Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
INTERLOCK FOR CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S.
Patent Application
No. 14/292,142, filed May 30, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent
Application No.
13/476,529, filed on May 21, 2012, now U.S. Patent No. 8,772,666, issued on
July 8, 2014,
which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/633,430,
filed on February
9, 2012.
BACKGROUND
10002] Circuit-interrupting devices (i.e., switches) include load-breakers,
such as vacuum
interrupters, that are used to control the flow of electricity through the
switch. For example,
vacuum interrupters typically include a stationary contact, a moveable
contact, and a mechanism
for moving the movable contact. To open the electrical circuit defined by the
switch, the
movable contact is separated from the stationary contact.
SUMMARY
100031 For safety precautions, a visible disconnect can be provided in series
with the load-
breaker to provide visual verification of whether the circuit is open. In
particular, the visible
disconnect can have an open state and a closed state. In the closed state, the
visible disconnect
physically and electrically connects the load-breaker with an electricity
source (e.g., a source
conductor). In the open state, the visible disconnect physically and
electrically disconnects the
load-breaker from the electricity source. However, to prevent unsafe arcing
across the visible
disconnect, the load-breaker must be opened (i.e., the movable contact must be
separated from
the stationary contact) to create an isolated switch before the visible
disconnect can be safely
opened (i.e., before the visible disconnect can be changed from the closed
state to the open state).
Similarly, the visible disconnect must be changed from the open state to the
closed state before
the load-breaker can be returned to its closed state where the moveable
contact is rejoined with
the stationary contact.
1
2391943
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100041 Furthermore, in some situations, the load-breaker may malfunction.
For example, an
operating mechanism that allows an operator to open or close the load-breaker
(e.g., separate the
contacts of a vacuum interrupter) may malfunction and the movement of the
operating
mechanism may not be transferred to the load-breaker. Also, in some
situations, the contacts of a
vacuum interrupter may be subject to pre-arcing that causes the moveable
contact to become
welded to the stationary contact. In this situation, when the welded joint is
strong enough to
prevent the operating mechanism from separating the contacts, the contacts
will not separate
even if an operator drives the operating mechanism to open the load-breaker.
When the contacts
do not physically separate, it is unsafe to allow an operator to change the
state of the visible
disconnect.
100051 Similarly, in some situations, the switch may include safety systems
(e.g., an
interlock system or a triggering system) that ensure a proper operational
sequence of the load-
breaker and the visible disconnect. These safety systems, however, may also
malfunction or may
be improperly by-passed or disabled by an operator, which creates safety
concerns.
100061 Therefore, embodiments of the invention provide mechanisms for
ensuring that the
load-breaker is disconnected from the source conductor before an operator is
able to change the
state of the visible disconnect. In particular, one embodiment of the
invention provides a circuit-
interrupting device including a load-breaker having a first contact and a
second contact, wherein
the second contact is movable between a first position P1 and a second
position P2. The circuit-
interrupting device also includes a first operating mechanism for actuating
movement of the
second contact and a first assembly for controlling movement of the first
operating mechanism.
The first assembly includes a first extension movable to operate the first
assembly. The device
further includes a visible disconnect in series with the load-breaker, wherein
the visible
disconnect has an open state and a closed state. In addition, the device
includes a second
operating mechanism for actuating the visible disconnect between the open
state and the closed
state and a second assembly for controlling movement of the second operating
mechanism. The
second assembly includes a second extension movable to operate the second
assembly.
Furthermore, the device includes an interlock system that prevents movement of
at least one
component of the second assembly when the second contact is not in the second
position P2,
2
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wherein the interlock system operates independently of the first extension and
the second
extension.
100071 Another embodiment of the invention provides a circuit-interrupting
device
comprising a gearbox, a visible disconnect, and a load-breaker in series with
the visible
disconnect. The circuit-interrupting device also includes a first operating
mechanism for
actuating the load-breaker between an open state and a closed state and a
second mechanism for
actuating the visible disconnect between an open state and a closed state. In
addition, the device
includes a first assembly controlling movement of the first operating
mechanism and a second
assembly controlling movement of the second operating mechanism. The device
further includes
an interlock system external to the gearbox and an interlock system internal
to the gearbox. The
external interlock system coordinates operation of the first assembly and the
second assembly.
The internal interlock system includes a cam and a bias-driven follower. The
cam is driven by a
shaft between a first cam state when the load-breaker is in the open state and
a second cam state
when the load-breaker is in the closed state. The bias-driven follower has a
first follower state
when the cam is in the first cam state and has a second follower state when
the cam is in the
second cam state. The bias-driven follower blocks movement of at least one
component of the
second assembly when the bias-driven follower is in the second follower state.
[0008] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides an interlock system
for a circuit-
interrupting device, the circuit-interrupting device including a gearbox, a
load-breaker in series
with a visible disconnect, and an assembly for driving the visible disconnect
between an open
state and a closed state. The interlock system includes a cam and a bias-
driven follower. The earn
is coupled to a shaft and is driven by the shaft between a first cam state
when the load-breaker is
in an open state and a second cam state when the load-breaker is in a closed
state. The bias-
driven follower has a first follower state when the cam is in the first cam
state and has a second
follower state when the cam is in the second cam state. In the second follower
state, the bias-
driven follower blocks movement of at least one component of the assembly. The
cam and the
bias-driven follower are internal to the gearbox.
[0009] Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a circuit-
interrupting device
including a load-breaker operable between an open state and a closed state,
and a first interlock
3
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member operatively associated with the load-breaker. The first interlock
member moves
between a first position and a second position when the load-breaker moves
between the closed
state and the open state. The circuit-interrupting device further includes a
disconnect switch that
moves between an open state and a closed state. When the load-breaker is in
the closed state, the
first interlock member is in the first position and contacts the disconnect
switch to prevent the
disconnect switch from moving from the closed state to the open state.
100101 Yet another embodiment of the invention provides an interlock system
for a circuit-
interrupting device. The circuit interrupting device includes a load-breaker
operable between an
open state and a closed state and a disconnect switch in series with the load-
breaker and having a
blade movable between an open state and a closed state. The interlock system
includes a first
interlock member operably associated with the load-breaker. The first
interlock member has a
first interlock state when the load-breaker is in the closed position and a
second interlock state
when the load-breaker is in the open position. The first interlock member
moves from the first
interlock state to the second interlock state when the load-breaker moves to
the open position.
The first interlock member is in contact with a portion of the disconnect
switch when the first
interlock member is in the first interlock state to prevent the disconnect
switch blade from
moving from the closed state to the open state.
100111 Yet another embodiment of the invention provides a circuit-
interrupting device
including a load-breaker having a first contact and a second contact. The
second contact is
movable relative to the first contact between a closed state and an open
state. The circuit-
interrupting device further includes a first operating mechanism for moving
the second contact
between the closed state and the open state, a first actuating assembly for
controlling movement
of the first operating mechanism, and a disconnect switch having a blade
movable between a
closed state and an open state. In addition, the circuit-interrupting device
includes a second
operating mechanism for moving the disconnect switch blade between the closed
state and the
open state, a second actuating assembly for controlling movement of the second
operating
mechanism. The circuit-interrupting device also includes a first interlock
member coupled to the
load-breaker for concurrent travel therewith to prevent, independently of the
second actuating
assembly, the disconnect switch blade from pivoting from the closed state to
the open state when
the second contact is in the closes state.
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100121 Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration
of the detailed
description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100131 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch including a visible
disconnect and a load-
breaker, with the load-breaker and the visible disconnect shown in a closed
state.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. 1, with the
load-breaker shown
in an open state and the visible disconnect shown in a closed state.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. I, with the
load-breaker and the
visible disconnect shown in an open state.
100161 FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the switch of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIGS. 4b-4d are perspective views of the switch of FIG. I coupled to
a gearbox.
100181 FIG. 4e is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. I coupled to
the gearbox, taken
along line 4e illustrated in FIG. 4d.
100191 FIG. 4f is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. I coupled to
the gearbox, taken
along line 4f illustrated in FIG. 4d.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an external interlock system for the
switch of FIG. 1,
shown in a locked position.
10021] FIGS. 6a-6b are perspective views of an internal interlock system
for the switch of
FIG. I.
100221 FIG.7a is a side view of the internal interlock system.
100231 FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the internal interlock system.
[0024] FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view of the internal interlock system,
taken along line 7c
illustrated in FIG. 7b.
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100251 FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the internal interlock system, shown
in an unlocked
position.
100261 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the internal interlock system, shown
in a locked
position.
100271 FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a switch according to another
aspect of the invention.
100281 FIG. 11 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG.
10 taken along
lines 11-11 of FIG. 10 and showing a visible disconnect and a load-breaker
both in a closed state.
100291 FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. 10 taken
along lines 12-12 of
FIG. 10 showing the load-breaker and the visible disconnect shown in a closed
state.
100301 FIG. 12A is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 12 showing an interlock
in a first
interlock state.
100311 FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. 10 taken
along lines 12-12 of
FIG. 10 showing the load-breaker in an open state and the visible disconnect
shown in a closed
state.
100321 FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the switch of FIG. 10 taken
along lines 12-12 of
FIG. 2 showing the load-breaker and the visible disconnect both in an open
state.
100331 FIG. 14A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 14 showing the
interlock in a
second interlock state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100341 Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it
is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details
of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following
drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
or of being
carried out in various ways.
6
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100351 FIGS. 1-
3 illustrate a switch 10. The switch 10 includes a load-breaker (e.g., vacuum
interrupter 12), a visible disconnect 14, a housing 16, and a generally
transparent or translucent
viewing window 18. The housing 16 at least partially encases the vacuum
interrupter 12 and the
visible disconnect 14. In some embodiments, the switch 10 includes a solid
dielectric switch. In
other embodiments, the switch 10 includes a gas-based or oil-based switch.
100361 The
vacuum interrupter 12 can include a first contact 19a and a second contact 19b
that is moveable between a first position Pi and a second position P,. When
the second contact
19b is in the first position PI, the contacts 19a, 19b are connected or in
contact with one another
(see FIG. 1), the vacuum interrupter 12 is in a closed state, and the circuit
is closed.
Alternatively, when the second contact 19b is in the second position 131, the
contacts 19a, 19b are
not connected (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the vacuum interrupter 12 is in an open
state, and the circuit
is open. The state of the vacuum interrupter 12 can be changed using a vacuum
interrupter
operating mechanism (e.g., an actuator) 20. The vacuum interrupter operating
mechanism 20
can be operated manually or in an automated fashion.
100371 In
various embodiments, the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 20 extends out
of a top of the switch 10 (see FIG. 4a) and extends into a gearbox 17 coupled
to the top of the
switch 10 (see FIGS. 4e and 40. As shown in FIGS. 4b-4f, the gearbox 17
includes an assembly
20a that controls movement of the mechanism 20 and can coordinate the movement
of multiple
mechanisms 20 when multiple switches 10 are used to control multiple power
lines, e.g. for two-
or three-phase power (e.g. see FIG. 4e). The assembly 20a can include a
plurality of components
for controlling movement of the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 20. For
example, as
shown in FIG. 4c, the assembly 20a includes an extension 32 that can be driven
or moved (e.g.,
rotated) by an operator or an automated controller. In some embodiments, a
lever or a handle 35
can be connected to the extension 32 to aid an operator or an automated
controller in rotating the
extension 32. The assembly 20a can also include a rotatable shaft that
translates rotation of the
extension 32 to the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 20. Various
additional
components, such as springs, linkages, couplings, pins, plates, frames, and
additional shafts, can
also be included in the assembly 20a and used to translate rotation of the
extension 32 into
movement of the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 20, as is well known in
the industry.
7
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100381 The visible disconnect 14 is connected in series with the vacuum
interrupter 12. The
visible disconnect 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 includes a knife blade assembly
that includes a
blade 21 and a visible disconnect operating mechanism 22. The operating
mechanism 22 can be
operated manually or in an automated fashion to move the blade 21 between a
closed state (see
FIGS. 1 and 2) and an open state (see FIG. 3). For example, in some
embodiments, the visible
disconnect operating mechanism 22 pivots the blade 21 on a pin 23 or other
pivoting mechanism
between the two states. In the closed state, the blade 21 physically and
electrically connects the
vacuum interrupter 12 with a source conductor 24. In the open state, the blade
21 physically and
electrically disconnects the vacuum interrupter 12 from the source conductor
24. Therefore, the
physical position of the blade 21 can be used to visually inspect whether the
vacuum interrupter
12 is physically and, consequently, electrically connected to the source
conductor 24. Therefore,
the physical position of the blade 21 provides visual verification to an
operator regarding
whether current may be flowing through the switch 10.
100391 As shown in FIG. 4a, the visible disconnect operating mechanism 22
extends out of a
top of the switch 10 and extends into the gearbox 17 coupled to the top of the
switch 10 (see
FIGS. 4e and 40. As shown in FIGS. 4b-4f, the gearbox 17 includes an assembly
22a that
controls movement of the mechanism 22 and can coordinate the movement of
multiple
mechanisms 22 when multiple switches 10 are used to control multiple power
lines, e.g. for two-
or three-phase power (e.g. see FIG. 4e). The assembly 22a can include a
plurality of components
for controlling movement of the visible disconnect operating mechanism 22. For
example, as
shown in FIG. 4c, the assembly 22a includes an extension 34 that can be driven
or moved (e.g.,
rotated) by an operator or an automated controller. In some embodiments, a
lever or a handle 35
can be connected to the extension 34 to aid an operator or an automated
controller in rotating the
extension 34. The assembly 22a can also include a rotatable shaft that
translates rotation of the
extension 34 into movement of the visible disconnect operating mechanism 22.
Various
additional components, such as springs, linkages, couplings, pins, plates,
frames, and additional
shafts, can also be included in the assembly 22a and used to translate
rotation of the extension 34
into movement of the visible disconnect operating mechanism 22, as is well
known in the
industry.
8
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100401 As described above, to prevent unsafe arcing, the vacuum interrupter
12 must be
opened before the visible disconnect 14 can be opened or closed. To coordinate
this required
operational sequence, the switch 10 can include (as shown in FIG. 5) an
external interlock
system 30. The external interlock system 30 is mounted to an external wall 31
of the gearbox 17.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4c and 5, the external interlock system 30 includes a
cam piece 36
associated with the first extension 32 and a cam piece 37 associated with the
second extension
34. The cam pieces 36, 37 rotate with the extensions 32, 34, respectively, and
the shape and
placement of the cam pieces 36, 37 mechanically require that an operator move
(e.g., rotate) the
first extension 32 before the operator can move (e.g., rotate) the second
extension 34. In
particular, as shown in FIG. 4c, the shape of the cam piece 36 blocks the cam
piece 37 and the
associated second extension 34 from rotating until the first extension 32 and
the cam piece 36 are
rotated to an open position. Therefore, due to the configuration of the cam
pieces 36, 37, an
operator (e.g., either manually or in an automated fashion) must open the
vacuum interrupter 12
before the operator can change the state of the visible disconnect 14. This
operational sequence
ensures that all of the load-breaking occurs in the vacuum interrupter 12
rather than in the visible
disconnect 14.
100411 As noted above, in some embodiments, even if an operator uses the
assembly 20a to
open the vacuum interrupter 12 (i.e., rotates the first extension 32), the
second contact 19b may
not be displaced from the first position PI to the second position P, (e.g.,
due to a malfunction in
the operating mechanism 20 or due to the contacts I 9a and 19b being welded
together). In this
situation, it is unsafe to allow an operator to change the state of the
visible disconnect 14. The
external interlock system 30 described above, however, will not, by itself,
prevent the operator
from changing the state of the visible disconnect 14 in this situation.
Rather, as long as the
operator has moved the first extension 32 (which rotates the cam piece 36 to a
position where it
no longer blocks rotation of the cam piece 37 and the associated second
extension 34), the
external interlock system 30 allows the operator to move the second extension
34 to change the
state of the visible disconnect 14.
100421 To address this concern, the switch 10 includes an internal
interlock system 40 (see
FIGS. 4d, 4f, 6a, and 6b). As shown in FIGS. 4d, 4f, 6a, and 6b, the internal
interlock system 40
is positioned inside the gearbox 17. Therefore, as compared to the external
interlock system 30,
9
CA 02946934 2016-10-27
the internal interlock system 40 is invisible to an operator, which can
prevent an operator from
disabling or by-passing the internal interlock system 40. The internal
interlock system 40
operates independently of the external interlock system 30 and the extensions
32, 34 controlling
the assemblies 20a, 22a. As described in more detail below, the internal
interlock system 40
prevents actuation of the assembly 22a associated with the visible disconnect
14 through the
second extension 34 until the vacuum interrupter 12 is open (i.e., until the
second contact 19b is
in the second position 132) independent of the operation of the extensions 32,
34 and the external
interlock system 30. In particular, the internal interlock system 40
mechanically prevents at least
one component of the assembly 22a from moving and changing the state of the
visible
disconnect 14 until the vacuum interrupter 12 is open.
100431 FIGS. 7a through 7c illustrate the internal interlock system 40 in
greater detail. As
shown in FIGS. 7a through 7c, the internal interlock system 40 includes a cam
42 and a bias-
driven follower 44 (e.g., biased by a spring 45). The bias-driven follower 44
is attached to a
frame 54 that at least partially encloses at least a portion of the assembly
22a. The cam 42 is
coupled to a shaft 46, which is driven by the position of the second contact
19b of the vacuum
interrupter 12 through a link in the assembly 20a (see, e.g., FIG. 4t).
Therefore, the shaft 46
drives the cam 42 between a first cam state when the vacuum interrupter 12 is
in the open state
(see FIG. 8) and a second cam state when the vacuum interrupter 12 is in the
closed state (see
FIG. 9).
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 7a through 7c, the cam 42 includes an actuation
arm 48 that has a
first contact surface 50 and a second contact surface 52. The first and second
contact surfaces 50
and 52 of the actuation arm 48 can interact with the follower 44. The follower
44 includes a first
portion 56 and a second portion 58. The first portion 56 of the follower 44 is
moveable through
an opening 60 in the frame 54. The follower 44 is pivotable about a pin 61 or
other pivoting
mechanism between a first follower state (see FIG. 8) and a second follower
state (see FIG. 9).
100451 During operation, the internal interlock system 40 ensures that the
operational
sequence of the vacuum interrupter 12 and the visible disconnect 14 described
above is
maintained even in the situation where, although the operator has rotated the
first extension 34 to
drive the assembly 20a to open the vacuum interrupter 12, the vacuum
interrupter 12 does not
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open (e.g., the operating mechanism 20 and/or the external interlock system 30
malfunctions or
is improperly by-passed or the contacts 19a and I 9b have become welded
together).
[0046] For example, as described above, the visible disconnect operating
mechanism 22 is
movable to change the state of the visible disconnect 14 (i.e., open or close
the visible disconnect
14). The visible disconnect operating mechanism 22 is coupled to the assembly
22a (see FIGS.
4f and 7c), which translates rotation of the second extension 34 into movement
of the visible
disconnect operating mechanism 22. However, as shown in FIG. 9, at least one
component of
the assembly 22a (e.g., a rotating plate controlled by a spring) may be
blocked by the follower 44
when the internal interlock system 40 is engaged or placed in a locked state.
The internal
interlock system 40 is placed in the locked state when the contacts 19a, 19b
of the vacuum
interrupter 12 are not separated (i.e., the second contact 19b is not in the
second position P2).
[00471 In particular, when the contacts 19a, 19b of the vacuum interrupter
are closed or
connected (i.e., the second contact 19b is in the first position P1), the
shaft 46 rotates to position
the cam 42 in the second cam state (i.e., a locked position), as shown in FIG.
9. With the cam 42
in the second cam state, the actuation arm 48 of the cam 42 is positioned such
that the first
contact surface 50 contacts the second portion 58 of the follower 44. With the
first contact
surface 50 contacting the second portion 58, the follower 44 is forced against
its bias (against the
spring 45) to the second follower state. As shown in FIG. 9, in the second
follower state, the
follower 44 is positioned such that the first portion 56 extends through the
opening 60 in the
frame 54 and blocks movement of at least one component of the assembly 22a.
Under these
conditions, the follower 44 allows the assembly 22a to be charged (e.g.,
allows a spring 64
associated with the assembly 22a to be charged), but prevents the release of
energy needed to
open the visible disconnect 14. This design ensures that the operator cannot
put extra force on
the cam 42 and the follower 44 (e.g., through the assembly 22a) that could
override the internal
interlock system 40.
100481 Conversely, when the contacts 19a, 19b of the vacuum interrupter are
open or
separated (i.e., the second contact 19b is in the second position P,), the
shaft 46 rotates to
position the cam 42 in the first cam state (i.e., an unlocked position), as
shown in FIG. 8. With
the cam 42 in the first cam state, the actuation arm 48 of the cam 42 is
positioned such that the
CA 02946934 2016-10-27
first contact surface 50 disengages from the second portion 58 of the follower
44, such that the
cam 42 no longer forces the follower 44 against the bias (i.e., against the
force of the spring 45).
Therefore, the follower 44 rotates based on the force of the spring 45 to the
first follower state
(i.e., a resting state). In the first follower state, the second portion 58 of
the follower 44 rests on
the second contact surface 52 of the cam 42. As shown in FIG. 8, in the first
follower state, the
follower 44 is positioned such that the first portion 56 of the follower 44 no
longer blocks
movement of the at least one component of the assembly 22a.
[00491 Alternatively, in some embodiments, when the cam 42 is rotated by
the shaft 46 into
an unlocked position, the cam 42 no longer engages with the follower 44. For
example, the shaft
46 can rotate the cam 42 into engagement with the follower 44 to engage or
lock the internal
interlock system 40 and can rotate the cam 42 out of engagement with the
follower 44 to
disengage or unlock the internal interlock system 40. In particular, when the
cam 42 is in a
locked position, the cam 42 contacts the second portion 58 of the follower 44
and pushes the
second portion 58 against the frame 54 (but may not necessarily extend the
first portion 56
further through the opening 60) and into a second follower state. In this
state, the follower 44 is
held rigidly against the frame 54 by the cam 42 such that follower 44 cannot
move. With the
follower 44 held in this rigid position, the first portion 56 of the follower
44 is positioned in the
path of at least one movable component of the assembly 22a and, consequently,
blocks
movement of the component. Alternatively, when the cam 42 is in the unlocked
position, the
cam 42 is positioned such that it no longer contacts the follower 44 (see
FIGS. 7a-7c), and the
follower 44 assumes the first follower state (i.e., a resting state) where it
can freely rotate on the
pivot 61. In this state, when the at least one component of the assembly 22a
attempts to move
(e.g., rotates), the component pushes on the first portion 56 of the follower
44, which causes the
follower 44 to pivot and move out of the way of the component. Accordingly,
when the cam 42
is in an unlocked position, the assembly 22a can push the follower 44 out of
the way because the
follower 44 is not restricted from rotating by the cam 42.
100501 Therefore, to properly open the vacuum interrupter 12 and in turn,
to properly open
the visible disconnect 14, an operator uses the assembly 20a (e.g., via the
first extension 32) to
move the vacuum interrupter mechanism 20, which changes the vacuum interrupter
12 from the
closed to the open state (i.e., moves the second contact 19b from the first
position P1 to the
12
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second position Pi). As described above, the separation of the second contact
19b from the first
contact 19a rotates the shaft 46, which moves the cam 42 of the internal
interlock system 40 to
the unlocked state. In the unlocked state, the follower 44 assumes the first
follower state where
it no longer blocks movement of the at least one component of the assembly
22a. Therefore, the
operator can use the assembly 22a to open the visible disconnect 14 (i.e., by
rotating the second
extension 34). In the open state, the blade 21 of the visible disconnect 14
disconnects the
vacuum interrupter 12 from the source conductor 24 and provides visual
verification to an
operator that the circuit is open (i.e., vacuum interrupter 12 is physically
and electrically
disconnected from the source conductor 24).
100511 Similarly, to reestablish a working circuit in the switch 10 after
the vacuum
interrupter 12 has been opened, an operator first uses the assembly 22a to
close the visible
disconnect 14 (e.g., by rotating the extension 34). With the visible
disconnect 14 in the closed
state, the blade 21 of the visible disconnect 14 physically and electrically
connects the vacuum
interrupter 12 with the source conductor 24. After the visible disconnect 14
has been closed, the
operator can use the assembly 20a (e.g., the first extension 32) to close the
vacuum interrupter 12
(i.e., to move the second contact 19b of the vacuum interrupter 12 from the
second position P, to
the first position 131). When the vacuum interrupter 12 is closed, the shaft
46 rotates the cam 42
to engage the follower 44 and block movement of at least one component of the
assembly 22a.
Therefore, with the internal interlock system 40 engaged, the visible
disconnect 14 cannot be
changed to the open state using the assembly 22a.
100521 The sequences of events defined by the interlock systems 30 and 40
ensure that the
visible disconnect 14 is only in the open state when the circuit is broken
(i.e., when the second
contact 19b in the second position Pi).
10053] It should be understood that the cam-and-follower configuration
illustrated in the
internal interlock 40 is only one configuration for preventing movement of at
least one
component of the assembly 22a when the vacuum interrupter 12 is not open. In
particular, more
or fewer components may be used to perform this function. Also the cam 42 and
the follower 44
can take on other shapes and configurations, and the cam 42 and the follower
44 can be used to
block movement of various components of the assembly 22a and/or the operating
mechanism 22
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CA 02946934 2016-10-27
itself. In addition, it should be understood that although the terms -
internal" and -external- have
been used to describe the interlock systems 30 and 40, these systems can be
placed at various
locations of the switch 10 and the gearbox 17 and, in some embodiments, may
both be internal or
may both be external to the gearbox 17.
100541 It should also be understood that the internal interlock system 40
can be used without
also using the external interlock system 30. For example, because the internal
interlock system
40 blocks movement of at least one component of the assembly 22a operating the
visible
disconnect operating mechanism 22 unless the second contact 19b of vacuum
interrupter 12 is in
the second position P2, the internal interlock system 40 provides a similar
safety system as the
external interlock system 30. Furthermore, because the internal interlock
system 40 is located
inside the gearbox 17, the system 40 is less likely to be by-passed or
disabled by operators.
However, the external interlock system 30 may be used in conjunction with the
internal interlock
system 40 to provide visual reminders to an operator regarding the operational
sequence required
to open or close the circuit (e.g., via the cam pieces 36, 37). Furthermore,
using the two
interlock systems 30 and 40 may provide additional diagnostic information to
an operator
regarding the switch 10. For example, if the operator has rotated the
extension 32 to open the
vacuum interrupter 12 but the internal interlock system 40 continues to
prevent movement of the
assembly 22a, including the second extension 34, the operator knows the switch
10 is
malfunctioning (e.g., the contacts 19a and 19b might have become welded
together) and that
maintenance is required.
100551 While the invention is described in terms of several preferred
embodiments of circuit
or fault interrupting devices, it will be appreciated that the invention is
not limited to circuit
interrupting and disconnect devices. The inventive concepts may be employed in
connection
with any number of devices including circuit breakers, reclosers, and the
like. Also, it should be
understood that the switch 10 can include a single-phase interrupting device
or a multi-phase
(e.g., a three phase) interrupting device.
