Operating Mechanism Structure Or Arrangement Patents (Class 218/7)
  • Patent number: 12100567
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving switching contacts of a high-voltage circuit breaker includes an operating element, and a plurality of actuating elements for actuating the switching contacts, at least two of which are disposed at a distance from one another relative to an axis or shaft. A mechanism or lever mechanism transfers a movement of the operating element into corresponding movements of the actuating elements. The mechanism includes at least one shaft, rotatably mounted on the axis, for transferring the movement of the operating element into the corresponding movement of at least one actuating element which is disposed at a distance from the operating element along the axis. The drive unit has a compensation coupling device for compensating for a delay in the transfer of movement between at least two of the actuating elements disposed at a distance from one another relative to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alexander Rose-Pötzsch
  • Patent number: 12057279
    Abstract: A switching device includes: two interrupter units connected in series; at least one drive unit for moving at least one contact; and two control capacitors, each of which is connected in parallel with the interrupter units. At least one control capacitor has mechanically movable components for changing the capacitance, and at least one of these components is mechanically coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Alexander Goebels, Sylvio Kosse, Paul Gregor Nikolic
  • Patent number: 11935713
    Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker includes: a grounded tank; a vacuum valve including a vacuum container housing a movable contact and a stationary contact, a movable conductor that is connected to the movable contact and extends out of the vacuum container, and a tubular bellows; a tubular movable-side bushing conductor; a slider movably set inside the movable-side bushing conductor; a movable-side frame that communicates with a space inside a tube of the bellows and electrically connects the movable-side bushing conductor to the movable conductor; an operation rod having one end protruding to an outside of the grounded tank and an opposite end connected to the movable conductor; an operating device that moves the operation rod; a movable-side support plate covering an end of the grounded tank where the operation rod extends out of the grounded tank; and a packing set in a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuki Sugino, Yasunori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11776779
    Abstract: A switching apparatus is provided herein. The switching apparatus includes: (i) a first pole terminal, a second pole terminal and a ground terminal, (ii) a first contact arrangement including a first fixed contact member and a first movable contact member, (iii) a second contact arrangement including a second fixed contact member and a second movable contact member, (iv) a vacuum chamber wherein the second fixed contact and the second movable contact are enclosed and can be coupled or decoupled, and (v) an electrically conductive coupling lever pivoted on the second movable contact member and reversibly movable about a second rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Emanuele Morelli, Dietmar Gentsch, Jacopo Bruni
  • Patent number: 11527377
    Abstract: A particularly reliable quick release latch and a release mechanism, as well as a quick grounding device or short circuiter, is particularly suited for low, medium, and/or high-voltage applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juergen Einschenk, Peter Stracke
  • Patent number: 11462376
    Abstract: A vacuum circuit breaker includes: a vacuum valve that is insulated and supported inside a grounded tank; a movable-side frame connecting a lower end of a movable-side external conductor to a movable conductor; a stationary-side frame connecting a lower end of a stationary-side external conductor to a stationary conductor; a movable-side insulating support tube that supports the movable-side frame and insulates thereof from the grounded tank; a stationary-side insulating support tube that supports the stationary-side frame and insulates thereof from the grounded tank; a movable-side flange covering a movable-side end of the grounded tank; and a rubber piece on an inner peripheral surface of the movable-side flange. The movable-side insulating support tube is supported, at an end opposite from an end connected to the movable-side frame, by the movable-side flange via the rubber piece and is movable along an axis and a radius of an arc-extinguishing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Yoshitomo, Kazuki Sugino
  • Patent number: 11303109
    Abstract: A fault protection system for providing protection from fault current for components and devices on a lateral line proximate to a distribution transformer in a power distribution network. The system includes a single-phase recloser having a vacuum interrupter that is controlled by a controller. In one embodiment, the recloser has an insulating body that is molded in combination with an insulating body of a bushing that is connected to the distribution transformer. In this embodiment, the controller can be powered by a current transformer within the recloser. In another embodiment, the recloser is mounted to a utility pole separate from the distribution transformer, where the controller is powered by the low voltage side of the transformer and the current transformer is eliminated. An isolated power supply is provided between the transformer and the controller to provide voltage isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Alejandro Montenegro, Michael G. Ennis
  • Patent number: 10551797
    Abstract: A timepiece, time display, and method of presenting time information. The timepiece includes clock means for measuring the passage of time in standard units, and maintaining a current value. A visual display is included for displaying one of the standard units of the current value at a time. The time piece further comprises means for selecting one of the standard units and presenting the selected unit of the current value on the visual display. The current value is represented by the position of an indicator within a defined space on the visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventor: Timothy Bishop
  • Patent number: 8913370
    Abstract: A spout assembly is provided. The spout assembly includes a spout and a spout base. The spout base has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a spout sized to enclose an electrical switching apparatus electrical coupling. That is, the spout base includes a CT support surface with a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the spout cross-sectional area. Current transformers are disposed upon the spout base CT support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Smith, Brad Robert Leccia, Steven Z. Chen
  • 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: 8847095
    Abstract: A high voltage switching device includes a current interruption assembly having at least one vacuum chamber, a fixed contact assembly having a first fixed contact and a second fixed contact positioned inside the vacuum chamber, and first and second movable-contact assemblies including a first movable contact and a second movable contact, respectively. A single mechanism actuates the first and second movable-contact assemblies between a first position and second position. In the first position, the first and second movable contacts are electrically coupled with the first and second fixed contacts, respectively. And in the second position, the first and second moveable contacts are electrically separated the same. The first movable contact and the second movable contact move, along a reference axis, one towards the other or away from the other based on the actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Lise Donzel, Judith Kessler, Alexey Sokolov, Markus Abplanalp, Davide Riboni, Roberto Cameroni
  • Patent number: 8785801
    Abstract: Provided is a dual structured contact for switchgear, which includes a moving contact unit being formed of a conducting material, the moving contact unit including first and second terminals, the first terminal comprising a cylinder and the second terminal extending to a driving unit such that the moving contact unit moves back and forth by the driving unit, and a fixing contact unit being formed of a conducting material, the fixing contact unit including first and second cylinders being outside and inside of the fixing contact unit with same axis, an inner part of the first cylinder being in contact with an outer part of the first terminal, and an outer part of the second cylinder being in contact with an inner part of the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Choon Kim
  • Patent number: 8748770
    Abstract: A power switching apparatus includes: a pressure tank having tube-like openings in a shank portion and having an insulating gas sealed therein; a vacuum valve housed in the pressure tank and connected to the pressure tank at one end; bushing conductors penetrating through the openings of the pressure tank and electrically connected to the vacuum valve; and current transformers provided on an outside of the pressure tank and measuring a current flowing through the bushing conductors. Tube-like current transformer installation portions on which to install the current transformers are provided above the openings of the pressure tank and an outside diameter of the openings of the pressure tank is made larger than an outside diameter of the current transformer installation portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuta Nakayama, Masahiro Arioka, Tomotaka Yano, Kyoichi Otsuka, Satoru Yoshida, Koji Sano
  • Patent number: 8664550
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-pole circuit breaker with auxiliary supports, which comprises a base, a plurality of single-pole circuit breaking units, an operating mechanism and a rotation axis assembly, wherein the rotation axis assembly consists of a plurality of supporting assemblies and a plurality of support shaft parts in series; each of the support shaft parts is provided with a movable contact bridge; each of the supporting assembly consists of a rotation axis, an auxiliary support, an auxiliary support bearing and at least one supporting rod; the rotation axis maintains synchronous revolution with the support shaft parts; the outside of the bearing is tightly assembled with a bearing hole of the auxiliary support, while the inside is tightly assembled with the rotation axis; the supporting rod is tightly assembled with a supporting rod installing hole on the auxiliary support; the operating mechanism is fixedly connected with the supporting rod; and the supporting rod is fixedly installed o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Noark Electrics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Denggui Ao, Shangjing Wei
  • Publication number: 20130213936
