Housing Structure Patents (Class 218/155)
  • Patent number: 6429394
    Abstract: The power breaker is provided with at least one arcing chamber (2) which is filled with SF6 gas, is rotationally symmetrical, and extends along a longitudinal axis (3). The arcing chamber (2) has a power current path with a central contact pin (14), and has a separate rated current path provided with rated current contacts (11). The arcing chamber (2) is operated by a drive linkage (4) which moves the contact pin (14) and the rated current contacts (11). The drive linkage (4) is designed such that, at the start of the disconnection process, the contact pin (14) remains in a first dead point position until the rated current path is interrupted. The contact pin (14) can then be moved in the disconnection direction at a considerably higher speed than the rated current contacts (11). Toward the end of their disconnection travel, the rated current contacts (11) run into a second dead point position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Olaf Hunger, Lukas Zehnder, Luc Rieffel
  • Patent number: 6426627
    Abstract: A vacuum switch is composed by installing a vacuum circuit-breaker and a disconnector in different grounded vacuum vessels, respectively, and a vacuum-measurement device is attached to each grounded vacuum vessel. The above vacuum vessel communicates with one of the grounded vacuum vessels, and the degree of vacuum in the vacuum vessel can be directly measured and monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Kikukawa, Katsunori Kojima, Tooru Tanimizu, Ayumu Morita, Masashige Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6417474
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a load terminal and a line terminal; a pair of main contacts; a separable pair of arcing contacts; and a moving conductor assembly having a contact carrier mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position to open and close the separable pairs of contacts. The circuit breaker further includes an arc chute and an arc runner electrically connected to a stationary arcing contact and extending toward the arc chute to provide a path for an arc struck between the separable pair of arcing contacts as the separable pair of arcing contacts open with movement of the moving conductor assembly from the closed position. The arc runner has a longitudinal elongated raised ridge generally laterally centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Richard Rakus, Perry Robert Gibson
  • Patent number: 6410874
    Abstract: A breaking module for an electrical switchgear apparatus comprises a vacuum cartridge comprising a body and a support frame of the cartridge. The cartridge is provided with a metal rod movable in translation and driving a movable contact. A collar both performs radial positioning of the body of the cartridge with respect to the frame and constitutes a guide sheath of the rod. For fitting, the collar can be opened so as to insert the rod radially therein. Once the body of the cartridge has been encircled, the collar is inserted radially in guide grooves of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SA
    Inventors: Reynald Marin-Pache, Thierry Milan, Denis Milan
  • Patent number: 6407354
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electrically insulating housing, an arc chamber, line and load terminals, separable contacts in series with the terminals, and an operating mechanism. The open position of the separable contacts causes arcing therebetween and the development of ionized gases. The housing includes a first wall, an opposite second wall, a pair of side walls, and a barrier wall forming a compartment for containing the line terminal. The barrier wall has an opening between the arc chamber and the compartment. The first wall has an aperture aligned with the line terminal. A baffle member includes a base portion, a flap and a pair of leg members. The flap extends over the aperture and is deflectable by a tool inserted through the aperture for adjustment of the line terminal. The leg members engage the side walls, thereby supporting the baffle member within the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David Curtis Turner, Craig Joseph Puhalla, Ramon Javier Ojeda, Ralph Mason Ennis
  • Publication number: 20020060204
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switching apparatus in which insulation is attained by air is provided. A gas-insulated switching apparatus that can be made even smaller than conventional ones is also provided. In the gas-insulated switching apparatus, dry pressurized air is sealed as an insulation gas. The dry pressurized air has a pressure of 0.11 to 0.3 MPa and a water content that is no more than 3,000 ppm in terms of a volume ratio of a volume of water vapor in which a vapor partial pressure of the dry pressurized air is converted to be 101,325 Pa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobumoto Tohya, Masahiro Arioka, Yoshihiro Ookawa
  • Patent number: 6362445
    Abstract: A compact switchgear system employing a number of modular components that plug into their mating interface and are maintained in electrical isolation employing solid insulation in a manner that substantially shields the electrical conducting portions of the assembly from contact with lower voltage portions of the system. The assembly is primarily made up of five modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Francois J. Marchand, George Alfred Hodkin, Trevor Brian Marshal, Norman Davies, Peter J. Theisen
  • Patent number: 6339202
    Abstract: A composite material tubular insulative jacket contains a dielectric gas under pressure and electrical switchgear and includes a metallic collar fixed to one end at least and provided with a member for fixing the collar to a support member. A seal is disposed between the support member and the jacket. A metallic insert is attached to this end of the jacket by an interference fit and by gluing, the seal being disposed between the insert and the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T&D SA
    Inventors: Henri Ardyna, Marc Durieu, François Biquez
  • Patent number: 6337452
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear includes a bus unit, a breaker unit and a line side unit. An insulating spacer structure attaching at least two of the units together includes an inner flange on a first unit, an outer flange on a second unit, and an insulating spacer positioned between the first and second units. Closed end tapped holes are formed in the inner flange and idle holes are formed in the outer flange, and tapped holes with a larger diameter than that of the tapped holes of the inner flange are formed in the insulating spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tsuzura, Kazuhiko Takahashi, Junzo Kida, Minoru Yabuki
  • Patent number: 6326872
    Abstract: A compact power circuit breaker has a molded insulative casing providing the structural support and electrical isolation for the pole mechanisms mounted in cavities in the casing and the operating mechanism mounted to the front of the casing. A grounded barrier between the pole mechanisms and the operating mechanism protects the operator actuating push buttons controlling the operating mechanism and accessible through a molded insulative cover. Preferably, the grounded barrier is sandwiched between a rear section of the molded casing containing the pole cavities and a forward section to which the operating mechanism is secured. The grounded barrier is connected to an electrically conductive pan extending under the molded insulative casing which also houses electrically grounded linkages coupling the operating mechanism to the vacuum interrupters of the pole mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Francois J. Marchand, Norman Davies, Robert J. Rinefierd, Jr., Glenn A. Calhoon, Walter O. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6313425
    Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Doughty, Julian Monzon, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6310311
    Abstract: An integrated bushing component for use in conjunction with pad mounted high voltage three-phase switch gear located with an electrical cabinet. The integrated bushing component providing an electrically insulated conductive path through a dead front barrier separating a first switch gear confinement area, wherein a first electrical circuit is connected to the switch gear mounted therein, and an second electrical connection confinement area, wherein connection to a second electrical circuit is provided by an end of the integrated bushing component. The switch gear includes a switch arm selectively positionable between an open non-conducting position and a closed conducting position. The switch arm provides a primary conductive path connecting a first electrical circuit with a terminal when the switch arm is placed in the closed conducting position. The integrated bushing includes, in a unitary component, a conductive inner core and a pump housing which receives an electrical arc extinguishing pump therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: Gary Hakes, Glenn E. Himstedt
  • Patent number: 6310310
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes an insulated housing with an opening therethrough and an interior surface. The housing has an upper open end and a lower open end. A conductive upper terminal pad has a downwardly extending bar, wherein the upper terminal pad encloses the upper open end. A vacuum interrupter has a stationary stem that is electrically connected to the bar, and a moving stem extending in a direction opposite the stationary stem. A dielectric material is permanently bonded to at least a portion of the vacuum interrupter and substantially fills any voids between the vacuum interrupter and the interior surface. The dielectric material and the vacuum interrupter are selectively removable from the housing when the upper terminal pad is removed. A moving end assembly is connected to the moving stem and includes a highly conductive outer sleeve which receives a high strength inner sleeve having a cross-hole therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Vacuum Electric Switch Co.
    Inventor: Cecil C. Wristen
  • Patent number: 6307172
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided having a particle trap within an interior gas-insulation cavity containing a contact mechanism. The interior cavity is defined within a tank. In an embodiment, the tank has a generally cylindrical tank wall, and the trap is a recessed channel formed by the tank wall along a bottom of the interior cavity. The trap is effective to collect foreign particles present within the tank, thereby reducing breakdown. In an embodiment, portions of the tank wall adjacent to the channel curve or slope downwardly toward the channel to guide particles moving under the influence of gravity, mechanical vibration and gas flow into the trap where they are immobilized in operation due to the low electrical field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Clarence Bolin, Harley Wayne Wilson, Dennis J. Matuszak
  • Patent number: 6291787
    Abstract: In an arc suppression housing for an electric connection the contacts are located in at least one housing part filled with sealing compound. The arc suppression housing is composed of at least two separate housing parts put together to form a preferably enclosed shape, at least one of which housing parts having a sealing compound filling channel formed by material removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Wuerth, Gerhard Liebing, Hans Staudenmaier, Markus Nieslony
  • Patent number: 6291786
    Abstract: A high-voltage circuit breaker that has a grounded enclosure and an interrupter module arranged in the grounded enclosure. The interrupter module has short pipe connections and bushings mounted on them to accommodate connecting leads. The current converters are arranged on the bushings. The insulation body of the bushing passes through the current converters along their entire length with respect to the longitudinal direction of the respective connecting lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Gericke, Andrzej Nowakowski, Klaus Schuler
  • Patent number: 6255615
    Abstract: A vacuum switch having a fixed stationary and moveable contact that functions very much like a conventional vacuum circuit interrupter. In addition, an annular stationary contact is positioned on the opposite side of the moveable contact from the first mentioned stationary contact with the drive rod of the moveable contact slidable within the annular opening of the additional stationary contact. The moveable contact travels between three positions. The first position is in electrical communication with the first mentioned stationary contact, the second position is an intermediate position that opens the circuit, and the third position places the moveable contact in electrical communication with the annular stationary contact. Preferably, one of the stationary contacts is grounded and the moveable contact is connected to the load, so that the switch either connects the power line to the load, opens the circuit in the intermediate position, or grounds the load to facilitate maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Clive William Kimblin
  • Patent number: 6232571
    Abstract: The module comprises a metal enclosure constituting a metal-clad housing receiving a multipole circuit-breaker and disconnector units where disconnection is performed by tilting the set of poles away from an in-service position in which each pole is simultaneously connected to two current feedthroughs projecting through the top wall of the housing. The distribution substation comprises a metal enclosure constituting a metal-clad housing that is subdivided into compartments serving specifically to house three multipole circuit-breaker and disconnector units in parallel alignment between two feeders. The poles of the units are interconnected via current feedthroughs passing through intermediate compartments, each of which has a feeder terminating therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Thierry Starck, Said Attack
  • Patent number: 6194984
    Abstract: A movable contact assembly for contactors and similar devices includes a movable spanner or conductive element biased toward a conducting position by a biasing element. A housing partially surrounds the conductive element and the biasing element. The biasing element and exerts compressive forces against the housing and the conductive element. The assembly may be installed as a modular unit on a carrier which is displaced during operation of the contactor. The housing shields the biasing element from plasma, arcs and debris during operation of the device. Multiple conductive elements and corresponding biasing elements may be includes in each assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Rockwell Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch
  • Patent number: 6188034
    Abstract: A gas insulated switchgear includes a bus unit, a breaker unit and a line side unit. An insulating spacer structure attaching at least two of the units together includes an inner flange on a first unit, an outer flange on a second unit, and an insulating spacer positioned between the first and second units. Closed end tapped holes are formed in the inner flange and idle holes are formed in the outer flange, and tapped holes with a larger diameter than that of the tapped holes of the inner flange are formed in the insulating spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Tsuzura, Kazuhiko Takahashi, Junzo Kida, Minoru Yabuki
  • Patent number: 6172317
    Abstract: A high voltage electric switch includes an insulated housing with an opening therethrough and an interior surface. The housing has an upper open end and a lower open end. A conductive upper terminal pad has a downwardly extending bar, wherein the upper terminal pad encloses the upper open end. A vacuum interrupter has a stationary stem that is electrically connected to the bar, and a moving stem extending in a direction opposite the stationary stem. A dielectric material is permanently bonded to at least a portion of the vacuum interrupter and substantially fills any voids between the vacuum interrupter and the interior surface. The dielectric material and the vacuum interrupter are selectively removable from the housing when the upper terminal pad is removed. A moving end assembly is connected to the moving stem and includes a highly conductive outer sleeve which receives a high strength inner sleeve having a cross-hole therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Vacuum Electric Switch Co.
    Inventor: Cecil C. Wristen
  • Patent number: 6144005
    Abstract: A vacuum insulation switch provided with a movable electrode, a stationary electrode and an earthing electrode, which are insulated from each other, in a vacuum container made of a conductive material which is earthed, and a switchgear using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Tanimizu, Masato Kobayashi, Shuichi Kikukawa, Ayumu Morita, Minoru Suzuki, Yoshimi Hakamata, Katsunori Kojima, Yozo Shibata, Yoshitomo Gotoh, Makoto Terai, Takuya Okada, Naoki Nakatsugawa
  • Patent number: 6091040
    Abstract: The invention concerns an open air high-voltage circuit breaker comprising a circuit breaker unit (13) and a control capacitor connected electrically in parallel to it and surrounded by a common composite isolation housing (7, 8) made essentially of plastic, resting a terminal column (1) fixed to one of its ends. The use of a composite isolation housing saves cost and weight at the upper end of the terminal column and also improves earthquake security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Karl Mascher
  • Patent number: 6087609
    Abstract: A arcing chamber housing is disclosed for a circuit breaker with a double turning contact breaker. The arcing chamber housing (1) is composed of two housing modules (2, 3) and an extinguishing chamber (19) is arranged in the area of the fixed contact pieces (6, 7) to extinguish the arcs which are formed between the contact pieces of the double turning contact breaker. In order to obtain a arcing chamber housing (1) which is easy and economical to produce, with extinguishing chambers (19) which have a reproducible extinguishing behavior once the arcing chamber is assembled, the two housing modules (2, 3) are substantially L-shaped parts whose inner marginal surfaces (4, 5) face each other. The first parts (17, 18) of the housing, which correspond to the first branches of the L-shaped housing modules (2,3), are designed as extinguishing chambers (19). Also disclosed are the housing modules (2, 3) used to produce such a arcing chamber housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Kloeckner-Moeller-GmbH
    Inventors: Lutz Thilker, Wolfgang Erven, Klaus Jung
  • Patent number: 6064018
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker base is configured to receive pole modules that include the circuit breaker components for mutipole operation. The base is configured to receive the bottom edges of the module enclosures in press-fit relation. A complementary molded case circuit breaker cover attaches to the top of the modules to complete the multipole circuit breaker enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Thomas F. Papallo, Jr., William H. Calder
  • Patent number: 6049051
    Abstract: Low-voltage circuit breaker exhibiting live levers operatively connected to a control device for opening and closing the circuit breaker, fixed live terminals and electric arc extinction chambers, there being provision for the levers, the terminals and an extinction chamber to be enclosed in half-shells constituting a pole, for the half-shells to be made from insulating material and for several poles to be clamped in a supporting frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: ABB SACE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Renato Dosmo, Maurizio Curnis
  • Patent number: 6002313
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter including an operating mechanism and separable main contacts interconnected with load and line terminals has an interface region between the top and bottom portions of the completed housing thereof, which may be of reduced cross section relative to the remainder of the side walls of the circuit interrupter for being moved or pushed outwardly under the pressure of expanding gas during a circuit interruption operation. To more easily clear or separate abutment surfaces by near lateral movement thereof to provide a small opening for pressurized gas to escape the elasticity of the side wall is utilized for this purpose. Provided that the elasticity limit is not exceeded, the wall will return to its original position sealing the internal portions of the circuit interrupter from the exterior once the gas pressure has dropped below a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen A. Mrenna, Richard P. Malingowski, Kathryn M. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5990439
    Abstract: A multiphase switch support base including a molded top cover and a molded bottom base each having interior and exterior walls which when assembled together, the base is divided into compartmentalized arc chambers which function to isolate each line contact and each load contact of each phase of the switch from each other as well as from each other line and each other load contact of each of the other phases of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Pever
  • Patent number: 5981894
    Abstract: A metal-enclosed, gas-insulated switchgear assembly having at least one active part (19) is mounted in an enclosure extended along an axis (18). The active part (19) is provided on at least one side with a contact-making assembly (25). The contact-making assembly (25a) is electrically conductively connected to a connecting part (26) which is provided with a shielding electrode (28). The shielding electrode (28) is connected to a supporting element (35) which bounds an intermediate area (40). The supporting element (35) is connected, on the side facing away from the shielding electrode (28), to a fitting (37) which has holes (39) which originate from the intermediate area (40) and are designed to hold fixing screws. The connecting part (26) is designed for advantageously simply assembly. The connecting part (26) dielectrically shields the heads of the fixing screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Kurt Kammerl, Markus Vestner, Martin Zurcher
