US4049936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick-acting movable operating-column tripping device
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1975-03-18
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Granted: 1977-09-20
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Expires: 1995-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A quick-acting movable-column tripping device is provided as an optional feature of either circuit-interrupters, supported by upstanding insulating column structures, or, alternatively, in connection with circuit-interrupters having a serially-related disconnecting switchblade, providing a visible open-circuit gap, so that a minimum of time is utilized in a tripping operation of the circuit-interrupter. Otherwise, there would be a considerably-delayed action caused by the normal, or inherent lost-motion provided in the loose linkages, which normally are used to effect operative movement of the movable relatively massive supporting column structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell E. Frink
- 👤 Stanislaw A. Milianowicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/22; H01H3/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
278 words
In combination, an electrical device including a circuit-interrupter and a serially-related disconnecting switch having a movable switchblade all at high voltage spaced away from ground potential, said circuit-interrupter having one or more separable contacts, operating means at high voltage for operating both the separable contacts and the switchblade contacts in synchronism, whereby the separable contacts open the electrical circuit passing through the device prior to the subsequent separation of the disconnecting switch contacts, only single rotatable insulating column means for supporting said device up in the air above ground potential, a relatively slow-acting operating mechanism disposed at ground potential, said single rotatable insulating column means rotatively transmitting during opening and closing rotative motions from said relatively slow-acting operating mechanism at ground potential to said high-voltage operating means, said separable contacts remaining open in the fully open-circuit position of the electrical device, the operating mechanism at high voltage functioning to close the disconnecting contacts during the closing operation prior in point of time to the subsequent closing of the separable contacts in the high-voltage circuit interrupter, said sole single rotatable insulating column means including two relatively-movable component parts disposed adjacent the base thereof, biasing means for urging relative motion between said two component parts, means latching said two component parts to remove together as a unit while under bias during rotation of the sole rotatable insulator, and tripping means at ground potential for releasing said latching means to permit the biasing means to effect relative motion of said two relatively-movable parts, whereby fact-acting rotation of said single sole insulator column occurs and trip-operation of the circuit-interrupter contacts occurs independently of the relative slow motion of the grounded operating mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
278 words
In combination, an electrical device including a circuit-interrupter and a serially-related disconnecting switch having a movable switchblade all at high voltage spaced away from ground potential, said circuit-interrupter having one or more separable contacts, operating means at high voltage for operating both the separable contacts and the switchblade contacts in synchronism, whereby the separable contacts open the electrical circuit passing through the device prior to the subsequent separation of the disconnecting switch contacts, only single rotatable insulating column means for supporting said device up in the air above ground potential, a relatively slow-acting operating mechanism disposed at ground potential, said single rotatable insulating column means rotatively transmitting during opening and closing rotative motions from said relatively slow-acting operating mechanism at ground potential to said high-voltage operating means, said separable contacts remaining open in the fully open-circuit position of the electrical device, the operating mechanism at high voltage functioning to close the disconnecting contacts during the closing operation prior in point of time to the subsequent closing of the separable contacts in the high-voltage circuit interrupter, said sole single rotatable insulating column means including two relatively-movable component parts disposed adjacent the base thereof, biasing means for urging relative motion between said two component parts, means latching said two component parts to remove together as a unit while under bias during rotation of the sole rotatable insulator, and tripping means at ground potential for releasing said latching means to permit the biasing means to effect relative motion of said two relatively-movable parts, whereby fact-acting rotation of said single sole insulator column occurs and trip-operation of the circuit-interrupter contacts occurs independently of the relative slow motion of the grounded operating mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the insulating column means provides a rotary motion to effect transmission of motion of the relatively slow-acting operating mechanism at ground potential to the high-voltage operating means for operating the circuit-interrupter and the serially-related disconnecting switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the latching means includes a latch-member affixed to and rotatable with one of the component parts, and a tripping trigger-member affixed to and rotatable with the other component part.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the biasing means includes a compression-spring compressed under heavy spring force in the latch condition of the two relatively-movable component parts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage operating means effects a closing of the disconnecting switch contacts during a closing operation of the device prior to the closing of the separable contacts of the circuit-interrupter during such a closing operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the tripping means includes an electrically-operated solenoid device disposed at ground potential.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 3, wherein the trigger-member is released by an electrically-energized solenoid device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the device is supported up in the air by two end stationary insulating column structures, an intervening sole rotatable column member is provided which is rotatable to effect operation of the operating means, and the two component parts are associated with the intervening single rotatable column structure, both of said parts being adapted for rotation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the high-voltage operating means includes a closing spring structure and an opening spring structure, and the closing operation of the high-voltage operating means effects a charging of the closing spring structure to effect quick-closing operation of the circuit-interrupter contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 9, wherein an opening accelerating spring is charged during the closing of the separable contacts of the circuit-interrupter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
the combination according to claim 1, wherein the relatively slow-acting operating mechanism at ground potential includes a motor mechanism, an interconnecting linkage mechanically interconnects the motor mechanism with the sole single insulating column means, and one of the insulating column means includes a rotatable column structure having two rotatable relatively-movable parts, one of said rotatable relatively-movable parts being mechanically linked to said motor mechanism at ground potential, the other relatively movable component part being fixedly secured to the lower end of the single rotatable column structure, and latching means are provided for latching the two relatively-movable rotatable component parts in a latched condition under spring bias.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the circuit-interrupter includes a hermetically-sealed casing structure, the separable contacts are disposed interiorly within said sealed casing structure, and a suitable arc-extinguishing gas is provided interiorly of said casing structure to assist in arc-interruption.
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) | 1980-09-19 | 1981-03-21 | 1981-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-19 | 1985-03-21 | 1985-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-19 | 1989-03-21 | 1989-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |