Operating Mechanism Structure Or Arrangement Patents (Class 218/14)
  • Patent number: 11545321
    Abstract: A switch including a first electrical terminal, the first electrical terminal including a blade pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and a rod extending from the first electrical terminal parallel to the blade. The switch further includes a second electrical terminal configured to receive the blade when in the closed position, the second electrical terminal including a vacuum interrupter, wherein the vacuum interrupter engages the rod when in the closed position. Rotating the first electrical terminal in a first direction causes the blade to disengage from the second electrical terminal at a first point, and further rotating the first electrical terminal in the first direction causes the rod to disengage from the vacuum interrupter at a second point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David Adelbert Rhein, Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 10699863
    Abstract: In order to solve the above-described problems, a gas circuit breaker of the present invention has an insulating nozzle disposed so as to cover an inner surface of a coupling member such that an end surface of the coupling member and an end surface of the insulating nozzle form one surface (the end surface of the coupling member is flush with the end surface of the insulating nozzle), in order to suppress contact between a high-temperature and high-pressure gas generated by an arc and the coupling member coupling the insulating nozzle and a driving rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sakuyama, Masanao Terada, Hajime Urai, Yuichiro Yamane, Takahiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10153109
    Abstract: To provide a gas circuit breaker having a space-saving reliable double motion mechanism having a high degree of freedom in design. A double motion mechanism section of the gas circuit breaker is formed of a drive-side connecting rod, a driven-side connecting rod, levers connecting them and a guide regulating operations of the drive-side connecting rod and the driven-side connecting rod. A movable pin is connected to a first grooved cam formed in the drive-side connecting rod, a second grooved cam formed in the guide and third grooved cams formed in the levers respectively, and posture holding members are provided in the movable pin. The movable pin moves in the respective grooved cams by an operation of the drive-side connecting rod, thereby rotating the levers, driving the driven-side connecting rod in an opposite direction of the drive-side connecting rod, and driving the driven-side arcing contact in an opposite direction of the driven-side arcing contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Terada, Hiroaki Hashimoto, Riichi Nagao, Yu Hasegawa, Takashi Iida
  • Patent number: 8895884
    Abstract: A tank type vacuum circuit breaker uses a columnar or cylindrical insulation rod at a connection portion between an operating mechanism unit and a vacuum valve. The insulation rod is connected to the operating mechanism unit and the vacuum valve by rod-shaped pins. To prevent the insulation rod itself from falling, connection is made by shifting phases of the pins 90 degrees, respectively, each pin being connected to the operating mechanism unit and the vacuum valve. Accordingly, the falling of the insulation rod, the use of an insulation support tube and an insulation support for ensuring mechanical strength, are avoided. Further fastening of those supports by bolts or the like is not needed. Increases in the number of components, the size of the shape of assembly members around the insulation rod, and weight due to such increases, are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Yamamoto, Masahiro Arioka
  • Patent number: 8885327
    Abstract: A switchgear having an electrified conductor accommodated in a tank in which insulating gas is contained includes a fixed contact connected to the electrified conductor, a movable contact installed to be contactable and separable to and from the fixed contact, an insulating rod that is externally extended from inside of the tank while being electrically insulated from the tank and turned by an operation device, and an insert that is extended from an end of the insulating rod toward the movable contact and is rotatably supported by a holding part installed in the electrified conductor. A flange part that is installed in the insert at a position where the holding part opposes the insulating rod and is extended in a substantially right-angle direction with respect to a direction of a rotation axis of the insulating rod is formed on the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Kawahigashi, Takashi Harada
  • Patent number: 8653395
    Abstract: A very high voltage circuit breaker comprising, for each phase, at least two breaker chambers aligned with each other, each chamber including a pair of main contacts, a pair of arcing contacts that are stationary relative to the main contacts, and a nozzle for blowing out hot gases resulting from the breaking operations, the pairs of contacts being partly of complementary male and female forms, each comprising at least one movable contact, the nozzle being stationary relative to the movable main contact and arcing contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Gwenael Marquezin, André Cimala
