Abstract: Switchgear is provided that includes a housing enclosing electrical components having switch blades that establish visible open gaps in an open position. The switchgear includes an array of operating controls and viewing provisions to observe the open switch blades. The operating controls and viewing provisions are accessible from a first direction and are arranged at a first area of the housing while cable interconnection provisions are accessible from a second direction and are arranged at a second area of the housing. Thus, operating personnel can utilize the viewing provisions and the operating controls without being exposed to the area of the cable interconnections. In one specific arrangement, an array of operational displays is provided, with the displays overlying the viewing provisions and being movable to permit use of the viewing provisions. In a preferred arrangement, the switchgear includes multi-pole switchgear assemblies which are assembled from individual pole-unit assemblies.

Abstract: A flexible connection arrangement is provided for two conductors that accommodates all possible forms of misalignment between the two conductors. The connection arrangement utilizes spherical joints formed by facing hemispherical protuberances at each end of two movable links.

Abstract: A bushing assembly is provided that functions as a circuit interrupter for electrical equipment such as a power transformer or the like. The bushing assembly is mounted so as to extend through the housing of the electrical equipment and incorporates a circuit interrupter having separable interrupter contacts. The bushing assembly includes an insulating bushing and electrical connections for connecting the separable interrupting contacts between a power source connection external to the housing and an input connection internal to the housing that supplies the electrical equipment. The circuit interrupter includes a control arrangement for selectively operating the separable interrupting contacts. In one specific arrangement, the control arrangement is responsive to operate the separable interrupting contacts to interrupt the circuit when the current is above a predetermined level.

Abstract: Contact operating arrangement utilizing a stroke multiplier mechanism is provided for operating the contacts of high-voltage apparatus. The contact operating arrangement includes a shock-reducing feature such that the loading and forces on the stroke multiplier mechanism caused by the rapid deceleration of the moving contact structure are reduced by transfer to other portions of the contact operating arrangement. Where desired, the contact operating arrangement also includes provisions to reduce the loading to the moving contact structure during contact opening.

Abstract: A stored-energy switch operating mechanism is provided that includes a charging arrangement that reduces the peak forces required during the charging of the operating mechanism to store operating energy. The charging arrangement is responsive to a unidirectional input to accomplish the charging of the operating mechanism. In an illustrative arrangement, the operating mechanism includes a closing spring and an opening spring. During charging, the springs are sequentially charged prior to any switch-closing or switch-opening operation. The operating mechanism does not require the detachment of any components during either charging or switch operation. The charging arrangement, in an illustrative embodiment, is responsive to a unidirectional rotary input to a charging crank to sequentially drive a charging element in a first direction and then in a second, opposite direction. In the first direction, a first of the springs is charged and latched. In the second direction, the second spring is charged and latched.

Abstract: An alignment and centering arrangement is provided for effecting the self-centering of a first contact assembly and for effecting the self-alignment of the first contact assembly with a second contact assembly as the contact assemblies are positioned together for engagement. The alignment and centering arrangement provides a predetermined maximum range of pivoting movement of the first contact assembly with respect to a predetermined position while requiring minimal forces for effecting the self-alignment. Additionally, the alignment and centering arrangement accurately establishes a predetermined center position with orientation of the first contact assembly along a predetermined axis. In one configuration, the alignment and centering arrangement includes the resilient mounting of the first contact assembly with respect to a reference plane.

Abstract: A pre-insertion resistor mechanism for a circuit interrupting device of the type which has a pair of normally-engaged contacts. One of the contacts is movable relative to the other contact in an arc-extinguishing environment to selectively separate the contacts to open a gap therebetween to effect circuit interruption. The contacts are continuously, electrically connected to respective, opposed circuit-connectable terminals on the device. The pre-insertion resistor mechanism includes a pre-insertion resistor electrically connected at one end to one of the terminals. The other end of the resistor carries a stationary electrode. A movable electrode assembly which is electrically connected to the other terminal is mechanically coupled to the movable contact so that upon movement thereof to open the gap, the movable electrode simultaneously separates from the stationary electrode.

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: 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.

Abstract: A bus-mountable, circuit-interrupting device, including an interrupting unit and a novel line-potential, manually-resettable operating mechanism for the unit, is usable in circuits in which faults may exceed the interrupting capability of the unit. A normally engaged pair of contacts in the unit is separable within an arc-extinguishing medium. The operating mechanism includes a robust, stored-energy operator, for separating the contacts, and a tripping mechanism, which selectively releases the stored operating energy. The tripping mechanism normally prevents release of the stored operating energy, and includes a high mechanical advantage lever-link system which permits a low latching force to counteract the stored operating energy. A ratchet-solenoid combination in the tripping mechanism selectively removes the low latching force.