Contact Moved By Sudden Release Of Stored Energy, (e.g., Spring Charger) Patents (Class 200/400)
  • Publication number: 20130001057
    Abstract: A switch includes a handle for activation and deactivation and an actuating device. The actuating device includes a motor drive, which tensions a spring held in a tensioned state by latching by way of a gear. Two spring pairs are provided for activation and deactivation. The two bridges are arranged, with the spring pairs thereof nested within each other and displaceable with respect to each other. The bridges facing each other are pressed apart from one another to tension the spring pairs, and an actuation element is arranged on the one bridge for activation and an actuation element is arranged on the other bridge for deactivation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Michael Hofmann, Harald Spittler
  • Patent number: 8338732
    Abstract: A spring operated actuator for an electrical switching apparatus. It has an opening spring and a closing spring, one of them including a torsion spring. The torsion spring is charged in the unwinding direction and discharged in the winding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Daniel Staffas, Johannes Tredoux, Mats Holman, Ulf Åkesson
  • Patent number: 8330065
    Abstract: The time period is shortened till a cutoff spring force is released when a switchgear is cut off. This switchgear comprises: a closing shaft; a main lever fixed turnably on the closing shaft and associated with a movable contact; a closing spring; a sub shaft; a sub lever and a latch lever fixed on the sub shaft; a roller mounted on the leading end of the latch lever; a turnable latch and a kick lever; a lock lever made turnable with respect to the latch; a latch returning spring for biasing the latch; a lock returning spring for biasing the kick lever and the lock lever; and a stopper for restricting the turns of the lock lever and the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ohda, Masaharu Shimizu, Satoshi Marushima, Hirokazu Takagi, Yoshikata Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8319133
    Abstract: A charging assembly for an electrical switching apparatus includes a cam shaft and including a number of cams. A latch lobe and a charging handle are coupled to opposing ends of the cam shaft. Each stroke of the charging handle pivots the cams a predetermined amount. A rocker arm includes a first portion cooperating with the cams, a second portion translating movement of the cams into movement of a stored energy mechanism, and a third portion cooperating with a close D-shaft having a close latch. A close prop includes a first end cooperating with the close D-shaft, and a second end including a roller that cooperates with the latch lobe. The close D-shaft pivots between latched and unlatched positions. The third portion cooperates with the close D-shaft to hold the close latch in the unlatched position until the charging handle has been pivoted a predetermined number of strokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 8319132
    Abstract: A load interrupter, especially to be mounted on a busbar includes a housing and a cover that is hinged thereto, a snap switch mechanism for establishing or interrupting an electrical connection between corresponding contacts. A control lever for switching between a current-carrying operation and a current interrupting operation, and a control mechanism which, depending on the position of the control lever, releases or blocks a release element for a displacement. The release element being coupled to a locking device which is arranged in such a manner that it can be engaged with or disengaged from the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Woehner GmbH & Co. KG Elektrotechnische Systeme
    Inventors: Alex Buettner, Andreas Hetenyi
  • Patent number: 8309871
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling electrical switchgear, the control apparatus being designed such that it is capable of performing the following in succession: during an opening stage for opening the moving contact, causing the connection end for connection to the moving contact and provided on an output member to go from the point P1 to the point P2, under the effect of an opening mechanical spring moving a moving abutment element that drives the output member by abutment; during a re-cocking stage for re-cocking the spring, moving the moving abutment element under the effect of switching on a motor, while keeping the connection end at the point P2; and during a closure stage for closing the moving contact, causing the connection end to go from the point P2 to the point P1, also under the effect of switching on the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Michel Collet, Olivier Grejon, Xavier Allaire, Georges Doummar, Philippe Manin
  • Publication number: 20120273334
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker having a pair of operable contacts in a main current path between a line terminal and load terminal, a trip mechanism for opening the contacts if an overcurrent condition occurs, and an electric motor to close the contacts via a contact closing mechanism. The trip mechanism includes a trigger mechanism and a contact opening mechanism, a current sensor arranged to detect current through the main current path, and a control unit. The trigger mechanism triggers the contact opening mechanism if a trip signal is produced. The control unit produces a trip signal to operate the trigger mechanism if it determines a short circuit condition occurs based on output of the current sensor; and the control unit is arranged to operate the electric motor to trigger the contact opening mechanism into opening the contacts independently of the trigger mechanism if it determines that an overload condition occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Eaton Industries Manufacturing GMBH
    Inventors: Sean Christopher Ganley, John Stevens
  • Publication number: 20120273333
    Abstract: A scalable earthing switch that incorporates a torsion spring to effect rapid closure of the switch. The torsion spring is supported coaxially about a rotatable shaft on which contact blades are mounted resulting in compact design. The blade contacts are separated axially along the length of the shaft by one or more spacers. By using difference size spacers the distance between adjacent blade contacts can be changed and, thus, the earthing switch can be easily scaled for different applications. A latching (detent) mechanism is provided for latching the switch in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: David D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8264306
    Abstract: A movable contactor assembly for a current limiting type MCCB comprising: a terminal base; a plurality of movable contactors having a cam surface portion; a pair of holder plates supporting the movable contactors; a plurality of first springs providing an elastic force to the movable contactors; a plurality of extending plate portions provided to face the side of one end portion of each of the movable contactors so as to be electrically connected with the movable contactors; a plurality of flexible wire plates electrically connecting the movable contactors and the terminal base and having a portion bendable toward the movable contactors or toward the extending plate portions; and a second spring providing an elastic force to the flexible wire plates so as to be tightly attached to the movable contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Ho Baek
  • Patent number: 8253517
    Abstract: A full-protection circuit breaker has a line-protection circuit breaker and a residual-current-operated component which can be fitted thereto. A first switching mechanism, located therein, includes a first switching toggle for operation of a first latching mechanism, which is accommodated in the residual-current-operated component. A second switching mechanism, provided in the line-protection circuit breaker, includes a second switching toggle for operation of a second latching mechanism, which is accommodated in the line-protection circuit. The first and the second latching mechanisms are coupled by means of a first coupling element. The first and the second switching toggle are coupled by means of a second coupling element, wherein the second coupling element acts on the first switching toggle with respect to the second switching toggle, pivoting through the predeterminable lead angle in the direction of its connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventor: Ralph Weber
  • Publication number: 20120211341
    Abstract: A spring operated actuator for an electrical switching apparatus. It has an opening spring and a closing spring, one of them including a torsion spring. The torsion spring is charged in the unwinding direction and discharged in the winding direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Staffas, Johannes Tredoux, Mats Holman, Ulf Akesson
  • Patent number: 8242399
    Abstract: An operating mechanism operates a multi-pole circuit breaker assembly. For each circuit breaker in the multi-pole circuit breaker assembly, the following elements are provided: a connection assembly for connection to an operating shaft of the circuit breaker, an actuator for changing between an ON and OFF state of the operating mechanism, a translation assembly for transferring a movement of the actuator to the connection assembly, and a compression spring exerting a force on the operating shaft in the ON state of the operating mechanism. The force exerted by the compression spring is adjustable by a force setting assembly in a continuous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Electric B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Berend Paul van Dijk, Gerhardus Leonardus Nitert, Ronald Johannes Wilms
  • Publication number: 20120199456
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spring actuator for a circuit breaker, the spring actuator comprises a spring configured to provide an elastic energy serving to perform a circuit opening operation or a circuit closing operation of a circuit breaker; a spring housing providing a space to compress or extend the spring; a movable supporting plate linearly movable in the spring housing; a linearly-movable shaft linearly-movable having a first position for charging an elastic energy by compressing the spring, and having a second position for releasing the spring; a driving mechanism configured to provide a rotatory power for linearly-moving the linearly-movable shaft; one rigid link configured to convert the rotatory power provided from the driving mechanism to a linear power and to transmit the linear power to the linearly-movable shaft; and a latch mechanism having a position for latching the spring such that the spring maintains a charged state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung Jun TAK
  • Patent number: 8237523
    Abstract: The relay has a movable first contact, a second contact, and an actuating element operatively connected with an armature of the relay. The first contact is movable toward the second contact by the actuating element and dependent on a supply of current to the relay. A snap action spring connects the second contact to a housing of the relay. The second contact is positioned between two arrangements by the snap action spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Austria GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Helmreich
  • Patent number: 8217291
    Abstract: A status indicating assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism comprises a stored energy mechanism and a primary latch. The primary latch is pivotable between a latched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being chargeable, and an unlatched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being discharged. The status indicating assembly includes a first indicator for indicating whether the separable contacts are open or closed, a second indicator for indicating whether the stored energy mechanism is charged or discharged, and a third indicator for indicating whether or not the circuit breaker is ready to close the separable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 8217290
    Abstract: A charging handle is provided for an electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an exterior, an interior and a recess extending from the exterior toward the interior, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and a charging assembly. A first end of the charging handle is coupled to the charging assembly within the interior of the housing. The second end includes a finger pull. An elongated body extends between the first and second ends and includes first and second sides, and inner and outer surfaces. The charging handle is movable among first and second positions. The finger pull is disposed on the outer surface of the elongated body at or about the second end of the charging handle, and is readily accessible from all of the second end and the first and second sides of the charging handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Rakus, Valerie F. Odom, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Craig A. Rodgers, Nathan J. Weister, Erik R. Bogdon
  • Patent number: 8203088
    Abstract: A close latch interlock assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which includes a stored energy mechanism, such as a closing spring. The close latch interlock assembly includes a close D-shaft pivotable between a latched and unlatched positions corresponding to the closing spring being chargeable and discharged, respectively. An actuator is movable between an unactuated position corresponding to the close D-shaft being disposed in the latched position, and an actuated position corresponding to the close D-shaft being movable toward the unlatched position. A release member cooperates with the actuator and is pivotably coupled to the first end of a transfer link. The second end of the transfer link extends toward the close D-shaft. When the actuator is moved toward the actuated position, it moves the release member, thereby moving the transfer link and pivoting the close D-shaft toward the unlatched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Perry R. Gibson, Robert M. Slepian
  • Patent number: 8198561
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for a switching device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a contact element which is mounted in a switching shaft segment such that it can rotate and can be switched off automatically in the event of a fault via said switching mechanism, a switching lever for switching the contact element on and off manually; a cocking lever which is mounted in a fixed position such that it can rotate and interacts with a catch; and a toggle lever joint including a coupling lug for connection to the contact element, a pivoting lever and a toggle lever joint shaft. The switching lever can assume at least one switched-on position, a manual switched-off position or automatically unlatched tripped position, or an intermediate switch position which is located between the switched-on position and the tripped position when a contact element is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 8183485
    Abstract: A circuit breaker having an automatic release linkage is disclosed that is capable of preventing damage and deformation of elements by automatic linkage release before electro-impulsive force generated from within the circuit breaker by a large short-circuit current causes the damage and deformation of open/close linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kil Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 8183486
    Abstract: The invention describes a spring arrangement for spring drive unit, which spring arrangement comprises a spring, a pullrod connected at a first pullrod end to a first spring end of the spring and connected at an opposite second pullrod end to a rotary shaft of the spring drive unit, a frame plate against which a second spring end of the spring is mounted and the frame plate being provided with an opening through which the pullrod extends to be connected to the shaft. Further, the first spring end of the spring, to which the pullrod is connected, is unguided, and the parameters of the spring are chosen in response to the operating conditions of the spring drive unit such that the spring is stable during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Johannes Tredoux, Staffan Jacobsson
  • Publication number: 20120103775
    Abstract: A charging assembly for an electrical switching apparatus includes a cam shaft and including a number of cams. A latch lobe and a charging handle are coupled to opposing ends of the cam shaft. Each stroke of the charging handle pivots the cams a predetermined amount. A rocker arm includes a first portion cooperating with the cams, a second portion translating movement of the cams into movement of a stored energy mechanism, and a third portion cooperating with a close D-shaft having a close latch. A close prop includes a first end cooperating with the close D-shaft, and a second end including a roller that cooperates with the latch lobe. The close D-shaft pivots between latched and unlatched positions. The third portion cooperates with the close D-shaft to hold the close latch in the unlatched position until the charging handle has been pivoted a predetermined number of strokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: ANDREW LAWRENCE GOTTSCHALK, ROBERT MICHAEL SLEPIAN
  • Patent number: 8168907
    Abstract: A switch mechanism for a power tool switchable between an ON and OFF state including a support structure; a first actuator rotatably mounted on the support structure and which is rotatable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first actuator is capable of being releasably latched in either of the first or second positions. The first actuator includes a recess. A second actuator is a slidable button located inside of the recess of the first actuator so that the first actuator at least partially surrounds the second actuator, and is linearly slidable within the recess between a first position and a second position. The second actuator is biased towards its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Uwe Nemetz
  • Publication number: 20120061224
    Abstract: An indicator device displays a status of switching contacts of a circuit breaker that includes an energy store. The indicator device includes a lever and a coupling element. The lever includes a display element and is movable between a triggered position and a non-triggered position based upon at least one operational parameter. The coupling element is operatively connected to the lever so as to be movable between a triggered, position and a non-triggered position by the lever. The coupling element is configured to be further operatively connected to a first actuator of the energy store so as to be movable by the first actuator into the non-triggered position when energy is stored in the first energy store and so as to not be moved from the non-triggered position into the triggered position when energy stored in the energy store is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: EATON INDUSTRIES GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Fleitmann, Volker Heins, Wolfgang Wagner
  • Patent number: 8124901
    Abstract: There is obtained an energy storage mechanism, for a switching device, that has a structure requiring no high-accuracy components and can perform release of driving-power transmission and re-engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Toba, Minoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8119942
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit breaker having a cam rotation delaying function employed to block current, the circuit breaker performing a charging operation and a charting operation, the circuit breaker including a closing spring having one end portion rotatably coupled to each of plates, a driving lever rotatably installed at each of the plates and connected to another end portion of the closing spring so as to be rotated responsive to compression and extension of the closing spring, a cam rotatably installed at each of the plates and configured to press the driving lever for rotation, a link mechanism having a plurality of links rotatably installed at each of the plates and connected to the driving lever for operation, a movable contact rotatably installed at a side of each of the plates and contactable with a terminal by an operation of the link mechanism, and a cam delaying mechanism installed at each of the plates and configured to attenuate a rotational force of the cam due to a restoring force of the closing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Ik Yang, Kil-Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 8115129
    Abstract: A switching device has an input terminal and an output terminal for connection to electrical conductors, and two switching contacts which, when closed, close a current path between the input terminal and the output terminal. A disconnect device for disconnecting the two switching contacts is operatively connected to a short-circuit trigger device which is arranged in the region of the input terminal and triggers the disconnect device. The short-circuit trigger device includes a U-shaped yoke and a movable hinged armature, which simplifies the design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Moeller Gebäudeautomation GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Tetik, Roman Kolm
  • Patent number: 8110762
    Abstract: A single-pole or multi-pole device for low-voltage systems, in particular a circuit breaker or a disconnector, which comprises: an outer casing containing for each pole at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact that can be coupled to/uncoupled from one another; a rotating element, defined by a shaped body comprising at least one seat for each pole of said switch, said seat being designed to house at least one mobile contact of a corresponding pole; a control mechanism operatively connected to said rotating element for enabling movement thereof; reinforcement elements positioned in said at least one seat of said mobile contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Besana, Alessio Bergamini
  • Patent number: 8093524
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrical switchgear unit in a case and including at least one stationary contact and at least one movable contact supported by a contact support shaft, an opening and/or closing mechanism of the movable contact(s) fitted in a support, the mechanism including a manual operating handle of the contact(s) rotatable around a toggle pin of the case, and a high-speed closing shaft designed to keep the movable contact(s) in the open position, at the beginning of manual closing of the handle and over a certain travel, by storing energy and to release the movable contact(s) after travel of the handle so that the stored energy causes high-speed closing of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Previeux, Yves Brune, Claude Burnot, Roland Masnada
  • Patent number: 8089016
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed, in particular for low voltages, with moving and fixed contacts, a switching shaft and a contact lever. The contact lever is rotatably mounted on or in the switching shaft, and includes a free end that extends from the switching shaft, carries the contact piece of the moving contact on one side of its external contour and has a first depression on the other opposite side of the external contour for engaging a bolt. In at least one embodiment, the contact lever is subjected to a torsional moment in the closing direction by means of the bolt in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 8063328
    Abstract: A charging assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The charging assembly includes a compression arm and a charging cam. The compression arm includes a pivot and first and second legs extending outwardly from the pivot, preferably in a generally L-shape. An engagement portion disposed at or about a second end of the first leg cooperates with an outer cam surface of the charging cam. A shaped contact surface disposed at or about a second end of the second leg includes a first edge for engaging and moving an impact member of the circuit breaker closing assembly to charge a biasing element of the closing assembly, and a second edge. The second edge is disposed at an angle with respect to the first edge, and is structured to engage the impact member when the biasing element is disposed in the charged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 8058580
    Abstract: A linking assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The linking assembly includes a hatchet having first and second edges and an arcuate portion extending therebetween. The hatchet moves between a latched position in which the first edge engages a D-shaft, and an unlatched position in which the hatchet pivots with respect to the D-shaft to unlatch the linking assembly. A cradle includes first and second opposing ends and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. A latch plate, which is pivotally coupled to the housing, includes a protrusion that cooperates with the hatchet. A latch link is disposed between and is pivotally coupled to the cradle and the latch plate. A toggle assembly includes first and second linking elements coupled between the circuit breaker poleshaft and the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 8049126
    Abstract: A line terminal for a circuit breaker includes a body forming two opposing legs and a third leg. The opposing legs are configured to form a passage for receiving a stab from a panel board. The two opposing legs are biased toward each other, and each of the opposing legs has a convex surface facing the passageway for engaging and maintaining alignment of the stab. A fixed contact is attached to the third leg. The fixed contact connects to a moveable contact of a circuit breaker. An arc runner is connected to the third leg and at least partially encloses a perimeter of the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Hai Chen, John D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 8039770
    Abstract: A movable arm assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus including a stationary contact and an operating mechanism. The arm assembly includes a biasing member and an arm member having a first end, an opposite second end, a pivot point therebetween, and a portion having a longitudinal axis. A movable contact is disposed at or about the first end. The arm member engages a crossbar member at or about the pivot point such that the arm member can pivot from a first position to a second position. The biasing member engages the arm member at a point between the pivot point and the second end and includes a portion that engages and biases against a housings of the crossbar member. The longitudinal axis of the portion of the arm member is oriented generally parallel to the portion of the biasing member when the arm member is at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Schaltenbrand, Mark A. Janusek, Craig J. Puhalla, Louis F. Grahor
  • Patent number: 8017881
    Abstract: A circuit breaker enables selective left, right or a combination of both side connection to a power conductor, such as a cable or wire. Side connection eliminates the need for large radius U-bends of the power conductor that is normally required when using top connection circuit breakers. An electrically non-conductive cavity commonly defined by left and right sides of the circuit breaker housing receives the power conductor in a connector such as a lug. The circuit breaker may have a visualization window oriented to observe whether excessive cable is projecting out of the lug, so as to confirm compliance with electrical code over surface spacing requirements. In some embodiments, the circuit breaker lugs are vertically oriented above its front cover surface in a receptacle portion of the housing. The receptacle may be constructed for selective lug orientation in horizontal or vertical positions by the installer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Simmons
  • Publication number: 20110214975
    Abstract: A status indicating assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism comprises a stored energy mechanism and a primary latch. The primary latch is pivotable between a latched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being chargeable, and an unlatched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being discharged. The status indicating assembly includes a first indicator for indicating whether the separable contacts are open or closed, a second indicator for indicating whether the stored energy mechanism is charged or discharged, and a third indicator for indicating whether or not the circuit breaker is ready to close the separable contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: ANDREW LAWRENCE GOTTSCHALK, ROBERT MICHAEL SLEPIAN
  • Patent number: 7985936
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for indicating a closing operable state for an air circuit breaker and an air circuit breaker having the same. The apparatus for indicating a closing operable state for the air circuit breaker comprises a micro switch installed at a switching mechanism providing a driving force for switching contactors, provided with a lever extended into the switching mechanism so as to receive the driving force, generating and outputting an electric signal for indicating that the air circuit breaker is in a closing operable state, and provided with a signal transmitting terminal for transmitting the electric signal to a remote place, and an on coupling pressing the lever of the micro switch so that the micro switch generates and outputs the electric signal only when a closing spring for providing elastic energy for switching the contactors charges elastic energy and the air circuit breaker is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kil-Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 7977595
