US1676974A - Automatic reclosing circuit-breaker system - Google Patents

Description

1,676,974 A. E. ANDERSON A 1*.Uf10llA'1'IC REGLOSING CIRCUIT BREAKER SYSTEM July 10,1928.

Filed April 15 1922 IIII'II lllllll Invent or: Arvipl. E.AHdBTSOh 0 HisAotor-neg.

Patented July' l0, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,676,974 PATENT oFFic .ARVID E. ANDERSON, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR'TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

JAUTOMATIC RECLOSING CIRCUITPIBREAKER SYSTEM..

Application filed April 15, 1922. Serial No. 552,870.

My invention relates to automatic reclosing circuit breaker systems and particularly to such systems in which a plurality of C11- cuit breakers are arranged to be reclosed automatically. 7

My invention is especially adapted for use in an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system in which the closing means of a plurality of circuit breakers are arranged to be supplied with energy from a common source such as a battery. In order to reduce the size of the source, and limit the maximum instantaneous demand it is desirable to control the reclosing of the circuit breakers so as to reduce the number of circuit breakers that can be closed simultaneously.

One object of my invention is to provide a new, simple and reliable arrangement of apparatus for controlling the automatic reclosing of a plurality of circuit breakers so as to limit the number of circuit breakers that can be closed simultaneously.

My invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanyingdrawing Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a modification of a portion of the system shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a plurality of circuits each of which is arranged to be connected to a suitable source of current such as an alternating current supply line 3 by means of a circuit breaker 2 of any suitable type. As represented in the drawing the circuit breakers 2 are of the well known type which is arranged to be held in its closed position by means of a latch (not shown). Each circuit breaker is provided with a closing coil 5 which when energized is arranged to close the circuit breaker and with a trip coil 6 which when energized releases the latch and allows the circuit breaker to open. The closing coils 5 and the trip coils 6 are arranged to be connected to any suitable source of current such as a battery 7. The circuit of each trip coil 6 extends through auxiliary con tacts 8 on the respective circuit breaker and is'controlled by an overload relay 9 in the respective circuit 1. The overload relays are arranged to operate when the currents in the respective circuits 1 exceed predeter mined values. The circuit, of each closing coil 5 is controlled by a closing relay 10 which is arranged to be connected to any suitable source such as the battery 7.

In order to prevent all of the circuit breakers 2 from closing at the same instant, a timing mechanism 11 of any suitable construction is provided whereby the circuits of the closing relays are adapted to be completed in a predetermined sequence.

- The particular tinting mechanism 11 shown in the drawing comprises a controller 12'which is arranged to complete the cir-'* cuits of the relays 10 in a predetermined sequence and a motor 13,'which is permanently connected across the alternating cunrent circuit 3, for driving the controller; The motor 13 is normally prevented from rotating by means of a stop 14 which engages a projection 15 on the controller 12.

'The stop 14 is arranged to be moved out of engagement with the projection 15 by means of a release coil 16 which is arranged tobe energized whenever any one of the circuit breakers is open. v

The controller 12 is provided with a plurality of sets of contacts 17 which are adapted to be closed in a predetermined sequence as the controller is rotated by the motor 13. Each set of contacts 17 controls the circuit of one or more closing relays 10. As shown in the drawing each set of contacts 17 controls the circuit of'only one closing relay coil 10 but it is evident that any number of closing coils can be connected in multiple, so that, if desired, more than one circuit breaker may be closed at a time. The circuit of each closing relay 1() also extends through auxiliary contacts 18 on the respective circuit breakers when the latteris open and contacts 19 of a starting which is also arranged to be energized only when the respective. circuit breaker is open.

relay 20 associated with each circuit breaker and lockout relay 22 associated therewith. The

lockout relays 22 are preferably of the hand reset type and are arranged to be connected to any suitable source such as the battery 7 the battery through contacts 23 of the starting relay 20 associated with the respective circuit breaker.

The other end of each coil is connected to the lockout bus 25 which is arranged to be connected to the other side of the battery through contacts 24 of the controller 12 which .are arranged to be connected together after the controller has closed the contacts 17 a predetermined number of times in apredetermined sequence.

