US2644053A

US2644053A - High-speed circuit breaker operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2644053A
Application number: US210389A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harry J Lingal; Jr Joseph D Findley
Original assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
Current assignee: CBS Corp
Priority date: 1951-02-10
Filing date: 1951-02-10
Publication date: 1953-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1970-06-30

Description

June 30, 1953 H. J. LINGAL ET AL 2,644,053

HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10., 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESSES:

' Hurry JLingul and Jgseph o. Find|ey,Jr.

INVENTORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m. w fi 5 INVENTORS Lingcl and D. Findley, Jr.

ATTORN iii; Ra a? /V Harry J Joseph @1 1 51 June 30, 1953 H. J. LINGAL ETAL HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 10, 1951 Patented June 30, 1953 HIGH-SPEED CIRCUIT BREAKER OPERATING MECHANISM Harry J. Lingal and Joseph D. Findley, J r., Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 10, 1951, Serial No. 210,389

16 Claims.

This invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly to high-speed operating mechanisms for power air circuit breakers.

Large air circuit breakers are required to close against fault currents of such magnitude that the blowout forces may stop the contacts before they reach full closed position or even blow the contacts open again if the closing speed is not maintained above a predetermined minimum. While such breakers can be closed by a solenoid operated mechanism, however, in small installations, using only one breaker, such as a breaker for supplying power to a small factory or an office building, the cost of an electric power source required to close the breaker by means of a solenoid mechanism is often not justified. For this and other reasons, it is desirable to provide manual closing means. However, the power needed to manually close a large air breaker at the required speed is greater than can be provided by an attendant.

' It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an operating mechanism for a circuit breaker utilizing stored energy means, in which energy is stored and releasably held, to efiect high-speed closing of the breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating means for a circuit breaker comprising an energy storing device for closing the breaker and a trip-free thrust transmit ting means for transmitting the energy stored in said device to the circuit breaker.

Another object of' the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a circuit breaker embodying an energy storing device comprising a power spring which is releasable to close the breaker.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a circuit breaker embodying a stored energy device in which energy is manually stored and releasably held to close the breaker and having means for limiting the amount of energy that can be stored in said device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a circuit breaker embodying stored-energy means in which energy may be stored when the breaker is in closed position and releasably held to close the breaker having means for preventing release of said stored energy when the breaker is in the closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker having an enclosing housing provided with an'openable door and embodying storedenergy means in which energy is manually stored and releasably held to close the breaker with means operable externally of said enclosing housing to store energy in said stored-energy means and to control the breaker without having to open the door.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to structure and operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following detailed description thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing a circuit breaker embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a detailed sectional view taken through the operating mechanism showing the mechanism in'the closed circuit position with the closing spring discharged or unloaded.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the operating mechanism in the tripped open position just before the mechanism is reset and with the closing spring unloaded.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View similar to Figs. 2 and 3 but showing the mechanism in the automatically reset position with the closing spring loaded in readiness to close the breaker.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the latching mechanism.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational View of the closing spring loading mechanism showing a portion of the control column.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged sectional view of the control head of the control column showing the manual controls.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail View of a portion of the trip means for manually tripping the breaker open.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevational View, partly broken away of the spring loading mechanism and the control column.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the control head taken on line XX of Fig. 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken through the control head on line XIXI of Fig. 9 showing the closing spring release lever.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a circuit breaker of the type disclosed and claimed in Patent No. 2,515,994, issued July 18, 1950, to

3 Joseph D. Findley, Jr., Alvin W. Ogg and Fritz E. Florschutz, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the circuit breaker is of the roll-out type and is mounted on a carriage comprising a pair of side plates I I (only one being shown) which are rigidly joined by cross members I3, I5, I! and I9 to form a rigid framework for supporting the breaker. The carriage is provided with wheels 26 to facilitate movement of the circuit breaker into and out of an enclosing cubicle in order to connect and disconnect the breaker in an electrical circuit and for purposes of inspection and repair. The cubicle is not shown in the drawings but a fragment of the door thereof is indicated by dot and dash lines at 22 (Fig. 1).

I'he circuit breaker is of the multi-pole type (only one pole being shown) and comprises generally, a plurality of pairs of separable contacts 2| (Fig. l) a common operating mechanism indicated generally at 23 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) a latching and trip mechanism indicated generally at (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5), spring closing means 21 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) closing spring loading mechanism indicated generally at 26 (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) a control column 28 (Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 9) and a control. head 36.

The contact means 2| comprises

stationary contacts

29 and 3| (Fig. l) mounted respectively on terminal members 33 and 35 which are rigidly supported on a back plate 31. The back plate 31 is rigidly supported by angular brackets 39 (only one being shown) rigidly secured to the side plates I I of the carriage. A switch arm 4| pivotally mounted at 43 on the terminal member 35 carries a bridging contact member 45 for cooperating with the

stationary contacts

29 and 3| to open and close the circuit. The switch arm 4| also carries a movable arcing contact 41 which cooperates with a stationary arcing contact 49 mounted on the terminal 33 for drawing an are upon opening movement of the switch arm.

The switch arm 4| for each pole of the breaker is operatively connected by means of an insulating operating rod 5| to the operating mechanism 23. The upper end of the rod 5| is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 53 to the switch arm 4| and the lower end of the rod 5| is connected by means of a screw 55 and a lock nut 51 to an angular cross bar 59 common to all of the poles of the breaker. The cross bar 59 is pivotally connected by means of pivot pins 52 at its ends to an operating lever comprising a pair of spaced levers 6| (Fig. 1) and 63 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The operating levers BI and 63 are rigidly connected by an integral U-shaped cross member 65 (Figs. 2, 3 and 1) and are pivotally supported on a shaft 57. The shaft 3'! is mounted in the side members of a generally U-shaped frame 69 secured to a bracket 7| which. is secured by means of bolts 73 to the cross member II.

The operating mechanism also includes a closing lever "I5 pivotally amounted on the shaft 81 and comprising a pair of spaced levers (only one being shown) rigidly connected by an integral cross bar 11. The operating lever 63 and the closing lever 15 are operatively connected by means of a collapsible thrust-transmitting toggle comprising toggle links 81 and 89 pivotally connected together by means of a knee pivot pin 9|. The toggle link 81 is pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin 93 to the operating lever 63 and the toggle link 89 is connected by means of a pivot pin '19 to the closing lever I5. The closing lever I5 is held in the closed position (Fig. 2) by means of a latch 95 pivotally mounted on a pin 9'! supported in the side members of the frame 69. The latch 95 is biased by means of a spring 99 to latching position wherein a shoulder formed by a recess in the latch engages a roller IIlI mounted on the pin '19.

The toggle 8T-89 is normally held in its extended but slightly underset position by means of a latch member I93 pivoted on the shaft 61 and connected by means of a link I95 to the knee pin 9| of the toggle. The link I05 has one end pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin I91 to the latch member I93 and the other end connected to the knee pin 9| of the toggle 81-89. The latch member I03 is normally releasably held in latching position by means of the latching and tripping mechanism 25 which is more clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The latching and tripping mechanism comprises a trip lever I99 pivoted on a pivot pin III mounted in the side members (only one being shown) of a generally U=-shaped bracket II3. The bracket IE3 is rigidly secured to a bracket II5 (Fig. 1) which, in turn, is rigidly secured to the side members of the frame 69. The bracket H5 is also secured to the cross member I3 (Fig. 1) by means of spacers I IT. The trip member I99 carries a latch roller I I9 pivoted on a pin I2I carried by the trip member which roller is normally biased by means of a spring I23 into engagement with a shoulder I25 on the latch member I03 to restrain the latter and the toggle 8'I-89 in the closed or thrust transmitting position.

The latching arrangement of the roller I I9 and the shoulder I25 is such that it will not, of itself. restrain the latch member I03 against releasing movement. For this reason there is provided a latch roller I 21 mounted on a pin I29 in the opposite end of the trip lever I09 from the roller I I9. The latch roller I2! is engaged and releasably held in latching position by a latching portion |3| of a secondary latch I33 which is pivoted on a pin I35 in the side members of the bracket H3 and biased in a counterclockwise direction to latching position by means of a spring I36. The latch I33 is adapted to be operated to unlatching position either manually or automatically to effect release of the operating mechanism and automatic opening of the breaker.

The latch I33 is automatically operated to unlatching position by means of a tripping electromagnet I31 comprising a yoke member I39 (Fig. 2) secured to a plate MI rigidly mounted on the r left-hand end of the U-shaped frame 69, an energizing coil I43 and a movable armature (not shown) which is attached to a trip rod I45.

The closing means 21 comprises a powerful spring I41 (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4) compressed between the cross member I49 of the Ll-shaped frame 69 and a. flange I5I of a cylindrical member or weight I53. The closing spring 141 and the weight I53 are supported between the frame 69 and an end plate I54 which is secured to the frame 69 by means of bolts I55 and spacers I56. The weight I53 is connected by means of an adjustable link I51 to a lever I59 pivotally supported on a pivot pin |6I mounted in the side member of the frame 69. The link I5! is pivotally connected to the member I53 by means of a pivot pin I63 and to the lever I59 by a pin I65. The lever I59 is connected to the spring loading means 26 (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) by means of a link I61 which is pivotally connected to the lever I59 by means of a pin I69. The pin I69 also extends through an elongated 1 areuate slot III in a link I13 pivotally connected to the closing lever.15 by the pin 19. The other end of the link I51 is pivotally connected by means of a pin I15 (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) to a cam member II"? rigidly mounted on a shaft I19 for rotation therewith. The shaft I19 is mounted for rotation ina frame IIlI (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) comprising a pair of spaced side members rigidly connected by integral cross members I83 and I85 (Fig. 9) and secured to the plate MI and to the frame 69 by means of bolts I81. Rigidly fixed to the shaft I19 and disposed between the side members of the frame Isl is a ratchet wheel I89 which is adapted to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to load the closing spring I41 and releasably hold the spring in its loaded or compressed candition. The ratchet wheel I89 is manually rotated step by step by means of a pawl I9I pivotally mounted on a pin I93 carried by an operating lever I95 and biased by means of a spring I91 into engagement with the periphery of the ratchet wheel I99. The operating lever I95 is mounted on the shaft I19 (Fig. 6) for rota tion relative thereto and is pivotally connected at its free end to an operating rod I99 by means or" a pin 29!. The operating rod I99 extends outwardly through the control column 28 and at its outer end is pivotally connected by means of a pin 293 (Fig. 7) to a lever 295 which is pivoted on a pin 291 supported in the side members of a casting 299 secured to the outer end of the control column 29. g

The control column 29 comprises a tube 2 having members 2I3 disposed one on each side thereof rigidly secured thereto by welding or other suitable means. The members 2I3 are disposed on the outside of the side members of the frame it! and are rigidly secured thereto by means of a pair of upper bolts 2 I 5 and a pair of lower bolts 2I'I.

In order to actuate the lever I95 (Fig. 6) and the pawl I9I to advance the ratchet wheel I89 the lever 295 (Fig. '1) is provided with an opening 2I9 (Fig. 9) for receiving an operating bar or handle 22! (Figs. 1 and 7).

The circuit breaker is shown in Figure 1 in the closed position with the closing spring I41 in its unloaded condition. In order to load or compress the spring I41 the handle 22I is moved up and down after the fashion of a pump handle. k

ment the pawl I9I engages a tooth of the ratchet wheel I89 and rotates the ratchet wheel one step or the distance of one ratchet tooth. Upward movement of the handle 221 reverses the movement of the lever I95 and retracts the pawl I9I causing it to drop in back of the next following tooth of the ratchet wheel I89. The ratchet wheel I89 is prevented from retrograde movement during the retractin movement of the lever I95 and pawl I9I by means of a retaining pawl 223 (Fig. 6) pivoted on a pin 225 and biased by a spring into engagem nt with the teeth of the ratchet wheel I89.

Since both the ratchet wheel I89 and the cam I11 are rigidly fixed to the shaft I19, the counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel causes the cam I11 to rotate in the same direction. Ihe rotation of the cam I11 draws the link I61 step by step toward th left or front of the breaker and acting through the lever I59 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and link I51 draws the member I53 toward the left from the Fig. 1 position to the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6 compressin the closing spring I41. As the pin I15 (Fig; 6) which connects the link I61 to the cam I11, passes below the horizontal center line of the shaft I19 the closing spring I41 acts through the weight I53, the link I51, lever I59 and link IE? toadvance the cam I11 until a shoulder 229 (Fig. 6) thereon engages a latch roller 23I which releasably holds the mechanism and the closing spring in condition for a closing operation.

The latch roller 23I is mountedon a pin 233 carried between the free ends of a pair of spaced latch levers 235 rigidly secured to a hub 231 which, in turn, is rigidly fixed to a shaft 239 pivotally mounted in the side members of the frame I8I. Rigidly secured to the shaft 239 between the sides of the frame I8I is an arm 24I (Fig. 6)

which extends to a point between the side member 2I3 to be engaged by a rod 243 extending outwardly through the control column 23. The lower ends of rod 2 2-3 and the operating rod I99 extend through openings in a guide member 245 (Fig. 9) rigidly mounted in the lower end of the control column tube 2II. At their outer ends the rods I99 and 243 are guided by openings in an integral portion 241 of the casting 299 The outer end of the rod 249 is biased by means of a spring 249 into engagement with. one arm 25I of a closing spring release lever 253 (Figs. 9 and 11). The lever 253 is pivotally supported on a pin, 255 mounted in one side of the casting 299 and in a bracket 251 integral with. the casting 209. Clockwise movement of the lever 253 (Fig. 11) thrusts the rod 243'downward1y causing the lower end thereof to engage the arm MI and actuate the arm, the shaft 239 and the latch levers 235 to disengage the latch roller 213i from the shoulder 229 thus releasing the closing spring to effect closing of the breaker in a manner hereinafter described.

In addition to the tripping magnet I31 (Figs. 2 and 9) the breaker is manually tripped open from outside the cubicle and without opening the door 22 (Fig. l) by operation of a manual trip lever 259 (Figs. '7 and 9). lever 259 is pivoted on a pin 25I supported between the left-hand side (Fig. l) of the casting 299 and a bracket 263 integral with the casting 299. An arm 255 of the lever 259 extends into the hollow casting 299 and is adapted to engage the outer end of a rod 261 guided for sliding movement in the portion 291 of the casting 299 and in the guide members 245 (Fig. 9) in the lower end of the control tube M I. Pivoted on a stud bolt 289 (Figs. 6 and 8) in the frame I8I is a lever 21I having an arm 213 extending downwardly between the side member of the frame I8I and disposed to be engaged by the lower end of the rod 261. The other arm 215 of the lever 21I has attached to the free end thereof a rod or wire 211the other end of which is attached to the free end of one arm 2.19 (Fig. 9) of ,a bell crank lever 29I the other arm 285 of which is disposed beneath the secondary latch member I33 (see also Figs. 2 and 5) of the latching and tripping mechanism. The bell crank 23I is pivoted on a pin 285 supported in a bracket 28? secured by means of bolts 289 to the "plate I4I,. the bolts 289 also serving to secure the upper end of the yoke I39 to the plate 54 I. I

It will thus be seen that the secondaryflatch I33 is operated to unlatching position to-effect opening of the circuit breaker either by energization of the tripping electromagnet I31 orman Themanual trip many by operation of the lever 259 (Figs. 7 and 9) Clockwise movement of the lever 259 (Fig. 7) thrusts the rod 261 downwardly causing the lower end thereof to engage the lever 21I (Fig. 8)

and move the lever in a clockwise direction (Fig.v

8) or counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 9. This movement of the lever 211 through the rod 211 moves the bell crank 28! clockwise causing the arm 283 thereof to engage and move the secondary latch I33 to unlatching position.

Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the operating mechanism 23 is shown in the closed and latched position. In the closed position, the operating lever 6I-63 (Figs. 1 and 2) is biased in a clockwise or opening direction by means of a coiled spring 29i (Fig. 1) disposed in a cylinder 293 rigidly mounted on the frame 69. A piston 295 disposed for reciprocal movement in the cylinder 293 is connected y means of a link 291 to the arm SI of the operating lever and the spring 29I is compressed between the piston 295 and a closure plate 299 suitably secured to the upper end of the cylinder 293. The cylinder 293 and piston 295 also serve as a clash pot to absorb the final opening movement of the breaker and operating mechanism. The spring 29I acting through the piston 295 and the link 291 biases the operating lever ISL-63 in a clockwise or breaker opening direction. The biasing force of the spring 29I is transmitted by means of the toggle 8189 to the closing lever 15 which is normally restrained in the position shown in Fig. 2 by the latch 95. The force of the spring 29I, therefore, tends to force the toggle 81-89 to collapse toward the right (Fig. 2) which is prevented by the link I and the latching mechanism. A component of the force tending to collapse the toggle 81-89 is applied through the link I05 to the latch member I03 tending to rotate the latter in a counterclockwise direction, the latch member I03 bein restrained by the slip-oil" latch II9- I25, and this latch, in turn, is restrained by the latch I21I3l (Fig. 5).

When the secondary latch I33 is operated, either by energization of the tripping magnet I31 or by manipulation of the manual lever 259 (Figs. '1 and 9) and rod 261, the latching portion I3I thereof is moved in a clockwise direction out from under the roller I21 (Fig. 5). When this occurs the force tending to collapse the toggle 81-419, a component of which is applied to the latch member I03, forces the roller latch II9 out of the path of the shoulder I25 whereupon the latch member I03 is free to rotate in tripping direction and no longer maintains the toggle 81-89 in its extended underset position. Upon release of the latch member I03 the toggle 91-89 immediately collapses under the influence of the spring 29I which immediately rotates the operating lever 6I63 to the position in which it appears in Fig. 3 to effect opening of the circuit breaker contacts.

If the closing spring I41 has been previously'loaded or compressed moving the pin I69 to a point adjacent the left-hand end of the slot I1I in the link I13, the toggle 81-B9 will be immediately reset to the position shown in Fig. 4. However, if the closing spring I41 is in its discharged condition as shown in Fig. 3, the pin I69 remains in the right-hand end of the slot I1! and the operating mechanism will be held in this position until the spring I41 is compressed.