    Abstract: A gas-insulated high-voltage switch for the interruption of large currents includes a housing, a contact arrangement which is arranged in the housing and has two switching pieces which can be moved relative to one another along an axis. Each switching piece has a rated current contact and an arcing contact. The switch includes a drive which acts on a first of the two switching pieces. The switch includes a device configured to detect and indicate the contact wear of the two arcing contacts caused by the action of the arc. The device has an indicator arranged outside the housing. In the switch, the remaining life which is determined by the contact wear of the arcing contacts is detected and indicated by a simple mechanical mechanism. The device has a transmission mechanism which is fed through the housing in a gas-tight manner and a drive member coupled to the operating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
  • Patent number: 8455781
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a sealed ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8426760
    Abstract: A high-voltage circuit breaker has an interrupter unit, a closing resistor and a switch which is connected in series with the closing resistor. The interrupter unit has a driven first interrupter contact which can move along an axis and interacts with a second interrupter contact, which is arranged on the axis in order to open and close the high-voltage circuit breaker. The switch has a switching contact which can rotate about a rotation shaft (D) and whose rotary movement is coupled by of a link control to the movement along the axis (A1) of the first interrupter contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Walter Holaus, Diego Sologuren-Sanchez, Thomas-Juerg Willi, Urs Kruesi, Sami Kotilainen, Martin Holstein, Anupam Arya, Kalpesh Chauhan, Miguel Garcia, Markus Keller
  • Patent number: 8426759
    Abstract: Vacuum circuit breakers are to gain an extended lifetime by reducing contact face damage of moving and fixed electrodes with improved voltage withstand performance therebetween and enhanced interruption performance. Vacuum circuit breaker of the present invention has bulb 10 having: insulative vacuum tube 11; and fixed electrode 12 on end of current-carrying conductor 13 and moving electrode 15 on end of another current-carrying conductor 16 arranged in insulative vacuum tube 11 with their electrode contact faces opposed each other. Operation system for manipulating current-carrying conductor 16 of moving electrode 15 is equipped with compression-spring 20 and auxiliary compression-spring 21 that increases initial opening speed of moving electrode 15. Auxiliary compression-spring 21 ceases energizing in the middle of a circuit breaking movement of moving electrode 15 and begins storing spring energy in the middle of a circuit closing movement of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Meiden T&D Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nagatake, Tooru Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Matsui
  • Patent number: 8415578
    Abstract: An electrical circuit breaker has a first contact piece which can be moved in a first movement range along a switching axis and has an arcing contact, a second contact piece which can move along the switching axis and which has a further arcing contact, a drive for moving the first contact piece and a gear for transferring the movement of the first contact piece to the second contact piece. The gear has a first dead point which is passed through on the output drive side by the gear during the movement of the first contact piece in the first movement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Olaf Hunger, Jürg Nufer
  • Patent number: 8415580
    Abstract: A carrier link insulator electrically insulates a carrier drive link from an arc chamber in a circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Robert William Mueller
  • Patent number: 8410389
    Abstract: A remotely controlled, motorized drive system for a disconnector used in switchgear. An operator pushes a button on a remote control, which signals a receiver in the disconnector to engage a motor that is coupled to a drive shaft. The drive shaft causes movable contacts of the disconnector to be moved into engagement or out of engagement with sets of fixed contacts in the switchgear that are connected to the line supply and to the circuit breaker that is bolted into the switchgear. One set of contacts is electrically coupled to the line supply, which can carry up to three phases of current. Another set of contacts is connected to corresponding terminals of the circuit breaker. A second motor controls movement of a grounding bar that grounds the circuit breaker to earth. Indicator lights on the switchgear panel indicate the position of the disconnector for visual confirmation of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Trussler, Gregory B. Lee
  • Patent number: 8354607
    Abstract: A multi circuit type vacuum switchgear with improved ground isolation reliability. The multi circuit type vacuum switchgear has plural main circuit switches in a chamber. The respective main circuit switches, each having a fixed electrode and a movable electrode open/close to the fixed electrode, are respectively accommodated in a non-earthed type vacuum chamber. The respective movable electrodes are connected with flexible conductors. Operating rods are introduced into the non-earthed type vacuum chamber and respectively connected to the respective movable electrodes via insulators. The vacuum switchgear has a molded part having a first insulating member to insulate the main circuit switches and a second insulating member, integrally formed with the first insulating member, to insulate the movable electrode side and the movable operating rod side. The molded part is provided on the periphery of the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Kenji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8309873
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a scaled ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • 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: 8115132