Therefore it is evident that if any circuit breaker is open when the contacts 24 are closed the lockoutrelay of the respective circuit breaker is operated and deenergizes the relay 20 of the respective circuit breaker sothat it cannot be reclosed by any subsequent closing of the respective set of contacts.17 of the timing mechanism 11.

' Each starting relay 20 is provided with a set of contacts 28 which is arranged to connect the release bus29 to one side of the battery 7 One end of the release coil 16 of the timing mechanism is connected to the release bus 29 and the other end of the release coil 16 is connected to the opposite side of the battery so that whenever any one of the starting relays 20 is energized the release coil 16 is energized and the stop 14 is moved out of engagement with the projection 15 so that the controller is free to rotate. As shown in the drawing it will be evident that whenever the stop 14 is. released the controller will make one complete revolution independently of the position of the stop 14. In

making this revolution the controller connects the sets of contacts 17 together in a predetermined sequence determined by the position of the segments on the controller.

ince it is desirable to reclose each circuit breaker a plurality of times before it is permanently opened by the operation of the respective lockout relay 22 it is preferable to arrange the controller so that it will close each circuit breaker a plurality of times during each revolution before the contacts 24 are closed. 1 In the particular arrangement shown in the drawing each set of contacts is closed twice before the contacts 24 are connected together.

In order to control the opening and closing of the circuit breaker independently of the timing mechanism 11 I provide each breaker with the manually controlled switches 30 and 31. Each switch 30 is a trip switch and the normally open contacts 32 of the switch are connected in parallel with the contacts of the respective overload relay 9 so that when the switch is operated it completes a circuit for the trip coil 6 of the respective circu t breaker. In order to prevent the timing mechanism 11 from starting when a circuit breaker is opened by the is arranged when operated to complete through its contacts 36, a circuit, for the closing coil 10 of circuit breaker, which 1s independent of the contacts '17 ot the controller 12 and contacts 19 of the respective starting relay 20. Each switch 31 may also be arranged to operate the respective switch to close its contacts 34 so that when the circuitbreaker is subsequently automatically opened by an overload on the respective circuit 1, the timing mechanism will operate to reclose the circuitbreaker automatically.

The operation of the system shown'in Fig. l is as follows: Let it be assumed that all of the circuit breakers are closed and that the load connected to each circuit 1 is normal so that the contacts of all of the overload relays 9'are open. The apparatus is therefore in the condition shown. All of the relays 10, 2 0 and 22 are deenergized, none of the contacts '17 of the timing mechanism '11 are closed, the projection 15 of the timing mechanism 11 is in engagement with the stop 14, the auxiliary relay contacts 18 of all of the circuit breakers are open and the auxiliary contacts 8 of all of the circuit breakers are closed. 7

\Vhen an overload occurs on any one of the circuits 1, the overload relay 9 in this circuit operates and closes its contacts and completes the circuit of the trip coil 6 ofthe respective circuit breaker. This circuit extends from one side of the battery, which we will assume for this description is positive,

through the auxiliary contacts 8 of the circuit breaker in the overloaded circuit, contacts of the overload relay 9 in the overloaded circuit 1 to the negative side of the battery. The circuit breaker in the overloaded circiiit then opens and in opening opens its auxiliary contacts 8 and closes its auxiliary contacts 18,. The closing ot'the auxiliarycontacts 18 completes a circuit for the starting relay 20 of the open circuit breaker. This circuit extends from the positive side of the battery 7 through auxiliary contacts 18 on the open circuit breaker, contacts 34 of the switch 33, contacts 21 of the lockout relay 22 associated with the open circuit. breaker, coil of the starting relay 20 to the negative side of the battery. Starting relay 20 operates and closes itscontacts 19, 23 and 28. The closing of: the contacts 28 energizes the starting bus 29 by connecting it to the negative side of the battery. A circuit is then'completed for the release coil 16 of the timing mechanism 11. This circuit extends fronu the positive side of the battery 7 through the release coil 16, starting bus 29, contacts 28 of the starting relay 20 of the open circuit breaker to the the particular set of contacts 17 in the control circuit of the closing relay 10 of the open breaker is closed this closing relay is energized. This circuit extends from the positive side of the battery 7 through the auxiliary contacts 18 of the open breaker, coil of the closing relay 10 of this breaker, normally closed contacts 35 of the manually controlled closing switch 31 associated therewith, contacts 19 of thestarting relay 20 of the open breaker, contacts 17 of the timing mechanism 11 to the negative side of the battery. Closing coil 10 of the open circuit breaker operates and connects the closing coil of the open circuit breaker directly across the battery 7. The energization of the closing coil'5 closes the breakerwhich is held in its closed position by the latch (not shown). The circuit breaker in closing opens its auxiliary contacts 18 and closes its auxiliary contacts 8. The opening of the auxiliary contacts 18 deenergizes the relays and 20- of the respective breaker and the deenergization of the relay 20 opens the circuit of the release coil 16 provided no other relay 20 is energized due to some other circuit breaker 2 being open. The timing mechanism 11, however, continues to rotate and closes its contacts 17 and 24 until the projection engages the stop-14.

