Abstract: An operating mechanism for a switchgear unit is disclosed. The operating unit includes an input drive shaft operable to rotate and counter-rotate. A trip linkage has a cam disk rotatably coupled to the input drive shaft and is coupled to a spring-drive mechanism for opening and closing the vacuum interrupter. An over-center linkage has a drive link rotatably coupled to the input drive shaft, and a follower link for opening and closing the isolating disconnect. Rotation of the input drive shaft through a first range drives the trip linkage for opening the vacuum interrupter and moves the drive link though an over-center position without opening the isolating disconnect. Rotation of the input drive shaft though a second range drives the over-center linkage for opening the isolating disconnect after the vacuum interrupter is opened.

Abstract: Devices and assemblies are provided for operating circuit interrupters. A circuit interrupter assembly includes a circuit interrupter and a contact spring assembly. The circuit interrupter is located within the housing and includes a moving contact and a stationary contact. Contact spring assembly includes a mass, a plunger, a ferrule, a spring, and a dielectric drive rod. The mass defines an inner bore with a first diameter at a first portion of the mass and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter at a second portion of the mass. The plunger has a flange portion and a body portion. The flange portion is located within the inner bore at the second portion and has a flange diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The spring is disposed within the inner bore between the plunger and the ferrule.

Abstract: An operating mechanism for a switchgear unit is disclosed. The operating unit includes an input drive shaft operable to rotate and counter-rotate. A trip linkage has a cam disk rotatably coupled to the input drive shaft and is coupled to a spring-drive mechanism for opening and closing the vacuum interrupter. An over-center linkage has a drive link rotatably coupled to the input drive shaft, and a follower link for opening and closing the isolating disconnect. Rotation of the input drive shaft through a first range drives the trip linkage for opening the vacuum interrupter and moves the drive link though an over-center position without opening the isolating disconnect. Rotation of the input drive shaft though a second range drives the over-center linkage for opening the isolating disconnect after the vacuum interrupter is opened.

Abstract: Devices and assemblies are provided for operating circuit interrupters. A circuit interrupter assembly includes a circuit interrupter and a contact spring assembly. The circuit interrupter is located within the housing and includes a moving contact and a stationary contact. Contact spring assembly includes a mass, a plunger, a ferrule, a spring, and a dielectric drive rod. The mass defines an inner bore with a first diameter at a first portion of the mass and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter at a second portion of the mass. The plunger has a flange portion and a body portion. The flange portion is located within the inner bore at the second portion and has a flange diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The spring is disposed within the inner bore between the plunger and the ferrule.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies. An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies unless the circuit interrupting devices are in an open state.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies. An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies unless the circuit interrupting devices are in an open state.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies. An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies unless the circuit interrupting devices are in an open state.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies. An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies unless the circuit interrupting devices are in an open state.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices (302) may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies (306). An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies (306) unless the circuit interrupting devices (302) are in an open state.

Abstract: A circuit or fault interrupting and disconnect device includes a tripping apparatus that ensures a vacuum interrupter of the device is opened upon initiation of a change of state of an associated disconnect blade assembly. The disconnect blade assembly may have an open state and a closed state. A drive mechanism couples to the blade assembly to move the blade assembly to its various states. The drive mechanism couples to the interrupter trip assembly to provide for opening of the contacts of the vacuum interrupter prior to the blade assembly making or breaking contact.

Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is manufacturable in a number of different configurations providing current path options, conductor connectivity options and sensing options. The device may include a configurable solid insulation housing into which various operable components are installed. The device may include a core element including a sensor assembly and conductor members, from which the various configurations may be established including a plurality of different current path configurations. A plurality of circuit interrupting devices (302) may be configured together in an assembly with corresponding disconnect assemblies (306). An interlock is provided to prevent operation of the disconnect assemblies (306) unless the circuit interrupting devices (302) are in an open state.

Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging the energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.

Abstract: An operating arrangement is provided for a mechanism or the like, e.g. an operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter for electrical power transmission and distribution systems where the operating mechanism operates on stored energy and requires a recharging operation after the stored energy is utilized to operate the circuit interrupter. The operating arrangement includes an operating member and a cooperating arrangement carried by the operating mechanism for retaining the operating member during a multi-turn charging operation. Initial operation of the operating member for one or more turns causes the operating member to be retained before any charging operation takes place. Subsequent operation of the operating member results in the charging of the operating mechanism. The operating member is then returned to an initial engagement position whereupon the operating member is released for removal from the operating mechanism.

Abstract: An operating arrangement is provided for a mechanism or the like, e.g. an operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter for electrical power transmission and distribution systems where the operating mechanism operates on stored energy and requires a recharging operation after the stored energy is utilized to operate the circuit interrupter. The operating arrangement includes an operating member and a cooperating arrangement carried by the operating mechanism for retaining the operating member during a multi-turn charging operation. Initial operation of the operating member for one or more turns causes the operating member to be retained before any charging operation takes place. Subsequent operation of the operating member results in the charging of the operating mechanism. The operating member is then returned to an initial engagement position whereupon the operating member is released for removal from the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-pole protective device and system for electrical power transmission and distribution systems is provided that operates a multi-pole tripping system at ground level from a line-potential tripping device contained within each pole of the multi-pole system. The system includes multiple pole-unit assemblies each of which is totally self-contained and generates a tripping signal in response to overcurrent conditions to operate a ground-potential operating mechanism. In one arrangement, the pole units each include an internal line-potential tripping arrangement that communicates a trip signal to a ground-potential operating mechanism of the pole unit and associated pole units of the protective device arrangement. In a preferred arrangement, the line-potential tripping arrangement includes an insulated member that is moved to transmit the trip signal from line potential to ground potential.

Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging said energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.

Abstract: An operating arrangement is provided for a mechanism or the like, e.g. an operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter for electrical power transmission and distribution systems where the operating mechanism operates on stored energy and requires a recharging operation after the stored energy is utilized to operate the circuit interrupter. The operating arrangement includes an operating member and a cooperating arrangement carried by the operating mechanism for retaining the operating member during a multi-turn charging operation. Initial operation of the operating member for one or more turns causes the operating member to be retained before any charging operation takes place. Subsequent operation of the operating member results in the charging of the operating mechanism. The operating member is then returned to an initial engagement position whereupon the operating member is released for removal from the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A current transfer arrangement is provided for a circuit interrupter that provides support for the contacts of the circuit interrupter and also provides current transfer between the contacts of the circuit interrupter and the external circuit terminal connection points directly through the end flanges/fittings thereof. The current transfer arrangement includes a first member assembled onto each of the circuit interrupter contacts and clamping members for securing the first member to the end flange. The end flanges include receiving grooves cooperating with the first member.

Abstract: A multi-pole protective device and system for electrical power transmission and distribution systems is provided that operates a multi-pole tripping system at ground level from a line-potential tripping device contained within each pole of the multi-pole system. The system includes multiple pole-unit assemblies each of which is responsive to sensed overcurrents to provide a tripping signal. Each of the pole-unit assemblies is totally self-contained and generates a tripping signal in response to overcurrent conditions to operate a ground-potential operating mechanism. In one arrangement, the pole units each include an internal line-potential tripping arrangement that communicates a trip signal to a ground-potential operating mechanism of the pole unit and associated pole units of the protective device arrangement. Each pole unit also includes an interrupter operated by the ground-potential operating mechanism to open the interrupter.

Abstract: A fault interrupter is provided that includes a high-speed disconnect in series with an interrupter wherein the circuit opening is via the interrupter and the circuit making is via the disconnect. A stored energy disconnect operating mechanism operates the disconnect between ground, open and closed positions and also charges the interrupter mechanism during a slow opening of the disconnect without fully charging the disconnect operating mechanism. Thus, the required operating forces to open the disconnect and charge the interrupter mechanism are reduced. During a manual opening, the disconnect operating mechanism trips open the interrupter, then only partially charges to begin opening the disconnect before releasing the stored energy. Continued operation of the disconnect operating mechanism slowly drives the disconnect open while charging the interrupter mechanism and closing the interrupter.