    Abstract: A heavy-duty circuit breaker has a housing with a longitudinal housing axis and a contact arrangement disposed in the housing. The contact arrangement is conductively connected to a first electrical lead fed through the housing and a second electrical lead fed through the housing. The housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part. The first electrical lead is fed through the first housing part, and the second electrical lead through the second housing part. The two housing parts are connected together so as to be rotatable in opposite directions about the longitudinal housing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Stenzel
  • Patent number: 8089020
    Abstract: [Object] A compact gas-insulated switching apparatus in which the space for arranging a gas breaker module may be reduced, and the space for arranging a circuit wiring may be reduced in the vertical direction is proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Kisanuki, Hitoshi Sadakuni, Masato Kawahigashi
  • Patent number: 8081407
    Abstract: An alternator disconnector circuit-breaker of the invention presents a compact structure. The axes of opening/closure of the change-over first switch (12, 14), of the circuit-breaker second switch (22, 24), and of the disconnector switch (32, 34) are such that an angle of 90° is present between two of them. Actuator means (40) associated with synchronization means (52, 54, 56, 58) make it possible to ensure that each switch is operated in a time-shifted manner by common control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Willieme, Francois Biquez, Denis Frigiere
  • Patent number: 7910852
    Abstract: A medium voltage circuit interrupter includes a circuit interrupter housing and a plurality of poles. Each of the poles includes an encapsulated pole unit. The encapsulated pole unit includes a first unit having a first conductor, a second conductor, a vacuum interrupter electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, and a first housing housing the vacuum interrupter. A removable second unit includes a third conductor, a fourth conductor having a first portion electrically connected to the third conductor and a second portion removably electrically connected to one of the first conductor and the second conductor, an electronic device structured to sense a characteristic of the pole, and a second insulative housing encapsulating the third conductor, the first portion of the fourth conductor and the electronic device. An operating mechanism is structured to open and close the vacuum interrupter of each of the poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins, Xin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7902479
    Abstract: A reliable, compact vacuum switchgear is provided at an inexpensive cost. The vacuum switchgear comprises a switch 1 having a fixed electrode 12 and a movable electrode 13 connectable to and disconnectable from the fixed electrode 12, another switch 2 having a fixed electrode 22 and a movable electrode 23 connectable to and disconnectable from the fixed electrode 22, conductors 3 connected to the fixed electrodes 12, 22 of the switches 1, 2, earth switches 4 connected to the conductors 3, a mold section 7 formed by molding the conductors 3 and the earth switches 4 with resin, and a vacuum container 8 accommodating the switches 1, 2 and disposed on the mold section 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuchiya, Makoto Yano, Ayumu Morita, Takashi Sato, Masato Kobayashi, Tomoaki Utsumi
  • Patent number: 7902480
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated switchgear comprising a vacuum container accommodating at least a pair of movable contacts and a pair of fixed contacts, wherein the movable contacts are capable of taking three positions, the switchgear being a double-break three-position type switch having breaking and disconnecting functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Tsuchiya, Masato Kobayashi, Ayumu Morita
  • Patent number: 7897890
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated switchgear is provided with: an enclosure having a switch block defined by a grounded metal plate, a bus block positioned above the switch block, and a cable block positioned on the rear side of the bus block; a bus provided in the bus block and connected with a fixed contact of a vacuum double-break three-position switch; the vacuum double-break three-position switch provided in the switch block so that its movable contacts are positioned below its fixed contacts; an operating device provided in the switch block so as to be positioned below the vacuum double-break three-position switch; and a lever mechanism that couples together the movable contacts of the vacuum double-break three-position switch and the operating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Kikukawa, Kenji Tsuchiya, Yuko Kajiyama
  • Patent number: 7790997
    Abstract: A switch unit comprising a circuit breaker and a disconnector disposed in one plane and fixed to a metal casing. Common drive means comprise: a single insulating drive bar adapted to move in a straight line in the same plane as the plane of straight line movement of the movable contacts of the circuit breaker and disconnector; and at least one mechanical assembly mounted in the metal casing, at least part of the mechanical assembly being driven by the single insulating drive rod while permitting non-simultaneous straight-line movement of the two movable contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Alain Girodet, Christian Lindner, Igor Deprez, Olivier Le Grand
  • 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: 7759595