Assuming that the closing spring has been compressed, upon collapse of the toggle 81-49, a pin 30I on the toggle link 89 engages the latch 8 and moves it to unlatching position thus freeingthe closing lever 15 whereupon a spring 303 tensioned between the plate MI and the lever 15 moves the latter clockwise from the Figure 3 position to the position shown in Fig. 4. This movement of the lever 15 straightens the toggle 81-89 and through the link I05 rotates the latch member I03 clockwise to a position wherein the latch roller H9 is i e-engaged with the shoulder I25. The operating mechanism is now in the reset and relatched position shown in Fig. 4 and in condition for a closing operation. The reset position of the closing lever 15 is adjustably determined by an adjustable stop 305 (Figs. 2, 3

. and 4) against which a shoulder on the lever 15 rests in the reset position of the parts.

With the closin spring I41 in the discharged position as shown in Fig. 3, the right-hand end of the slot I1I in the hub I13 is biased by the spring 303 against the pin I69 connecting the lever I59 to the link I01. This prevents immediate resetting of the operating mechanism, however, upon operation of the spring charging mechanism 26 (Figs. 1 6) in the previously described manner, the link IE1 is drawn toward the left to the position shown in Fig. 4 in order to compress the spring I41. During. thi movement of the link I61, the spring 303 rotates the closing lever in clockwise or resetting direction maintaining the end of the slot I1I against the pin I69 until the movement of the lever 15 is arrested by the shoulder thereon striking the stop 305. The operating mechanism is now in the reset and relatched position and the closing spring in its loaded or charged condition.

In order to close the breaker following an opening and resetting operation, the attendant operates the lever 253 (Figs. 9 and 11) in a clockwise clirectlon which thrusts the rod 243 downwardly causin the lower end thereof to engage the arm 24I (Fig. 6) and rock this arm, the shaft 239 and the latch levers 235 clockwise to withdraw the latch roller 23l from in front of the shoulder 229 on the cam I11, thus releasing the cam and the closing spring. The cam I11 is now free to rotate and, since the point of connection I15 of the link I61 to the cam is below the center line of the shaft I19, the closing spring I41 now quickly expands rotating the cam I11 counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow (Fig. 6). Referring to Fig. 4, as the spring I41 expands, it thrusts the member I53 toward the right and through the link I51 rotates the lever I59'in a clockwise direction at high speed. This movement of the lever I59 is transmitted through the pin I69 and link I13 to the closing lever 15 moving this lever counterclockwise. Since the toggle 81-89 is now latched in its thrust transmitting position, the counterclockwise movement of the closing lever 15 is transmitted therethrough to the lever fiI-I33 which, in turn, transmits this movement through the rod 5! to the switch arm M to close the breaker contacts.

Indicating means is provided in the control head 30 (Fig. 9) to indicate the open or closed position of the circuit breaker. The indicating means comprises an indicator 301 (Figs. 9, l0 and 11) pivoted on a pin 309 supported in the sides of the casting 209. The indicator 301 is biased by means of a spring 3I I coiled about the pin 309 to position a legend closed in alignment with a sight opening (H3 in the face of the control head. The indicator 301 is connected by means of a wire or small rod SP5 to a lever 3I1 (Figs. 1 and 6) pivoted on a pin 3I9 supported in the '9 frame I81. When the breaker is tripped open and the lever 6| (Figs. 1 and 6) moves to the open position, a projection 32f of the lever 6| engages the lever 3 ll and moves it counterclockwise as shown in Fig. 6. This movement of the.

lever 3i? pulls downward on the rod Hi5 and operates the indicator Sill to position an open legend in alignment with the sight opening 3E3 I (Fig. 9)

of a spring 325 to a position to present a legend? loaded in alignment with a sight'opening 32? inthe face of the control head 36] (Fig. 9). The indicator is connected by means of a rod or wire 329 to the arm 2M (Fig. 6) which operates the latch lever 235. When the closing spring 14? is in a charged or loaded condition, the latch roller 233i (Fig. 5) occupies a position in the path of the shoulder 229 on the cam Ill in which position the spring 325 maintains the indicator in the position wherein the legend loaded is 1 displayed through the sight opening 32?. When the lever 25.! (Figs. 7 and 9) is operated to disengage the latch roller 23% (Fig. 6) from the cam ill the arm Edi pull down in the rod 329 actuating the indicator 323 to present a legend unloaded through the sight opening 323. As long as the closing spring 543 is in the discharged or unloaded condition, the shoulder 22. is out of alignment with the latch roller 235 which is then in engagement with the periphery of the cam l'll thus holding, the indicator 3.23 in position to indicate the unloaded condition of the spring. When the spring charging mechanism .26 is operated to compress or load the spring Ml, the roller will again drop into position in the path of the shoulder 229 permitting the spring 525 (Fig. 10) to move the indicator 323 to the position in which it indicates that the spring is loaded.

The spring loading means 25 is so constructed a that the spring id's cannot be overloaded and also cannot be discharged. until it is fully loaded. When the pin H5 (Fig. 6) which connects the link it's to the cam ll? moves over center below the center line of the shaft 579, the closing spring Ml is effective to slightly advance the cam to bring the shoulder 229 into latching engagement with the roller 235. This movement of the cam I7? is sufficient to advance the last tooth of the ratchet wheel 58?: beyond the reach of the pawl lS-l in its fully advanced position consequently any operations of the handle 22! after the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 6 are idle and without effect to engage or advance the ratchet wheel I89. This limits the compression or loading of the spring H ll to a predetermined compression. The oscillatory movement of the lever I95 (Fig. 6) is limited by stop studs I8 and I95 on the frame 58!.

When the closing spring I4! is discharged or in a partially loaded condition, the latch roller 23! (Fig. 6) rides on the periphery of the cam Ill, and does not drop into the recess formed by the shoulder 229 until the spring Ml is fully loaded, hence, the spring cannot be out effect of a fault current.

tripped or discharged from a partially loaded condition.

As previously set forth, the closing spring may be compressed or loaded either while the breaker is in the closed position or after it has been tripped open. Release of the powerful closing spring when the breaker is in the closed position and the spring has. no work to do would result in unnecessary slamming and possible damage to the parts. To avoid this, means is provided to prevent releaseof the closing spring in the closed position of the breaker.v Referring to Fig. 11 of the drawings, the indicator 301, which indicates the open and closed positions of the breaker, is shown in the closed position. in this position, the indicator lies in the path of travel of an arm 553i of the lever 253 which is manually actuated toefiect release of the closing spring thus effectually, blocking releasing movement of the lever 253. When the breaker is tripped open the indicator it? is moved clockwvise out of the path of the arm 33! after which the lever 25% may be operated at will to release the closing opening and efiect closing of the breaker.

The closing spring I l? must be capable of storing sufficient energy to effect high-speed closing of the circuit breaker against the blow- Since most or" the closing operations are against normal rated currents, means is provided to absorb the excess energy of the closing spring on normal closing operations. The energy absorbing means includes an abutment 333 (Figs. 2, 3 and a) disposed in a counterbore 335 in the member i523. The abutment 333 is provided with an integral stem 33? which extends through a guide opening in the end plate I55 and has a stop nut ass threaded thereon to limit the inward movement of the abutment. Disposed between the abutment 2533 and the end plate led is a series of inner and outer spring friction rings 3M and The contacting surfaces of the rings 34kare angular with respect to each other so that when the member I53 strikes the abutment 333 near the end of a closing operation the friction generated by th spring rings s ll-35.3 sliding over each other dissipates the excess energy of the closing spring Nil and prevents excessive slamming of the parts.

In certain testing procedures it is desirable to move the breaker to a test position near the door 22 (Fig. 1) with the door in the closed position. By removing the lower bolts 2F (Figs. 1, 6 and 9) the control column 28 may be pivoted about the upper bolts M5 to the vertical position indicated by dot and dash lines at 28c (Fig. 1) without disconnecting any of the corn trol connections extending through the control column. With the lower bolts 21? removed, the control column 28 may also be lowered about the bolts 2|5 as a pivot to the horizontal position indicated by the dot and dash lines at 28b also without disconnecting any of the controls. Ln order to effect this pivotal movement of the control column the ratchet wheel operating rod or car I99 is made in two parts that are pivotally connected by means of a pin 345 (Fig. 9) normally in axial alignment with the bolts 255. When the control column 28 is swung about the bolts 2l5 either to the vertical or horizontal positions, the operating rod 5% pivots about the pin 345. "During such movement of the control column the control wires 3l5 and 32d flex to permit the movement of the control column and i l the lower ends of the

control rods

243 and 261 swing in a radius to clear their respective levers 2t! and With the control column in its vertical position, the circuit breaker may be rolled out to a position just inside the door and the door closed for test purposes.

Having described the invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the structural details thereof without departing from some of the essential features of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect opening of said circuit breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism operable to store energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasably holding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control means supported on said breaker terminating adjacent to said housing and accessible from outside said housing, means on said control means for manually operating said energy storing mechanism to store energy in said stored energy device, means on said control means operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker free of said closing means, and means on said control means manually operable to release said stored energy device to effect closing of said breaker, said energy storing mechanism, said operating mechanism release means, and said stored energy release means all being operable from outside said housing while said openable door remains closed.

A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect opening of said circuit breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a compression spring, means operable to compress said spring, holding means releasably holding said spring in compressed condition, control means supported on said breaker extending outwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent to said housing, means on said control means for manually operating said spring compressing means, means on said control means operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker free of said closing means, and means on said control means manually operable to release said spring to effect closing of said breaker, said spring compressing means, said operating mechanism release means, and said spring release means all being operable from outside of said housing while said openable door remains closed.

3. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive means operable to release said operating mechanism to effect automatic opening of said breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism operable to store energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasablyholding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control means supported on said breaker terminating adjacent to said housing and accessible from outside said housing, means on said control means for manually operating said energy storing mechanism to store energy in said stored energy device, manually operable means on said control means operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker free of said closing means, and means on said control means manually operable to release said stored energy device to effect closing of said breaker, aid energy storing mechanism, said operating mechanism release means, and said stored energy release means all being operable from outside said housing while said openable door remains closed.

4. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect opening of said circuit breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism operable to store energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasably holding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control means supported on said breaker terminating adjacent to said housing and accessible from outside said housing, means on said control means for manually operating said energy storing mechanism to store energy in said stored energy device, means on said control means operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker, and means on said control means manually operable to release said stored energy device to effect closing of said breaker, electroresponsive means operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening of said breaker trip free of said closing means, said energy storing mechanism, said operating mechanismv release means, and said stored energy release means all being operable from outside said housing While said openable door remains closed.

5. A controlling and operating mechanism for an enclosed circuit breaker, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door therein, operating mechanism releasable to effect opening of said circuit breaker, electroresponsive trip means responsive to overload currents to release said operating mechanism and opening of said breaker, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a compression spring, means operable to compress said spring, holding means releasably holding said spring in compressed condition, control means supported on said breaker extending outwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent to said housing, means on said control means for manually operating said spring compressing means, means on said control means operable to release said operating mechanism to eifect opening of said breaker, and means on said control means manually operable to release said spring to effect closing of said breaker, said spring compressing means, said operating mechanism release means, and said spring release means all being operable from outside of said housing while said openable door remains closed, said operating mechanism being releasable to effect opening of said breaker free of said closing spring.

6. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts biased open, operating means for said contacts comprising an operating lever operable to effect opening of said contacts, a closing lever for operating said operating lever to close said contacts, thrust transmitting means connecting said levers, releasable means normally restraining said thrust transmitting means in thrust transmitting position, said operating lever, said closing lever and said releasable means being pivoted about a common axis, trip means for releasing said releasable means to effect opening of said contacts free of said closing lever, closing means comprising a spring, means operable to compress said spring, a linkage connecting said spring compressing means to said spring, connecting means connecting said linkage to said closing lever, latch'means normally restraining said spring in compression and operable to release said spring, said spring when released acting through said linkage and said connecting means to actuate'said closing lever to close said contacts, and manual means operable to release said latch means. I '7. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts biased open, operating means for said contacts comprising an operating lever operable to effect opening of said contacts, a closing lever for operating said operating lever to close said contacts, thrust transmitting means connecting said levers, releasable means normally restraining said thrust transmitting means in thrust transmitting position, said operating lever, said closing lever and said releasable means being pivoted about a common axis, trip means for releasing said releasable means to effect opening of said contacts free of said closing lever, closing means comprising a spring disposed on one side of said operating mechanism, means disposed on the opposite side of said operating mechanism from saidspring and operable to compress said spring, a linkage connecting said spring compressing means to said spring, connecting means connecting said linkage to said closing lever, latch means normally restraining said spring in compression and operable to release said spring, said spring when released acting through said linkage and said connecting means to actuatesaid closing lever to close said contacts, and manual means operable to release said latch means.

8. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contacts biased open, operating means;

-for said contacts comprising an operating lever operable to effect opening of said contacts, a closing lever for operating said operating lever to close said contacts, thrust transmitting means connecting said levers, releasable means normally i restraining said thrust transmitting means in thrust transmitting position, said operating lever, said closing lever and said releasable means being pivoted about a common axis, trip means for releasing said releasable means to permit collapse of said thrust transmitting means and effect opening of said contacts free of said closing lever, closing means comprising a spring, means operable to compress said spring, a linkage connecting said spring compressing means to said spring, connecting means connecting said linkage to said closing lever, latch means normally restraining said spring in compression and operable to release said spring, said spring when released acting through said linkage and said connecting means to actuate said closing lever to close said con' tacts, and manual means operable to release said latch means, said connecting means being pivotally connected to said closing lever and having a pin and slot connection with said linkage to permit compression of said spring while said breaker is in the closed position.

9. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means and releasable operating mechanism for said contact means including, an

enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door therein, closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism mounted on said circuit breaker and operable to store energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasably holding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control means comprising a control tube having one end mounted on said operating energy storing mechanism, a control head mounted on the other end of said control tube adjacent said openable door and accessible from outside said door, actuating means in said control head operable to actuate said energy storing mechanism, a first trip means in said control head operable to cause an opening operation of said operating mechanism free of said closing means, and a second trip means in said control head operable to release said stored energy device to eilect a closing operation of said operating mechanism, said actuating means, said first trip means and said second trip means all being operable from outside of said housing while said openable door remains closed.

10. In an enclosed circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means and releasable operating mechanism therefor, an enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an open able door thereon, closing means comp-rising a spring for operating said operating mechanism to close said breaker, means operable to compress said spring, holding means releasably holding said spring in compressed condition, control means supported on said breaker extending outwardly therefrom and terminating adjacent to said openable door, means on said control means for man ually operating said spring compressing means, means on said control means manually operable to release said spring to close said breaker, and means operable according to the position of said operating mechanism to prevent release of said spring when said operating mechanism is in the closed position.

11. In an enclosed circuit breaker comprising areleasable operating mechanism for said breaker, am enclosing housing for said circuit breaker having an openable door thereon, trip mechanism operable to release said operating mechanism to effect opening operation of said operating mechanism, spring means for actuating said operating mechanism to close said breaker, a

spring charging means operable to store energy in said spring, means releasably holding said spring means in charged condition, a linkage connecting said spring means to said spring charging device and to said operating mechanism, a control device for said circuit breaker accessible from outside said openable door while said door remains closed, actuatin means in said control device for actuating said spring charging means, a first indicating means on said control device operated by said spring charging means to indicate the condition of said spring, means on said control device for actuating said trip mechanism to effect opening ofsaid circuit breaker, means on said control device operable to actuate said spring holding means to release said spring ating mechanism for said breaker, a trip device operable to effect opening of said breaker, spring closing means for said breaker, a spring charging device operable to store energy in said spring, means releasably holdin said spring in charged condition and operable to release said spring to efiect closing of said breaker, a control device mounted on said frame and extending outwardly therefrom, control means on said control device for actuating said trip device, said spring charging means and said spring holding means, connections for said control means extending through said control device connecting said control means to the elements actuated thereby, and means pivotally mounting said control device on said frame to permit movement of said control device to a plurality of positions without disconnecting any of said connections.

13. A circuit breaker comprising operating mechanism operable to effect opening and closing of said breaker, an enclosing housing for said breaker having an openable door, spring means for actuating said operating mechanism to close the breaker, spring charging means operable to store energy in said spring, means releasably holding said spring in charged condition, a linkage connecting said spring to said spring charg ing means and to said operating mechanism, a control device comprising a tube mounted on said breaker having a normal operating position extending outwardly therefrom and movable to a plurality of other positions, a control element mounted on said control tube adjacent to said openable door when said control device is in said normal position, and a lever mounted in said control element operable from outside of said door to actuate said spring charging means while said door remains closed.

14. A circuit breaker comprisin operating mechanism operable to effect opening and closing of said breaker, an enclosing housing for said breaker having an openable door, spring means for actuating said operating mechanism to close the breaker, spring charging means operable to store energy in said spring, means releasably holding said spring in charged condition, a linkage connecting said spring to said spring charging means and to said operating mechanism, a control device comprising a tube mounted on said breaker and having a normal operating position extending outwardly therefrom, a control element mounted on said tube adjacent to said openable door, and a lever mounted in said control element operable from outside said door to actuate said spring chargin means while said door remains closed, and means pivotally mounting said control device for movement to a position other than said normal position.

15. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means and releasable operating mechanism for said contact means including closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism mounted on said circuit breaker and operable to store energy in said stored energy device, holding means releasably holding said stored energy in said stored energy device, control means comprising a control tube having one end mounted on said operating mechanism, a control head mounted on the other end of said control tube, actuating means in said control head operable to actuate said energy storing mechanism, a first trip means in said control head operable to cause an opening operation of said operating mechanism and opening of said contacts free of said closing means, and a second trip means in said control head operable to release said stored energy device to effect a closing operation of said operating mechanism.

16. In a circuit breaker comprising relatively movable contact means and releasable operating mechanism for said contact means including closing means for said circuit breaker comprising a stored energy device, energy storing mechanism mounted on said circuit breaker and operable to store energy in said stored energy device, control means including a control head mounted on said operating mechanism, actuating means in said control head operable to actuate said energy storin mechanism, a first trip means in said control head operable to cause an opening operation of said operating mechanism and opening of said contacts free of said closing means, a second trip means in said control head operable to release said stored energy device to effect a closing operation of said operating mechanism, and said control head being movable relative to said circuit breaker.

HARRY J. LINGAL. JOSEPH D. FINDLEY, Jn.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,318,342 Thompson May 4, 1943 2,388,934 Pearson Nov. 13, 1945 2,449,820 Seaman Sept. 21, 1948 2,458,800 Schultz Jan. 11, 1949