Abstract: A hybrid circuit interrupter can be used for medium voltage direct current applications, among other applications. The circuit breaker includes a vacuum circuit interrupter and an electronic power interrupter that are electrically connected in parallel. The vacuum circuit interrupter is normally closed and the electronic power interrupter is normally off, so that current passes through the vacuum circuit interrupter in a non-interrupt mode. When an interrupt condition is detected, the electronic interrupter will turn on, and current will pass through the electronic interrupter as the vacuum interrupter is opened. A current injector may draw current from the vacuum interrupter to the electronic power interrupter. An isolation switch may maintain the system in a non-conducting state when interruption is complete.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a vacuum interrupter having a closed position and an open position. The circuit breaker includes a linkage operatively coupled to and extending from the vacuum interrupter and a high-speed actuator operatively connected to the linkage. The high-speed actuator is operable to move the linkage by a repulsion force and cause the vacuum interrupter to move to the open position. The circuit breaker includes a decelerator with an integrated latch assembly operatively coupled to the high-speed actuator. The decelerator decelerates the repulsion force of the high-speed actuator and latches the actuator with the integrated latch assembly to maintain the vacuum interrupter in the open position.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter including a first movable contact and electrode contained within a vacuum chamber, a second movable contact and electrode contained within the vacuum chamber, a first actuator operably coupled to the first movable contact, and a second actuator operably coupled to the second movable contact. The vacuum interrupter also includes a first bellows and first bellows plate operably coupled to the first movable electrode, as well as a second bellows and second bellows plate operably coupled to the second movable electrode. Additionally, the vacuum interrupter includes a first pressure chamber located between the first actuator and the vacuum chamber, and a second pressure chamber located between the second actuator and the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Disconnect switches include a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact, a first actuator coupled to the movable main contact, and a second actuator coupled to the housing. The second actuator is configured to apply a motive force to the housing that is in a direction opposing a motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contact.

Abstract: A disconnect switch assembly includes first and second disconnect switches with each of the first and second disconnect switch including a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, and a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact. Each of the movable main contacts is coupled to a (common) first actuator. A second actuator is coupled to the housing of the first disconnect switch and a third actuator is coupled to the housing of the second disconnect switch. The first actuator is configured to concurrently apply first and second motive forces (in opposing but in-line directions) to the movable contacts of the first and second disconnect switches. The second and third actuators are configured to apply a motive force to the housings that is in a direction opposing a respective motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a compact pole unit with an encapsulated body having ring(s) and conducting terminals that each extend from the encapsulated body. The body includes a vacuum interrupter and a coupler assembly that may be integrated into the pole unit. The coupler assembly includes a contact spring positioned an end of the compact pole unit, as well as a plunger that may be biased by the contact spring. The circuit breaker also includes an actuator positioned at the end of the pole unit that is opposite the coupler assembly. The circuit breaker also may include a second actuator that is will be connected to the contact spring of the coupler assembly via the plunger, and if so the breaker may be operated via either actuator.

Abstract: A disconnect switch assembly includes first and second disconnect switches with each of the first and second disconnect switch including a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, and a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact. Each of the movable main contacts is coupled to a (common) first actuator. A second actuator is coupled to the housing of the first disconnect switch and a third actuator is coupled to the housing of the second disconnect switch. The first actuator is configured to concurrently apply first and second motive forces (in opposing but in-line directions) to the movable contacts of the first and second disconnect switches. The second and third actuators are configured to apply a motive force to the housings that is in a direction opposing a respective motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contacts.

Abstract: A hybrid circuit interrupter can be used for medium voltage direct current applications, among other applications. The circuit breaker includes a vacuum circuit interrupter and an electronic power interrupter that are electrically connected in parallel. The vacuum circuit interrupter is normally closed and the electronic power interrupter is normally off, so that current passes through the vacuum circuit interrupter in a non-interrupt mode. When an interrupt condition is detected, the electronic interrupter will turn on, and current will pass through the electronic interrupter as the vacuum interrupter is opened. A current injector may draw current from the vacuum interrupter to the electronic power interrupter. An isolation switch may maintain the system in a non-conducting state when interruption is complete.

Abstract: A vacuum interrupter including a first movable contact and electrode contained within a vacuum chamber, a second movable contact and electrode contained within the vacuum chamber, a first actuator operably coupled to the first movable contact, and a second actuator operably coupled to the second movable contact. The vacuum interrupter also includes a first bellows and first bellows plate operably coupled to the first movable electrode, as well as a second bellows and second bellows plate operably coupled to the second movable electrode. Additionally, the vacuum interrupter includes a first pressure chamber located between the first actuator and the vacuum chamber, and a second pressure chamber located between the second actuator and the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: Disconnect switches include a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact, a first actuator coupled to the movable main contact, and a second actuator coupled to the housing. The second actuator is configured to apply a motive force to the housing that is in a direction opposing a motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contact.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter system includes a vacuum circuit interrupter having a vacuum chamber that contains a fixed contact and a moveable contact. A non-conductive rod extends from the moveable contact. One or more Thomson coils are wound around the rod, and one or more armatures are connected to the rod. When a driver energizes one of the Thomson coils, a corresponding armature will be repelled from that Thomson coil and move the rod to open or close the contacts of the vacuum circuit interrupter. The system also may include a damper that provides an active damping force rod when the rod is moved to open and/or close the vacuum circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter system includes a vacuum circuit interrupter having a vacuum chamber that contains a fixed contact and a moveable contact. A non-conductive rod extends from the moveable contact. One or more Thomson coils are wound around the rod, and one or more armatures are connected to the rod. When a driver energizes one of the Thomson coils, a corresponding armature will be repelled from that Thomson coil and move the rod to open or close the contacts of the vacuum circuit interrupter. The system also may include a damper that provides an active damping force rod when the rod is moved to open and/or close the vacuum circuit interrupter.

Abstract: A monitoring latch assembly structured to monitor circuit breaker assembly operating mechanism component characteristics is provided. The monitoring latch assembly includes a latch member and a sensor assembly. The latch member includes a body. The latch member body defines a pocket. The sensor assembly is disposed in the latch member body pocket.

Abstract: A monitoring latch assembly structured to monitor circuit breaker assembly operating mechanism component characteristics is provided. The monitoring latch assembly includes a latch member and a sensor assembly. The latch member includes a body. The latch member body defines a pocket. The sensor assembly is disposed in the latch member body pocket.

Abstract: An improved modular vacuum interruption apparatus includes a vacuum interrupter, a first connection module, and a second connection module, with the first and second connection modules each being connectable and disconnectable with a pair of electrodes of the vacuum interrupter. The first connection module is selected from among a plurality of connection modules that are similar yet different and can be used interchangeably to form various permutations of the improved modular vacuum interruption apparatus. The second connection module is likewise selected from among a plurality of connection modules that are similar yet different and that are interchangeably usable with the vacuum interrupter to form different permutations of the modular vacuum interruption apparatus.

Abstract: An improved modular vacuum interruption apparatus includes a vacuum interrupter, a first connection module, and a second connection module, with the first and second connection modules each being connectable and disconnectable with a pair of electrodes of the vacuum interrupter. The first connection module is selected from among a plurality of connection modules that are similar yet different and can be used interchangeably to form various permutations of the improved modular vacuum interruption apparatus. The second connection module is likewise selected from among a plurality of connection modules that are similar yet different and that are interchangeably usable with the vacuum interrupter to form different permutations of the modular vacuum interruption apparatus.

Abstract: An improved circuit breaker includes an inertial time delay mechanism that permits a self-powered trip unit to become fully operational before inputting into the trip unit a signal indicating a change in the state of the circuit breaker. The time delay mechanism includes an inertia member, a first spring, and a second spring, and is activated upon the rotation of a lay shaft of an operating mechanism of the circuit breaker. The first spring extends between the inertia member and a housing of the circuit breaker and biases the inertia member from an initial position toward a terminal position. The second spring extends between the lay shaft and the inertia member and biases the inertia member toward the initial position when the circuit breaker is in an OFF condition. The combined action of the first and second springs on the inertia member provides a time delay using a relatively small inertial mass.