    Abstract: Provided are an air circuit breaker capable of allowing a closing spring to be automatically discharged at a pulled-out position in a pull-out type air circuit breaker and an automatic discharging apparatus for the closing spring in the air circuit breaker, the automatic discharging apparatus for the closing spring comprising a cam shaft rotation preventing unit installed on a cam shaft allowing the closing spring to be charged or discharged and configured to restrict the rotation of the cam shaft by an elastic restoring force of the closing spring, and a unit for releasing the cam shaft rotation preventing unit connected to the cam shaft rotation preventing unit and configured to allow the cam shaft to be rotated by the elastic restoring force of the closing spring according to positions where a main body of the air circuit breaker is pulled out of a cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Chul Lee, Ki-Hwan Kim, Hong-Ik Yang, Kil-Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 7960666
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, chosen between a first type of pole that comprises a first housing containing a first fixed contact and a corresponding first moving contact that can be coupled to said first fixed contact by means of its rotation around a point, and a second type of pole that comprises a second housing containing a second fixed contact and a corresponding second moving contact that can be coupled to said second fixed contact by means of a translatory movement along an axis; a first kinematic coupling between said control mechanism and said first moving contact, in the case of said poles belonging to said first type of pole, or a second kinematic coupling between said control mechanism and said second moving contact, in the case of said poles belonging to said second type of pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7961480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for housing and connection of accessories, particularly for low-voltage automatic switches, comprising an integrated wiring support. In particular, the housing and connection device (1) has a shaped structure (10) comprising an integrated wiring bus for electrical connection of the accessories. The shaped structure (10) moreover comprises one or more seats (20, 21, 22, 23, 24) for housing the accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Besana, Antonello Antoniazzi
  • Patent number: 7956307
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit breaker having an automatic release linkage capable of preventing damage and deformation of elements by automatic linkage release before electro-impulsive force generated from within the circuit breaker by a large short-circuit current causes the damage and deformation of open/close linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kil Young Ahn
  • Patent number: 7923650
    Abstract: A ganged auxiliary switch for a circuit breaker comprises at least two auxiliary switches attached to each other in a side-by-side relationship so that they may be inserted into said circuit breaker as a single unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Lee Greenberg, Girish Mruthunjaya Hassan, Roger Neil Castonguay, Dave Scot Christensen
  • Publication number: 20110073453
    Abstract: A modular cost-effective drive system for electrical switching devices of medium-voltage installations is specified. The drive system, by the addition or omission of individual components, can be used both as a three-position disconnector with a snap-action or storage drive function and as a two-position circuit breaker which can also be expanded by a brief interruption function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Martin Böttcher, Marcus Kampf
  • Patent number: 7906740
    Abstract: Disclosed is a visual and electrical indication on the status of “Readiness to close” (RTC) for circuit breakers. Exemplary embodiments include a circuit breaker apparatus, including a lay shaft coupled to circuit breaker contacts, a lay shaft cam profile coupled to the lay shaft, a trip free plate coupled to the lay shaft cam profile, a trip paddle coupled to the trip free plate, wherein the trip paddle is coupled to a trip shaft and a ready to close indicator coupled to the trip free plate and charging cam assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Triplicane Gopikrishnan Babu, Janakiraman Narayanan, Mahesh Jaywant Rane, Simhadri Ramalingeswara Rao Gupta, Yatin Vilas Newase
  • Patent number: 7902472
    Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for, in particular, activating a transport pawl including a movable activation device which is secured to a carrying structure and, in a first activation phase, can be moved out of the position of rest into an end position, counter to the force of a restoring spring, and in a second activation phase can be moved out of the end position and back into the position of rest, under the force of the restoring spring. In order to configure the arrangement in such a way that the operator of the activation device is alerted to incompletely executed activation of the activation device, in at least one embodiment a locking mechanism is provided which locks the activation device in the direction of its position of rest during the first activation phase when a first intermediate position is reached, and releases it again when a second intermediate position is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 7893370
