Eaton Corporation

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Henry Anthony Wehrli, Iii

Raymond Clyde Doran

James Alan Bauer

Denis A Mueller

Phillip L Ulerich

James D Smith

Paul Richard Rakus

John A Wafer

Kurt A Grunert

William John Jones

Norman J Phillips

Lawrence M Hapeman

John Joseph Shea

Robert Michael Slepian

Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk

Alfred E Maier

Nathan James Weister

Stephen A Mrenna

Douglas Charles Marks

Edward Louis Wellner

David A Parks

William A Barrow

David Leksell

Perry Robert Gibson

Dirk J Boomgaard

Yuri C Spitsberg

Kathryn M Palmer

Robert J Tedesco

Franklin S Malick

Nelson R Palmer

Mark S Kruskopf

Parker A Bollinger, Jr

Thomas A Wilsdon

Larry P Tosato

Robert C Stewart, Deceased

Brian Matthew Loehlein

John R Wilson

William Brocklebank

Edmond E DeMario

Thomas R Hovanec

Suzanne Marie Stewart

Alvin O Lund, Deceased

A spring assembly is provided for a yoke assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft. The yoke assembly is coupled to the pole shaft and is movable among first and second positions corresponding to the separable contacts being closed and open, respectively. The spring assembly includes a number of first springs having a first spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly, and a number of second springs having a second spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly. The second spring rate is different than the first spring rate. The number of first springs and the number of second springs bias the yoke assembly toward the second position.

Electrical switching apparatus, and yoke assembly and spring assembly therefor

An operating mechanism closing assembly for an electrical switching apparatus having a ram assembly structured to engage and move a toggle assembly is provided. The ram assembly includes a ram body that travels over a, preferably, straight path and engages the toggle assembly. The path may be defined by one or more pins extending through the ram body. One or more springs are coupled to the ram body and bias the ram body toward the toggle assembly. The springs may be conveniently disposed about the pins. In this configuration, the force created by the springs is, essentially, applied directly to the toggle assembly. The toggle assembly is coupled to, and structured to rotate, a pole shaft that is further coupled to, and structured to actuate, the electrical switching apparatus contacts. Accordingly, because the force created by the springs is not transferred via one or more cams, the required force, and therefore the size of the springs, is reduced compared to the prior art.

Spring driven ram for closing a electrical switching apparatus

A linkage for a solenoid actuated circuit breaker operating mechanism is provided. The operating mechanism includes a trip device and a close device. Either the trip device or the close device is coupled to a solenoid, by an ultra-lightweight connection member. The ultra-lightweight connection member is so light as to not create a sufficient force to effect the trip device or the close device even when the circuit breaker is subjected to a shock load.

Shock resistant actuators for a circuit breaker

The large close spring in the operating mechanism of electrical switching apparatus is charged by a charging mechanism which includes a charging cam mounted on a cam shaft and rotated by a ratchet wheel. A stop member is employed for engagement with the ratchet wheel to prevent reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel during charging of the close spring. To reduce friction force between the stop member and the ratchet wheel once the close spring is fully charged and it is desired to discharge the spring, the ratchet wheel includes a toothless region formed on the periphery thereof. The ratchet wheel is positioned such that the stop member is in engagement with the toothless region once the close spring is fully charged. Friction between the stop member and the ratchet wheel is reduced by eliminating the need for the stop member to traverse the teeth of the ratchet wheel as discharging of the spring is initiated.

Reduced drag ratchet

Electrical switching apparatus such as a power circuit breaker, network protector or switch has a self-supporting operating mechanism module including a cage formed by a pair of side plates rigidly clamped in spaced relation by spacers. The cage supports all of the operating mechanism components including a helical compression close spring mounted fully between the side plates and coupled to a cam member through a rocker in a manner which maintains the forces longitudinal to the spring. The cam member has a charging cam with a charge profile for compressing the close spring and a close profile through which the spring drives the cam member to effect a controlled release of stored energy to close the contacts of the apparatus. The cam shaft is captured between bushings seated in non-circular openings in the side plates thereby eliminating the need for any fasteners. Likewise, other parts mounted between the side plates and joined by pins having enlarged heads retained by the side plates do not need retainers. Various shafts extending between the side plates have reduced diameter ends of progressive lengths for successive insertion in one side plate to aid in assembly of the operating mechanism.