[00561 With reference to FIGS. 10-14A, an alternative embodiment of a
switch 110 (i.e., a
circuit-interrupting device) is illustrated. The switch 110 includes a load-
breaker (e.g., a vacuum
interrupter) 112, a visible disconnect 114, a housing 116, and a generally
transparent or
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CA 02946934 2016-10-27
translucent viewing window 118. The housing 116 at least partially encases the
vacuum
interrupter 112 and the visible disconnect 114. In some embodiments, the
switch 110 includes a
solid dielectric switch. In other embodiments, the switch 110 includes a gas-
based or oil-based
switch.
100571 The vacuum interrupter 112 includes a first contact 119a and a
second contact 119b
movable between a first position (FIG. 12) and a second position (FIGS. 13 and
14). When the
second contact 119b is in the first position the contacts 119a, 119b are
connected or in contact
with one another, the vacuum interrupter 112 is in a closed state, and the
circuit is closed.
Alternatively, when the second contact 119b is in the second position, the
contacts 119a, 119b
are not connected, the vacuum interrupter 112 is in an open state, and the
circuit is open. The
state of the vacuum interrupter 112 can be changed using a vacuum interrupter
operating
mechanism 120 (e.g., an actuator). The vacuum interrupter operating mechanism
120 can be
operated manually or in an automated fashion. With reference to FIG. 10, the
vacuum interrupter
operating mechanism 120 extends out of a top of the switch 110 and extends
into a gearbox
similar to the gearbox 17 described above and shown in FIGS. 4e and 4f. The
gearbox (not
shown) includes a vacuum interrupter operating assembly similar to the
assembly 20a that
controls the movement of the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 120.
[0058] The visible disconnect 114 is connected in series with the vacuum
interrupter 112.
The visible disconnect 114 illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a knife blade
assembly with a blade
121 and a visible disconnect operating mechanism 122. The operating mechanism
122 can be
operated manually or in an automated fashion to move the blade 121 between a
closed state
(FIGS. 11-13) and an open state (FIG. 14). The visible disconnect operating
mechanism 122
extends out of a top of the switch 110 and into the aforementioned gearbox
coupled to the top of
the switch II 0. The gearbox also includes a visible disconnect operating
assembly, similar to the
assembly 22a, that controls movement of the visible disconnect operating
mechanism 122. In
some embodiments, the visible disconnect operating mechanism 122 pivots the
blade 121 on a
pin 123 (i.e., a pivot point) or other pivoting mechanism between the two
states. In the closed
state, the blade 121 physically and electrically connects the vacuum
interrupter 112 with a source
conductor 124. In the open state, the blade 121 physically and electrically
disconnects the
vacuum interrupter 112 from the source conductor 124. Therefore, the position
of the blade 121
CA 02946934 2016-10-27
can be used to visually inspect whether the vacuum interrupter 112 is
physically and,
consequently, electrically connected to the source conductor 124, i.e., the
blade 121 position. As
described above, to prevent unsafe arcing, the vacuum interrupter 112 must be
opened betbre the
visible disconnect 114 can be opened or closed. To coordinate this required
operational
sequence, the switch 110 includes an internal interlock system 140 with a
first interlock member
141 operatively associated with the vacuum interrupter 112 and a second
interlock member 142
operatively associated with the visible disconnect 114. Referring also to FIG.
12A, the first
interlock member 141 includes a base portion 144 at least partially
surrounding a segment of the
vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 120 and a blocking portion 145 with a
beveled surface
143. The base portion 144 is coupled to the vacuum interrupter operating
mechanism 120 such
that the first interlock member 141 is movable (translatable) between a first
position (i.e., a first
interlock state) (FIG. 12) and a second position (i.e., a second interlock
state) (FIG. 13 and 14).
In particular, the first interlock member 141 moves between the first position
and the second
position when the vacuum interrupter 112 moves between the closed state and
the open state,
respectively. Specifically, the first interlock member 141 moves from the
first interlock state to
the second interlock state when the vacuum interrupter 112 moves to the open
position.
100591 The second interlock member 142 is fixedly coupled to the blade 121
of the visible
disconnect 114, and may be considered a part of the visible disconnect 114.
The second
interlock member 142 is configured to co-rotate with the blade 121 about the
pin 123 when the
blade 121 moves between the open state and the closed state. Specifically, the
second interlock
member 142 includes two outer side members 146 (FIG. 11), each having a flat
portion 147 and
a curved portion 148.
100601 In operation, the internal interlock system 140 ensures that the
operational sequence
of the vacuum interrupter 112 and the visible disconnect 114 described above
is maintained. For
example, as described above, the visible disconnect operating mechanism 122 is
moveable to
change the state of the visible disconnect 114 (i.e., open or close the
visible disconnect).
However, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 12A, when the vacuum interrupter 112 is in
the closed state,
the first interlock member 141 is in the first position and contacts a portion
of the second
interlock member 142 of the visible disconnect 114 to prevent the blade 121
from moving from
the closed state to the open state. Specifically, the blocking portion 145 of
the first interlock
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CA 02946934 2016-10-27
member 141 contacts the fiat portions 147 on both sides 146 of the second
interlock member
142 to prevent the blade 121 from moving from the closed state to the open
state. In other
words, when the first interlock member 141 is in the first position (FIG.
12A), the first interlock
member 141 prevents the disconnect switch blade 121 from moving from the
closed state to the
open state, i.e., rotating about the pin 123. The first interlock member 142
prevents the blade
121 from opening regardless of the operating state of the visible disconnect
operating mechanism
122 and actuating assemblies.
100611 Conversely, when the contacts 119a, 11 9b of the vacuum interrupter
112 are open or
separated (i.e., the second contact 119b is in the second position), the first
interlock member 141
is in the second interlock state, and the disconnect switch blade 121 is
moveable from the closed
state to the open state (FIG. 14A).
100621 When both the vacuum interrupter 112 and the blade 121 are in the
open state, the
disconnect switch blade 121 prevents the vacuum interrupter 112 from moving
from the open
state to the closed state. In particular, the curved portion 148 of second
interlock member 142 is
positioned to contact the beveled surface 143 of the first interlock member
141 to prevent (i.e.,
block) the vacuum interrupter 112 from moving from the open state to the
closed state (FIG.
14A). In other words, when the vacuum interrupter 112 is in the open state and
the visible
disconnect 114 is in the open state, the visible disconnect 114 prevents the
vacuum interrupter
112 from moving from the open state to the closed state.
100631 Therefore, to properly open the vacuum interrupter 112 and in turn,
to properly open
the visible disconnect 114, an operator uses the vacuum interrupter operating
assembly contained
within the gearbox to move the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 120,
which changes the
vacuum interrupter 112 from the closed state to the open state (i.e., moves
the second contact
119b from the first position to the second position). As the vacuum
interrupter operating
mechanism 120 is actuated to separate the second contact 119b from the first
contact 119a, the
first interlock member 141 moves with the vacuum interrupter operating
mechanism 120. The
first interlock member 141, and specifically the blocking portion 145 of the
first interlock
member 141 is moved from blocking engagement with the visible disconnect 114.
Then, the
operator can use the visible disconnect operating assembly to actuate the
visible disconnect
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operating mechanism 122 to open the visible disconnect 114. In the open state,
the blade 121 of
the visible disconnect 114 disconnects the vacuum interrupter 112 from the
course conductor 124
as illustrated and provides visual verification through the viewing window 118
to an operator
that the circuit is open (i.e., vacuum interrupter 112 is physically and
electrically disconnected
from the source conductor 124).
190641 While both the visible disconnect 114 and the vacuum interrupter 112
are open, the
second interlock member 142 is positioned to block the first interlock member
141 and as a
result, block the vacuum interrupter 112 from returning to the closed position
before the visible
disconnect 114 is closed. To reestablish a working circuit in the switch 110
after the vacuum
interrupter 112 has been opened, an operator first uses the visible disconnect
operating
mechanism 122 to close the visible disconnect 114. With the visible disconnect
114 in the
closed state, the blade 121 of the visible disconnect 114 physically and
electrically connects the
vacuum interrupter 112 with the source conductor 124. After the visible
disconnect 114 has been
closed, the operator can use the vacuum interrupter operating mechanism 120 to
close the
vacuum interrupter 112 (i.e., to move the second contact 119b of the vacuum
interrupter 112
from the second position to the first position). When the vacuum interrupter
112 is closed the
first interlock member 141 is situated into a blocking position with the
second interlock member
142, and the visible disconnect 114 cannot move to the open state using the
visible disconnect
operating mechanism 122.
(00651 The sequences of events defined by the interlock system 140 ensure
that the visible
disconnect 114 is only in the open state when the circuit is broken (i.e.,
when the second contact
119b is in the second position). The switch 110 maintains interlocking
functionality between the
disconnect switch 114 and the vacuum interrupter 112 even if there is a loss
of linkages 120,
122. Assemblies are also simplified over other designs by the interlock system
140 components
being integrated into the vacuum interrupter connection and disconnect switch
assemblies, thus
not requiring additional actuating linkage components.
[00661 Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in
the following
claims.
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