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module front for a switchgear module, particularly a slide-in module, comprising a control device, the control device being integrated in the module front, and the module front forms an integral component of the switchgear module. The invention relates to a switchgear module, particularly a slide-in module provided with an inventive module front, and to a switchgear equipped with at least one switchgear module of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Schmitt, Klaus Kraft, Hans-Peter Merkel, Klaus-Georg Müller
  • Patent number: 7880104
    Abstract: A control device for controlling electrical switchgear such as a circuit breaker or the like includes an actuating arm having a connection point suitable for being moved along a closed line including points P1, P2 and P3. The connection point thus moves during an opening stage for opening the moving contact, under the effect of a mechanical spring from point P1 to point P2. It also moves during a re-cocking stage for re-cocking the mechanical spring under the effect of a motor being switched on, and while keeping the moving contact in the open position, from point P2 to point P3. It also moves during a closure stage for closing the moving contact, also under the effect of the motor being switched on, from point P3 to P1. In this manner it is possible to successively perform three distinct stages of putting the actuating arm in motion, between the instant at which the moving contact leaves its closed position and the instant at which it returns thereto after having occupied its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tour Areva
    Inventors: Wolfgang Grieshaber, Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Olivier Grejon, Alain Fanget, Xavier Allaire, Michel Collet
  • Patent number: 7880105
    Abstract: A circuit breaker of different interruption speeds, and a spring operation mechanism is standardized for designing and manufacturing the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker has a power transmission mechanism for driving a movable contact 63 and a fixed contact 64 and an interruption spring 26 that imparts a driving force to separate the contacts through the power transmission mechanism. A latch mechanism restricts movement of the power transmission mechanism, and a pull-out operation section releases the restriction of the power transmission mechanism by the latch mechanism. The pull-out operation section is arranged to oppose a first arm of a lever to rotate the first arm. The lever is arranged so that a tip of a second arm is able to engage with and rest on the latch mechanism, and release the restriction of the power transmission mechanism by the latch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Japan AE Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hashimoto, Hideo Kawamoto, Kenichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 7869192
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus mounting apparatus includes a base with a planar portion having a first side and an opposite second side. A number of first adjustable members are coupled to the opposite second side. Each of the first adjustable members includes a first end and an opposite second end. A number of second adjustable members are coupled transverse to the first adjustable members and include a first end and an opposite second end. At least one of the first end and the opposite second end of at least one of the first adjustable members and the second adjustable members is adjustable generally toward or generally away from the base. At least one of the first end and the opposite second end of the at least one of the first adjustable members and the second adjustable members is coupled to a number of walls of a switchgear enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Jacobsen, Jaymie L. Davenport, Barry T. Rambo
  • Patent number: 7863534
    Abstract: A spring discharge mechanism for a circuit breaker is provided. The mechanism includes two linkages for crashing or discharging the circuit breaker compression springs to allow the circuit breaker to be used in either fixed breaker installation or in an installation having a drawout mechanism. The secondary mechanism includes a manual activation linkage that couples with an interface plate. The interface plate is coupled to an opening latch shaft and a closing latch shaft that cooperates to discharge the circuit breaker compression springs. An interface lever is also coupled to the interface plate. The interface lever includes a roller that interacts with a pivoting cam lever coupled to a drawout mechanism. The cam lever interacts with the roller causing the interface lever to rotate the interface plate, the opening latch shaft and the closing latch shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Soundararajan Narayanasamy, Janakiraman Narayanan, Partha Sarathy Doddapadam Srinivasa Raghavachar, Triplicane Gopikrishnan Babu
  • Patent number: 7847203
    Abstract: A system for indicating a position of an electrical distribution device configured to be racked into an electrically connected condition within an enclosure and racked out to an electrically disconnected condition via a racking mechanism is disclosed. The system includes a rotating indicator having at least a first position and a second position, the first position indicating the connected condition, and the second position indicating the disconnected condition, the indicator operably connected to the racking mechanism to rotate the indicator in response to movement of the racking mechanism between at least the connected condition and the disconnected condition. The system also includes a biasing device to bias rotation of the indicator toward the first position when the racking mechanism is in the connected condition and to bias rotation of the indicator toward the second position when the racking mechanism is in the disconnected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Janakiraman Narayanan, Soundararajan Narayanasamy, Partha Sarathy Doddapadam Srinivasa Raghavachar, Wolfgang Meyer-Haack