    Abstract: A gas insulating switchgear equipped with a grounding switchgear of the invention includes a sealing vessel that fills an insulation gas, a main circuit-switching fixed electrode that is fixed to the sealing vessel, a movable electrode that comes in contact with the main circuit-switching fixed electrode, a grounding-switching fixed electrode capable of conducting current, and a driving device that drives the movable electrode, thereby driving the movable electrode. The main circuit-switching fixed electrode and the grounding-switching fixed electrode are linearly arranged in a longitudinal direction of the movable electrode, and the driving device drives linearly the movable electrode to three positions of a closed-circuit position, an open-circuit position, and a grounding position, and holds the movable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Yoichiro Yoshitake, Dai Harada
  • Patent number: 7705262
    Abstract: A first switch (10) has a first pair of contacts (12, 14) that are mounted to move relative to each other in translation. A circuit-breaker second switch (20) has a second pair of contacts (21, 24) that are mounted to move relative to each other in translation, the second switch (20) being put in parallel with the first switch (10). A disconnector third switch (30) has a third pair of contacts (32, 34) that are mounted to move relative to each other. Synchronization means (50, 50?) make it possible, while breaking is taking place, for the contacts of the first switch (10) to separate before the contacts of the second switch (20) separate, the contacts of the second switch themselves separating before the third contacts (32, 34) separate fully. The synchronization means are actuated by a servomotor (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Areva T&D SA
    Inventors: Xavier Allaire, Denis Frigiere, Jean-Marc Willieme
  • Patent number: 7679019
    Abstract: An electrical switching system, preferably a medium-voltage switching system, has a power switch or load switch, a disconnecting switch, and a grounding switch configured as a vacuum switching chamber. Low separation distance lengths and a more compact construction of a switching system is achieved by means of a housing in which the disconnecting switch, configured as a vacuum switching chamber, the grounding switch, and the power switch or load switch are disposed, and in which a central switch is disposed, with which the vacuum switching chambers of disconnecting switch and grounding switch can be mechanically activated. Electrical connections between connector contacts of power switch or load switch, disconnecting switch, and grounding switch can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Switchcraft Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Bodenstein, Detlef Lange
  • Publication number: 20090314745
    Abstract: A switch disconnector is disclosed. The switch disconnector has a main contact point and an arc interruption contact point, of which the main contact point opens before the arc interruption contact point during a disconnection operation and is closed after the arc interruption contact point during connection, with a stationary and a moving contact-piece arrangement, with the stationary contact-piece arrangement having a pot contact piece with contact fingers and with the moving main contact point having a contact cylinder which is connected to a contact mount, and with the arc interruption point having a contact pin as the stationary contact piece and an annular contact piece as the moving contact piece. The contact pin has a section composed of interruption-resistant material, whose external diameter is greater than the external diameter of the rest of the pin area. The contact pin has at least one slot which runs in the longitudinal direction and splits the pin into at least two pin fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ole Granhaug, Jan-Henrik Kuhlefelt, Pal Skryten
  • Publication number: 20090250435
    Abstract: Provided is a gas insulating switchgear equipped with a grounding switchgear that can facilitate compactness by forming integrally switch mechanisms for switching a main circuit and a grounding and rapidly operates even a grounding-switching movable electrode by the switch mechanisms. A gas insulating switchgear equipped with a grounding switchgear of the invention includes a sealing vessel that fills an insulation gas, a main circuit-switching fixed electrode 3 that is fixed to the sealing vessel, a movable electrode 1 that comes in contact with the main circuit-switching fixed electrode 3, a grounding-switching fixed electrode 21 capable of conducting current, and a driving device that drives the movable electrode 1, thereby driving of the movable electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yoichiro Yoshitake, Dai Harada
  • Patent number: 7550691
    Abstract: An adjustable switching mechanism for adjusting the tolerance of electrical contacts of series coupled vacuum interrupters includes a primary drawbar coupled to a secondary drawbar via a pair of coupling pull rods. The primary and secondary drawbars are adjustably attached to the coupling pull rods by a plurality of adjustable compression assemblies. The primary drawbar also includes an attachment bore having threads of one dimension to threadably receive a double-threaded part therethrough. The double-threaded part also includes an internal bore having threads of another dimension in which to receive a coupling screw. As such, the tolerance between the electrical contacts of the vacuum interrupters may be changed through adjustment of the compression assemblies and the rotation of the double-threaded part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Vacuum Electric Switch Co.
    Inventors: Cecil C. Wristen, James G. Meadows, Michael G. Walaszewski, William D. Mozina
  • 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: 7262362
    Abstract: The high-voltage switching device used in one installation position and has metallic encapsulation (10) a switching gap (4) and a particle trap (1) for holding foreign body particles (2), and is characterized in that in the one installation position, the particle trap (1) is arranged vertically underneath the switching gap (4), in the one installation position, an isolator part (8) is provided, which has a surface (8a) aligned essentially horizontally and faces the interior of the high-voltage switching device, with a metallic wall (9), which is higher than the particle trap (1; 1?), being arranged between the isolator part (8) and the particle trap (1; 1?). The particle trap (1) has a viewing window (3). If the high-voltage switching device is a disconnector, this viewing window (3) may be identical to the viewing window (3) for visual access to the visible disconnecting gap (4) of the disconnector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Walter Holaus, Bojan Pavlovic, Miguel Garcia, Daniel Bleiker, Diego Sologuren-Sanchez
  • 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: 7211761
    Abstract: A switch disconnector apparatus of the linear air type is described, said apparatus comprising: an upper device for transferring current, a fixed upper contact connected electrically to the upper device, a lower device for transferring current, a sliding lower contact connected electrically to the lower device and a contact tube movable between a closing position and a disconnecting position. According to the invention, the apparatus also comprises a casing of insulating material which forms a protective atmosphere. Moreover, the contact tube, the upper contact and the lower contact are substantially completely enclosed inside the casing. The disconnector is therefore closed, inside a protected environment, segregated, but not perfectly sealed. With the present invention all the drawbacks associated with unprotected air systems are avoided and a compact and safe apparatus preventing discharges between several phases is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Vei Power Distribution S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Vaghini, Armando Rossi, Giorgio Perli
  • Patent number: 7199324
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid circuit-breaker which, for each pole, comprises a dielectric-gas interrupting chamber (1) which contains a first contact (1A) and a moving second contact (1B) that are disposed longitudinally to a first axis (AA?) and in which the first contact (1A) is connected to a first terminal (3A) of the network, said interrupting chamber (1) being connected in series with a vacuum bottle (2) which contains a fixed contact (2A) and a moving contact (2B) that are disposed longitudinally to a second axis (BB?) and in which the fixed contact (2A) is connected to a second terminal (3B) of the network, actuating means acting via a single control (4) to move said moving contacts between respective open positions and respective closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Areva T & D SA
    Inventor: Michel Perret
  • 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: 7091439
    Abstract: An electric device, in particular for medium or high voltage electric substations, able to perform the functions of circuit-breaking, isolating and earthing is described. The device comprises: a casing; at least one circuit-breaker; at least one line isolator having a fixed isolator contact; a line isolator actuating shaft for actuating the at least one line isolator; at least one earthing isolator; a circuit-breaker actuating shaft for actuating at least one circuit-breaker; and a lever connected to a conductor rod co-operating with movable circuit-breaker contacts, said conductor rod further engaging with said fixed isolator contact in a closing position, wherein: the device further comprises a resilient member co-operating with said conductor rod in order to transfer correct pressing loads to said movable contacts. According to the invention, said circuit-breaker actuating shaft and said line isolator actuating shaft are coaxial. Profitably, the casing is filled with nitrogen or sulphur hexafluoride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Vei Power Distribution, S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Vaghini, Giorgio Perli, Armando Rossi
  • 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: 6946614
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an interrupter coaxial with a current sensor or transformer, the combined assembly being encapsulated within solid dielectric material and supported by an earthed tube mounted on an earthed housing. Detection by the sensor of a current overload is communicated over conductors to a circuit within the housing to cause an actuator to pull a dielectric linkage in a direction so as to move an armature through a bell crank and open interrupter, thereby opening the main current path between conductors and flexible coupling. The circuit breaker requires no insulating gas or oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Brian McKean Associates, Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian McKean, Nigel Timothy McKean, Brian Andrew Richard McKean
  • Patent number: 6946613
    Abstract: A gas-insulated switchgear includes a tank filled with an electrically insulating gas, first and second conductors disposed within the tank, a disconnector for disconnecting the first conductor and the second conductor from each other, and a grounding switch for grounding the first conductor when the disconnector is in an open position. The disconnector includes a first and second fixed electrode disposed on the first and second conductors, respectively, a bridging movable electrode that is always maintained in contact with the first electrode and that is slidably movable for contacting with and separating from the second fixed electrode to connect and disconnect the first and second fixed electrodes, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing operation of the movable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Otsuka, Hitoshi Sadakuni