  • Patent number: 8581135
    Abstract: The embodiments of the switch described herein include latching and locking systems so as to retain the rod of a vacuum bottle in a determined, open or closed, position, the systems being driven and controlled by the same means that cause the movable portion of the vacuum bottle to move, or by the disconnector itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Energy France
    Inventors: Daniel Piccoz, Floriane Decq, Patrice Grosjean
  • Patent number: 8304677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-voltage gas circuit breaker, and there is provided a gas circuit breaker including a movable arc contact and a fixed arc contact engaged with the movable arc contact; a cylinder rod coupled with the movable arc contact; an insulating rod connected to the cylinder rod through a link mechanism in which an end thereof is connected to an operating mechanism; and an ejection nozzle for ejecting an arc-extinguishing gas between the movable arc contact and the fixed arc contact, wherein the link mechanism is reduced in a length direction of the insulating rod to pull the cylinder rod to a side of the insulating rod when the insulating rod is moved apart from the cylinder rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Hoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 8283590
    Abstract: There is provided a vacuum circuit breaker including a vacuum valve, a first main circuit conductor fixed to a fixed current-carrying rod end of the vacuum valve, a polygonal movable conductor connected to a movable current-carrying rod end of the vacuum valve, an operation movable rod connected to the movable conductor in an axial direction and connected to an operation mechanism, a second main circuit conductor, through which the operation movable rod is movably inserted, and at least one extendable flexible conductor, which connects side surfaces of the movable conductor and the second main circuit conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryosuke Sasaki, Hiromichi Somei
  • Patent number: 8253055
    Abstract: There is provided a vacuum circuit breaker including a vacuum valve, a first main circuit conductor fixed to a fixed current-carrying rod end of the vacuum valve, a polygonal movable conductor connected to a movable current-carrying rod end of the vacuum valve, an operation movable rod connected to the movable conductor in an axial direction and connected to an operation mechanism, a second main circuit conductor, through which the operation movable rod is movably inserted, and at least one extendable flexible conductor, which connects side surfaces of the movable conductor and the second main circuit conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryosuke Sasaki, Hiromichi Somei
  • Patent number: 8173927
    Abstract: To control a switch apparatus having two interrupters, such as a busbar disconnector and a grounding disconnector, there is provided a rotary control shaft arranged away from, and at right angles to, the planes of straight line motion of the movable contacts, at least one disk cam fastened to the control shaft and having two distinct internal cam grooves, and two pairs of levers hinged to each other. One of the levers has one end hinged at a fixed point while its other end is hinged to the other lever, which is itself hinged to one of the movable contacts, a spigot being located between the two ends of each of the levers that has one end hinged at a fixed point, the spigot being engaged in one of the cam grooves so as to constitute a cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Areva T&D AG
    Inventor: Lukas Treier
  • Patent number: 8071905
    Abstract: A gas circuit breaker includes a grounded tank corresponding to each one of the plurality of phases, a bushing, an upper housing, and a lower housing, those mounted on a base that is supported by a frame. The grounded tank and the upper housing are located on a plane. The lower housing is connected to the grounded tank with a connecting unit such that the lower housing can be moved from a first position for operation lower than the plane to a second position for transportation substantially on the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshitomo, Daisuke Yoshida, Haruhiko Kohyama
  • Patent number: 8013268
    Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit breaker (1) for high or medium voltages, of the type having a drive bar (70) coupled to a drive member, and a circuit-breaking chamber (2) facing it and having two contacts (3, 4), each contact (3, 4) including a main contact (30, 40 respectively) and an arcing contact (31, 41 respectively), with one of the two contacts (3) being fixed to a blast or extinguishing nozzle (32). According to the invention, the second contact (4) and the drive bar (70) are joined together by coupling means (6) in such a way that they move together in translation in the same direction, the transmission means (5) being disposed on the side (21) of the chamber (2) that is adjacent to the drive bar (70), and are adapted to transmit the motion of the driven second contact (4) to the first contact (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Joël Ozil, Christophe Creusot, Jean-Luc Bourgeois, Christian Lindner
  • Patent number: 7932476
    Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker includes a first contact piece with a first consumable contact; a second contact piece with a second consumable contact; a drive for moving the first contact piece along a switching movement axis; and a transmission for transmitting the movement of the first contact piece to a movement of the second contact piece. The transmission has a first lever, a pivoting element which can pivot about a pivoting shaft, and a transmission mechanism for transmitting a pivoting movement of the pivoting element to a movement of the second contact piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Martin Kriegel, Olaf Hunger
  • Patent number: 7777149
    Abstract: In order to reduce the breaking energy of a high-voltage or medium-voltage circuit-breaker, the interrupting chamber (10) contains two contacts (12, 14) mounted to move in opposite directions, actuated via a single device (20, 30). The two contacts (12, 14) are driven in opposite directions by a cylindrical cam (22) having slots (26, 28) that co-operate with fixed rods (32, 42), each of which is connected to a respective one of the contacts (12, 14): the profiles of the slots (26, 28) make it possible to manage the speed and the amplitude of the movement of the second contact (14) relative to the main contact (12) without requiring any complex design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Bourgeois, Joël Ozil, Christophe Creusot
  • Patent number: 7642480
    Abstract: In order to reduce the breaking energy of a high-voltage or medium-voltage circuit-breaker, the interrupting chamber (10) contains two contacts (12, 14) mounted to move in opposite directions, and actuated via a single device (20). The two contacts (12, 14) are surrounded by an insulating casing (18) of tubular shape, coupled in fixed manner to the main contact (12). The contacts (12, 14) are actuated by a device having a lever (24) in which each lever arm is coupled to a link, one of the links (32) being secured to the insulating casing (18) and the other link (34) being secured to the second contact (14). The guiding of the drive tube (18) on the main contacts (12b, 14b) makes it possible to improve breaking by keeping clean gas between said main contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Joel Ozil, Christophe Creusot, Jean-Luc Bourgeois, Yannick Kieffel
  • Patent number: 7566842
    Abstract: The switching chamber for a heavy-duty circuit breaker has a first arcing contact piece, a second arcing contact piece, a heating chamber, and an insulating nozzle. The first or second arcing contact piece can be moved by means of a drive. The heating chamber is used for temporarily storing quenching gas heated by an arc that may burn between the contact pieces. An insulating nozzle has a throat that is connected to the heating chamber, and which is used for guiding a quenching gas flow. During an opening operation, the two arcing contact pieces reach a maximum relative speed that is at least 1.3 times as great as a relative speed of the two arcing contact pieces. The relative speed being required for capacitive switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Olaf Hunger, Max Claessens, Martin Holstein, Johan Abrahamsson, Martin Kriegel
  • Patent number: 7528336
    Abstract: In an interrupter of a gas circuit breaker that uses springs as a driving source, a contact having a fixed contact and movable contact is opened and closed so as to turn on and off electric power. An operation unit generates driving force for driving the movable contact. A link mechanism interconnects the operation unit and interrupter. The link mechanism has a first lever linked to the operation unit, a second lever linked to the movable contact, and a rotational shaft to which the two levers fit. The operation angle of the first lever with respect to a direction parallel to the motion direction of the movable contact differs depending on whether the contact is open or closed. The gas circuit breaker operates at high speed without the energy of the driving source being increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Japan AE Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hashimoto, Hideo Kawamoto, Kenichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 7511243
    Abstract: A circuit breaker has an interrupter unit, which is disposed within an encapsulating housing, and has a first contact piece and a second contact piece. The contact pieces can move in relation to one another and they are arranged axially opposite one another. The device further has a first current path section for supplying an electrical current to the first contact piece and a second current path section for supplying an electrical current to the second contact piece. The current path sections are part of the interrupter unit, and at least one of the current path sections has a connection contact and can move in relation to a stationary mating contact. The current path section can move by way of a drive device when the encapsulating housing is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karsten Laskowski, Christoph Sorowski
  • Patent number: 7250583
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switchgear device comprising a first casing housing: at least a first terminal for input/output connection; a disconnector unit comprising at least a first fixed contact operatively coupled to said first terminal and a corresponding first movable contact which can be electrically connected/disconnected with said first fixed contact, during operation of the disconnector unit; a circuit breaker unit electrically connected to said disconnector unit and comprising at least a couple of interruption contacts which can be actuated, during operation of said circuit breaker unit, between a circuit breaker closed position where they are electrically coupled and a circuit breaker open position where they are electrically separated; actuating means for operating said disconnector unit and said circuit breaker unit; a second casing operatively coupled with said actuating means, which houses said interruption contacts and on the outer surface of which at least said first movable contact is mounted; characte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Roberto Cameroni, Libero Sfondrini, Vittorio Gargioni
  • Patent number: 7138597
    Abstract: The support for the moving contact of a circuit breaker has a piston that is driven by arc gases generated by initial separation of the contacts through magnetic repulsion to rapidly open the contacts. A pair of telescoping shield sleeves that have aligned openings through which the moving contact is extended to close with the fixed contact are oppositely driven transversely to piston movement by the arc gases to cut off the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shea, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7091431
    Abstract: A switch has a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal spaced from the first electrical terminal and an elongate conductive switch blade for bridging the terminals. The switch blade has a first end portion pivotally connected with the first electrical terminal for movement of the switch blade between open and closed positions. The switch blade has a second end portion positioned adjacent the second electrical terminal when in the closed position. A plurality of elongate fingers are secured by spring loading to the second end portion of the switch blade. The fingers are arranged adjacent to each other along opposing sides of the second end portion to form an open jaw structure that extends from the second end portion of the switch blade and makes wiping electrical contact with the second electrical terminal as the switch blade is moved into the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Canada
    Inventors: Sébastien Arcand, Sébastien Cote
  • Patent number: 7078642
    Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air break switches have a whip with at least an end portion of nonmetallic material such as fiber reinforced plastic with a conductive path on its surface. The nonmetallic material is a single tapered rod or an assembly of a plurality of rods successively inserted into an outer rod. The conductive path on the whip is of various individual and combination forms of which some include a metal braid, foil, sheath or wound wire. Particular forms of the conductive path on the rod have enhanced durability and arc resistance at the areas of the whip most likely to be subject to arcing with a latch of the device upon switch opening or closing. Further forms of the whip are a combination in which an end portion as described is attached to an all metal base portion that is arranged to include a portion of the whip subject to arcing on switch closing. Another form of device has a latch engaging a whip at a rotating wheel on the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Cleaveland/Price Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Kowalik, Joseph K. Andreyo, Arthur E. Bisig, Charles M. Cleaveland, Steven A. Cleaveland
  • Patent number: 7053326
    Abstract: In an integrated type gas-insulated switching apparatus, a plurality of switching devices are provided. Each of switching devices includes a contact and an insulated container in which the contact is contained. The contact comprises electrodes adapted to be contacted with each other and separated therefrom. The insulated container is filled with an insulating gas. A conductive container is provided, to which the plurality of switching devices are connected, respectively. An insulated structure supports the conductive container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Sachio Muraki, Hiroshi Murase, Reiji Ohara, Akio Kobayashi, Hirokazu Takagi
  • Patent number: 6965088
    Abstract: A portable circuit interrupting apparatus for use on a circuit isolating device and associated methods of formation and use are provided. The portable circuit interrupting apparatus includes a main housing body and a sleeve coaxially mounted therein. The sleeve is slidable between an extended and retracted position. A shunt circuit segment is connected between ring and hook engaging terminals which engage and form an electrical connection between ring-like and hook-like conducting parts of the circuit isolating device. A shunt circuit segment interrupts the electrical connection in response to movement of the sleeve from the retracted position to the extended position. At least portions of a reset plunger extend inwardly through an opening in a medial portion of the sleeve when in the extended position. An operation counter is connected to and responds to the inward extension of the reset plunger to count a number of circuit interrupting operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Utility Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Franklin, Eugene H. Wood, Michael G. Nolte
