Abstract: A linkage for coupling to at least one rotatable shaft of a high voltage circuit breaker has an elongated body having a central body portion and opposed end portions. At least one of the end portions comprises a pair of parallel side walls and a bottom wall extending longitudinally from the central body portion along the end portion. Each of the parallel side walls comprises an outer side wall portion and an inner side wall portion. Each outer side wall portion extends longitudinally beyond an outer end of a lower part of the inner side wall portion and an outer end of the bottom wall. The parallel side walls and bottom wall form a slot having an open end adapted to receive a square or rectangular end of a rotatable shaft in the slot. The slot has an upper longitudinal opening between the adjacent upper edges of the side walls and a lower longitudinal opening between adjacent lower edges of the outer side wall portions that extend beyond the bottom wall.

Abstract: A high voltage circuit breaker with a gas-insulated tank is provided. Enclosed with the tank is an elongated heater having at least one heating element enclosed in an outer tube. The heater is located coaxially within the tank and is surrounded by the insulating gas.

Abstract: A novel solenoid assembly is shown to include a solenoid having an armature and a delay member. The delay member delays movement of the armature from a first position to a second position until some desired condition occurs, for example, until a desired period of time has passed, until the solenoid is capable of generating a desired amount of force or until the current applied to the solenoid reaches a desired level. In a preferred embodiment, the delay member is a spring positioned to bias the armature against movement until the desired condition has occurred. In such an embodiment, the spring may be positioned to exert force against a shoulder formed on the armature. It is also preferred for the solenoid assembly to include a spacer, positioned between the solenoid and the mechanism being controlled by the solenoid. The spacer serves to space the armature from the mechanism when the armature is in the first position.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a circuit breaker includes a tank having a main portion for housing an interrupter assembly, a bushing insulator adhesively bonded to the tank, and an electrical conductor extending through the bushing insulator and electrically coupled to the interrupter assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for monitoring the fluidic contents of a tank. The tank includes a quick disconnect valve and an assembly includes a monitor device, such as, for example, a gas density monitor, a pressure monitor, a temperature monitor, etc., and a quick disconnect fitting. The monitor device is coupled to the quick disconnect fitting. The quick disconnect fitting is adapted to couple to the quick disconnect valve such that the interior of the quick disconnect fitting is in fluidic communication with the interior of the monitor device for reducing the chance of leakage upon connection/disconnection.

Abstract: A novel solenoid assembly is shown to include a solenoid having an armature and a delay member. The delay member delays movement of the armature from a first position to a second position until some desired condition occurs, for example, until a desired period of time has passed, until the solenoid is capable of generating a desired amount of force or until the current applied to the solenoid reaches a desired level. In a preferred embodiment, the delay member is a spring positioned to bias the armature against movement until the desired condition has occurred. In such an embodiment, the spring may be positioned to exert force against a shoulder formed on the armature. It is also preferred for the solenoid assembly to include a spacer, positioned between the solenoid and the mechanism being controlled by the solenoid. The spacer serves to space the armature from the mechanism when the armature is in the first position.

Abstract: A density monitoring assembly for use in monitoring the gas density within a high voltage circuit breaker tank is disclosed. The density monitoring assembly is coupled directly to an exterior surface of said tank and provides electrical signals indicative of the density of gas within the tank. The assembly comprises a cover that encloses the density monitoring device. The device itself is used to retain the cover. A ball valve and a shraeder type valve are provided to allow testing of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a combined interrupter disconnect switch is disclosed. The disconnect switch is operated by a slow speed linear motion of a mechanism pullrod. The interrupter, which is a component of the disconnect switch arm, is operated by a high speed linear motion of the same mechanism pullrod. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises: an operating rod; a high speed operating mechanism connected to the operating rod; a sliding gear having an elongated gear face; a motor, rotatably connected to the sliding gear; a coupling gear drive having a longitudinally disposed threaded shaft and an external gear face, connected to the operating rod and meshed with said sliding gear; a threaded rod threaded into the threaded shaft of the coupling gear drive; and a drive rod connected to the threaded rod and to the mechanism pullrod. The high speed operating mechanism and motor respectively provide high speed and slow speed linear motion to the mechanism pullrod.

Abstract: The movable nozzle of a puffer circuit interrupter has a coaxial cylindrical shield connected to its downstream end and the main movable contacts connected to its upstream end. The shield is electrically connected to the stationary contact terminal. The movable contact ring and coaxial shield at the upstream end of the nozzle define a well shielded open gap when the interrupter gap opens.

Abstract: An intelligent circuit breaker or switching device system comprises three separate microprocessor-based units, including a condition monitoring unit (CMU) 40, a breaker control unit (BCU) 50, and a synchronous control unit (SCU) 60. The CMU 40 provides detailed diagnostic information by monitoring key quantities associated with circuit breaker or switching device reliability. On-line analysis performed by the CMU provides information facilitating the performance of maintenance as needed and the identification of impending failures. The BCU 50 is a programmable system having self-diagnostic and remote communications. The BCU replaces the conventional electromechanical control circuits typically employed to control a circuit breaker or switching device. The SCU 60 provides synchronous switching control for both closing and opening the circuit interrupters. The control processes carried out by the SCU reduce system switching transients and interrupter wear.

Abstract: An intelligent circuit breaker or switching device system comprises three separate microprocessor-based units, including a condition monitoring unit (CMU) 40, a breaker control unit (BCU) 50, and a synchronous control unit (SCU) 60. The CMU 40 provides detailed diagnostic information by monitoring key quantities associated with circuit breaker or switching device reliability. On-line analysis performed by the CMU provides information facilitating the performance of maintenance as needed and the identification of impending failures. The BCU 50 is a programmable system having self-diagnostic and remote communications. The BCU replaces the conventional electromechanical control circuits typically employed to control a circuit breaker or switching device. The SCU 60 provides synchronous switching control for both closing and opening the circuit interrupters. The control processes carried out by the SCU reduce system switching transients and interrupter wear.

Abstract: An intelligent circuit breaker or switching device system comprises three separate microprocessor-based units, including a condition monitoring unit (CMU) 40, a breaker control unit (BCU) 50, and a synchronous control unit (SCU) 60. The CMU 40 provides detailed diagnostic information by monitoring key quantities associated with circuit breaker or switching device reliability. On-line analysis performed by the CMU provides information facilitating the performance of maintenance as needed and the identification of impending failures. The BCU 50 is a programmable system having self-diagnostic and remote communications. The BCU replaces the conventional electromechanical control circuits typically employed to control a circuit breaker or switching device. The SCU 60 provides synchronous switching control for both closing and opening the circuit interrupters. The control processes carried out by the SCU reduce system switching transients and interrupter wear.

Abstract: A steel plate of area greater than the area of the output of a nozzle in a puffer gas interrupter is fixed to but is spaced from the downstream end of the nozzle and causes turbulence in the hot interrupter gases flowing through the nozzle to improve mixing with cooler downstream gas.

Abstract: A mechanical linkage for independently opening and closing a plurality of associated switches is provided by the invention. The linkage comprises a plurality of connecting rods that provide the initial driving force to open or close the switch, cranks for opening and closing the contacts of respective switches, linking elements which couple together the connecting rods and the cranks, and a number of lever assemblies having a bearing ring interfaced thereto. The bearing rings provide a supportive interface between two linking element but permit the linking elements to rotate independently from one another. The lever assemblies also provide an interface for the connecting rods and linking element. According to a method of the present invention, a connecting rod is actuated in response to a signal to cause the lever assembly to pivot. The linking rod interfaced with the connecting rod via the lever assembly is then rotated in response to the pivoting.

Abstract: The invention provides a high performance circuit breaker with an independent pole operation linkage and conical composite bushings. A mechanical linkage for independently opening and closing a plurality of associated switches is provided by the invention. The linkage comprises a plurality of connecting rods that provide the initial driving force to open or close the switch, cranks for opening and closing the contacts of respective switches, linking elements which couple together the connecting rods and the cranks, and a number of lever assemblies having a bearing ring interfaced thereto. The bearing rings provide a supportive interface between two linking element but permit the linking elements to rotate independently from one another. The lever assemblies also provide an interface for the connecting rods and linking element. According to a method of the present invention, a connecting rod is actuated in response to a signal to cause the lever assembly to pivot.

Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.

Abstract: A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit breaker is disclosed. The disclosed mechanism comprises a charging system (12); trip latch mechanism (14); an opening spring (16); a closing spring (18) positioned coaxially with the opening spring; a support structure (22) supporting the open and closing springs; and a first rod member (24) operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, the first rod member being operatively coupled to the open and closing springs such that discharging of the opening spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a first direction and discharging of the closing spring effects the movement of the first rod member in a second direction.

Abstract: The movable contact of a puffer interrupter contains a movable conductive tubular sleeve which is electrically connected to and is slidably mounted within a hollow conductive adapter which is supported from the end of a bushing insulator. An insulation rod flexibly connects the adapter to the housing. A pair of flexible rods connect the end of the interrupter to the end of the housing. The puffer interrupter is mounted within a dead tank housing.

Abstract: A dogging mechanism for a bulkhead door on a ship, which uses a rotatable handle connected to a four bar parallel linkage to pivot a plurality of rollers over a plurality of wedge shaped lugs to tightly close the door and make it water tight when used with a double directional gasket.

Abstract: A water tight prehung door for a ship bulkhead, the door being formed from a plate with a peripheral band welded thereto, being stiffened by a plurality of channels extending from one side of the door to the other and having elongated dimples in the plate disposed between the channels; a double directional gasket which buckles when closed is contained in a partial enclosure and cooperates with a dogging mechanism utilizing a parallel bar linkage which moves rollers over wedge shaped lugs to dog the door closed and form a water tight seal irrespective of which side of the door is subjected to pressure.