Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACKGROUND OF TH~ INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
.,
The qub~ect matter o~ this in~ention relates gen-
erally to support members for vacuum circuit breakers and in
particular to unitary or one piece ~upport members for
tandemly di~posed vacuum circuit breaker pole apparatus
and the corresponding
,
..,
1~35S4
, ~ . L16,557
operating mechanism therefor.
Description of the Prior Art:
Vacuum circuit breaker apparatus are well known in
the prior art. Also known in the prior art are operating
mechanisms for actuating the vacuum circuit breaker con-
tacts. Vacuum circuit breaker apparatus have the character-
istic of relatively short contact movement during the opening
and closing operation. This relatively short movement is
advantageous in many respects and is largely possible by the
fact that the arc is interrupted in a vacuum. It is also
known that welds have a tendency to form on closed vacuum
contacts. It is often difficult to break the weld in an
opening operation. In addition, since the relative movement
of the circuit breaker contacts is small, the tolerances of
the movement linkages become important and in many instances
critical. Usually this requires adjustment of the circuit
breaker apparatus linkages in the field at the operating
site for the circuit breaker apparatus prior to operation.
Generally, the operating mechanism for the circuit breaker
apparatus is separately manufactured and assembled away from
the contact apparatus. Then the operating mechanism and
contact apparatus are later joined and the critical adjust-
ments are made at that time. Because of the previously
described welds, it is often necessary to generate relative-
ly high forces to break the welds during an opening oper-
ation. Since it is the operating mechanism which supplies
the power for moving the linkages in the circuit breaker
apparatus to break the welds the previously described forces
often effect the interface region between the supports of
the operating mechanism and the supports of the circuit
--2--
335S4 1~,557
breaker apparatus. The repeated application of these forces
tends to misalign the operating mechanism relative to the
cireuit breaker apparatus and thus misalign the relatively
eritieal alignment eharacteristics of the eireuit breaker
apparatus linkages. It would be advantageous if a way could
be provided to prevent the necessary forees of vacuum cir-
euit breaker interruption from misaligning the critical
linkages necessary for proper circuit breaker operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
lQ In aecordance with the invention, an apparatus is
taught having a pair of parallel, spaced apart, unitary
support member, both of which are mounted upon the same
base. In the apparatus separable contact means are provided
and an operating mechanism is also provided. Linkage means
are provided for interconnecting the separable contact means
with the operating mechanism means for thus opening and
eloslng the main eontacts. The operating means and the
eontaet means are disposed upon the same unitary, parallel,
spaeed apart support members. Consequently, forces of
operation which would otherwise tend to misalign the operat-
ing mechanism with time relative to the separable main
eontaet meehanism do not operate to do so in the present
invention beeause there is no separate diseontinuous inter-
faee between the operating meehanism support and the separ-
able main eontact linkage supports.
~.~33S5~ 1,6,551~; 46,55~; 46,557
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR,AWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention,
reference may be had to the preferred embodiments exemplary
of the invention, shown in the accompanying drawingsg in
~hich:
Figure 1 shows an orthogonal projection of a
circuit breaker apparatus operating mechanism, partially cut
away;
Fig. 2 shows an elevation in section of the cam
shaft of Figure 1 with its associated attached members (not
to scale with respect to Figure l);
Fig. 3 shows an orthogonal view of the apparatus
of Figure 1 from another point of view;
Fig. 4 shows a front elevation of the apparatus of
Figures 1 and 2, partially in section;
Fig. 5 shows a section of the apparatus of Figures
1, 2 and 4 at the section line V-V of Figure 4 for the
apparatus in a ~irst operating position;
Fig. 6 shQws a sectional view of the apparatus of
20 Figures 1, 2 and 4 along the section line VI-VI of Fig. 4 ;
for the first operating position described wikh respect to
Figure 5;
Fig. 7 shows a view similar to that of Figure
but in a second operating position;
Fig. ~ shows a view similar to that of Figure 6
but in a second operating position;
Fig. 9 shows a view similar to that of Figures 5
and 7 but in a third operat~ng position;
Fig. 10 shows a view similar to that of Figures 6
and ~ but in a third operating position;
Fig. 11 shows a side elevation partially broken
-4-
~133554 46,554; 46,555; 46,557
away of a vacuum circuit breaker apparatus and operating
mechanism; and
Fig. 12 shows a sectional view of the apparatus of
Figure 11 along the sectional lines XII-XII of Fig. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED E~IBODIMENT
. .
Referring now to the drawings and Figures 1
through 4 in particular, circuit breaker apparatus with ~n
operating mechanism 10 is shown. Operating mechanism 10
comprises two parallel, spaced apart support members 12~
Support members 12 are generally the same size and shape
and may be thus made by the same manufacturing process.
Support members 12 comprise fastening tabs or flanges 12a at
the upper rear portion thereof, 12b at the lower front
portion thereo~, and 12c at the upper front portion thereof.
Disposed perpendicular to the parallel spaced support
members 12 and generally protruding therethrough is a
rotatable Jack shaft member 14. Jack shaf-t member 14 has
sets of generally equally spaced, securely fastened oper-
ating le~rs 16a, 16b, and 16c disposed thereupon for being
20 rotatably moved when the jack shaft 14 is rotatably moved. ~ `
Jack shaft 14 also has disposed thereon near the ends
thereof, ~ack shaft rotational limiters 18 which may a~ut ~`
against stopping members (to be described hereinafter) for
pre~enting rotational movement of the shaft beyond a certain
angular position. ~he ends of the generally circular jack ~;
shaft 14 comprise bearing surfaces 20, the use of which will
be described hereina~ter. There is pro~ided in each of the
support member~s 12 a generally semicircular notch 22. In
the semicircular notch 22 of the left-most member 12 as
viewed in Figwres 1, 3, and 4 is disposed a jack sha~t half
-5-
,, .,,~.. . .
l 1~33S54 46,554; 46,555; 46~557
bearing 24. It is to be noted that the force which is
supplied from the operating lever 16b against the jack shaft
14 is borne against the bearing 24 of the left-most member
12. This provides a deflection force or supporting region
for the operating lever 16b which is relatively close to the
12YC r
~; operating ~e~ 16b. The latter arrangement tends to
prevent substantial deflection of the shaft 14 at the longi-
tudinal center thereof during opening and closing operations
of the circuit breaker apparatus. It will be noted that the
rotational limits of travel of the shaft 14 are such that
the bite portion of the half bearing 24 is sufficient to
provide an adequate bearing surface for the force offered by
the rotational movement of the operating lever 16b during a
contact opening or closing operation. It will be noted that
this allows for the provision of a bearing surface which
need not completely enclose the jack shaft 14 and thus which
significantly reduces the complication of installing the
jack shaft 14 in the operating mechanism 10. It will be
noted that no bearing is disposed or needed in the semi~ `
circular slot 22 of the right-most support member 12 as
viewed in Figures 1, 3, and 4. There is also provided a cam ~`
shaft 26 which extends through both members 12 in a trans-
verse orientation thereto. The cam shaft 26 may rotate for
providing appropriate circuit breaker operations.
By referring to Figure 2 specifically and Figures
1, 3, and 4 more generally, the geometric characteristics of
the cam shaf`t 26 may be more clearly shown. In particular,
cam shaft 26 comprises a circular center portion 26a. Shaft
26 may be fed through both members 12. Circular portion 26a
ls borne or supported by circular bearings 27 in both of the
~.~ :
.
: :.
~13355~ 46,554; 46,555; 46,557
support members 12. Consequently, cam shaft 26 may rotate
in the bearings 27. At either end of the circular portion
26a of the shaft 26 is a square or rectangularly shaped
portion 26b on the left and 26b' on the right as viewed in
Figure 2. The characteristic square or rectangular shape
may be provided by milling the circular stock of the shaft
26 in the appropriate regions. Alternatively the milling
operation may be provided only along two parallel planes to
provide parallel flats rather than four-sided square or
10 rectangular geometric shapes for keying purposes. Further-
more, the ends of the key portions 26b and 26b t are machined
and threaded at 26c to accept an appropriate nut or similar
fastening device 38. On the left side as viewed in Figure
2, a cam 28 having an opening similar in cross-section to
the geometric shape of region 26b is keyed onto the shaft 26
~ -
and bolted against the left-most shoulder of the circular
region 26a of the shaft 26 by turning the nut 38 on the
. , .
threaded region 26c. In a similar fashion, in sequence, a
closing latch 30, a ratchet 32, and a spring closing crank
20 34 are disposed upon the keyed region 26b' from the right-
most shoulder of the circular region 26a of the shaft 26 to
the nut 38 which is disposed on the right threaded portion
26 as viewed in Figure 2. It is to be noted that the
closing latch 30 and the spring closing crank 34 are keyed ~
to the shaft region 26b'. However, the ratchet 32 is free ~ `
to turn around the keyed region 26b'. The ratchet 32 is
separated fr-om the keyed region 26bl by an appropriate
spacer 26d. The ratchet 32 is prevented from moving in a
left-right clirection with respect to the shaft 26 of Figure `
30 2 by the disposition of the closing latch 30 and the closing `
D 7
.;,
` ~133S54 46,554; 46,555; 46,557
spring crank 34. A hollow cylindrical shell 31 is provided
between the members 12 for enclosing the circular shaft
portion 26a and providing a lubricating region therefor.
As can be best seen by reference to Figure 1, a
key 39 which protrudes from either side of the ratchet 32
picks up appropriate portions of the closing latch 30 and
the closing spring crank 34 to move these latter two ele-
ments and the entire shaft 26 which is keyed thereto, once
the free wheeling ratchet 32 has been rotated to the posi-
tion shown in Figure 1. It is also to be noted that therelative angular disposition of the protruding pin 39 with
respect to the closing latch 30 and the closing spring crank
34 allows those latter two elements to rotate counterclock-
wise when necessary through a significant angluar disposi-
tion without necessitating corresponding movement of the
ratchet 32.
Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 4 once again,
spring charging motor 40 and a shaft 42 for the spring
charging motor 40 is shown. Shaft 42 is disposed in and
supported by the support members 12. Attached to the end of ~-
the shaft 42 which protrudes through the right-most support `;
member 12 is an eccentric 44 to which is attached a driving ~ -
~pawl 46 by way of a pin 47. The driving pawl 46 is forced
against the teeth of the ratchet 32 by the driving pawl
spring 48. There is provided a stopping pawl 50 for pre-
venting the ratchet wheel 32 from rotating in the clockwise
direction as viewed in Figure 1. The stopping pawl 50 is
pivotally mounted upon a pin 52 and is iorced against the
teeth of the ratchet 32 by a stopping pawl spring 54.
Pivotally di.sposed between the support members 12 and
113355~ 46,554; L~6,555; Ll6,557
extending through the right support member 12 as viewed in
Figure 1, is a closing release shaft 56. The protruding or
extending right-most end of the closing release shaft 56 has
been milled to remove a semicircular portion of the cylin-
drical volume thereof. As will be described hereinafter,
closing release shaft 56 operates in con~unction with a
closing solenoid and manual pushbutton 58 to be rotated
through a certain angular range when a circuit breaker
opening operation is desired. When not actuated to begin a
10 circuit breaker closing operation, the angular disposition ~;
of the closing release shaft 56 is such that the closing ~ i
latch 30 becomes locked against the right side of the clos-
ing release shaft 56 as viewed in ~igure 1 due to the
applied force of the closing spring as will be described
hereinafter. To prevent counterclockwise motion of the
shaft 26, the aforementioned cooperating characteristic of
the closing release shaft 56 and the closing latch 30 will
be described in more detail hereinafter with respect to
other figures. Outboard of the support members 12 are `
complementary connecting rods 60. The connecting rods are
oriented generally parallel to the rcd~minan~ flat surfaces
... . ...
of the members 12. The connecting rods 60 are attached at ~;~
one end thereof to a closing spring yoke 62. Disposed
against the inner surface of the yoke 62 as viewed in ~igure
1, are the ends of an outer coil closing spring 64 and an
inner coil closing spring 66. Disposed against the other
ends of the two previously mentioned coiled springs 64 and
66 is a closing spring support plate 68 which is conven- ~,
iently anchored in grooves or notches 70 in the support
members 12. A closing spring guide rod 72 extends axially
_~_ . .~
~133554 ~6,554> ~6,555; ~6,557
through the coiled sprlngs 64 and 66. The guide rod 72 is
threaded at both ends thereo~. One threaded end extends
through an opening 73 in the yoke 62. m e latter threaded
end of the guide rod 72 has a complemen-kar~r nut 74 threaded
thereon (this arrangement may be best viewed by reference to
Figure 6). Likewise the other end of the rod 72 extends
through a complementary opening in the ~pring support plate
68. The latter mentioned end has a complementary nut 75
threaded thereupon. The guide rod 72 as disposed in the
operating mechanism 10 allows the yoke to move thereupon
when the springs 64 and 66 are compressed or discharged
while maintaining the latter mentioned spring in a gener~lly
workable disposition. The connecting rods 60 have enlarged
openings at one end thereof for capturing a flanged pin 76
on the yoke 62. me opening in the end of the rod 60
allows the slight angular displacement of the rod 60 rela-
tive to the yoke 62 during a charging or discharging opera-
tion of the springs 64 and 66. Disposed at the end of the
right closing spring crank 34 as view~d in Figure 1, i~ a
driving pin 77 (shown in section) which is captured by a
notched opening in the other end of the rod 60, for thus
disposing the rod 60 between the closing spring crank 34 and
the yoke 62. (The latter arrangement is not shown in Figure
1 because of the necessity of simplicity of illustration but
is similar to the arrangement shown in Figure 3 for fasten-
ing the rod 60 on the le~t to the cam 28~)
As can best be seen by reference to Figures 1 and
~, the left-most connecting rod 60 as shown in Figure 1 and
Figure 3, is connected to the cam 28 by way of an appro-
priate driving pin 77.
--10--
... ~ .
~133SS~ 46,554; 46,555; 46,557
m e driving pins 77, on cam 28 on the left and springcrank 34 on the right, are angularly aligned equally with
respect to the shaft 26. mis can be done because of the
orientation of the keys 26b and 26b' for the cam 28 and the
spring crank 34 respectively. Because of this, whsn the
shaft 26 rotates to provide a compression of the closing
springs 64 and 66, the connecting rods 60 on both sides will
uniformly draw the yoke 62 towards the spring support plate
68 maintaining both the yoke 62 and the support plate 68
in a generally parallel disposition. There is also pro-
vided for operating mechanism 10 a main link 78 which is
pivotally hinged to the operating lever 16b by the pin 80, ~`
and which is pivotally linked with a cam shaft rider 82 by
a pin 84.
By referring to Figures 3, 5 and 7, it can be
seen that a banana link 86 is interconnected at one end
thereof with the pin 84 and consequently the ca~ rider 82.
The other end of the banana link 86 is interconnected with a
triangular shaped trip latch 88 by way of a pin 90. A trip
latch spring 92 is connected at one end thereof to the trip ~`~
latch 88 and at the other end thereof to an appropriate
anchoring point on the left-most support member 12. The
latter spring 92 attempts to proYide sufficient spring ~orce
to maintain the trip latch 88 hard against a stop 94 on the
left-most support member 12. Likewise, an opening release
sha~t 96 which is similar to and operates in a similar
manner to the closing release sha~t 5~ described previousl~,
is disposed between the support members 12 and protrudes
from the left-most support member 12. The opening release
shaft 96 when disposed in the angular position shown in
Figures 3 and 7 for example, prevents the trip latch 88 from
;; ,:
` ~133554 ll6,55~; 46,555; ~6,557
pivoting upon the shaft 98 in a clockwise direction as shown
in Figure 3 to thus allow the pin 90 to move significantly
to the left as viewed in Figure 3 and 7. The complete
operation of the trip latch 88 and its interaction with the
shaft rider 82 and operating lever 16b will be described in
more detail hereinafter with respect to other figures.
Referring now to Figures 3, 6, and 8, it can be
seen that the angular disposition of the opening release
shaft 96 is controlled by a shaft mounted lever 96a which in
turn is controlled by a second lever 100 which when caused
to move in a counterclockwise rotatiGnal direction about
pivot lOOa as shown in Figure 6, will in turn cause the
shaft mounted lever 96a to move in a clockwise direction
thus rotating the shaft 96 in a clockwise direction. Suffi-
cient rotational movement of the shaft 96 in the clockwise
direction will free the left-most corner of the trip latch
88 thus allowing the pin 90 and banana link 86 to move to
the left for purposes which will be described hereinafter
with respect to other figures. Counterclockwise movement of `-
the lever 100 is caused by right-to-left movement of the
shaft 103a (as viewed in Figure 6) of the trip solenoid and
manual pushbutton 102.
Referring now to Figure 4, the disposition of the
operating mechanism 10 within a circuit breaker apparatus ;
104 is shown. The disposition of the operating mechanism 10
relative to the remainder of the circuit breaker apparatus
104 may easily be determined by reference to previously
described operating mechanism components. For example, the
cam 28 is shown on the left and the ratchet wheel 32 is
shown on the right. The spring charging motor 40 with its
,~ ~ ,
~ .
~9
:,
~''
~13355~
46,554; 46,555; 46,557
shaft 42 (partially broken away) is also shown. The dis-
position of the shaft 26 relative to the connecting rods 60,
the cam 28 and ratchet wheel 32 is also shown. The outline
of the large closing spring 64 is shown as well as the
threaded end of the guide rod 72 with its complementary nut
75. The jack shaft 14 is shown extending from left to right
in Figure 4. The support structure or casing 106 of the
circuit breaker apparatus 104 is shown broken away in Figure
4. It will be noted that the outer bearing surfaces 20 of
10 the jack shaft 14 are shown supported by bearings 108 dis-
posed in the support cabinet or frame 106 of the circuit
breaker apparatus 104. Likewise, the jack shaft half bear-
ing 24 supported by and disposed in the left-most member 12
is also shown. The flanges 12c are shown in a supporting
disposition with respect to the frame 106, the front part of
which is not shown for convenience of illustration. There
are also shown fixedly attached to the frame 106, limit of
travel or stop pins 109 for the jack shaft rotation limiters
18 (reference to Figure 6 will show the aforementioned
eJe~*~ 20 elements in an elc~ation~l view). Electrically insulating
connecting levers or rods llOa~ llOb, and llOc are shown
pivotally connected to the operating levers 16a, 16b, and
16c, respectively, with appropriate pins 112, Also shown
are opening springs 114, which are connected to the oper- ;
ating levers 16a and 16b by links 116 and pins 118.
By referring again to Figures 1 and 3 in addition
to Figure 4, it can be seen that the pins 118 reside in
holes or openings 119 in the operating levers 16a and 16c,
for example. The opposite ends of the opening springs 114
are connected to brackets 120 which are generally rigidly
,~ J /3
. - .~ ,
3 3 5S 4
46,554; 46,555; 46,557
attached to the frame 106 of the circuit breaker apparatus
104.
Referring once again to ~igure 4, it can be seen
that the electrically insulat-Lng contact connecting rods
110a, 110b, and 110c are physically attached to schemati-
cally shown circuit breaker contacts 122a, 122b, and 122c,
respectively. The previously described contacts 122a
through 122c may represent the three phase contacts of a
three phase electrical system.
Referring again to Figures 1, 3, and 4, it can be
seen that ~hen it is desired to open contacts 122a through ;
122c, that an appropriate action may be taken such as actu-
ating the trip solenoid or main pushbutton 102 to begin a
sequence of events (to be described hereinafter with respect
to other figures) which will eventually allow the jack shaft
14 to rotate under the force of the springs 114 to open the ~;~
main contacts 122a through 122c. Similarly, a contact
closing operation may be begun by actuating the closing
solenoid or manual pushbutton 58 to begin a sequence of
events (which will be described hereinafter with respect to
other figures) which allows the closing springs 64 and 66 to
rotate the jack shaft 14 against the force of the opening
springs 114 to close the contacts 122a through 122c of the
circuit breaker apparatus 104.
OPERATION OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER APPARATUS
Position 1: Closin~ Spring Discharged, Opening Spring
Discharged, Contacts Opened
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 and previously
described ~'igures 1, 3, and Ll, a first operating position
for the circuit breaker apparatus 104 will be described. In
/" ' .
,, ,:
~` :11335S~
46,554; 46,555; 46,557
the first operating position, the contact closing sprlngs 64
and 66 are discharged. The contact opening springs 114 are
also discharged and the contacts 122a through 122c are
opened. By referring specifically to Figure 5, it can be
seen that the cam 28 is in a position in which recess 28a
therein generally faces downward. The opening release shaft
96 has been actuated to allow the trip latch 88 to be ro-
tated about its pivot 98 in the clockwise direction. This
action allows the cam roller 82 to move to the left as shown
in Figure 5. This forces the main link 78 and the operating
lever 16b to pivotally collapse around the pin 80 thus
allowing the insulating rod llOb to fall generally downward
because of the interconnection therewith at pin 112 thus `
opening the contacts 122b. Concurrently the jack shaft 14
is rotated counterclockwise in the bearing 24. At this
position, the trip latch spring 92 is charged to the extent
that it has a tendency to attempt to rotate the trip latch
88 counterclockwise to a position against the stop 94 should
the position of the banana link 86 change. In the disposi-
tion shown in Figure 5, the crank pin 77 has been moved by
the action of the discharging springs 64 and 66 operating
against the yoke 62 with the connecting rod 60 to move the
pin 77 to its furthest rotational position to the left as ;
viewed in Figure 5. This consequently sets the angular
disposition of the cam shaft 26 which is keyed to the cam
28. The relative disposition of the flanges 12a, 12b, and `~
12c with respect to the frame 106 and the left-most support `
member 12 (as shown in Figure 2 for example) is also de-
picted in Figure 5.
Referring now to Figure 6, the disposition of the
--1--7-- . ~, ,~ ,
i5 ` .
1~33SS~
46,554; 46,555; 46,557
closing latch 30, the closing spring crank 34, the ratchet
32, and the interlinkage between the trip solenoid and
manual pushbutton 102, and the opening release shaft 96 (as
was described previously) is shown. The discharged opening
~, spring 114 is shown disposed between the b~X~R~ 120 and
the pin 118 of the link 116. As is to be expected, the
arrangement of the contacts 122c, the insulating connecting
rod llOc, the operating lever 16c, the pin 118, and the jack
shaft 14 is the same as that shown with respect to Figure 5 ~
10 (for another pole). Further rotational travel of the ~ack ;
shaft 14 in the counterclockwise direction is limited by the
`:
abutment of the jack shaft rotation limiter 18 against the
stop pin 109. The disposition of the closing release shaft ` `~
56 is shown in its normal angular displacement. The ratchet
driving pin 39 is shown abutted against the driving surfaces
30a and 34a of the closing latch 30 and the closing spring
::
crank 34 respectively. This means that rotational movement -
of the ratchet 32 in the direction of the arro~ shown in
Figure 6 will force the closing latch 30 and the closing
spring crank 34 to rotate similarly. The disposition of the
spring crank pin 77 on the spring crank 34 is shown to be ` ~
similar to the disposition of the pin 77 shown in Figure 5, ~ `
thus allowing the right connecting rod 60 to allow the yoke
62 to move as far to the left as possible with the arrange~
ment shown in Figure 6 thus discharging the springs 64 and
66. As was described previously with respect to Figure 5, ~`~
the disposition of the flanges 12a, 12b, and 12c on the
support frame member 106 is shown.
In order to charge the closing springs 64 and 66 ;~`
30 for a subsequent contact closing operation, it is necessary -
~6
.
,...
: ,~
1~3355D~ ;
46,554; 46,555; 46,557
to rotate the charging motor shaft 42 to rotate the eccen-
tric 44 to thûs cause the driving pawl 46 as sho~n in Fig. 1
to move the teeth of the ratchet 32. mlS causes the pin 39
to cause the closing latch 30 and the closing spring crank
34 to move in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 6.
Naturally it can be seen that if the closing spring crank 34
is moved in the direction o~ the arrow, the pin 77 must
follow therealong consequently drawing the connecting rod 60
to the right and upward. Since both the closing latch 30
and the closing spring crank 34 are keyed to the shaft 26,
the shaft 26 will therefore be rotated clockwise.
Referring once again to Figure 5, it can be seen
that rotation of the cam shaft 26 in the clockwise direction
will cause the cam 28 to rotate in a clockwise directlon
thus allowing the pin 77 to move to the right and upward
similarly to the movement of the pin 77 show~ and described
with respect to Figure 6. me corresponding, simultaneous
movement of both pins 77 on the left-most and right-most
connecting rods 60 will pull the yoke 62 evenly along the
guide rods 70, thus compressing the springs 64 and 66 ;
between the yoke 62 and the spring support plate 68. me
shaft rotation depicted in Figures 5 and 6 will continue
until the face 30b on the closing latch 30 as shown in
Fig. 6 abuts against the closing release shaft 56.
Position 2: Closing Spring Charged, Opening Spring
Discharged~ Contacts Opened
Referring now to Figures 7 and 8, the disposition
of the operating mechanism 10 when the closing springs 64
and 66 have been charged, but where the contacts 122a, 122b, ~ -
and 122c remain opened and the opening spring 114 remains
-17-
~ ,"'`.
~133554
_ 46,554; 46~555; 46,557
discharged is shown. By referring specifically to Figure 8,
it can be seen that the ratchet 32 has been moved in the
direction of the arrow by the rotation of the motor shaft 42
to push the closing latch 30 and the closing spring crank 34
by way of the pin 39 operating against the surfaces 30a and
34a, respectively, until an angular disposition is reached
where the surface 30b of the closing latch 30 abuts against
the closing release shaft 56. It will be noted that in this
position, the cranking pin 77 on the spring crank 34 is
almost at its extreme right position thus causing the right-
~:,
most connecting rod 60 to cause the yoke 62 to compress the ~
. ' . -, .
closing springs 64 and 66. It will be noted that the crank
pin 77 is not at top dead center, or said in another way is
not at its furthest right-most position. In fact, the pin
77 has been rotated in the clockwise direction (as viewed in ;
Figure 8) by the ratchet 32 acting upon the spring crank 34
to place the pin 77 in an angular disposition which is
slightly past top dead center. This allows the springs 64 -
~ .:
and 66 to discharge slightly against the yoke 62 thus pull-
ing against the connecting rod 60 thus biasing the crank 34
to continue to rotate in a clockwise direction when the
closing release shaft 56 is operated in such a way as to
allow the closing latch 30 to rotate beyond it. If the pin
77 were at top dead center, then the likelihood for unde-
~.
sirable counterclockwise rotation of the spring crank 34 `
would be as great as the likelihood of desirable clockwise
. ~
rotation. Since the spring crank 34 is keyed to the shaft 't` '' ~'
26, it is necessary for the spring crank 34 to rotate in the
clockwise direction because it is necessary for the shaft 26
to rotate only in the clockwise direction (as viewed in
~_ :,,
. /~ ;, ,.;~
,;~,
` ~33SS4 46,554; 46,555; 46,557
Figure 8). It will be noted with respect to Figure 8 thateven though the closing springs 64 and 66 have been charged, ; ;
the relative disposition of the contacts 122c, the insulat-
ing connecting rod llOc, the operating lever 16c, the spring
114, and the jack shaft 14 remain unchanged with respect to
Figures 5 and 6.
Referring now to Figure 7, the corresponding dis-
position of the cam 28 is shown. Tn this case, the cam has
rotated clockwise with respect to its position in Figure 5, -`
thus placing the cranking pin 77 in the same angular dispo-
sition as the cranking pin 77 of Figure 8. This is to be
expected as it is required that the left connecting rod 60
s upon the yoke 62 to compress the springs 64 and 66 the
same as was shown with respect to Figure 8 to prevent the
yoke 62 from cocking. The rotation of the cam 28 by the -`
keyed cam shaft 26 allows the shaft rider 82 to fall into
the recess 28a of the cam 28, thus allowing the main link 78 ;
to adapt a different disposition from that shown in Figure ~ `-
5. However, it will be noted as was mentioned previously
with respect to Figure 8, that the overall disposition of
the contacts 122b, the insulating connecting rod llOb, and
the operating lever 16b, remains unchanged from the dispo-
sition shown with respect to Figures 5 and 6. Since the ;
shaft rider 82 was allowed to fall into the recess 28a, the
pin 84 which is attached to the shaft rider 82 forces the
banana link 86 to the right. Since the pin 90 on the trip
rr~ o f ~ o n
latch 88 is moved by the-mff~effle~t- of the banana link 86, the ;
trip latch 88 must rotate to the right and counterclockwise
about its pivot 98 under the influence of its spring 92
3~ until it abuts against the stop 94. At this position, the
J9 ~-~
1133S54
~ 4~,554; 46,555; 46,557
_~ C~ o 4~,.y par~
flat/96c of the opening release shaft 96 is allowed to
rotate to its normal position consequently locking the trip
latch 88 against the portion 96b of the open release shaft
96.
Referring once again to Figure 8, the disposition
of the linkages between the shaft 96 and the trip solenoid
and main pushbutton 102 is shown. In this case, the rota-
tion of the shaft 96 places the shaft 96 in an angular
position which is controlled by the stop screw 124. This in
turn forces the lever 96a to force the point lOOa to rotate ~
the lever 100 in the clockwise direction to consequently ~'
place the lever 100 in a disposition to be moved counter-
clockwise once again b~ the action of the plunger 103a of
the trip solenoid and main pushbutton 102. In the pre-
viously described second position, the closing springs 64
and 66 are in a disposition to close the main contacts when
desired. It can be seen that if the closlng release shaft ~ ;
56 is rotated about its axis in a clockwise direction by ~"
appropriate apparatus-(i.e. the closing solenoid and main
20 pushbutton shown in Figure 10) the force of the compressed `
springs 64 and 66 will tend to move the spring crank pin 77
thus causing the spring crank 34 to rotate clockwise until ~-
the springs 64 and 66 have been discharged. Since the `
. .. .
spring crank 34 is keyed to the shaft 26, the shaft 26 must
also turn counterclockwise.
-. ., :. .
Referring once again to Figure 7, it can be seen
that rotation of the cam shaft 26 in the clockwise direction ;
would cause two things to happen. The first is that the `''~'.''`'!`
discharging springs 64 and 66 will cause the connecting rod
60 to add to the torque applied to rotate the shaft 26 by
-2-2-
~,; ~ ,. ~"', -
1133554 46,554; 469555; 46,557
moving the cranking pin 77 in a clockwise direction ~rom
right to left. In addition, the face o~ the cam 28 will
cause the shaft rider 82 to move upwardly as the cam 28
rotates. It will be noted that the pin 84 which is connected
to the banana link 86 which in turn is fixed at the pin 90,
(because of the locked disposition o~ the tr~p latch 88)
will only allow the pin 84 to move radially with respect to
the pin 90. mis causes the main link 78 to rotate the oper- ~
ating lever 16b clockwise thùs elevating the insulating~ -
connecting rod llOb to thus interconnect the contacts 122b.
Since the common jack shaft 14 rotates all three of the `~
operating levers 16a, 16b, and 16c, all contacts 122a, 122b,
and 122c are closed generally simultaneously. If during -~
this latter contact closing operation a fault were somehow
sensed on the lines interconnected with the contacts 122a
through 122c, an appropriate signal would be provided to the
trip solenoid 102 to quickly pivot the opening release shaft
96 clockwise thus allowing the relatively stationary pivot `~
point 90 of the trip latch to move rapidly to the left as ` ;
2q viewed in Figure 7 to prevent the cam rider 8~ from forcing
~,
the main link 78 upwardly even though the cam rider 82-~
itsel~begins to rise because of the changing contour of the
cam 28. In this case it can be seen that the main link 78
would pivot in a clockwise direction about the pin 80 because
of the newly provided freedom of motion of the banana link
,
86. This o~ course will prevent ~orce from being applied
to the pin 80 Eor moving the operating lever 16b and con~
sequently the electrically insulating rod llOb. Thus, the ``
contacts 122b will remain open. This is known as the trip
30 ~ree mode o~ operation. Presuming however, that no trip -
-21-
'~:' ~,'
~^ '' '.'-''` .
,
-- ~ 1 3~ 5S 4
` 46,55ll; 46,555; ~16,557
free operation occurs~the final disposition of the various
linkages, etc. after a contact closing operation has been . `
completed is as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
Position 3 Opening Spring Discharged, Closed Spring
Charged, Contacts Closed
Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, a third oper~
ating position for the circuit breaker operating mechanism
10 is shown. In this case, the closing springs 64 and 66 - `
are discharged as they were in the first operating position . .
10 shown in Figures 5 and 6. Consequently, the angular dispo- ~`
sition of the shaft 26 is the same as the angular disposi-
tion shown in Figures 5 and 6. This means that the keyed
cam 28, the keyed closing latch 30, and the keyed closing
spring crank 34 all ha~e the same disposition as that shown ~:
in Figures 5 and 6. It will be noted however that the ~ `
difference between the first operating position as shown ln ~ `
Figures 5 and 6, and the third operating position as shown
in Figures 9 and 10, lies in the angular disposition of the
~ack shaft 14 and the apparatus which is connected thereto.
To be more specific by referring to Figure 10 and comparing
Figure 10 with Figure 5 it can be shown that the angular
disposition of the ~ack shaft for the third position (that
shown in Figure 10) is such that the operating lever 16c has
:: .
been rotated further clockwise from the disposition of that
shown in Figure 6, thus causing the electrically insulating ;~
connecting rod llOc to move upward to close the contacts
122c. Likewise, since the ~ack shaft rotation limiter 18 is :`;
flxedly attached to the ~ack shaft 14, its angular position
ls now displaced away from the stop 109. Since the link 116
30 is affixed to the operating lever 16c by way of the pin 80, ~
--2~- ... .
'. , -,'. :
.~ , , -,
,~','`"`'`.~
33554
46,554; 46,555; 46,557
it can be seen that the opening spring 114 has been charged ;
by raising the upper end of the spring 114 relative to the
bracket 120.
Referring now to Figure 9, the disposition of the
cam 28 is shown. It will be noted as was mentioned pre-
viously that it occupies the same angular disposition as it
occupied in the first disposition shown in Figure 5. In
this case however, as was described with respect to Figures
7 and 8, the trip latch 88 has been pivoted about its axis
98 by the discharging action of the spring 92 to place the
trip latch 88 against the stop 94 thus allowing the opening
release shaft 96 to assume its normal relaxed position.
This tends to hold the trip latch 88 in the position shown ~ `
in Figure 9. Such being the case, the pivot 90 for the "
banana link 86 is fixed, and the disposition of the cam
follower 82 on the surface of the cam 28 is forced by the
banana link 86 through the common pin 84 to hold the main
link 78 in an upright position relative to its disposition ~s
shown in Figure 5. This in turn holds the main operating
lever 16b in an upward position. This causes the common pin ~
112 to hold the insulating connecting link llOb in such a ~`
disposition as to close the contacts 122b. Of course, as
was mentioned previously, all of the contacts are controlled
by the common jack shaft 14. Consequently, it can be said ~-
that all of the contacts 122a through 122c are closed at :~
this time. ";
Referring once again to Figure 10, the arrange- ~`~
ments of the closing solenoid and manual pushbutton 58 is
shown. The latter solenoid has an extended plunger 58a
which when actuated to move to the left causes the tab or
, ., ~: .
P ... ,.,~" ~
-- 1133S54
46,554; 46~555; 46,557
lever 56a on the closing release shaft 56 to rotate clock-
wise. This changes the angular disposition of the milled ~ :
away portion of the closing release shaft 56 for clearing
the surface 30b of the closing latch (shown in Figure 8).
This allows the springs 64 and 66 to discharge to rotate
the shaft 26 to the position shown in Figures 10 and 6 for
example.
~y referring to Figures 8 and 10, it is to be~i
noted that in a circuit breaker closing operation the dis-
position of the closing latch 30 and the closing spring
crank 34 relative to the pin 39 on the ~atchet 32 allows the
springs 64 and 66 to discharge from the position shown in ;.
Figure 8 to the position shown in Figure 10. mis causes
the contacts 122c to move from the opened position shown in
Figure 8 to the closed position shown in Figure 10 without
requiring rotational movement of the ratchet wheel 32.
Position 4: Closing Spring Charged, Contacts Closed,
eninÆ Sp_in~_har~ed ::
~y referring to Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, it can be
seen that a fourth position ~or the apparatus and linkages
~, ,,
of the operating mechanism 10 is possible~ In this case, .~ .
immediately after a circuit breaker has been success~ully
closed, that is immediately after the circuit breaker con- - .
tacts 122c have been closed, it is desirous to once again ~ :
quickly charge the closing spr~ngs 64 and 66 so that, .
upon the openi:ng of the circuit breaker contacts 122c
for example, they may be quickly reclosed again. It is
well known that a desired operating sequence for a circuit
breaker is as follows: opening o~ the main contacts, reclosing ;
of the main co:ntacts, opening o~ the main contacts once again
~f
_24-
.
~ ~3 SS 4
_ ` L~6, 554; 1~6,555; 46, 557
necessary. By examining Figures 7 through 10, it can be ~ :
seen that in the desired fourth position the closing springs ~;
64 and 66 are in the disposition shown in Figures 7 and 8
and the main contacts 122c are in the disposition shown in .~
Figures 9 and 10. In order to accomplish this, the motor 42 ~.
shown in Figures 1 and 3 for example, is allowed to rotate
the shaft 42 to charge the springs 64 and 66 as was des-
cribed previously without affecting the disposition of the '
contacts 122c. Ry examining Figures 7 and 9, it can been
10 seen that the shaft 26 may be rotated clockwise through a ~-
sufficient angular displacement to move the closing spring
crank pin 77 from the extreme left as shown in Figure 9 to -
the spring charged position shown in Figure 7. This may : ~.
occur without the cam follower 82 changing its radial dis-
position relative to the shaft 26. In the spring charged
....
position such as shown in Figure 7, with the trip latch in `
the latched position such as shown in Figures 7 and 9, the ~` :
cam follower 82 will not fall into the depression 28a as .
shown in Figure 7. Rather it will remain on the outer làrge
20 radius of the cam 28 until a tripping operation has been :
begun by angularly rotating the opening release shaft 96 to
allow the trip latch 88 to assume the position shown in .
Figure 5 for example. It will be noted with regard to the `~
latter operation that the trip latch 88 will not reset
itself, i.e. assume the position shown in Figure 7 with the ~;
left side of the trip latch 88 abutting against the point
;~ ~
96b on the opening release shaft 96 until the roller 82 has .~: ::
been allowed to enter the depressions 28a such as is shown ~ .
~: :,. .
in Figure 7. If the preceding sequence of events has `~
occurred, then the circuit breaker apparatus is in condition . .
".~ .
. .
1:~33554
-~ 46,554; 46,555; 46,557
for a quick reclosure after a prior opening merely by dis-
charging the closing springs 64 and 66 in the manner des-
cribed previously. In the event that the tripping operation
took place on the discharged closing springs 64 and 66,
consequent reclosure of the contacts 122b cannot occur until
the motor or similar means 40 has rotated the shaft 42 to
such a position that the springs 64 and 66 have been charged
and the roller 82 has ~allen to the recess 28a.
Although the utilization of an opening release
10 shaft 96 in conjunction with a trip latch 88 is known, the ~;
utilization of a closing release shaft 56 in con~unction
with a closing latch 30 for charging the opening springs 64
and 66 is believed to be novel.
Referring now to Figures 11 and 12, still another ~;
embodiment of the invention, a vacuum circuit interrupter
300 is shown. In this case there are provided two elongated,
generally parallel, spaced apart unitary support members ~;
212a and 212b. It will be noted that the latter two members ~;`
support an operating mechanism, such as is shown to the
right in Figure 11, and the contact driving linkages and
contact apparatus, such as is shown to the left in Figure
11. In this embodiment of the invention, a shaft 226 tra- ~-
verses the space between the parallel plates 212a and 212b.
Keyed to one side of the shaft 226 is a cam 228. A cam
rider 282 is provided which is pivotally pinned to a banana ;~
llnk 284 and a main link 278. The main link is pivotally ; -
hinged to a cranking lever 301 which in turn is keyed or
otherwise securely fastened to a rotatable ~ack shaft or -~
crank shaft 302. Also securely attached to the ~ack shaft
302 is a bell crank 304, one end of which is pinned at 311 ~ -
~_ ~., .
i~33554
~ 46,55~j 46,555; 46,557
to a connecting rod 310 for an opening spring 214. The
other end of the bell crank 304 is connected by way of a pin
307 to a driving rod 306. The previously described banana
link 284 is connected to a trip latch 295 which is pivotable
about a trip latch pivot 298. A spring 292 is provided to
maintain the trip latch 295 against a stop 294. Likewise,
an opening release shaft 296 of the type described with
respect to Figures l, 3, and 4 for example, is provided for
allowing the trip latch 295 to rotate counterclockwise about
the pivot 298 in appropriate circumstances for causing a
trip motion to be applied to the rod 306. Spring crank pins
277 are disposed upon the cam 228 to actuate connecting rods
2~0 to compress an opening spring 264 between a spring
support plate 268 and a yoke 262. As was the case with ` -~
respect to other embodiments of the invention, a guide rod -
272 is provided for the spring 264. A nut 273 is threaded ;~
on the upper end of the guide rod 272 and a similar nut 275
is threaded on the lower end thereof for securing the rod
272. There are provided three tandemly mounted vacuum ~-
20 bottle circuit breaker apparatuses or pole pieces 322a,~ ~ -
322b, and 322c. Insulating connecting rods 350a, 350b, and
350c are connected to the contacts (not shown) of the vacuum
bottle circuit interrupters 322a through 322c, respectively.
The bottoms of the insulating connectings rods 350a through
350c are connected to hinged ends 334b for example, on bell
cranks 330a, 330b, and 330c respectively. The previously ~
mentioned bell cranks are pivotal about pivot pins 332b and ~ ;
332c for example for bell cranks 330b and 330c, respective- ~;
ly. A similar hinging arrangement exists for bell crank ;
30 330a. The pin 332c, for example, is supported in openlngs ; ; ;
~- .. ' - .
~ f~,.y!
. .,
33554
46,554; 46~555; 46,557
333 in the previously described elongated support members
212a and 212b. The pins 332a and 332d may be likewise
supported. Consequently it can be seen that th~ tolerance -
between the centers of the holes 333 for the bell cranks
330a, 330b, and 330c and the holes for the shaft or pivots
298 and 226 for example of the operating mechanism are
maintained within relatively closed tolerances because of
the unitary nature of the support members 212a and 212b.
This is due to the fact that all the holes or openings are
placed in unitary supports. The connecting rod 306 has nut
members 340b and 342b disposed thereon for pole piece 322b.
A nut member 340c is also shown for pole piece 322c. For
purposes of simplicity of illustration, only the operating
mechanism with respect to pole 322b will be further des-
cribed, it being understood that the operating mechanism for
poles 322a and 322c operate synchronously therewith and in
a similar manner thereto. Disposed between the ad~ustable
nut members 340b and 342b is a spring 344b which is main-
tained in place by spring support members 343b on the left
20 and 345b on the right, as viewed in Figure 11. Spring 344b
encircles rod 306. There is provided a linkage block 338b ;'"t~
upon which is disposed a hinge pin 336b on which a portion ``
:,
of the bell crank 330b rotates for opening and closing the
contacts of the vacuum bottle interrupter 322b. The reglon ~`
between the block 338b and the nut 340b may expand to form a
gap during certain operatlng conditions of the circuit
breaker apparatus 300.
~o close the contacts of the pole pieces 322a
through 322c the electrically insulating rods 350a through ~-
30 350c are raised by moving the connecting rod 306 towards
~8
$;``
~,
- ~.133554
46,554; 46,555; ~6,557
the right as viewed in Figure 11 to pivot in tandem and
synchronously the bell cranks 330a through 330c in an
upward direction. m e connecting rod 306 is moved to the
right by pivoting the shaft counterclockwise. mis occurs
when the spring 264 is released to drive the cam 228 coun~
terclockwise thus causing the cam rider 282 to force the
cranking lever 301 to move in the counterclockwise direct-
ion. This also causes the pin 311 to drop, pulling the con-
necting rod 310 down thus compresæing the opening spring
214.
To open the contacts 322a through 322c, the rod
306 must move to the left. mis occurs when the opening
trip release sha~t 296 is rotated counterclockwise allo~ing -
the trip latch 295 to move upward in~a counterclockwise
direction thus freeing the banana link 284. This allows the
spring 214 to discharge pulling the connecting rod 310 up
thus rotating the bell crank 304 to the right in a clockwise
direction.
During the contact closing operating, the nut 342b ~
20 for example, is moved to the right by the connecting rod ~ `
306, transmitting the rightward directed motion through the
spring 344b without significantly compres~ing that spring.
mis moves the block 338b to the right which in turn rotates
the bell crank 330b counterclockwise, thus elevating the ; `
insulating connecting rod 350b to close the contacts of the ~;
vacuum circuit interrupter 322b, for exampleO A~ter the
contact~ in the vacuum circuit breaker 322b have made con-
tach with each other, further travel of the connecting rod ~^~
306 to the right tends to compress the spring 344b and to
open or enlarge the gap in the region 346b between the block
338b and the nut 340b.
-29- ~
~ ` :
. `",~,
-~ 11335~4
46~554; Ll6,555; 46,557
During a contact tripping or opening operation,
when the rod 306 moves to the left, the force of accelera-
tion of the discharging opening spring 214 will rapidly
cause the gap 346b to close. This is assisted by the action ;
of the expanding spring 344b which also tends to accelerate
the nut 340b. At the instant the nut 340b impacts the block
338b from the right a large force of acceleration is trans-
ferred to that block which in turn tends to move the elec-
trlcally insulating rod 350b downward with great force thus
tending to break any welds which may have formed between the
contacts of the vacuum interrupters 322a through 322c during
the closing operation. The force of acceleration provided ;
by the spring 344b and the opening spring 214 tends to ~ar
or shake the entire mechanism 300. The force is required as
the previously described contact welds are often a serious
problem with vacuum bottle interrupter contacts. If the
support members for the operating mechanism of Figure 11
were physically separated from the support members for the
vacuum bottle interrupters, the repeated forces of acceIer-
ation during the contact opening operation would eventually
tend to misalign the various critical alignment elements, -~
i.e. the alignment between pin 332c and shaft 226 for
example. However, because of the unitary nature of the ;
support members 212a and 212b, it is very difficult to
misalign the critical component parts for the apparatus of
the vacuum circuit interrupter 300. ~ -
It is to be understood with respect to the embodi- ~ -
ments of this invention that the concept of the outboard ,.
operating mechanism components is not limited to the partic-
ular type of stored energy mechanism shown in Figures 1
~_ .
,3~
i' . ,:
,: .
,~
,- ~,: '
1~335S4
through 10. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the
spacing between the support members 12 in the embodiment of
Figures 1 through 10 and the support members 212a and 212b
in the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12 is not limiting. It
is also to be understood that the concepts associated with
the embodiments shown in Figures 1 through 10 is not limited
to any particular kind of circuit breaker. The circuit
breakers may be vacuum breakers, magnetic circuit breakers,
gas circuit breakers, or others. In a like manner, even
though the embodiment described with respect to Figures 10
and 11 deals primarily with vacuum type circuit interrupters,
the concepts taught with respect to the latter embodiment
are not limited to vacuum type circuit interrupters. It is
also to be understood that the type of operating mechanism
shown in Figures 3 and 11 is not limiting. It is also to
be understood that the energization and control of motor 40
may be as described in well-known prior art.
me apparatus taught in the various embodiments of
this invention have many advantages. One advantage lies in
the fact that a circuit breaker operating mechanism may be
provided with supports which are inboard of all the critical ;~
operating components such as the cam, the ratchet, and the
closing spring connecting rods. Another advantage lies in ~ `
the fact that such as arrangement allows for a simply made
and installed cam shaft. Still another advantage lies in
the fact that one o~ the support members for the operating
mechanism may be utilized to bear the force of the center
pole of a three phase circuit breaker, thus tending to
reduce jack shaft deflection. Another advantage lies in the
fact that a specially milled or machined closing release
shaft may be utilized in conjunction with a closing latch
for efficient and effective closing of the circuit breaker
~'J,~ 3/
n
- 1 1 33 5S 4
-- 46,554; 46~555; 46,557
contacts. Another advantage lies in the fact that one of
the connecting rods for the closing spring may be connected -
directly to a pin on the cam. Still another advantage lies
in the fact that in one embod:lment of the invention, unitary
support members are provided :For maintaining close alignment
tolerances between portions of the circuit breaker operating
mechanism and portions of the circuit breaker contact open- ;
ing and closing linkages.
~ '
'
,'' '~''
;
- ,.
, ~
`': ',',
'`` "''' ` `
:,:
'
'~ `~.'
,: `'''
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~'.'`
, .. . , . .. . ~. . . .. ..
