GB405388A - Improvements relating to electric circuit breakers - Google Patents

Abstract

405,388. Actuation of switches. PAILIN, Ltd., F., and PAILIN, G., Buckley Street, Higher Openshaw, Manchester. Sept. 20, 1932, No. 26114. [Class 38 (v).] Circuit-breakers are closed by the movement of a piston or plunger under the action of the gas pressure resulting from the combustion of gunpowder or other material which burns with explosive violence and evolves a large volume of gas. In the arrangement shown, the piston h, which is connected to the circuit-breaker closing mechanism by means of an eyepiece k on the piston rod j, is mounted in a cylinder b suspended by bolts d and springs f from a fixed bracket a. The bottom cover r of the cylinder is threaded to receive a plug t carrying a container u filled with gunpowder, the top of the container being indented or otherwise weakened at 5 to facilitate its disruption on explosion of the powder. To close the circuit-breaker, the powder is ignited by passing a current through a wire v embedded in the powder. After the piston has been forced upwards against the action of a spring m, to close the circuitbreaker, the gas pressure is relieved through a vent-pipe 6 with ports 7 covered by wire gauze 8. Several gunpowder containers may be mounted in one cylinder b and adapted for successive connection to a source of current. The Provisional Specification includes also the application of the invention to circuit-breaker tripping mechanism, and describes a magazine arrangement in which a fired cartridge is automatically ejected and a fresh cartridge brought into position after each operation.