  • Patent number: 5936217
    Abstract: A switching apparatus wherein the life and the reliability of an electric contact are improved by fundamentally suppressing formation of black powder and activation of the surface of the contact by a chemical reaction. Microcapsules in which organic acid or organic acid precursor from which organic acid is produced as time passes is enclosed are placed into the internal space of an enclosed case so that organic compounds produced on and in the proximity of contact surfaces is oxidized with organic acid which escapes from the microcapsules and vaporized in the enclosed case without forming a film on the surfaces of the contacts to suppress activation of the surfaces of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Takahashi, Yukihiro Takahashi, Shigeyuki Mori, Kazushi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5933066
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker or switch having the LOAD and/or LINE terminals thereof protected by a multifunctional terminal shield arrangement which also provides interphase barriers for the aforementioned terminals and associated wiring. The barrier also provides wire channels for lower voltage supplemental wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Trent A. Chontas, Keith L. Mayhood, Todd M. Lathrop
  • Patent number: 5917167
    Abstract: An interrupter includes a vacuum assembly, switching contacts enclosed within the vacuum assembly, a layer of compliant material around the vacuum assembly, and a layer of rigid encapsulation surrounding the vacuum assembly and layer. The vacuum assembly may be made from ceramic, the compliant material may be silicone, and the rigid encapsulation may be epoxy. The compliant material may also be a sleeve that is expanded so as to receive the vacuum assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: E. Fred Bestel
  • Patent number: 5905244
    Abstract: Upper and lower compartments are provided in metal-clad switchgear that are mirror images of each other. The compartments have doors that move toward one another to lock. The upper compartment has rails at the bottom for receiving a fuse truck, and the lower compartment has a division sheet between the compartment that has openings in it for receiving mating projections on the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Douglas M. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5902980
    Abstract: An insulating component for use in high-voltage switching equipment, especially gas-insulated switching gear. A nozzle made of an insulating material is used in a power switch. Portions of the surface of the nozzle subject to high dielectric stresses in use are provided with increased surface roughness in the form of grooves. These grooves may be cut by a lathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Reincke, Norbert Trapp
  • Patent number: 5880658
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switching device for operationally switching currents in the load range and having an instantaneous release, connected in series, for protection against welding of the contacts (6) in the overload range is created, and has a high reliability and low overall volume. The electromagnet (2) of the switching device (1) is arranged in the middle relative to the contact bridge carrier (8) and coupled directly to the latter in the middle. The instantaneous release (3) acts via a rocker (15) on the movable contact (6) and is actuated only in the case of overcurrents, use being made of the fact that only the directly coupled drive system of the switching device is employed in the nominal current range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Donhauser, Johann Drexler, Wilhelm Holzer
  • Patent number: 5847347
    Abstract: To allow soldering of all parts of the housing including the tubular shield of a vacuum interrupter in a single operation, the metal cap (9) made of silver-plated copper enclosing the two contacts (1, 2) is provided with peripheral structuring (10, 11) on its rim (19) that is to be soldered to an end face of the hollow cylindrical insulator (12). At its flange-like rim (17), the tubular shield (16) is in contact with the same end face of the insulator (12) over spacer knobs (20) distributed around its circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schwarze, Jorg Kusserow, Klaus Oberndorfer
  • Patent number: 5811748
    Abstract: A low-voltage power switch having a switching chamber with a switching contact arrangement and an arc extinguishing device. Sealing of the switching chamber is achieved by an apron-like projection on the movable contact support in combination with a stationary curved recess and by ribs opposite the movable contact support and a sealing arrangement on the stationary counter-contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Manthe, Martin Bottcher, Sezai Turkmen
  • Patent number: 5808258
    Abstract: An encapsulated high voltage switch has an elastomeric housing made of a first high dielectric strength resilient material such as EPDM. A generally tubular reinforcing element is formed or press fitted in intimate contact with the first elastomeric material. A vacuum contact assembly having a fragile ceramic vacuum bottle is disposed inside the reinforcing element, and a filler material different from the first material is disposed between the outer wall of the sub-atmospheric bottle for the coacting contacts in the switch assembly and the inner wall of the reinforcing element. A trip mechanism extends from the exterior into the elastomeric housing and is connected through a lost motion linking mechanism with the coacting contacts to move the contacts from closed to open position and vice versa. Additionally, a method is described for encapsulating the high voltage switch and to safeguard the sub-atmospheric switch assembly in assembled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn J. Luzzi
