GB1403279A - High-speed switch device - Google Patents

Abstract

1403279 Circuit breakers HUGHES AIRCRAFT CO 11 May 1973 [22 May 1972] 22615/73 Heading H1N In a circuit breaker which closes when tripped the moving contacts 68, 70, are separated rapidly from the fixed contacts 50, 52, by magnetic repulsion between a fixed magnetic coil 90 and a moving armature 64 when a charged capacitor discharges through the fixed coil 90, a piston 72 also being driven by the moving armature to provide a gas blast via nozzles 76, 78 to extinguish arcs between the contacts, the contacts being retained in the open position by latches, and driven together again by springs when the latches are withdrawn. The latch mechanism is automatically reset simultaneously with the closing of the contacts. The latch mechanism, Fig. 4, comprises a latch 118 which co-operates with the moving armature 64 and is arranged to move linearly under the influence of lever 146 and bell crank 134. The bell crank is urged to rotate anticlockwise under the influence of spring 138 when stop 168 releases follower 166 to trip the circuit breaker, and when it does so the latch is withdrawn to allow the moving armature 64 to move under the influence of springs to close the contacts and at the same time set the latch via reset lever 182. The stop 168 is operated by a solenoid (174). A second symmetrically opposed latching arrangement is provided in the circuit breaker. Such circuit breakers are described as used in transmission line systems for transferring current from the power line to an impedance increasing arrangement in the event of a fault in the line, Fig. 9, not shown.