It will be observed that the closing of the sets of contacts 17 does not complete the circuits of the closing coils 10 controlled.

thereby unless the respective circuit breaker 2 is open, and the starting relay is energlzed. Therefore,'the rotation of the controller 12 has no effect upon the closing coils 10 of any circuit breaker that is closed.

If the overload is still connected to the overloaded circuit 1 when the circuit breaker 2 therein is automatically reclosed, the over-.'

load relay 9 again operates to open'the 'circuit breaker. As soon as the timing mechanism again closes the contacts 17 in the circuit of the closing relay 10 of the open cir-, cuit breaker, this breaker is again closed. This cycle of operation is repeated a predetermined number of times if the overload or short circuit remains connected to the circuit.

After the timing mechanism 11 has connected all of the different sets of contacts 17 together a predetermined number of times in the predetermined sequence, it closes its contacts 24. The closing of these contacts completes the circuits of the lockout relays 22 of all of the circuit breakers that are open at this time and which have not been previously locked out. The circuit of the lockout relay 22 of the open breaker extends from the positive side of the battery through contacts 23 of the starting relay 20 of the open breaker, coil of the lookout relay, lockout bus 25, contacts 24 ofthe timing mechanism 11 to the negative side of the battery. The lockout relay 22 operates and since it is hand reset remains in its operated position after its circuit is broken. In operating the lockout relay '22 opens its contacts 21 and interrupts the circuit of the relay 20 of the open circuit breaker.- Relay 20 deenergizes and opens its contacts 19, 23 and 28. 'The opening of the contacts 19 opens the circuit of the closing coil 10 so that a subsequent reclosingof the proper set of contacts 17 of the timing inechanism'does not reclose the circuit breaker unless the lOCkQlltrelay has been reset. The opening of the contacts 23 opens the circuit ofthe lockout relay 22 so that this relay can not be energized by a subsequent reclosing of the contacts 24 of the timing mechanism 11. The starting relays 20 therefore act as control relays for locked out, is open.

' It is believed that the manual control of the apparatus by means of the switchesI-ll) and 31 will be obvious from the above description.

From the above description it is evident that if the-short circuit or overload is of such a character that it does not clear before the circuit breaker has been automati- 1H) eally reclosed a predetermined number of times, the automatic operation of that particular circuit breaker is rendered inoperative without affecting the automatic operation of the other breakers.

It is also evident that by closing only a certain number of breakers simultaneously a very small battery or other source is required.

When there are a great number of cir- 2" cuit breakers to be controlled and it is not desirable to have each set of contacts 17 control more than one breaker, the size of the timing mechanism 11 becomes very large and the time required to close all of the breakers sequentially is very long. In order to overcome this a plurality of timing mechanisms 11 may be provided thereby decreasing the time interval and rendering better service.

