A. B. Chance Company

Hubbell Limited

Eugene L Kamp

Armin M Bruning

Charles A Popeck

Richard Graham

Earl S Gritton

L Ronald Azdell

An electrical contact position indicator assembly is operatively coupled to an electrical device, such as a recloser, for indicating the relative position of the contacts of the electrical device, i.e., opened or closed, at any given time during operation of the electrical device. The position indicator assembly includes a movable indicator having first indicia to indicate that the contacts are opened, and second indicia to indicate that the contacts are closed. Each of the first and second indicia of the indicator lies in more than one plane. Preferably, each of the first and second indicia of the indicator lies on a three-dimensional, curvilinear or spherical surface. In the preferred embodiment, the indicator includes a mechanical linkage to the contact opening and closing assembly.

Electrical contact position indicator assembly

An arc spinner interrupter apparatus includes a first electrical contact assembly having a fixed contact and an arcing element. A second electrical contact assembly includes an arm selectively movable along a path into and out of engagement with the fixed contact. The arcing element extends beyond the fixed contact in a direction parallel to the path of the arm and is biased toward a position at least partially within the path of movement such that the arm impacts and engages the arcing element during movement toward the fixed contact. A mass is biased toward a position in contact with the arcing element for dampening oscillation of the arcing element in a direction transverse to the path of movement. When the arm impacts the arcing element the kinetic energy of the arcing element acting in the transverse direction is transferred from the element to the mass and oscillation of the element is reduced.

Arc spinner interrupter having contact bounce suppressor

A recloser apparatus is provided with an enclosure or tank (40) in which a current interrupter assembly (49) is disposed that includes a pair of relatively movable contacts (50, 54) movable between a closed, current-carrying position and an open, current-interrupting position. An opening assembly (60) is included for opening the contacts to the current-interrupting position and a closing assembly (66), including a high voltage solenoid coil (61) and plunger (116) moves one of the contacts (54) to the closed, current-carrying position. An operating assembly (43) is manually accessible from outside the tank (40) and includes an operating arm (44) which is movable between an upper, intermediate and lower position, and a contact closing circuit for initiating operation of the contact closing assembly (66) when the operating arm (44) is manually moved to the upper position. When manually moved to the lower position, the operating arm (44) actuates the contact opening assembly (60) and locks out the closing assembly (66) so as to prevent subsequent movement of the contact (54) to the closed position until the operating arm (44) is moved manually from the lower position. A sensor (46) is provided for sensing a fault current experienced by the apparatus and a control assembly (47) actuates the contact opening assembly (60) in response to a sensed fault current and alternately actuates the closing and opening assemblies (66, 60) for a predetermined number of opening cycles in response to a further sensed fault current. The control assembly (47) also actuates automatic movement of the operating arm (44) to the lower position once the closing and opening assemblies (66, 60) have been actuated for the predetermined number of opening cycles such that the operating arm (44) serves as a signal that the recloser is locked out.

Recloser apparatus

A sensitive latch and trip mechanism includes a latch plate supported for pivotal movement under the influence of a load, and a latch lever supported for pivotal movement about a lever axis. The lever includes a latching surface disposed in a latching surface plane and a lever axis located a distance A from the latching surface plane in a direction perpendicular to the latching surface plane and offset from the latching surface by a distance B in a direction parallel to with both the latching surface plane and the plane in which the latch plate pivots. A coefficient of friction is defined between the latching surface and a surface of the latch plate interengaged therewith, the coefficient of friction U being correlated with the distances A and B to follow the relationship U.gtoreq. B/A. In this manner, the lever may be easily pivoted from its latching position to unlatch the plate.

Sensitive latch and trip mechanism

The velocity of a snap action, spring loaded vacumm switch closing mechanism is substantially reduced by impacting a lever of the mechanism against a first swingable energy absorbing arm which, in turn, pivots to contact a pair of second energy absorbing arms. The pair of second arms are lightweight relative to the first arm and swing through a greater arc than the latter to permit oscillations to subside in remaining components of the switch before rebounding against the first arm. The swingable arms absorb a significant portion of the kinetic energy of the mechanism during closing of the contacts so that shock waves which are normally experienced in various components of the mechanism cannot combine to a value sufficient to snap the mechanism to an open circuit orientation. The anti-bounce device is particularly useful for three phase switchgear wherein a single, common mechanism functions to simultaneously close three pairs of electrical contacts. The closing mechanism has a latching member which cooperates with a latching pin to release the mechanism and close the switch when desired.

Three phase vacuum switch operating mechanism with anti-bounce device

A current-responsive, resettable, violence-free low fault range vacuum-type switch interrupter is disclosed which is especially designed for series connection with a high fault range current limiting fuse (CLF) to achieve an improved, full range circuit protecting device adapted for use in padmounted, oil filled switch gear apparatus or the like. The resettable switch includes a spring-loaded, over center toggle motive assembly along with a current-responsive, temperature sensitive, bimetallic U-shaped latching element; in the event of a fault, the element deforms and releases the motive assembly to quickly open the vacuum contacts without the violence or oil contamination associated with fuse links. Manual opening of the contacts, and resetting thereof after either manual or fault-induced contact opening, is achieved through appropriate manipulation of an external, trip-free operating handle. The switch further includes a weighted, shock-absorbing element for slowing the contacts just prior to engagement thereof during the switch closing sequence, and a novel, high-impact hammer arrangement for breaking any contact welds during the fault-induced operation of the switch. The resettable switch-CLF combination is synergistically coordinated such that the switch is operated when it experiences the characteristic let through current incident to the operation of the CLF, so as to enhance the overall protective result. In three-phase systems where each phase conductor is separately protected, the respective switches may be advantageously gang coupled to operate together, even if only one conductor experiences a fault.

Circuit protecting apparatus including resettable vacuum fuse and switch

An improved electrical switch unit is provided having a strategically located, shock-absorbing member which absorbs a large proportion of potentially damaging impact forces developed during switch closing operations and thus preserves the soft metal switch contact shafts against significant deformation and consequent alteration in the operational characteristics of the switch. The shock-absorbing function is advantageously performed by a low-mass, spring-biased weld break lever associated with the over toggle switch operating mechanism. During the switch closing sequence the contact-shifting operating arm of the switch operating apparatus engages the biased weld break lever and the latter serves to slow the relative closing speed of the contacts prior to the instant of impact therebetween; in this manner a significant amount of the impact forces are absorbed which would otherwise be absorbed by the contact shafts themselves.

Spring biased energy absorber for vacuum switch contact shafts

A high dielectric strength seal between the encapsulant and the outwardly projecting actuating arm of an externally operable encapsulated vacuum switch includes a fluid-receiving sealed cavity surrounding the actuating arm between the latter and the encapsulant. An externally accessible valve permits charging of the cavity with a dielectric fluid subsequent to encapsulation of the switch to insure displacement of air from the interface between the encapsulant and actuating arm, thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of corona formation and dielectric breakdown of the seal. Additionally, the dielectric fluid may be pressurized through the valve to preclude infusion of conductive contaminants into the cavity. In preferred forms, an accumulator is in fluid communication with the cavity to permit thermal expansion and contraction of the dielectric fluid without undesired leakage or cavitation of the liquid.

Growing community of inventors

Fulton, MO, United States of America

Eugene L Kamp