  • Patent number: 6946607
    Abstract: A resistance assembly having a resistance member prevents accidental movement of a hookstick operated switching assembly. A switch assembly of the hookstick operated switching assembly is mounted on a base. The resistance member includes a lever connected to the switch assembly that moves the switch between opened and closed positions. A first end of a pin is connected to the lever. A resistance member is connected to a second end of the pin. The resistance member contacts the base when the lever rotates to move the switch assembly between open and closed positions, thereby preventing accidental opening and closing of the switch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Gerald B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6784392
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switchgear device which has a first bushing which accommodates a first terminal, a second bushing which accommodates a second terminal, a first enclosure which contains an interruption unit, and at least one first disconnection unit which has a first fixed contact electrically connected to the interruption unit and a second fixed contact at ground voltage, a first moving contact which is electrically connected to the first terminal and can be coupled to the first and second fixed contacts, the moving contact being fixed to a rotary operating element and rotating rigidly therewith, the fixed contacts that can be coupled to the moving contact lying on the rotation plane of the moving contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Costante Piazza, Libero Sfondrini, Aldo Sciacca
  • Patent number: 6762385
    Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air break switches have a whip with at least an end portion of nonmetallic material such as fiber reinforced plastic with a conductive path on its surface. The nonmetallic material is a single tapered rod or an assembly of a plurality of rods successively inserted into an outer rod. The conductive path on the whip is of various individual and combination forms of which some include a metal braid, foil, sheath or wound wire. Particular forms of the conductive path on the rod have enhanced durability and arc resistance at the areas of the whip most likely to be subject to arcing with a latch of the device upon switch opening or closing. Further forms of the whip are a combination in which an end portion as described is attached to an all metal base portion that is arranged to include a portion of the whip subject to arcing on switch closing. Another form of device has a latch engaging a whip at a rotating wheel on the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Cleaveland/Price Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Kowalik, Joseph K. Andreyo, Arthur E. Bisig, Charles M. Cleaveland
  • Patent number: 6753492
    Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air break switches have a whip with at least an end portion of a metal matrix composite (MMC) material. The MMC whip is applied in embodiments similar to those of prior disclosed fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) whips without need for application of another conductor on the surface for conductivity from end to end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Cleaveland/Price Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Cleaveland
  • Patent number: 6743999
    Abstract: In an integrated type gas-insulated switching apparatus, a plurality of switching devices are provided. Each of switching devices includes a contact and an insulated container in which the contact is contained. The contact comprises electrodes adapted to be contacted with each other and separated therefrom. The insulated container is filled with an insulating gas. A conductive container is provided, to which the plurality of switching devices are connected, respectively. An insulated structure supports the conductive container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Sachio Muraki, Hiroshi Murase, Reiji Ohara, Akio Kobayashi, Hirokazu Takagi
  • Patent number: 6573469
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switchgear device. A casing is provided with a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal, an interruption unit, and a disconnection unit. The disconnection unit includes a first fixed contact connected to the second connection terminal. A second fixed contact is at ground potential. A third fixed contact is connected to the first connection terminal. A first moving contact can be coupled to the third fixed contact. A second moving contact can be coupled to at least one of the first and second fixed contacts, and is electrically connected to the interruption unit. The second moving contact is rigidly fixed to a rotating actuation element. At least one of the first and second fixed contacts lies on the rotation plane of the second moving contact. The interruption unit includes an interruption chamber having a rotating case with a stationary contact and a mobile contact. A longitudinal axis of the interruption chamber is aligned with the rotating actuation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Service S.R.L.