Fig. 2 which shows a modification of a portion of the system shown in Fig. 1 shows one arrangement which may be used which does not have this disadvantage, A plural ity of timing mechanisms 11 are used, each mechanism controlling a plurality or group of circuit breakers in the same manner as above described. Another timing mechanism 40 is provided for controllin the sequence in 'ivhich the plurality oi timing mechanism 11 ,are released. This timing mechanism 40 comprising a controller 41 of any suitable type which is arranged to close the sets of contacts 42 in a predetermined sequence and a motor 44 for driving the controller. Instead of having each release coil 16 connected directly to the positive side of the battery 7 as in Fig. 1, they are arranged to be connected by means of the contacts 42 of the controller 40. Therefore it will be evident that as the timing mechanism 40 rotates the timing mechanisms 11 are arranged to be released in a predetermined sequence. In order to start the timing mechanism 40 whenever any one of the circuit breakers opens, the circuit of the motor 44 is arranged to be connected to any suitable source such as the battery 7 by means of the relays 45, one of which is associated with each group of breakers. One end of the coil of each relay 45 is connected to the starting bus 29 of the respective group and the other end is connected to positive side of the battery. The contacts of the relays 45 are connected in multiple and are arranged to connect the motor 44 directly across the battery 7 The operation of this modification is as follows. The opening of any circuit breaker connects the starting bus 29 of the respective groups of breakers to the negative side of the battery in the manner above described. The circuit of the coil of relay 45 of the respective group is thencompleted and this relay connects the motor 44'ot the timing mechanism 40 across the battery 7 and the motor starts operatin WVhen the particular set of contacts 42 which controls the cireui; oi the release coil 16 of the timing mechanism 11 associated with the group of circuit breakers, of which one is open, is closed, this release coil 16 is energized and the respective timing mechanism 11 is released and operates to automatically reclose the open circuit breaker in the same manner as above described. As soon as the open circuit breaker closes the respective group starting bus 29 is disconnected from the negative side of the battery unless some other circuitibreaker in the group is open. The motor 44 therefore stops unless some other circuit breaker is open. Since each starting bus is deenergized' as long as all of the circuit breakers in the respective groups are open it is evident that the closing of the contacts 42 does not energize therelease coil 16 controlled thereby unless one of the circuit breakers in the respective group is open.

a It may be desirable to so arrange the system that not more than one circuit breaker in each group can be closed simultaneously and so that the chances of more than one 4 circuit breaker closing at any time is very small. This may be done by arranging the timing mechanism 40 so that each timing mechanism 11 will operate to effect one closing of all the breakers controlled thereby before the succeeding timing mechanism 11 is released but Will operate to effect the second closing of all of the circuit breakers controlled thereby before the succeeding timing mechanisms 11 have completed their operation.

While I have shown and described several modifications of my invention, I do not desire to be limited thereto but seek to cover .in the appended claims-all those modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil foreach circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit brealn-u. upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a timing mechanism operative in response. to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to control successively the energization of said closing coils.

'2. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a pluaffect the reclosing of'the respective. circuit breaker a predetermined number of times.

3. In' an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a timing mechanism operative .in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to control successively the energlzation of said closing coils, and means associated with I I p v W each circuit breaker and controlled by said timing mechanism and the position of the respective circuit breaker to/prevent the automatlc reclosingrof the respective c1rcu1t breaker after said timmg mechanism has operated to effect the reclosing of the respective circuit breaker of tlmes.

4. In an automatic recloslng c1rcu1t a predetermined number breaker system, the combination with a plus rality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each c1rcu1t breaker, and means for openlng each c1rcu1t breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condi;

tion on the respective circuit, of a-timing mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to control successively the energization of said closing co ls, and means associated wlth each circuit breaker and controlled by said timing mechanism and the position of the respective circuit breaker to remov'e the control of said timing mechanism from said circuit breaker.

5. In an automatic reclosing circuitbreaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in eachopening of any one of said circuit breakers to circuit breaker and controlled by said tim control successively the energization of said closing coils, and means associated With each ing mechanism and the position of the rebreaker upon the spective circuit breaker to remove the control of said timing mechanism from said circuit breaker and to prevent the energization of the closing coil of the respective circuit breaker by said timing mechanism.

6. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurality of clrcuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for I each circuit breaker, and means for openlng each c1rcu1t occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit,'of a conmg of any one of said trol circuit for each closing coil, contacts in each control circuit controlled by the position of the respective circuit breaker, other contacts in 'each control circuit, and a timing mechanism operativein response to the opencircuit breakers to effect the operation of said last mentioned contacts in a predetermined sequence.

7. In an automatic. reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurality-of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for eachcircuit breaker, and means for opening each c1rcu1t breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective c1rcu1t. of a control circuit for each closing coil, a set of contacts in each control circuit controlled by the position of the respective circuit breaker, a second set of contacts in each control circuit, a timing mechanism operative in response to the opening ofany one of said circuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts in each control circuit, and

means associated .,Wll3l1 each circuit breaker and controlled by said timing mechanism and the position of the respective circuit breaker for controlling the operation of the third set of contacts in the respective control c1rcu1t.

8. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurahty ofcircuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each circuit breaker,

and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a control circuit for each'closing coil, a relay in each controlcircuit adapted to effect the energizetion of the closing coil 'of the respective circuit breaker when the respective control circuit is completed, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit,- means associated with each circuit breaker for closing the set of contacts in the res ective control circuit when. the circuit brea er is open, a second set of normallyppen contacts in each control c1 rcuit,a tlming mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts in each control c1rcu1t, arelay associated with each circuit breaker and adapted to control control circuit, and acircuit for eachrelay controlled by the position of the respective. c1rcu1t breaker and said timing mechanism.

9. In an automatic reolosing circuit breaks ou the respective circuit,- of acontrol circuit for each closing coil, a relay in each control circuit adapted to effect the energization of the closing coil of the respective circuit breaker when the respective control circuit is completed, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, means associated' with each circuit breaker for closingthe set of contacts in the respective control circuit when the circuit breaker is open, a second set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, atiming mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers tO'BffBG'i) the opera.- tion of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts the third set of contacts in the respective no v I breaker system,

with each circuit breaker and adapted to control the third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, and a circuit for each relay adapted, to be completed when the respective circuit breaker is open and the timing mechanism has operated to effect the closing of the second set of contacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined number of times, 1 I

10. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each'circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a control circuit for each closing coil, a relay inveach control circuit adapted to effect the energization of the closing coil of the respective circuit breaker when the respective control circuit is completed, a set ofnormally open contacts in each control circuit, means associated with each circuit breaker for closing the set of contacts in the respective control circuit when the circuit breaker is open, a second set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, a timing mechanism operative in'response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to eflect the operation of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of contacts in each control circuit, a manually reset lockout relay associated with each circuit breaker and vadapted 'to control the third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, and a circuit for each relay adapted to be completed by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effect the closing of the second set of contacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined number of times. I

11. In an automatic reclosing circuit the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closingcoil for each circuit breaker, and means for openin each circuit breaker upon the occurrence 0% an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a control circuit for each 'closin coil, a relay in each control circuit adapte to effect the energization of the closing coil of the respective circuit when the circuit breaker is open, a sec-' ond set of normally open contactsin each cuit breaker when the respective control circuit is completed, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, means associ: ated with each circuit breaker forclosing the set of contacts in the respective control cir-v control circuit, a timing mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to effect the operation of-said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence, a third set of'contacts ineach control circuit, a' manually reset lockout relay associated with each circuit lay,

breaker and adapted to control the third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, a circuit for each relay adapted to be completed by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effect the closing of the second set of contacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined number of times, and normally open contacts in the circuit of each lockout relay adapted to be closed when the respective circuit breaker is 12. In an automatic reclosing circuitbreaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit,

to effect the operation of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence, a

third set of contacts in each control circuit,

a manually reset 1 kout relay associated with each circuit b eaker and adapted to control the third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, a circuit for each relay adapted to be completed by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effect the closing of the second set of contacts in'the respective control circuit a predetermined number of times, normally open contacts in the circuit of each lockout relay,

a control relay associated with each lockout relay and arranged to control the contacts in the circuit of the res ective lockout rea circuit for each 0 the control relays adapted to be completed when the respective circuit breaker'is open, and contacts in the circuit of each control relay adapted to be operated by the respectivellockout relay to. render the control relay inoperative.

13. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing cOil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on'therespective circuit, of a timing mechanism operative in response to the openmg .of any one of said circuit breakers to controlsuccessively the energization of saith closing coils, a manuall controlled switch associated with each circuit breaker and adapted to effect the opening of the-respectiye circuit breaker, and means associated With each manually controlled switch and adapted to remove the control of said timing mechanism from the respective circuit breaker when the respective manually controlled switch is operated. a p

14. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with a plu-' rality of circuits, a circuit breaker in each circuit, a closing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a timing mechanism adapted to control succcssivclythe energization of said closing coils, arelay assow ciated with each circuit breaker adapted to effect the operation of said timing mechanism, a circuit for each relay adaptedto beuzlcsed upon the opening of the respective circuit breaker, a manually controlled switch associated with each circuit breakerand adapted toeflect the opening thereof, cont-act's in the circuit of each of said relays arranged to be controlled by the respective manuall controlled switch so that said timing mec ianism is not rendered operative by the opening of the respective circuit breaker when produced" by the operation of the respective manually controlled switch.

15. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination with aplurality of circuits, a circuit breaker in'eacli .circuit, a closing coil for each circuit breaker, and means for opening each circuit breaker uponthe occurrence of an abnormal condition on the respective circuit, of a control circuit for each closing coil, a relay in each control circuit adapted to effect the energization ofythe closing coil of the respective circuit breaker when the respective control circuit is completed, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, means associated with each circuit breaker :for closing the set of contacts in the respective control circuit whenthe circuit breaker is open, asecond set of normal- 1y open contacts in each control circuit, a

t ming mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence,-

a third set of contacts in each control circult, a manually reset lockout relay associated with each circuit breaker and adaptedto control the third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, a circuitfor each relay. adapted to be completed by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effect the closing of the second set of contacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined number of times, normally open contacts in the circuit of each lockout relay, a control relay associated with each lockout relay and arranged to control the contacts in the circuit of the respective lockout-relay, a circuit for each of the control relays adapted to be completed when the respective circuit breaker is open, contacts in the circuit of each control relay adapted to be operated by'the respective lockout relay to render the control relay inoperative, a manually controlled switch associated with each circuit breaker and adapted to effect the opening of the respective circu t breaker, and

normally closed contacts in the circuit of in'each control circuit adapted to effect the energization of the closing, coil of the re,-

'spective circuit breaker; when. the respective controlc-ircuit is completed, a set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, means associated with each circuit breaker for closing the set of contacts in the respective control circuit when the circuit breaker is open, a second set of normally open contacts in each control circuit, a timing mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of said circuit breakers to effect the operation of said second sets of contacts in a predetermined sequence,- a third" set of contacts in each control circuit, a manually' reset lockout relay associated .with each circuit breaker and adapted to control the third set of contacts in the respective control circuit, ,a circuit for' each relay adapted to be completed by said timing mechanism after the same has operated to effect the closing of the second set of contacts in the respective control circuit a predetermined numberof times, normally open contacts in the circuit of each lockout relay, a controlrelay associated with each lockout relay and arranged to control the contacts in the circuit of the respective lockout-re-- lay, a circuit for each of the control relays adapted to be completed when the respective circuit breaker is open; contacts in the circuit of each control relay adapted to be operated by the respective lockout relay to render the control relay inoperative, a manually controlled 'switchassociated with eachcircuit breaker and adapted to effect the opening of the respective circuit breaker, normally closed contacts in the circuit of each control relay adapted to be opened by the operation of the manually controlled switch associated with the "respective cir cuit breaker, and 'a secondmanually controlled switch associated with each circuit breaker adapted to complete a circuit for the respective closing coil and to close the normally closed contacts in the circuit of the respective control relay.

17. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination of a plurality of circuits arranged in groups, a circuit breaker in each circuit, means for opening each circuit breaker, closing means for each circuit breaker, a timing mechanism for each group of circuits arranged to control successively the closing means of the respective group. and a common timing mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of the circuit breakers to control successively the operation of said group timing mechanism.

18. In an automatic reclosing circuit breaker system, the combination of a plurality of circuits arranged in groups, a circuit breaker in each circuit, means for opening each circuit breaker, a timing mechanism for each group of circuits arranged to control successively the closing means of the respective group, operating means for each group timing mechanism, and a common timing mechanism operative in response to the opening of any one of the circuit breakers for. controlling i successively said operating means.

19. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, and means for effecting the reclosing of said "circuit breaker comprising a movable member arranged when moved in a certain direction to effect. the reclosmg of said circuit breaker, means for driving said member in said direction, means for holding said memher in a predetermined position against the torque exerted by said driving means, and

means controlled by the position of said circuit breaker for releasing said holding vopening of said circuit breaker for releasing said holding means.

21. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, and means for efl'ecting the reclosure of said circuit breaker comprising a movable member arranged when moved in a certain direction to effect the reclosing of said circuit breaker, driving means arranged to exert continuously a torque for moving said member'in said direction, and means controlled by the posit-ion of said circuit breaker for holding said member in a predetermined position against the torque exerted by said driving means when said circuit breaker is closed.

22. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker,

and means for effecting the-reclosure of said circuit breaker comprising a movable member arranged when moved in a certain direction to effect the reclosing of said circuit breaker, driving means arranged to exert continuously a torque for moving said member in said direction, and means controlled by the respective positions of said circuit breaker and said movable member for preventing further movement of said member if said circuit breaker is open when said member reaches a predetermined position.

23. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means for efiecting the opening of said circuit breaker, and means for effecting the reclosure of said circuit breaker comprising a movable member arranged when moved in acertain direction to effect the reclosing of said circuit breaker, driving means arranged to exertby the positions of said circuit breaker and -said movable member for holding said movable member in a' predetermined position against the torque exerted by said driving means when said circuit breaker is closed and for preventin further movement 0 said member if said circuit breaker is open when said member reaches a predetermined position.

24. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means, for

effecting the opening of saidcircuit breaker,

and means for eifecting'the reclosing of said circuit breaker comprising a movable-member arranged to be moved in a certain direction to effect the reclosing of said circuit breaker, drivin means for said member, means for holdlng said member in a predetermined position against the torque exerted by said driving means, and means controlled by the position of said circuit breaker for controllin said holding means.

25. In com ination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means responsive to anabnormal condition of said circuit for eifectingthe opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect'the closing of said circuit breaker,' a circuit for said electroresponsive means, automaticswitching means controlled by the position of said circuit breaker for effecting the completion of the circuit of said elcctroresponsive means after said circuit breaker has been open a predetermined length of time, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsive means, a lockout relay for controlling said contacts, and a circuit breaker in said circuit, means responsive to an abnormal condition of said circuit for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, a' circuitfor said electroresponsive means, av movable member arranged to be operated in response to the opening of said circuit breaker to effect the completion of said circuit of said electroresponsi-ve means a plurality of times with predetermined time intervals between successive completions thereof, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsive means, a relay for controlling said contacts, a circuit for said rela and contacts in said. relay circuit contro led by the osition of said circuit breaker and by sai movable member.

27. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means responsive to an abnormal current in said circuit for efi'ecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to efi'ect the closing of said circuit breaker, a circuit for said electro responsive means, a movable member arranged to be operated in a. predetermined direction in response to opening of said circuit breaker to effect the completion of said circuit of said electroresponsive means at predetermined intervals .while said circuit breaker is open, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsive means, a lockout relay arranged when energized to effect the opening of said contacts, a circuitIfor said lockout relay, and contacts in said lockout relay circuit arranged to be closed by said movable member after it has moved far enough to effect a predetermined number of reclosures of the circuit breaker.

28. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker in said circuit, means responsive to an abnormal current in said circuit for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means arranged when energized to effect the closing of said circuit breakcr,a circuit for said electrore sponsive means, a movable member arranged to be operated in a predetermined direction in response to opening of said circuit breaker to effect the completion of said circuit-of said electroresponsive means at predetermined intervals while said circuit breaker is open, contacts in the circuit of said electroresponsive means, a lookout relay arranged when energized to effect the opening of said contacts, a circuit for said lockout relay,

contacts in said lockout relay circuit arranged to be closed by said movable member after it has moved far enough to effect a predetermined number of reclosures of the circuit breaker, and contacts in said relay circuit arranged to be closed only when said circuit breaker is open.

- In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of April, 1922.

ARVID E. ANDERSON.

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