of the carriage. The opening spring and the closing springs are disposed about a common axis parallel to the movement of the carriage and the switch operating member. A first latch arrangement is provided for preventing switch-closing movement of the switch operating member when the switch is open and the first latch arrangement is engaged.

Abstract: An arrangement including an insulative support column provides independent rotary and linear drive outputs for the operation of electrical switches, circuit interrupters and/or disconnects or the like. A first, linear drive linkage provides translating motion at a first output in response to linear translating motion at a first input. The linear drive arrangement is provided by an elongated, insulative operating member that is disposed within an elongated bore of the insulative support column, with the operating member extending through the top and bottom ends of the column. A second, rotary drive output is provided by rotation of the support column. The column fixedly carries a lower base member which is rotatably supported within a base housing. The operating member extends through and exits the base member and cooperates with a bearing carried by the base member. The lower end of the operating member is coupled to the linear drive linkage input.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved high voltage switch operating mechanism which utilizes energy stored in a spiral spring to drive high voltage switches from either the open to the closed position or the closed to the open position. A spiral spring interconnects a rotatably mounted drive lever, which can be rotated to charge the sprial spring, and an output lever, which drives the switch either open or closed when the switch operating mechanism is tripped. A gearbox assembly reduces the torque required to charge the spiral spring when supplied either manually with a crank or electrically through a motor. The output lever is held in the switch-closed or the switch-opened position by improved first or second output lever latch assemblies, respectively, while the drive lever is rotated to charge the spring. Once the spiral spring is charged, first and second main latches engage the drive lever holding it in a spring charged position.

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.

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.