Electrical switching apparatus with modular operating mechanism for

Electrical switching apparatus such as a power circuit breaker, network protector or switch has a self-supporting operating mechanism module including a cage formed by a pair of side plates rigidly clamped in spaced relation by spacers. The cage supports all of the operating mechanism components including a helical compression close spring mounted fully between the side plates and coupled to a cam member through a rocker in a manner which maintains the forces longitudinal to the spring. The cam member has a charging cam with a charge profile for compressing the close spring and a close profile through which the spring drives the cam member to effect a controlled release of stored energy to close the contacts of the apparatus. A close prop, spring biased to an unlatched position, is latched to secure the close spring in the charged state by a latch assembly reset by a reset lever separate from the close prop which in turn is reset by rotation of the cam member during charging. An interlock prevents release of the close spring when the contacts are closed or the trip release is actuated. An indicator actuated by a driver pivoted against the cam shaft snaps from a DISCHARGED to a CHARGED indication as the close spring becomes fully charged and the driver drops into a notch created by a flat on the cam shaft. A snap action open/closed indicator for the switch contacts is also provided.

Electrical switching apparatus with push buttons for a modular operating

A clutch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus which has a close spring working in conjunction with a cam disposed on a cam shaft, wherein the close spring provides a rotational force to the cam shaft in a forward direction. The spring clutch is disposed on the cam shaft and allows the cam shaft to rotate in the forward direction but prevents rotation of the cam shaft in the opposite direction.

Clutch assembly for electrical switching apparatus with large

Electrical switching apparatus such as a power circuit breaker, network protector or switch has a self-supporting operating mechanism module including a cage formed by a pair of side plates rigidly clamped in spaced relation by spacers. The cage supports all of the operating mechanism components including a helical compression close spring mounted fully between the side plates and coupled to a cam member through a rocker in a manner which maintains the forces longitudinal to the spring. The cam member has a charging cam with a charge profile for compressing the close spring and a close profile through which the spring drives the cam member to effect a controlled release of stored energy to close the contacts of the apparatus. A close prop, spring biased to an unlatched position, is latched to secure the close spring in the charged state by a latch assembly reset by a reset lever separate from the close prop which in turn is reset by rotation of the cam member during charging. An interlock prevents release of the close spring when the contacts are closed or the trip release is actuated. An indicator actuated by a driver pivoted against the cam shaft snaps from a DISCHARGED to a CHARGED indication as the close spring becomes fully charged and the driver drops into a notch created by a flat on the cam shaft. Rotating shafts are journalled solely in confronting apertures in the side plates. The cam shaft is captured between bushings seated in non-circular openings in the side plates thereby eliminating the need for any fasteners. Likewise, other parts mounted between the side plates and joined by pins having enlarged heads retained by the side plates do not need retainers. Various shafts extending between the side plates have reduced diameter ends of progressive lengths for successive insertion in one side plate to aid in assembly of the operating mechanism.

Snap acting charge/discharge and open/closed indicators displaying

The large close spring in the operating mechanism of electrical switching apparatus is charged by a charging mechanism which includes a charging cam mounted on a cam shaft and rotated by a ratchet wheel. An elongated handle is mounted for rotation about a pivot axis offset laterally from the cam shaft. A drive link which successively engages the teeth on the ratchet wheel is pivotally connected to the handle at a point closer to the handle pivot axis than the radius of the ratchet wheel to increase the mechanical advantage of the handle. A common spring biases the drive link and a stop dog against the ratchet wheel. A turned pin on the drive link is used to engage the ratchet teeth which have an arcuate profile including a radius at the root configured to be engaged by the turned pin. A similar drive link with a turned pin to engage the ratchet teeth is reciprocated by an electric motor. A handle decoupling cam and a motor decoupling cam lift the respective drive links out of engagement with the ratchet wheel when the close spring becomes fully charged. A lifting pin and/or a lateral projection on the handle drive link disengage the handle from the ratchet wheel as the handle is stowed.

Disengageable charging mechanism for spring powered electrical switching

Electrical switching apparatus such as a power circuit breaker, network protector or switch has a self-supporting operating mechanism module including a cage formed by a pair of side plates rigidly clamped in spaced relation by spacers. The cage supports all of the operating mechanism components including a helical compression close spring mounted fully between the side plates and coupled to a cam member through a rocker in a manner which maintains the forces longitudinal to the spring. The cam member has a charging cam with a charge profile for compressing the close spring and a close profile through which the spring drives the cam member to effect a controlled release of stored energy to close the contacts of the apparatus. A close prop, spring biased to an unlatched position, is latched to secure the close spring in the charged state by a latch assembly reset by a reset lever separate from the close prop which in turn is reset by rotation of the cam member during charging. An interlock prevents release of the close spring when the contacts are closed or the trip release is actuated. An indicator actuated by a driver pivoted against the cam shaft snaps from a DISCHARGED to a CHARGED indication as the close spring becomes fully charged and the driver drops into a notch created by a flat on the cam shaft. A snap action open/closed indicator for the switch contacts is also provided. Both indicators are pivotally mounted in a face plate pinned to the side plates and are connected to the operating mechanism by wireforms. The close and open push buttons snap out to a common shaft and have actuating fingers which trigger releases in the operating mechanism.

Close prop and latch assembly for stored energy operating mechanism of

Interlock for electrical switching apparatus with stored energy closing

A circuit controller for selectively connecting a power source to a load includes a switching mechanism, which selectively connects the power source to the load and switches a current which flows through the switching mechanism, and a substantially radiant energy dissipating positive temperature coefficient current limiter for limiting the current which flows through the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a current sensor, which senses the current flowing through the switching mechanism and provides a sensed current value, and a switching controller for disconnecting the power source from the load whenever the sensed current value is above a predetermined current value. The switching mechanism may include a contactor having separable contacts which are responsive to the switching controller. The current limiter may have a first resistance which results from a first series current, and a higher second resistance which results from a second series current. The ratio of the second resistance to the first resistance may exceed 16. The current limiter may be a tungsten or, alternatively, a carbon conductor. The tungsten conductor dissipates greater than 70 percent of the energy of the short circuit current by radiation. The current limiter may further include a tubular glass cylinder which encloses the conductor therein. The cylinder may have two copper ends, each of which are electrically connected to a corresponding end of the conductor within the cylinder. The cylinder may further enclose a non-oxidizing gas, such as nitrogen, helium, argon, krypton or a halogen gas mixture. The conductor may be wound on a ceramic cylinder within the cylinder.

Low cost circuit controller

A contactor for selectively connecting at least one alternating current (AC) power line to a load and sourcing an AC current having periodic zero crossings includes a fixed contact; a movable contact mechanism; an operating mechanism for engaging and moving the movable contact to an open position in the absence of a closing signal; and a synchronized opening mechanism for disabling the closing signal in synchronization with a zero crossing of the AC current. The operating mechanism is disengaged from the movable contact, in a closed position, by a gap having a predetermined length in order that the contacts are separated at the AC current zero crossing. The contactor may further include a vacuum bottle for enclosing the fixed and movable contact therein. The movable contact may be carried within the vacuum bottle by a bottle stem which protrudes from the bottle and has a surface for engagement by the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism may include a crossbar and an arm having a surface for engaging and moving the bottle stem. The gap may be an overtravel gap between the arm and the bottle stem. The length of the gap may be determined by a length of the bottle stem or, alternatively, by a thickness of the contacts. The synchronized opening mechanism may include an electromagnet which has a coil which is energized in order to generate a closing current and which is deenergized in order to disable the closing current in synchronization with the zero crossing of the AC current. The length of the gap may be determined from a closing velocity of the arm multiplied by a period of the AC current zero crossings. The length of the gap may also be determined from a breakpoint in a plot of an overtravel gap versus contactor contact breaking cycle operations.

Synchronous contactor

Apparatus for monitoring power consumed from anywhere along the conductors in an ac power distribution system includes a housing with through passages through which the conductors extend. Toroidal coils mounted within the housing concentrically with the through passages sense the current in the conductors. Elongated electrically conductive screw fasteners threaded into support blocks mounted on a printed circuit board within the housing extend radially into the through passages to penetrate insulation on the conductors and to electrically contact and mechanically clamp the conductors thereby simultaneously providing a voltage tap and locking the housing to the conductor.

Monitoring device secured to power distribution system conductors

An improved PTC current limiting composition has been provided which comprises a chemically cross-linked thermosetting polyester resin and conductive particles dispersed in the resin. The thermosetting polyester resin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol fumarate, polypropylene glycol adipate fumarate, neopentyl glycol isophthalate fumarate, and neopentyl glycol phthalate fumarate. The conductive additive particles are selected from the group consisting of graphite and/or carbon black. The composition exhibits PTC behavior when cross-linked by a vinyl monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, vinyl toluene and tertiary butyl styrene. Curing proceeds by free-radical addition across double bonds of the thermosetting polyester resin and is initiated by organic peroxides. Initial gelation which causes cross-linking but not final curing takes about 0.5 to 4 hours at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. to 125.degree. C. The final cure takes about 0.5 to 8 hours at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. An effective amount of alumina trihydrate can be added to the current limiting composition to prevent dielectric breakdown, arcing and carbon tracking under high voltage conditions. It is respectfully submitted that the MPEP 608.01(b) states that abstracts should be between 50 and 250 words and up to 25 lines. Applicants' abstract in within these limits.

Positive temperature coefficient conductive polymer made from

Growing community of inventors

Monroeville, PA, United States of America

Henry Anthony Wehrli, Iii