  • Patent number: 5747765
    Abstract: An encapsulation for an interrupter includes a main body that includes an internal cavity; the internal cavity including a space at a first end thereof for the interrupter; the internal cavity including an internal wall extending from the interrupter space to a second end of the encapsulation; a surface at the second end of the encapsulation for mounting the encapsulation; the internal wall including a convolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Fred Bestel, Paul Newcomb Stoving
  • Patent number: 5736705
    Abstract: An encapsulation for an interrupter includes a main body that includes an internal cavity, the internal cavity including a space at a first end thereof for the interrupter, a second end of the main body including a surface for mounting the encapsulation, an insert assembly mounted in the second end for facilitating mounting the encapsulation, the insert assembly including a rigid connector and a plurality of fasteners fixed to the rigid connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Fred Bestel, Paul Newcomb Stoving
  • Patent number: 5736704
    Abstract: A grounded metal enclosure circuit-breaker comprises, for each pole, a metal enclosure having two insulative bushings. The enclosure and the bushings are adapted to be filled with insulative gas. The enclosure contains first and second metal supports and a set of fixed contacts and a set of mobile contacts respectively supported by the first and second metal supports. The bushings each comprise a metal conductor surrounded by an insulative covering, each of the first and second metal supports having fixed to it a metal part having an annular portion surmounted by a deformable conical portion. The metal part has an axial bore in which the bushing conductor is inserted. A ring having a conical interior surface complementary to that of the conical portion is screwed onto the annular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventors: Luc Asselin, Olivier Rouilhac
  • Patent number: 5600112
    Abstract: A bushing assembly is provided that functions as a circuit interrupter for electrical equipment such as a power transformer or the like. The bushing assembly is mounted so as to extend through the housing of the electrical equipment and incorporates a circuit interrupter having separable interrupter contacts. The bushing assembly includes an insulating bushing and electrical connections for connecting the separable interrupting contacts between a power source connection external to the housing and an input connection internal to the housing that supplies the electrical equipment. The circuit interrupter includes a control arrangement for selectively operating the separable interrupting contacts. In one specific arrangement, the control arrangement is responsive to operate the separable interrupting contacts to interrupt the circuit when the current is above a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: S & C Electric Company
    Inventor: John C. Opfer
  • Patent number: 5585611
    Abstract: An interrupter assembly comprises an interrupter switch and at least one condition sensing device embedded within a body of solid dielectric material. Preferably, the solid dielectric material is a polymer concrete or an epoxy-concrete. The condition sensing device may comprise a current sensor and/or a voltage sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Harvey, Lexie W. Crowe, Keith E. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 5569891
    Abstract: The invention provides a high performance circuit breaker with an independent pole operation linkage and conical composite bushings. A mechanical linkage for independently opening and closing a plurality of associated switches is provided by the invention. The linkage comprises a plurality of connecting rods that provide the initial driving force to open or close the switch, cranks for opening and closing the contacts of respective switches, linking elements which couple together the connecting rods and the cranks, and a number of lever assemblies having a bearing ring interfaced thereto. The bearing rings provide a supportive interface between two linking element but permit the linking elements to rotate independently from one another. The lever assemblies also provide an interface for the connecting rods and linking element. According to a method of the present invention, a connecting rod is actuated in response to a signal to cause the lever assembly to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Willie B. Freeman, David S. Johnson, Jeffry R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5512724
    Abstract: A vacuum switch including at least one vacuum switching tube and a pole operating unit which receives the vacuum switching tube at one of its ends. Each pole operating unit contains a lever arrangement for changing the direction of the operating movement provided by a drive device to the associated vacuum switching tube and a contact force spring. In addition, a connection contact surface for an external conductor is provided. The pole operating unit has a U-shaped carrier with elastically bendable legs. A connection device, also having a U-shaped cross-section, engages outside of the legs of the U-shaped carrier. A counter-bearing for the contact force spring is attached between the legs with when the legs of the carrier are bent. Alternatively, a cast metal connection device provided with cooling ribs can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Binder, Detlev Schmidt, Norbert Steinemer