US3728508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Operating mechanism for vacuum circuit breaker including contact pressure springs
Assignee: ABB Inc USA
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Filing: 1971-10-26
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1991-10-26
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker contains a pair of series-connected vacuum interrupter units which are coaxial with one another and spaced from one another. An operating mechanism is disposed between the vacuum interrupters, and is operated by an operating linkage moving along a line perpendicular to the axes of the vacuum interrupters. The operating linkage includes a toggle-type mechanism between the bottles which is expanded and contracted by the movement of the operating rod in order to operate the vacuum interrupter contacts simultaneously. A pair of conductive links used to connect the interrupters in series are used as parallelogram links for the operating toggle mechanism links. Contact loading springs are placed mechanically between the ends of the toggle links and the vacuum interrupter bottles. The contact spring forces are adjustable by the use of shims between the preloading springs and their spring carriers.
Inventors
- 👤 P Netzel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:49
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/666; H01H3/00; H01H3/32; H01H3/46; H01H2033/6667; H01H33/02; H01H33/04; H01H33/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
413 words
An operating mechanism for first and second vacuum interrupters; said first and second vacuum interrupters each including generally cylindrical housings having axially disposed and axially movable contact terminal members extending from one end surface thereof; and means for supporting said first and second vacuum interrupters in spaced coaxial relation with said one end surfaces facing one another; said operating mechanism comprising, in combination: an axially movable operating shaft movable generally perpendicular to the axes of said first and second interrupters; first and second toggle link means, each having first and second ends, and pivotally connected at their said first ends to one another and to said operating shaft; first and second guide link means for guiding the motion of said second ends of said first and second toggle link means; said first and second guide link means each having first and second ends; a stationary support means; said first ends of said first and second guide link means being pivotally mounted to said stationary support means; said second ends of said first and second guide link means being pivotally connected to said second ends of said first and second toggle link means respectively; first and second pivotal means pivotally connecting together said second ends of said first and second guide link means respectively, and said second ends of said first and second toggle link means respectively to said contact terminal members of said first and second interrupters respectively; a spring biasing means having first and second end portions connected to said operating shaft and said stationary support means respectively; said operating shaft being movable to move said first and second toggle link means from an interrupter closed position in which said first and second toggle link means are extended to an interrupter open position in which said first and second toggle link means are collapsed from their extended position; and first and second conductive links for connecting said first and second vacuum interrupters in series with one another; said first and second conductive links each having a first end mechanically and electrically pivotally connected to said stationary support means, and each having a second end mechanically and electrically pivotally connected to said contact terminal members of said first and second interrupters respectively; said first and second conductive links generally forming parallelogram mechanisms with said first and second guide link means respectively for guiding the motion of said contact terminal members in a straight line; said stationary support means consisting of electrically conductive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
413 words
An operating mechanism for first and second vacuum interrupters; said first and second vacuum interrupters each including generally cylindrical housings having axially disposed and axially movable contact terminal members extending from one end surface thereof; and means for supporting said first and second vacuum interrupters in spaced coaxial relation with said one end surfaces facing one another; said operating mechanism comprising, in combination: an axially movable operating shaft movable generally perpendicular to the axes of said first and second interrupters; first and second toggle link means, each having first and second ends, and pivotally connected at their said first ends to one another and to said operating shaft; first and second guide link means for guiding the motion of said second ends of said first and second toggle link means; said first and second guide link means each having first and second ends; a stationary support means; said first ends of said first and second guide link means being pivotally mounted to said stationary support means; said second ends of said first and second guide link means being pivotally connected to said second ends of said first and second toggle link means respectively; first and second pivotal means pivotally connecting together said second ends of said first and second guide link means respectively, and said second ends of said first and second toggle link means respectively to said contact terminal members of said first and second interrupters respectively; a spring biasing means having first and second end portions connected to said operating shaft and said stationary support means respectively; said operating shaft being movable to move said first and second toggle link means from an interrupter closed position in which said first and second toggle link means are extended to an interrupter open position in which said first and second toggle link means are collapsed from their extended position; and first and second conductive links for connecting said first and second vacuum interrupters in series with one another; said first and second conductive links each having a first end mechanically and electrically pivotally connected to said stationary support means, and each having a second end mechanically and electrically pivotally connected to said contact terminal members of said first and second interrupters respectively; said first and second conductive links generally forming parallelogram mechanisms with said first and second guide link means respectively for guiding the motion of said contact terminal members in a straight line; said stationary support means consisting of electrically conductive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The operating mechanism of claim 1 which further includes a guide means having an elongated slot extending parallel to the direction of movement of said shaft; said operating shaft and said first and second toggle link means having a common pivot pin extending therefrom and disposed within said elongated slot for movement therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The operating mechanism of claim 1 which further includes first and second spring bracket means connected to said contact terminal members of said first and second vacuum interrupters respectively, and wherein said spring biasing means includes compRession springs disposed between said first and second spring bracket means and said first and second pivotal means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The operating mechanism of claim 3 wherein said first and second pivotal means connected to said first and second spring bracket means respectively, includes lost motion means whereby the toggle formed by said first and second toggle link means can collapse for a given distance from their fully extended position before said contact terminal members are directly mechanically engaged by impact force from said operating shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The operating mechanism of claim 4 which further includes position adjustment shim means disposed between said first and second spring bracket means and said contact terminal members of said first and second vacuum interrupters respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The operating mechanism of claim 1 which further includes accelerating spring means connected to said operating shaft for biasing said operating shaft toward an interrupter opening position; and time-delay dashpot means connected to said accelerating spring means for damping the opening movement of said first and second toggle link means as they reach the end of their movement to a collapsed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |