US2488131A - Circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 15, 1949 Filed Sept. 14, 1944 w. M. LEEDS CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER 6 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES:

Nov. 15, 1949 w, LEEDS 2,488,131

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Sept. 14, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:

l N V E N TO R M nf/vap M Z eeafa NOV. 15, 1949 w, LEEDS 2,488,131

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Sept. 14, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 3 M8 0 47 5 0 63 0 o o X *J v c% 35 35 0 O WITNESSES: INVENTOR Mh/hrap M Z eeaf NOV. 15, 1949 w LEEDS 2,488,131

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Sept. 14, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 F19: /Z. [64 F197 /6, 77

35 a? g 75 i 3 O 5 +2 53 /35 0 5'2 WITNESSES: E6 INVENTOR 5 Mhf/Vap/Wleeofs 4. 6w:

Nov. 15, 1949 w. M. LEEDS 2,488,131

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Sept. 14, 1944 6 Shee'ts-Sheet 5 III )IIl/(III IIIIll/IIIYIIIIIIIIIIIlI/IIl/IIIIIIII/III/li III/IIIIIIIIIIIIYIIlI/IIIII/III/Ill/I IIIIIIII ,II I

WITNESSES:

INVENTOR MhfflropMZeeQ i Patented Nov. 15, 1949 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Winthrop M. Leeds, Forest Hills, Pa., asslgnor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 14, 1944, Serial No. 553,997

16 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit interrupters in general and, more particularly, to arc-extinguishing structures therefor.

My invention has particular application to circuit interrupters of the liquid-break type and for purposes of illustration my invention will be described in connection with such a type of circuit breaker.

The operating arrangement which I use in connection with my invention is related to the oper-- ating arrangements described in United States patent application filed August 15, 1944, Serial No. 549,576, now U. S. Patent 2,477,810, issued August 2, 1949 to Winthrop M. Leeds and James M. Cumming; and United States patent application filed August 31, 1944, Serial No. 552,133, now U. S. Patent 2,465,240, issued March 22, 1949 to Winthrop M. Leeds, the foregoing applications being assigned to the assignee of the instant application,

A general object of my invention is to provide an improved circuit interrupter in which interruption of the circuit therethrough is efiected more rapidly than has been achieved heretofore.

-A more specific object of my invention is to provide an improved circuit interrupter, in which the maximum break distance in a group of serially connected contact gaps is obtained with a minimum overall length.

Another object is to provide an improved circuit interrupter in which the ratio of insulation to conducting material in the lengthwise direction is very high when the contacts are in the open circuit position.

Another object is to provide an improved circuit interrupter in which the inertia of the rotating parts is reduced considerably over that which results in using straight line moving parts.

Another object is to provide an improved arcextinguishing assemblage, comprising a plurality of arc-extinguishing units with improved operating means therefore.

Another object is to provide an improved circuit interrupter of the foregoing type in which, during the interruption of low currents, a relatively long pressure-generating arc is employed to efiect fluid flow toward the interrupting arc.

Another object is to provide an improved circuit interrupter, the movable parts of which have a low moment of inertia to thus effect a very high opening accelerating movement of the movable contacts. Preferably, the construction is such that a plurality of serially related pressure-generating arcs are formed simultaneously with the establishment of a plurality of serially related interrupting arcs, the pressure generated at the pressure-generating arcs being employed to effect fluid fiow toward the interrupting arcs to effect the latters extinction.

Further objects and advantages will readily become apparent upon a reading of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly in section, of a circuit interrupter embodying my invention and shown in the closed circuit position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section, of the lower portion of the lefthand arc-extinguishing assemblage shown in Fig. l, and taken substantially on the line II--II of Fig. 3, the parts being shown in the closed circuit position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, partially in section, taken along the line IIIIII of Fig. 2;

Figs. 4 through 20 show plan views of insulating plates used in the construction of the arc-extinguishing units shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 21 is a View in section taken along the line XXL-XXI of Fig. 22;

Fig. 22 is a vertical sectional view taken through a modified form of arc-extinguishing assemblage, the parts being shown in the closed circuit position;

Fig. 23 is a view in section taken along the line XXIII-XXIII of Fig. 24;

Fig. 24 is a vertical sectional view through a modified type of arc-extinguishing unit;

Fig. 25 is a vertical sectional view taken through another modified form of arcextinguishing unit; and

Fig. 26 shows, in fragmentary manner, an operating arrangement for the contact construction shown in Fig. 25.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, the reference numeral l designates a tank filled to the level 2 with a suitable arc-extinguishing fiuid 3, in this instance circuit breaker oil. Depending from the cover 4 of the tank I are two insulating bushings 5, 6 through which extend terminal studs 1, 8. The terminal studs 1, 8 have threadedly secured to their lower ends, respectively, contact feet 9, [0, the latter supporting identical arc-extinguishing assemblages generally designated by the reference numeral I l The two arc-extinguishing assemblages II are electrically interconnected in the closed circuit position of the interrupter, as shown in Fig. 1, by a conducting bridging member l2 which is reciprocally actuated in a vertical direction by an insulating operating rod 13 which may be actuated by suitable mechanism, not shown.

Each of the arc-extinguishing assemblages ll comprises a plurality of arc-extinguishing units generally designated by the reference numeral 14, the construction of which is more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

It will be observed from aninspection of Fig. 1 that the conducting bridging member l2 during the closing operation slides between disconnect fingers 15 to strike a cross-member I6 composed of a conducting material. At the opposed outer ends of the cross-members 16 are fixed insulating operating rods ll extending axially'of the arc-- extinguishing assemblages I l. I 7

Referring to Fig. 3, it will be observed that the operating rods I? are pivotally connected at Hi to crank arms 19 which serve to rotate during the opening and closing operations a shaft 29 extending through each of the arc-extinguishing units [4 and on which is fixedly mounted a bridging contact 2i electrically interconnecting two stationary contacts 22, 23 associated with each arcextinguishing unit I4.

The bridging contact 2| has a contact portion 24 at one end and a contact portion 25 at its other or upper end; The contact portion 26 separates from the stationary contact 23 to establish a pressure-generating are indicated by the dotted line 26 of Fig. 3. The contact portion 25 separates from the stationary contact 22 to establish an interrupting are designated by the dotted lines 21'0f Fig. 3. Preferably, the stationary contacts 22, 23 are resiliently mounted by suitable spring means, not shown, within the stationary contact housings 28, 29 to provide the requisite contact pressure in the closed circuit position, as shown in Fig. 3. Conductors 36 electrically interconnect the lower stationary contact 23 of one unit I 4 with the upper stationary contact 22 associated with the immediately adjacent unit I4.

It will, therefore, be apparent that in the closed circuit position of the interrupter, as shown by the full lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, that the electrical circuit extending therethrough comprises terminal stud I, contact foot 9, stationary contact 22, bridging contact 2|, lower stationary contact 23, conductor 30 through the next arc-extinguishing unit I l in like manner to finally conductor 3| which electrically connects the lower stationary contact 23 associated with the bottom arcextinguishing unit I l with the disconnect fingers 15. The electrical circuit then extends through the conducting bridging member l2 and through the right-hand arc-extinguishing assemblage II in like manner to the terminal stud 8.

Associated with each arc-extinguishing unit l4 are a plurality of insulating plates shown more clearly in Figs. 4 through 20. Each arc-extinguishing unit I l comprises a cylindrical tube 32 composed of insulating material of the requisite mechanical strength. Disposed within the tube 32 is an insulating sleeve 33 which holds in position a plurality' of suitably shaped insulating plates to be hereinafter described. The top insulating plate is designated by the reference numeral 34 and has a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The plate 34 has a plurality of apertures 35 through which extend insulating dowel pins serving to hold the insulating plates in proper position with respect to each other. The plate 34 has an elongated aperture 36 formed therein through which extends partially the upper stationary contact 22 of the unit M. The upper portion of the left-hand end of the aperture or slot 36 comprises a plurality of pockets 3'! which serve to retain a plentiful supply of oil adjacent the interrupting are 21. At the lower portion of the left-hand end of the slot is a restricted portion 38 into which the interrupting arc 2? may enter only during relatively low instantaneous values of arcing current. Below the plate 34 is an insulating vent plate 39'having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 5. The vent plate 39 has a widened slot 40 which terminates in a vent opening 4!. Below the plate 39 is an insulating plate 42 having a configuration as shown in Fig. 6. The plate 42 has a slot 46 formed therein which communicates with a slot 44 leading into a restricted portion 45.

Below the plate 62 is an insulating plate 46 shown more clearly in Fig. 7. The plate 46 has a slot 41 which communicates with a plurality of, in this instance six, pockets 48. Below the plate 26 is an insulating plate 49 shown more clearly in Fig. 8. The plate 59 has a slot 55 which communicates with a more restricted slot 5| lead ing at its left-hand end to a plurality of, in this instance six, pockets 48. Below the plate 49 is an insulating plate 52 having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 9. The plate 52ha's' a slot 53 formed therein which communicates through a passage 5 to a restricted portion 55. Below the plate 52 is a second venting plate 56 having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 10, The plate 56 has a slot 51 formed therein which communicates through a passage 58 to a vent opening 59.

Below the plate 56 is a plate 60 having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 11. The plate 65 has a slot 6| which communicates through a passage 62 to a restricted portion 63. Below theplate 66 is a plate 64 having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 12. The plate 64 has a slot 65 formed therein which communi- 'cates with a plurality of pockets 66. Below the plate 64 is a plate 6'! having aconfiguratio'n, as shown in Fig. 13. The plate 61 has an enlarged portion 68 which communicates by way of apa'ssage 69' to a restricted portion 7!). Below the plate 61 is a third venting plate H having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 14- of the drawings. The plate H has the enlarged portion 68 which communicates through passage 69 to a vented opening 12. Below the plate H is a plate 13 having a configuration, as shown in Fig. 15. The plate 13 has an enlarged portion 14 which communicates by way of a passage 15 with a restricted portion 16.

Below the plate 73 is a plate 11 composed of insulating material and having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings. The plate 11 has an enlarged portion 18 removed therefrom which communicates by way of a passage 19. to a plurality of, in this instance six, pockets 86. Below the plate H is an insulating plate 8| having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 17 of the drawings. The-plate 8| has a portion '56 removed therefrom which communicates by way of a passage 82 to a plurality of, in this instance six, pockets 80.

Below the plate 8! is a plate 83 having a con figuration more clearly shown in Fig. 18. The plate 83 has an enlarged portion 84 removed therefrom which communicates by way of a passage 35'to a restricted stop 86. Belowthe plate 83 is positioned a plate 8'! having a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. 19. The plate 81 has an enlarged portion 88 removed therefrom having a recess 89 at its left-hand end; The plate 81 also has a portion 90 removed therefrom. The bottom insulating plate of the stack is designated by the reference numeral BI and has a configuration more clearly shown in Fig. of the drawings. The plate 9| has an enlarged beveled portion 92 removed therefrom through which partially extends the lower stationary contact 23 of the unit I4. All of the plates have the apertures 35 formed therein through which extend insulating dowel pins holding the several plates in position.

The operation of the interrupter will now be explained. During the opening operation, the conducting bridging member I2 moves downwardly to permit a downward movement of the cross-member I6 and operating rod IT. The downward movement of the operating rods I'I causes a counterclockwise rotation of the crank arms I9 and hence a counterclockwise rotation of the bridge contact 2I to cause a separation of the contacts 22, and 23, 24. The separation of the contacts 22, 25 establishes an interrupting are '21 and the separation between the contacts 23, 24 establishes a pressure-generating arc 26. The pressure created at the pressure-generating are 25 causes oil to flow in the direction as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3 tending to bias the interrupting are 21 into the restricted portions or restricted slots afiorded by the plates 34, 42, 52, 60, 61, 13 and 83. During relatively high instantaneous values of arcing current, that is, during 0 the peak of the alternating-current wave, the cross-sectional area of the interrupting are 21 is too large to permit it to be forced by the oil fiow from the pressure-generating are 26 into the re- .stricted slots or portions formed by the aforesaid enumerated plates. It is only during relatively low instantaneous values of arcing current, that is near a current zero at a time suitable for interruption, that the cross-sectional area of the interrupting are 21 is sufiiciently small to permit the oil flow from the pressure-generating are 26 to force the interrupting arc '21 into the aforesaid restricted portions or slots. While the interrupting are 21 is in these restricted slots, it is subjected to turbulence and deionizing activity as provided by the oil flow passing from the pressure-generating arc 25 through the several vents to the region externally of the unit I4. Also, the interrupting are 21 engages a plentiful supply of oil retained in the pockets 31, 48, 66 and 89 as an additional source of gas and deionizing turbulence. The result is an extinction of the interrupting are 21 at an early current zero and the building up of sufiicient dielectric strength between the separated contacts 23, 25 to prevent restriking.

It will be observed that the radius arm R between the upper movable contact 25 and the shaft 20 is greater than the radius arm R between the lower movable contact 24 and the shaft 20. Consequently, by this difference in lever arm ratios, the speed of separation of the contacts 22, 25 is greater than the speed of operation of the contacts 23, '24 and the result is that the interrupting are 21 is rapidly lengthened to a considerable length. Also, by this construction, the length of the pressure-generating are 26 is controlled to prevent the attainment of excessive pressure thereat. Following interruption of the electrical circuit through the interrupter, the movable bridging member I2 separates from the disconnect fingers I5 to introduce two isolating gaps opening into the circuit, as indicated by the dottedlines in Fig. 1. v 7

"During the closing operation, the operating rod I3 moves upwardly causing an engagement between the movable bridging member I2 and the disconnect contacts I5 to cause thereby the raising of the cross-member I6 and the operating rods I".-'. The raising of the operating rods II causes a clockwise rotation of the several crank arms I9 about the shafts 20 to thus cause a clockwise rotation of the bridging contacts 2| to effect a re-engagement between contacts 22, 25 and 23, 24. The electrical circuit is thencompleted through the interrupter.

The arc-extinguishing units I4 are maintained in spaced superimposed axially aligned relation in a fixed manner by conducting supports generally designated by the reference numeral 95. The supports 95 also serve to support the stationary contact housings 28 and 29.

Three of the units I4 serially connected interrupted currents from 500 to 7000 amperes at 132 kv. with arcing times of only 1.2 to 1.9 cycles on 60 cycle circuits.

In the modification of my invention as shown in Figs. 21 and 22, there is provided a modified type of arc-extinguishing unit generally designated by the reference numeral 91. Associated with the stationary contact 22 of the upper arcextinguishing unit 91 in Fig. 22 and with the lower stationary contact 23 of the lower unit 91 are arcing horns 98 jutting arcuately along the path of motion of the rotatable contact 2I to which transfer of one terminal of the pressuregenerating arc 25 may be efiected during highcurrent interruption to prevent the attainment of excessive pressure within the units 9'1. During low-current interruption, the length of the pressure-generating are 26 will be substantially the same as the interrupting are 21, since the contact arms are equal in length for this modification, and the are 26 does not transfer to horn 98.

However, during the interruption of high current, the ionized gas bubble is suficiently large to engage the arcing horn 98, providing a conducting path thereto which results in the transfer of the upper terminal of the pressure-generating are 26 associated with the upper unit of Fig. 22 to the horn 98 to thereby shorten the length thereof. The length of the pressure-generating arc ZSduring high-current interruption is thus controlled to minimize the pressure formed thereat. As previously mentioned, during lowcurrent interruption the ionized gas formed adjacent the pressure-generating arc 26 is not sufficient to contact the arc horn 98 to provide a conducting path thereto, and the upper terminal of the pressure-generating are 26 will remain fixed at the stationary contact 22. Consequently, during low-current interruption the pressuregenerating arc 26 will extend and remain extended between the contacts 22, 25 to attain a length practically the same as the length of the interrupting arc 21. This considerable length attained by the pressure-generating arc 2'5 during low-current interruption will serve to increase the pressure formed thereat; whereas during high-current interruption the pressure-generating arc 26 will be shortened by transfer to the arcing horn 98 to minimize the pressure formed thereat.

If desired, magnetic means may be provided to bias the pressure-generating are 26 toward the arcing horn 98, which magnetic biasing means may be more effective during high-current interruption than during low-current interruption. The magnetic means which I provide comprises a U-shaped insert 99 composed of magnetic maas. n re. clea ly S own ff i fl p' i i i 1 f ,es the pressure-generating rfilavto'iacilitatethe V alof the 'prcssureenerat n are 2,6. t "Eigs. 21 and 22 alsqdisclose a piston arranga mer t asso iatedl'witnthe bridging contact 21 to facilitate lowcurren't interrupnen; The piston arrangement corii'p 'se'san insulating block Hit extending betweenltwo insulating levers l9! having. their other ends. pivo'tally. mounted about a cylindrical bearing'fl [12 haying a. hexagonal bore 'Ifhe'fhexagonal bqlf'joi the cylindrical bearing 1&2 isl'providedto accommodate'the hexagonal shaft C'e u tly; he nsu a leve s it: a free to rotate about the cylindrical'bearings 5G2 rfigardless of the Qrientation of the bridging contact All Suitable biasing. means, not shown, such as spring means encircling theQshaft 2;! may be provided to bias theinsulating'blo'clg. H33; away from. the contact 25. Thus the insulating block mu associated withthe bottom. umber of Fig. 2 2 will beheld in its'upper p ition as shown in the Q lb sedciricuit positicn of th; nterrupter.

ost motijonponnection includes a pin i533 which. extends between two insulating levers Hit and travels in as qtl '14 Pr ded in h b d n contact 2! to deterni e the tra fil of the insulating block I00,

Thefoperation oi the modified type of arc-extin'guishing. units 9;"Lassociated with the modified type of arcextinguishirig f assemblage I05 shown in Fig. 22 will niowbe described. During the openingpperation' the insulating operating rod li moves downwardly, to} cause a counterclockwise rotation, oi the'bridging contacts 2| about the shafts 29 to establish a pressureegenerating are 25 and an interrupting are 21, as previously described. In the. modified type of. arc-extinguishing assemblage 1H5, venting out of the units 91 takes placein an alternate manner, that is, venting from theflowe'rmost. unit 9'! takes place to the left and, ventin -I irem, he inunedia ely jacently disposed upward'unit 9] takes place to the right. This; alternate venting arrangement from the assemblage I115 prevents a combining of the exhaust gasesfrom the several units 91 to minimize the hazard of high voltage breakdown axially along the, assemblage 105. Also, unnecessay flow through, the stationary contact assemblages between" units isminimized, since the pressure is approximately balanced. between two adjacent pressurebreaksor between two adjacent interrupting breaks.

During low-current interruption, the pressure generated at; the pressureegenerating are 26 will be lower, and censeg'uently maynot be suflicient to send the requisitepilivelocity adjacent the interrupting arc 21 to "effect rapid extinction thereof. With the piston arrangement herein disclosed, the bridgingfcjont'act, 2l'will pick up the insulating block. M0 after approximately onethird of its rotativetravel to carry the insulating block lei! with it and. thusslend oil-flow by piston action toward the interrupting are 21 to effect the extinction thereo f. During. high-current interruption, the pressure generated at the. pressure-generating arc. 26,.willbe sufiicient to maintain the block Hill in its extended position away from the bridging contact. 2|, and the pressure generated at the pressure generating are 26 will act between the. block H19 andthe bridgingcontact It! to effect extinction of. the interrupting w. i

again An additional function obtained by this piston arrangeinentis the" attainment of a'fiti sh tion that will force clean'oil' through the t? with each mechanical operation cf the I This flushing operationresults ing, in chanicaloperation of the breakerwithnocur nt passing therethrough, that is, duringno -lo'ad eration. In other words, an opening stroke during such a mechanical no-load operation oi the breaker will serve toicause the bridging member 2i to pick up the insulating block l'flll andfcause oil to now out of the vents "it in a manner simi; lar to low-current interruption; and oil will be drawn inthrough the check valve I501. During the closing stroke on such a mechanical no-lo'ad'o eration of the interrupter, the insulating b we will be maintained'in its extended posi en away from the bridging contact 2|. 'As are ult during repeated opening and closing noloafd p; erations of the interrupter oil is drawn in through the check valves E0? and forced by piston ac tin through the unit 9? and out the Vents 106,

In the modified type of arc-extinguishing unit generally designated by the reference gar and shown in Figs. 23 and 24, I have'pro; vided an arcing horn H18 disposed at the upper end the unit 508 and a second arcing, horn is disposed at the lower end of said unit," can; se uentiy, the pressure-generatingfarc 26- ma along the bridging contact 2| and the arcing horn $55. In like manner, the interrupting may run along the bridging contactfz l and the upper arcing hornj I09. Preferably, magnetio means are provided to bias the interruptin'gfarc 2's laterally. The magnetic means which IutiliZfe comprises a U-shaped insert'lll composed of magnetic material, in this instance iron.

By providing a construction wherein'both the pressure-generating arc 26 and the. interrupting are 2'! may move laterally, fresh oil is engaged by both of said. arcs, interruption is facilitated and erosion of the fibreplates minimized. One or. more of the U-shaped inserts Illv used in the unit we maybe used in conjunction with them;- te'rrupting' structure shown in Figs. 2 and 3th facilitate the lateral movement of the interrupt} ing. arc 27 in the'unit's l4 toward the. restricted portions of the slots; however, this constructicn of utilizing magnetic means is not shown in'Figfs. 2 and 3. V i V Fig. 25 shows a modified type of contact con,- struction associated with a modified type (ii are; extinguishing unit generally designated by'the reference numeral H3. In this modified typeof construction, I utilize a first bridging contact i Hi and a second bridging contact H5 which do} operate together, to bridge the stationaryf'contacts 22, 23. An operating arrangement for the first and second bridging contacts I l4, [l5 may assume a form as shown in Fig. 26 of the draw ings. In this operating arrangement, the op'erai'a irig rod l? is' pivotally connectedat 18 to a crafik arm l9 serving, to rotate a, piniongear, H5, gear H6 meshes with gears H1, H8 whicHrotate shafts 58,126. The shafts 1 i9, l2ll serve re terate the first and second bridging contacts H4} H5 in the desired direction. The first and second bridging contacts H 6 i5 have cooperable contact portions lZI, l22 which, when separatedf lish a pressure-generating arc. 26. Each brrd ng contact li t, H5 separates from the stationary contacts 22, 23 to establish thereby twoin writing arcs 2?. Pressure generat'edat trie gle pressure-generating are 26 facts in thedire n i ated by the rews' ig.- fite "extinction of the two interrupting arcs 21 at the splitters I23 associated with the vents I24.

It will be observed that this construction shown in Fig. 25 attains maximum break distance in a rotating contacts H4, H is somewhat less than .ments of my invention that from the point of View of avoiding restriking or voltage breakdown, the construction is particularly advantageous since there are no overlapping potentials in the voltage gradient from one end of the multibreak arc extinguishing assemblage to the other. Furthermore, the stationary contacts are easily accessible and the movable contacts require no shunts at all. By employing different lever ratios the length of the pressure break distance to the interrupting break distance may be easily varied by changin the pivot location on the bridging contacts 2|. It will be apparent from the foregoin description that the inertia of the rotating members is considerably reduced over conventional structures, and that the break distance is a maximum in the open circuit position with a minimum overall length of the assemblage. Also, I have shown both magnetic means and piston means for speeding up low-current interruption where the pressure generated at the pressure-generating arc is relatively low.

Although I have shown and described specific structures, it is to be clearly understood that the same were merely for the purpose of illustration and that changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a circuit interrupter, a stationary arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of stationary spaced axially aligned serially related arc extinguishin units, each unit being substantially enclosed to form a pressure-generating chamber and an interrupting chamber, means venting the interrupting chamber only laterally of the unit whereby the upper and lower ends of each unit are substantially closed, relatively stationary contact means for each unit including a pair of relatively stationary contacts disposed at the upper and lower ends of each unit, a rotatable shaft fixedly positioned intermediate the upper and lower ends of each unit so as to be spaced axially between the pair of stationary contacts, a lever-shaped bridging contact member for each unit mounted intermediate its ends upon the shaft, the bridging contact member establishing a pressure-generating are adjacent one end thereof within the pressuregenerating chamber, the bridging contact being cooperable with at least one of the stationary contacts to establish an interrupting are adjacent the other end thereof within the vented interrupting chamber, disconnect means disposed adjacent one end of the stationary arc extinguishing assemblage including a movable disconnect member and a relatively stationary disconnect contact, an operating rod extending axially externally of the units, means connecting one end of the operating rod to the relatively stationary disconnect contact, and means operatively connecting the operating rod to each of the rotatable shafts to simultaneously effect their rotation.

2. In a circuit interrupter, a substantially enclosed arc extinguishing unit defining a pressuregeneratin chamber and an interrupting chamher, a relatively stationary contact, a pair of lever-shaped movable contact members, a pair of rotatable shafts, each lever-shaped movable contact member being mounted intermediate its ends upon a rotatable shaft, means for simultaneously rotating the shafts in the same direction, the opening separating motion of one movable contact member establishing a pressuregenerating are adjacent one end thereof within the pressure-generating chamber and an interrupting are adjacent the other end thereof within the interrupting chamber, and fluid flow passage means interconnecting the two chambers so that fluid under pressure from the pressure-generating arc may flow through the passage means into the interrupting chamber to effect the extinction of the interrupting arc therein.

3. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing unit defining a pair of interrupting chambers positioned adjacent opposite ends of the unit and a pressure-generating chamber disposed intermediate the ends of the unit, a pair of stationary contacts disposed in the interrupting chambers, a pair of rotatable shafts disposed in axially aligned relation with respect to the two stationary contacts, a pair of elongated movable contact members mounted intermediate their ends upon the pair of shafts, each movable contact cooperating with a stationary contact to establish an interrupting are within an interrupting chamber, and the two movable contacts cooperating with each other to establish a pressure-generating arc within the pressure-generating chamber.

4. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of spaced arc extinguishing units disposed in axially aligned relation, each unit being substantially enclosed and defining a pair of interrupting chambers disposed at the upper and lower ends of each unit, laterally leading venting means for each interrupting chamber so that the two interrupting chambers vent in opposite directions laterally out of the unit, the unit also defining a pressure-generating chamber positioned intermediate the ends of the unit, a pair of stationary contacts disposed in the two interrupting chambers of each unit, a pair of shafts for each unit, a pair of elongated movable contact members mounted intermediate their ends upon the pair of shafts in each unit, each movable contact cooperating with a stationary contact to establish an interrupting are within an interrupting chamber, the two movable contacts cooperating with each other to establish a pressure-generating are within the pressure-generating chamber of each unit, passage means leading from the pressure-generating chamber of each unit toward both interrupting chambers, and means for simultaneously rotating the shafts of all the units to thereby simultaneously establish a plurality of pressure-generating arcs and a plurality of interrupting arcs within the assemblage.

5. In a circuit interrupter, means defining a stationary substantially enclosed arc extinguishing unit, a pair of stationary contacts positioned at the upper and lower ends of the unit, the unit forming a pressure-generating chamber adjacent one stationary contact and an interrupting chamcontacting engagement with the two stationary =contacts, means for rotating the shaft and movable contact member so that the ends thereof separate substantially simultaneously in opposite directions from the two stationary contacts to simultaneously establish a pressure-generating arc-within the pressure-generating chamber and an interruptingarc within'the interrupting chamber, and liuid'fiow passage means interconnecting the two chambers.

6. 'In a circuit interrupter a stationary arc extinguishing unit having thetop and bottdm'thereofsubstantially closed, a pairof stationary contacts -positionedadjacent the top-and bottom of the unit, a rotatably mounted movable levershaped contact member positioned intermediate the ends of the unit with'the ends thereof making'contacting engagement with the stationary contacts intheclosed circuit position of the interrupter, the unit defining a pressure-generating chamber adjacent one stationary contact and an interruptingchamber adjacent the other stationary contact, laterally extending venting means leading laterally out one side end of the unit from the interrupting chamber, means for rotating the movable contact so that the ends thereof separatesimultaneously in opposite directions from the stationary contacts'to establish a pressure-generating are within the pressure-generating chamber and an interrupting are within the'interruptingchamber,-a pair of'laterally extending arc horns positioned adjacent the "two stationary contacts, magnetic means for biasing the interrupting are along one-of the a'rci'ng horns towardthe venting means, and fiuid'flo'wpassage means interconnectingthetwo chambers.

'7. ha circuit interrupterof the liquid break 2 type a substantially enclosed arc extinguishing unit "submerged in a-suitable arc extinguishing liquid, a pair of stationary contacts positioned adjacent'opposite ends of theu'nit,*the-unit defining a pressure-generating chamber adjacent one stationary contact and anlnterrupting chamber adjacent the otherstationaryc'ontact, a rotatable shaft positioned intermediatetheends of the unit, a movable lever shaped'contact mounted intermediate 'its ends-upon the shaft and'having the end portions thereof making contacting engage meet it e We Stati na beta s' 4th? closed circuit position" of the interrupter, means for rotating the shaft and m'ovable' conta'ct'to establish a pressurekg'enerating arc within the pr s en atin rhamb a d a inte rupti g are within the interrupting chamberffiuid "flow passage "means interconnecting the "two chambers, a'pistonmemberloosely mounted uponthe shaft, anda 1p t motion connection between the piston member and the movable contact.

8 In a circuit interrupter a stationary arc extinguishing assemblage including :a plurality of stationary axially aligned are" extinguishing units disposed in spaced end-to endrelationship, a rb Stationary O a9tsm ipn s1 a ent the opposite axial endsof-each unit, a rotatable Sha t x n n t o h a h u n e mediate he en s there a lev mshaned m vable contact member disposed-interiorl'ywithin each unit and means operatively connecting the rod means externally-of the unit with each I rotatable shaft "to cause their simultaneous operation.

9. In a circuit interrupter, a stationary arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of stationary axially aligned arc extinguishing units disposed in spaced en'd-to-e'nd relationship, :avpair'of stationary contacts positioned adjacent the opposite axial ends of each unit, the "unit defining a pressure-generating chamber adjacent one stationary'contact and an interrupting chamber'adjacen't the otherstationariy contact,

a rotatable -shaft extending through each unit intermediate the ends thereof, a lever-shaped movable contact member disposed 'interiorly within each unit and mounted intermediate its ends upon the rotatable shaft,'the end portions of each movable contact member m-akingcontacting engagement with the stationary contacts of the respective unitgthe. rotati'onof the shaft causing the ends of the movable contact member to separate simultaneously in oppcsite'directions fromthe respective two stationary contaots of-the particular unit to es tablish simultaneously a p ssu er ener tine ar w thin t e p e Vgener ating chamber and =interrupting arc W h n t e inter u tin h m r. peratin od means extending axially externally of the units q cau -a tua i 0 the semblaeexand means Weill e1 qn e t n th e mea sx a ly of the unit with each rota-tableshait to-cause their simultaneous operation.

10. In a circuit interruptena stationary arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of stationary axially aligned arc extinguishing units disposed inspaced end-to-endrelationship, a. pair'of stationary contacts positioned adjacent the opposite axial ends of each unit, one con:- tact being on ahigher level of the assemblage than the 'o't'her contact, a rotatable-shaft associated with each unit, am'ovable bridging con: tact mounted intermediate its ends upon the shaft to electrically "interconnect the two sta: tionary contacts, each unit'defining a substam tially confinedlpressureTgenerating chamber ad: jacent one stationary contactanda vented in: t r ptie c mbe a a e tath s ary contact, passage means extending between the two chambers, the movable bridging contact ep ra om ne s t o ery ont ct to tab: lish a pressure-generating arc axially of the as; semblage within the pressure-generating cham: her and from the other stationary contact to establish an interruptingarc axially ofthe as; semblage within the interrupting chambenand means including an elongated operating rod movable axially of the assemblage for simul: taneously rotating all the shafts of the as, semblage. M

i1. In a circuit interrupter, a stationary are extinguishing unit, a'pair of stationary contacts disposed at opposite endsof the unit, the unit defining a substantially confin d lir ssure generat: ns ch m e aqia ent on t tionary rs cnt ct and a vented interrupting chamber adjacent the other stationary contact, a rotatable shaft, a movable lever-shaped contact member mounted intermediate its ends upon the shaft, the movable contact separating from one stationary contact to establish a pressure-generating are within the pressure-generating chamber, the movable contact separating from the other stationary contact to establish an interrupting arc within the interrupting chamber, passage means interconnecting the two chambers, and a stationary arcing horn disposed adjacent to the stationary pressure-generating contact and jutting arcuately along the path of motion of the movable pressure-generating contact in closely spaced relationship therewith for an appreciable length of travel of said pressure-generating contact to which one terminal end of the pressuregenerating arc may transfer only during high current interruption.

12. In a circuit interrupter, a substantially enclosed arc extinguishing unit defining a pressure-generating chamber and an interrupting chamber, a relatively stationary contact, a pair of lever-shaped movable contact members, a pair of rotatable shafts, each lever-shaped movable contact member being mounted intermediate its ends upon a rotatable shaft, means for simultaneously rotating the shafts in the same direction, the opening separating motion of one movable contact member away from the other movable contact member establishing a pressuregenerating are adjacent one end thereof within the pressure-generating chamber, the opening separating motion of the first-mentioned movable contact member away from the relatively stationary contact establishing an interrupting are adjacent the other end thereof within the interrupting chamber, and fluid flow passage means interconnecting the two chambers so that fluid under pressure from the pressure-generating arc may flow through the passage means into the interrupting chamber to effect the extinction of the interruptin arc therein.

13. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of stationary substantially enclosed arc extinguishing units, a pair of stationary contacts positioned at the upper and lower ends of each unit, each unit forming a pressure-generating chamber adjacent one stationary contact and an interrupting chamber adjacent the other stationary contact, the upper and lower ends of each unit being substantially closed, laterally extending venting means leading from the interrupting chamber of each unit laterally out one side end of the unit, a rotatable shaft disposed intermediate the ends of each unit, a lever-shaped movable contact member mounted intermediate its ends upon the shaft and having its ends making contacting engagement with the two stationary contacts, means for rotating the plurality of shafts and movable contact members in unison so that the ends of the several contact members separate substantially simultaneously in opposite directions from the stationary contacts to simultaneously establish a plurality of pres sure-generating arcs within the pressure-generating chambers and a plurality of interrupting arcs within the interrupting chambers, and fluid flow passage means associated with each are extinguishing unit interconnecting the pressuregenerating and interrupting chambers of that unit.

14. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of stationary substantially enclosed arc extinguishing units, a pair of stationary contacts positioned at the upper and lower ends of each unit, each unit forming a pressure-generating chamber adjacent one stationary contact and an interrupting chamber adjacent the other stationary contact, the upper and lower ends of each unit being substantially closed, laterally extending venting means leading from the interrupting chamber of each unit laterally out one side end of the unit, a rotatable shaft disposed intermediate the ends of each unit, a lever-shaped movable contact member mounted intermediate its ends upon each shaft and having its ends making contacting engagement with the two stationary contacts of the respective unit, an operating rod extending axiall of the units for rotating the several shafts and the several movable contact members so that the ends of the movable contact members separate substantially simultaneously in opposite directions from the stationary contacts to simultaneously establish thereby a plurality of pressure-generating arcs within the pressure-generating chambers and a plurality of interrupting area within the interrupting chambers, and fluid fiowpassage means stationary contact and an interrupting chamber adjacent the other stationary contact, the upper and lower ends of each unit being substantially closed, laterally extending venting means leading from the interrupting chamber of each unit laterally out one side end of the unit, a rotatable shaft disposed intermediate the ends of each unit, a lever-shaped movable contact member mounted intermediate its ends upon each shaft and having its ends making contacting engagement with the two stationary contacts of the respective unit, an operating rod extending axially of the units for rotating the several shafts and the several movable contact members so that the ends of the movable contact members separate substantially simultaneously in opposite directions from the stationary contacts to simultaneously establish thereby a plurality of pressure-generating arcs within the pressure-generating chambers and a plurality of interrupting arcs within the interrupting chambers, fluid flow passage means associated with each arc extinguishing unit interconnecting the pressure-gencrating and interrupting chambers of that unit, disconnecting means disposed adjacent one end of the arc extinguishing assemblage including a movable disconnect member and a relatively stationary disconnect contact, means connecting one end of the operating rod to the relatively stationary disconnect contact, and means operatively connecting the operating rod to each of the rotatable shafts to simultaneously effect their rotation.

16. In a circuit interrupter, a stationary arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of stationary axially aligned arc extinguishing units disposed in spaced end-to-end relationship, a pair of stationary contacts positioned adjacent the opposite axial ends of each unit, a rotatable shaft extending through each unit intermediate the ends thereof, a lever-shaped movable contact 15 memben disposecb interionly withinzeach: unit: and: mcuntemintermediat'e its endsiuponthe: rotatable REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the me of patent: 25;

PA EENTST- shaftutha end, portions of; each-imovablecontacti ggig pi memben'making-'contactingiengagement withithe 4902746 Gibbs f i stationary contacts; of the: respective unit, the 5* 12092792 Young 1 rotation of theshaftcausingthe'endsofithe mov- .2 6 Lotz able contact. member to: separate simultaneously 2 6 1929 in: 01213051178: directions from; the respective; two 5 1 m j 2671931 stationary contacts-0f the particular unit, opei f i Austin i f 1932; ating; rod means extending axially externally-01:10; Trenchglg a. 't' f the: units: to cause actuation: of? the assemblage; 3 1 Baker, 1934; disconnect means disposed adjacent one end. of: f' i Erben NOV'V the; arc extinguishing assemblage including. a: ,10 f' j 1937; movabie disconnect member anda relatively; sta,-- 3 c i tinnary disccnnectcontact,,means connectingone: 3 f Dyer end of: the operating. rod meansto the relatively 1 3 g b. 1946; stationary disconnect contact, and means opera/ tivelyr connecting the rod meansexternally of the; FOREIGN. PATENTS unit? i:With: each rosatableshaft to cause their: Number country. Date, Simul 51118011509812 im 20: 365,296 Germany Dec: 14; 1922' WINTHROP LEEDS soewee Fi'an'ce Dec, 3-, 1 936

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