    Inventor: Costante Piazza
  • Patent number: 6392181
    Abstract: Rapid arc extinguishing devices for air switches are provided with a whip element of strong nonmetallic material, such as of a fiber reinforced plastic or polymer material, with a conductive path, e.g., by metalizing. The whip element can replace the formerly used metal whip in quick break devices for faster separation with less chance of arc restriking and facilitates achieving higher current and voltage ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Cleaveland/Price Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Cleaveland, Arthur E. Bisig
  • Patent number: 6064025
    Abstract: A controller for electrical equipment, in particular for a high-voltage circuit-breaker, the equipment being housed in a casing filled with a dielectric gas under pressure. An interrupting chamber within the casing extinguishes arcs produced by the main circuit-breaker contacts. The equipment employs a contact connecting rod designed to be moved in translation by said controller. The controller employs an operating piston mounted to slide in a cylindrical element fixed to the casing and connected to a communication duct for communicating with the inside of the casing via an actuating valve in the engagement position. The controller further includes a suction enclosure connected to said cylindrical element and communicating with the inside thereof via a communication duct when the actuating valve is in the disengagement position. A suction piston is mounted to slide in the enclosure. In addition, a reciprocating drive mechanism drives the suction piston in a reciprocating motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventor: Edmond Thuries
  • Patent number: 6013888
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprising a first permanent current contact and a first arcing contact that are fixed, a second permanent current contact and a second arcing contact that are movable in a longitudinal direction to be connected with or separated from the fixed contacts, and a mechanism for displacing the moving contacts in the longitudinal direction in such a manner so as to separate the permanent current contacts before separating the arcing contacts. The mechanism includes a shaft movable in the longitudinal direction and secured to the moving permanent current contact, and a crank piece having two limbs forming an L-shape and rotatable about an axis that is fixed relative to the longitudinal direction and that extends perpendicularly to the direction, one limb of the crank piece being connected to the moving arcing contact, and its other limb being connected to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventor: Edmond Thuries
  • Patent number: 5969314
    Abstract: An integral stationary arcing contact and arc runner for electrical switching apparatus is formed by an electrically conductive member secured to the line conductor adjacent the stationary main contact thereby providing a joint free path for the arc to pass from the arcing contact to the arc runner. Preferably, the electrically conductive member is a sheet metal member having a base section secured to the line conductor, an arcing contact section adjacent the stationary main contact and extending generally perpendicular to the line conductor and a runner section extending at an obtuse angle to the arcing contact section toward the arc chute. A support member between the arcing contact section and the housing transmits reaction forces imposed by the moving conductor assembly on the sheet metal member into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Richard Rakus, Glen Charles Sisson, William J. Jones
  • Patent number: 5898151
    Abstract: A circuit-breaker including main contacts and arcing contacts includes a shaft carrying a first lever connected to the moving main contact. A hub is mounted inside the shaft and carries a second lever connected to the moving arcing contact; the shaft and the hub being shaped over a certain portion into two sectors between which a spring is disposed. A single control causes the shaft to rotate so that the shaft firstly causes the hub to rotate via the spring, the shaft and the hub rotating respectively causing the moving main contact and the moving arcing contact to move, and the shaft secondly rotates to a further extent, with the hub being prevented from rotating by action from an abutment. This arrangement makes it possible to implement a simple synchronization of the main contacts opening before the arcing contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Plat, Jean-Marc Willieme
  • Patent number: 5889248
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Horst Plettner, Willie B. Freeman, Jeffry R. Meyer, Thomas Hertig, Anthony S. Masarik
  • Patent number: 5493090
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for a combined interrupter and disconnect switch comprises an operating crank and an interrupter support housing which are separately rotatable about a common pivotal axis. The interrupter switch is part of a disconnect switch arm and is secured to the support housing. The interrupter contacts are operated by a linearly movable rod which has an end connected to a lever extending from the operating crank and is movable thereby. A crank arm connected to said operating crank is connected to and moved by a linearly movable operating shaft. A spring-biased latch lever is pivotally mounted to the interrupter support housing and releasably engages the free end of the crank arm lever so that the housing rotates with the crank for a first portion of the rotation of the crank and closes the disconnect switch. When the disconnect switch closes, the latch releases and the crank rotates relative to the housing to operate the linearly movable rod which operates the interrupter switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Vestner, Tomas Otterberg
  • Patent number: 5483030
    Abstract: A group operated switching apparatus for overhead electric power lines has a box-like elongated housing which mounts on a pole and supports three disconnect switches. Three operating shafts are journalled on the housing and are operatively connected to the disconnect switches so that axial rotation of the operating shafts alternately opens and closes the disconnect switches. An upright control shaft extends through the housing. A transverse rod assembly is enclosed within the housing and defines a mechanical connection between the control shaft and the operating shafts so that axial rotation of the control shaft causes axial rotation of the operating shafts. Each disconnect switch includes a jaw terminal having dual function backup springs and auxiliary contacts for minimizing effects of arcing during opening and closing of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Ronald P. Bridges