The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1997
Henry W. Kowalyshen, Niles, IL (US);
Chester H. Lin, Lincolnwood, IL (US);
John C. Opfer, Chicago, IL (US);
S&C Electric Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A fault interrupter is provided that includes a high-speed disconnect in series with an interrupter wherein the circuit opening is via the interrupter and the circuit making is via the disconnect. A stored energy disconnect operating mechanism operates the disconnect between ground, open and closed positions and also charges the interrupter mechanism during a slow opening of the disconnect without fully charging the disconnect operating mechanism. Thus, the required operating forces to open the disconnect and charge the interrupter mechanism are reduced. During a manual opening, the disconnect operating mechanism trips open the interrupter, then only partially charges to begin opening the disconnect before releasing the stored energy. Continued operation of the disconnect operating mechanism slowly drives the disconnect open while charging the interrupter mechanism and closing the interrupter. The interrupter mechanism remains charged during operation of the disconnect between the open and ground positions by the disconnect operating mechanism.