US3639713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1968-12-10
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Granted: 1972-02-01
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Expires: 1988-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A dual-acting piston operable within an operating cylinder is mechanically connected to the moving contact structure of a circuit breaker. The piston has a portion constantly acted upon in the closing direction by a high-pressure operating fluid. A large portion of the piston structure is at low pressure, and the opposite face of the piston structure is alternately pressurized or exhausted to effect, respectively, an opening or a closing operation of the circuit breaker. A portion of the piston structure fits into a recess thereby affording a shock-absorbing function during the closing operation. Another portion of the piston structure traps highpressure operating fluid so as to constitute a shock absorber during the opening operation of the interrupter. In the case that a gas is used, which tends to liquefy, provision is made for the removal of the liquefied gas during the operation of the mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 William H Fischer
- 👤 Wayne S Aspey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/02; H01H33/28; H01H33/30; H01H33/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A gas-operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including, in combination: a. a piston rod adaptable for connection to the separable contact structure of the circuit interrupter; b. a dual-acting stepped piston structure secured to said piston rod and having a first stepped portion (8a) movable within a shock-absorbing chamber (51) constantly filled with highpressure operating fluid partially tending to bias said piston structure to the closed circuit position at all times; c. said piston having one side thereof (8b) constituting the major closing face portion thereof acted upon by low-pressure operating fluid at all times tending to close the contact structure, and, d. means for alternating the pressure upon the opposite opening face (8c) of the piston structure for producing opening and closing operations of the circuit interrupter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A gas-operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including, in combination: a. a piston rod adaptable for connection to the separable contact structure of the circuit interrupter; b. a dual-acting stepped piston structure secured to said piston rod and having a first stepped portion (8a) movable within a shock-absorbing chamber (51) constantly filled with highpressure operating fluid partially tending to bias said piston structure to the closed circuit position at all times; c. said piston having one side thereof (8b) constituting the major closing face portion thereof acted upon by low-pressure operating fluid at all times tending to close the contact structure, and, d. means for alternating the pressure upon the opposite opening face (8c) of the piston structure for producing opening and closing operations of the circuit interrupter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the dual-acting piston structure is generally cup-shaped and has an outer annular flange portion constituting said first portion (8a) of the piston structure movable within said shock-absorbing chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein a portion (8d) of the piston structure moves within a second shock-absorbing chamber (58) constantly filled with high-pressure operating fluid at all times and tending to bias the piston structure to the open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein an indicator rod is affixed to the piston structure and is visible externally of the circuit interrupter so as to be visible to maintenance personnel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein a three-way control valve controls the admission or exhausting of high-pressure fluid on the opening face (8c) of the piston structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein a liquefaction duct connects to the shock-absorbing chamber (51).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination, a pneumatic operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including a cup-shaped stepped operating piston having an enlarged piston head flange portion (8a) at one end movable within an enlarged high-pressure shock-absorbing chamber (51) at all times, said piston having low-pressure fluid constantly acting on a portion (8b) of the closing face thereof, and means for alternating the high- and low-pressure fluid acting on the opposite enlarged piston head flange portion (8c) to effect the opening and closing operations of the circuit interrupter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination, a pneumatic operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including a cup-shaped stepped operating piston having an enlarged piston head flange portion (8a) at one end movable within an enlarged high-pressure shock-absorbing chamber (51) at all times, said piston having low-pressure fluid constantly acting on a portion (8b) of the closing face thereof, and means for alternating the high- and low-pressure fluid acting on the opposite enlarged piston head flange portion (8c) to effect the opening and closing operations of the circuit interrupter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein the cup-shaped operating piston (8d) has an enlarged guide portion at the other end thereof of smaller diameter than the diameter of said enlarged piston head flange portion (8a), and a radially inwardly extending operating cylinder portion bearing against the smallest diameter of the piston.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the head of the piston has a reduced protruding portion extending into a shock-absorbing chamber to cushion the closing stroke of the interrupter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 9, wherein a check valve is associated with the last-mentioned shock-absorbing chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is associated with said shock-absorbing chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 3, wherein a check valve is associated with the second shock-absorbing chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination according to claim 12, wherein a check valve is associated with the first-mentioned shock-absorbing chamber.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-31 | 1975-08-02 | 1976-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-31 | 1979-08-02 | 1980-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-31 | 1983-08-02 | 1984-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |