US2761930A - Circuit recloser - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 4, 1956 R. M. SMITH CIRCUIT RECLOSER 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 13, 1950 INVENTOR. flay Milo/1w N mhmm 14 TTUR/VEX" Sept. 4, 1956 R. M. SMITH CIRCUIT RECLOSER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 13. 1950 INVENTOR. flay/7- 51mm,

Sept. 4, 1956 R. M. SMITH 2,761,930

CIRCUIT RECLOSER Filed Dec. 15, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I N V EN TOR. flay M j xrl/ Sept. 4, 1956 R. M. SMITH CIRCUIT RECLOSER 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 15, 1950 NmN Rn N RN .4 EN RN 0 NR NQN $7 mm L w wmw M HM L 3N rm M QQ mww g t INVENTOR. Ray M M/T/l Sept. 4, 1956 R. M. SMITH 2,761,930

CIRCUIT RECLOSER Filed Dec. 13, 1950 7 Shee-tsSheet 6 V gzaa INVENTOR. Hay/ 2 f/rl/r/l BY W k L Sept. '4, 1956 R. M. SMITH CIRCUIT RECLOSER 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec. 15, 1950 INVENTOR. flay/7. ffi/fl/ @KZW WM United States Patent CIRCUIT RECLOSER Roy M. Smith, Jeannette, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 13, 1950, Serial No. 200,546

8 Claims. (Cl. 200-108) My present invention relates to automatic reclosers, that is, the type of electrical switch gear arranged to open and reclose a number of times on fault current and to lock open after a predetermined number of openings within a limited period of time.

More particularly, my invention is an improvement of the structure shown in Patents Nos. 2,118,355, 2,167,665, Re. 22,872, and 2,443,260 and is especially an improvement on the structure shown in application Serial No. 113,371, filed August 31, 1949.

The structure shown in application Serial No. 113,371, filed August 31, 1949, incorporates a timing mechanism and a primary latch which after a predetermined number of tripping and reclosing operations within a limited period of time will lock the recloser in contact separated position called lock-out. Physically lock-out is the result of the opposition of two pawls which prevents the movement of the timer mechanism and thus prevents the unlatching of the principal lock-out latch.

The recloser is placed in lock-out release position by pulling down on the pull ring and holding it in its extreme downward position for fifteen seconds. This operation will release the opposition of the two ratchet pawls and permit the timer to reset to its original position. While the timer mechanism is resetting, the main contacts are held separated by the manual force on the pull ring.

After fifteen seconds has elapsed so that the timer mechanism has returned a good portion of the distance to its original position, the pull ring is released and allowed to return to its original position.

This action brings into efiect a manual release lever which acts as an auxiliary latch in place of the primary latch.

To return the recloser from the lock-out release position to the normal contact closed position, the manual release lever is manually moved to permit release of the auxiliary latch and permits the contacts to close under the force of a closing spring.

Thus, the procedure requires three steps to effect normal recloser condition after lock-out occurs. It requires not only a great deal of effort on the part of the operator but has chance of possible incorrect operation if the operator fails to hold the pull ring down long enough to allow the timer mechanism to reset.

My present invention for instantaneous lock-out release will reduce the effort required of the operator, reduce the chance of incorrect operation and also reduce the length of time required for the entire operation. The addition of a bell crank lever to the timer arm is so positioned that when the timer arm is rotated the bell crank lever will be effective in permitting the timer mechanism to reset to its original position with no time delay.

Thus, when the operator wishes to release the recloser from lock-out, a pull on the pull ring will permit the timer mechanism to reset instantly. This eliminates the Patented Sept. 4, 1956 ice necessity of holding the pull ring down for a period of fifteen seconds.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to reduce the time required for lock-out release from fifteen secto one second.

Another object of my invention is to provide means whereby a recloser may be released from lock-out with a minimum amount of effort from the operator.

A still further object of my invention is to provide lock-out release means whereby the possibility of incorrect operation is eliminated.

Still another object of my invention is to provide instantaneous lock-out release means which will permit the timer mechanism to operate without a time delay and thus permit the entire operation from lock-out to normal contact closed position to be performed in a matter of a second or two.

Figure 1 is an exploded schematic view in perspective of those operating elements of the automatic circuit recloser and shows the novel bell crank lever rigidly attached to the timer arm to permit instantaneous lock-out release.

Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit connections between the operating elements of the novel automatic recloser.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of operating parts contained outside the housing directly connected to the elements shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3a is a schematic view in perspective exploded in two directions showing the operating elements of Figure 3 of the automatic circuit recloser.

Figure 4 is a view of the opposite side of the control coil and its associated parts.

Figure 5 is a schematic view corresponding to that of Figure 4 but showing the trip position of the control coil.

Figures 613 are schematic views showing the successive positions of the latching mechanism and novel hell crank arm release of the associated timer mechanism.

Figures 6-9 are relative to opening operation of the contacts, whereas Figures 10-12 are descriptive of reclosing and time delayed opening operations.

Figure 13 schematically shows the position of these control elements in the lock-out condition after a specific number of openings and reclosures have occurred.

Figure 9 is also descriptive of the position of latches and novel bell crank arm and associated timer for the novel release after lock-out to permit reclosure.

Figures 14, 15, and 16 are schematic views showing the position of the external operating elements of Figure 3 for difierent conditions of the automatic recloser.

Figure 17 is an expanded view showing the connections of the timer ratchets to the timing mechanism and timer arm and also illustrates the relation of the novel bell crank arms with respect to the timer mechanism.

Figure 17a is a side view with part of the cover removed of the timing mechanism of Figure 17 for use in connection with the control elements of my novel automatic circuit recloser.

Figure 17b is an end view of the timing mechanism of Figure 17a.

Figure is a fragmentary view of the timing mechanism corresponding to the lower position of Figure 17b and including the ratchet element shown in Figure 17.

Figures 18 and 19 illustrate schematically the operation of the time delay ratchet.

Figures 20 and 21 illustrate schematically the operation of the lock-out ratchet.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, there is here shown schematically the novel automatic recloser which is essentially a circuit breaker so arranged that it is biased closed and may be opened by an opening coil 24, the

. crtions of the figures not herein specifically described 3 described more fully in the above-mentioned applica- I. Interior operating parts The operating mechanism which controls the opening movement and also time delays the reclosure and which mechanically defeats the closing spring after a predetermined number of reclosures is all shown schematically in Figure 1.

All of the elements of Figures 1 and 2, except, of course, the external terminals and 23 as well as other elements are contained within a casing, the operating elements of Figure 1 being located in the operating chamber of the casing and the moving contact plunger of the stationary main contact and the operating coil being positioned in a lower chamber below the upper operating chamber.

Ia. Circuit connections and general operation During normal operations, the electrical elements of the recloser are connected in series with the power line at terminals 16, 23 which is to be protected by the recloser. This circuit extends from terminal 10, conductor 11, terminal 341, through winding 12 of the control magnet 27 to terminal 13, conductors 14, terminal 15, contacts 44 and 45 bridged by switch operating member 537, conductor 354a to connector 172 and pigtail 18, to rod 21 stationary contact 21, 22 to the power line terminal 23.

It will be noted that with contact 43 bridging the contacts 44, 45 the operating coil 24 is by-passed so that normally substantially no current flows through and, therefore, there is substantially no loss due to current flowing in this winding. However, the windings of control magnet 12 are connected in series with the power line and are, therefore, energized by line current. On predetermined energization of the control magnet 12, in response to a fault current in the power line, lever 40 which carries contact 43 is moved as will hereinafter be described to open the bridge across contacts 44, 45, thereby inserting the winding of operating coil 24 in series with the winding of control coils 12 and the power line. Coil 24 is now energized in response to the fault current to operate its rod or armature 20 to contact disengaged position.

Following separation of the main contacts 21 and 26a in response to fault current, the are which is formed on the opening of the circuit at that point is extinguished and results in de-energization of the operating coil 24. Thereupon the closing spring 512 hereinafter described drives the plunger 20 down to re-establish current carrying connections between the main movable contact 20a and the main stationary contact 21.

The operating mechanism shown schematically in Figure 1 is designed to provide appropriate controls for circuit opening operations and for the reclosing operations so that successive reclosing operations may take place with a desired time delay interval between them and so that the plunger 29 may be locked in the up or disengaged position after a predetermined number of reclosing operations.

lb. Control coil and associated armatures The control coil 12 is arranged so that in response to a fault current of predetermined value in the circuit which is protected, the control coil will be sufficiently energized to move solenoid armature 25 and thus to open the control switch 16 to which it is connected.

The control coil 12, therefore, is the initial operating coil of the entire system. Control coil 12 is essentially a solenoid coil surrounding the armature 25 which is normally biased above the coil by compression spring 26 in the manner hereinafter described.

The armature 25 is preferably a laminated iron structure, a portion of which forms together with the laminated magnetic rectangular plates 27a and 27b and with 27d and 27c, magnetic paths for the fiow of flux in response to energization of the control coil 12.

lbi. Connection of control coil armature and toggles to control switch The upper end of armature 25 is connected by pin 33 to the lever 34 which is pivotally mounted on the station ary pivot 35. The opposite end of the lever 34 is connected by pivot 36 to the connecting rod 37. The lower end of connecting rod 37 is connected by pin 38 to the control switch operating lever 40.

Control switch operating lever 40 is pivotally mounted on the pivot 41. Compression spring 26 compressed between the stationary collar 42 and the end of lever 40 at pivot 38 surrounds the connecting rod 37.

Compression spring 26 drives the lower end of connecting rod 37 and, therefore, the left-hand end of control switch lever 40 downwardly, thereby pulling down the right-hand end of lever 34, lifting up the left-hand end of lever 34 and exerting an upward initial bias on pin 33 and armature 25. Spring 26 by this means normally maintains the armature 25 in the raised position partly outside of the control coil 12 as shown in Figures 1 and The righthand end of the control switch lever 40 is provided with the contact section 43 normally bridging the stationary contacts 44, 45 of the control switch 16 and being held in bridging engagement therewith by the compression spring 26 which drives the left-hand end of lever 40 down as previously described.

On energization of control coil 12 to a sumcient value, armature 25 is moved, rotating lever 34 in a counterclockwise direction around pivot and raising the connecting rod 37 upwardly against the bias of compression spring 26.

This results in a clockwise rotation of lever and the movement of the bridging contact 43 away from the stationary contacts 44 and 45 of the control switch 16.

Accordingly, the current value at which the control coil 12 will be energized sufiiciently to attract the armature 25 may be determined by the compression of compression spring 26 and may, if desired, (but not preferably) be calibrated by malting collar 42 adjustable.

Ibn. Control coil calibration An opening latch is keyed to or mounted on the rotatable pin 51, the opening latch 50 being spring biased in a clockwise direction with respect to Figure 1 toward latching position by the coil spring 52.

Pin or shaft 51 carries the lug 53 secured thereto and rotatable therewith, which lug carries at its outer end the pick-up calibrating screw 54 which is adjustably mounted in the lug 53 for upward and downward movement on rotation of the screw 54 and which may be locked in the adjusted position by the lock nut 55.

The lower end of the pick-up calibrating screw 54 bears against the forward end 56 of the timer arm 57. The opening latch 50 is provided with the latching detent 60 so arranged that it provides a detent or ledge against which the roller 61 at the end of lever 62 may bear.

Lever 62 is pivotally mounted on the stationary pin 63. The end thereof opposite the roller 61 is in toggle relation with the link 64, being connected thereto by the knee pin 65. The opposite end of toggle 62-6564 is connected by pin 66 to the upwardly extending arm 67 of the lever 34.

When, therefore, the armature 25 is attracted downwardly by energization of the control coil 12 to rotate the lever 34 in a counterclockwise direction, it not only must compress the spring 26 but also must operate against the holding force of the latch 50 so that the toggle 62 64 may collapse to the position shown in Figure 5.

The armature 25, therefore, cannot be pulled down by coil 12 unless the roller 61 hearing against the latching detent 60 displaces the opening latch 50 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figure l or in a clockwise direction with respect to Figure 5.

The pick-up calibrating screw 54 bearing against the forward end 56 of the timer arm 57 determines the angular position of the pin 51 and the opening latch 50 thereby determining the degree to which the latching detent 60 of the opening latch 50 underlies the roller 61 at the end of toggle 62-65-64. Pin 63a bearing on the top surface of lever 62 ensures that roller 61 will ride in latching detent 60.

The degree to which the detent 60 underlies the roller 61 determines the initial force required to displace the opening latch 50 in order to permit the armature 25 to be moved down by coil 12. The greater the displacement of the opening latch 50 in a counterclockwise direction (with respect to Figure 1) the less force required to push the roller 61 off the latching detent 60 to rotate the opening latch 50 from the position of Figure 4 to the position of Figure 5.

The greater the adjustment of the latch 50 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figures 4 and 5, the greater the force required for this displacement.

Accordingly, the adjustment of pick-up calibrating screw 54 which determines this initial angular displacement of the opening latch 50 determines the force and hence the over current condition required before initiation of operation of the apparatus.

When, however, this displacing force is reached, armature 25 is pulled down by control coil 12; roller 61 of toggle 6265--64 rolls off the latching detent 60 and against the side of the opening latch 50; the opening latch 50 is rotated in a clockwise direction to the position of Figure 4 while toggle 62-6564 collapses to the position of Figure the connecting rod 37 is raised; switch operating lever 40 is rotated, and bridging contact 43 moves out of engagement with the stationary contacts 44- and 45 of the control switch 16.

With the control switch 16 thus opened, the full current passes through the operating coil 24 which attracts the plunger 20, pulling it upwardly and separating the main movable contact 21 from the main stationary contact 22 to open the circuit.

The upper end of the plunger 20 is connected to the operating arm 70 by the yoke connection 71 in such manner that the upward movement of plunger 20 must necessarily result in upward rotation of operating arm 70 and downward movement of the plunger 20 must necessarily result in downward rotation of the operating arm 70 and vice versa.

Operating arm 70 is rotatably mounted on the stationary pivot 75 at the end opposite its connection at 71 to plunger 20.

Operating arm 70 carries intermediate its ends and extending transversely with respect thereto the pin 76 on ahich are rotatably mounted the main latch roller 77 and the pawl 7 8. Pawl 78 is essentially a bell crank lever in form having a timer arm engaging leg 79 for engagement with arm 57 in the manner hereinafter described and a downwardly extending positioning leg 80.

Also rigidly attached to the operating arm 70 is a pin 121a extending transversely thereto. The pin 121a is located above the lock-out pawl arm 121 and below the timer arm 57 for movement thereof as will hereinafter be described.

In the normal at rest position of the operating arm 70 shown schematically in Figure 6, the positioning leg 80 of pawl 78 is driven by coil spring 82 against the stop pin 81 carried by the operating arm 70.

The timer arm 57 as is shown in Figure l is provided with a slotted pin 85 receiving the end 86 of coil spring 87. Coi l spring 87 is wound around the slotted pin 85 and the outer end 88 thereof is connected to the stationary pin 90 carried in a lug 91 extending from the side of the timing mechanism housing 92.

Coil spring 87 is so adjusted that the timer arm 57 in the normal closed circuit position of the apparatus is substantially horizontal. When the timer arm 57 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction with respect to Figures 1 and 6, the coil spring 87 is tensioned tending to rotate the timer arm 57 back toward the substantially horizontal position.

Timer arm 57 has a rearward extension 95 with a rounded under surface 96 which will be engaged by the upper surface of leg 79 of pawl 78 when the operating arm 70 begins to rise (compare Figures 6 and 7) during the upward movement of the plunger 20.

Rigid-1y mounted on the upper surface of the timer arm 57 is a bell crank lever 600 with arms 601 and 602. The arm 602 of crank lever 600 is rigidly attached to the side of timer arm 57. The opposite arm 601 is provided with a slot 603 which is shaped to enclose the reduced section 312 of timer adjustment arm 135 when sufiicient clockwise rotation is imparted to timer arm 57.

Bell crank arm 600 is positioned to rotate the timer adjustment arm 135 about the pivot 310 against bias of coil spring 311. This counterclockwise rotation imparted to the arm 135 will raise the point 300 which acts as a fulcrum point for the timer mechanism 92. Lowering this point 300 will permit the timer to run at a more rapid speed as will hereinafter be described.

As the operating arm 70 rises, the pawl 78 lifts the rear end 95 of the timer arm 57 rotating the timer arm as above described and thereby lifting the time delay pawl lever 100 which is connected by the pin 101 to the timer arm 57 between the pin and the end of the timer arm 57.

Time delay pawl lever is biased in a clockwise direction toward the time delay toothed ratchet 102 as shown in Figure 17 by the coil spring 103. Time delay pawl lever 100 is provided with the pawl tooth 104 which bears against the time delay circular ratchet 102.

Lever 100 is also provided with the extension 105 below the pawl tooth 1694 having a cammed surface which bears against the pin 106 carried by the housing 92 of the timer mechanism and which in the normal at rest position of the operating mechanism with the switch contacts closed maintains the pawl tooth 104 out of engagement with the surface of the time delay ratchet 102 as shown in Figures 6 and 17.

Pin 106 is rotatable and is cam-shaped to provide adjustment of the disengaging point of pawl 100.

When, however, the operating arm 70 is raised about its pivot 75 owing to the lifting up of the plunger 20 by the operating solenoid coil 24 and pawl 78 thus lifts the end 95 of the timer arm 57, the time delay pawl lever 100 is lifted; and as soon as its extension 105 clears the pin 106, coil spring 103 drives the pawl tooth 10 1 against the surface of the time delay ratchet 102.

This is shown diagrammatically by a comparison of Figures 7 and 8.

The pawl tooth 104 of the time delay pawl lever 100 rides up the surface of the time delay ratchet 102 without rotating the same owing to the curvature of the teeth 107 of the ratchet 102 (see also Figures 18 and 19) and also owing to the fact that certain portions 108, 109 may be made smooth and without the teeth 107 for purposes hereinafter more specifically described.

161. Reclosing time delay From the description thus far, it will be apparent that in response to a predetermined fault current, control magnet 12 was energized opening the shunt switch around operating magnet coil 24. Coil 24 was then energized in response to the fault current and the circuit breaker contacts opened instantaneously. The contacts are latched in open position. At the same time energy was stored in a spring 512 which, now under control of a time delay mechanism, operates to release the principal atch.

Contacts 20a and 21 are opened in an arc chamber in which the resultant are following circuit interruption is extinguished. The operating magnet coil 24 is de energized and the plunger 2% is now operable under action of a biasing spring 512 to reclose contacts 29a, 21 as soon as the time delay releases the latch.

The ratchet 162 is keyed to the timer shaft 11% which is under the control of the timing mechanism within the timing mechanism housing 92. Assuming that the first reclosure is to be delayed, then the teeth 10711 (Figure 18) of ratchet 162 are so positioned that the pa vl tooth 194 will engage the teeth 137a at the M ii ment of the timer arm 57, lever 160 and pawl tooth 164- as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 9 shows the fully open position before reclosure starts. Timer arm 57 is held up by pin 121a.

At this time, the leg 7? of pawl '73 has been moved through a suthcient are by rotation on pin 7:"; to um engage the curved under surface 96 of the rear extension 95 of the timer arm 57 (Figure 8) and the end oi the timer arm 5'? is released to move downward and hence the time delay pawl lever 1% begins to descend as indicated in Figure 10.

it will be observed that during the first instants of contact separation, noted in Figures 7 and 8, the timer arm and its associated bell crank arm 6% are rotated counterclocl'wise. When the operating parts are in the position of F' ure 8, the keyway or slot 6&3 of the bell crank arm (r31 surrounds the timer adjustment arm 135 but has not rotated this unit.

As the operating parts move from the position of Figure 8 to the contact full open position of Figure 9, the bell cranl: arm forces the timer adjustment arm l35 to rotate about its pivot 310. As the operating parts move to the position where time delay reclosing starts (Figure the force from the bell crank arm 6% on the timer adjustment arm 135 is removed. This allows the biasing spring 311 to return the arm 135 to the neutral position of Figures 6 and 10.

it should be observed that the lapse of time between movement of the timer adjustment arm from the neutral position of Figure 8 to the position of Figure 9 and then back to the neutral position of Figure 10 comprises a very small percentage of the entire time required for initial opening and closing and is accomplished in less han one cycle or two one-hundreths of a second.

Since the timer run out time will always be of the magnitude of several cycles, this duration of time is insuificient to have an appreciable influence on the time of return of the timer mechanism for the second and subsequent reclosings.

Thus, the descent at the position indicated in Figure 10 is delayed by the timing mechanism in timing mechanism housing which controls the rotation of shaft 11;" tin 'ng arm 5? cannot move instantaneously back to its original position under the influence of coil spring 87 but returns with a timed movement determined by the speed at which the timing mechanism in housing 2 permits the pawl tooth 1 34 to drive the time delay ratchet 162.

The main latch roller '77 seats in the latching 112 just prior to the disengagement of pawl end 78 from timer arm end 96 as shown in Figure 8. The principal latch 113 constitutes lever arm pivotally unted on the stationary pin and biased toward the main latch roller 77 by the coil spring 115.

When the main latch roller '77 carried by the operating arm 7% which is connected at 71 to the plunger 20. therefore, seats in the latching detent 112, the operating arm 70 and the connected plunger 2% are locked in the up position as shown in Figure 10.

This latching operation is accomplished by making the up stroke of plunger and arm 79 sufficient to lift latch roller 7'? above latching detent 112 high enough to ensure that pawl 73 will disengage the timer arm 57 (see Figure 9). Latch roller 77 then moves down slightly 8 with arm and plunger 20 to rest on cletent 112 as noted in Figure 10.

As previously pointed out, a compression spring 512 has been compressed by the upward movement of plunger 2.8 to bias the plunger 20 downwardly to the position in which contacts 26a and 21 will engage. This compression spring is, however, defeated by the interengagement of the main latch roller 77 with the latching detent 112 of the principal latch 113.

The principal latch 112 has a U-shaped extension 117 t tr e path of movement of roller 118 carried on pin 119 at the rear end of the timer arm 57.

As the timer arm 57 returns toward its original position under the influence of coil spring 87 and delayed by the time delay mechanism in housing 92 which acts h the time delay pawl lever lllll on timer arm 57,

s such as roller 113 engages the end of the U- -nsion 117 of the principal latch 113 and pushes the latch 113 back far enough so that the latching detent ill: moves out from under the main latching roller 77 permitting the reclosing spring 512 to drive the plunge 2t? and the operating arm 70 down to effect rte-engagement of contacts 26:: and 21 as in Figure 12.

Accordingly, it is the return movement of the timing arm 57 which disengages latch 113 from the main latch ing roller 77 and the time delay which operates on the timer arm 57 determining the degree to which reclosure will be delayed.

The timing mechanism may, therefore, be adjusted to any desired speed and this adjusted speed will be etlective to control the return movement of the timing arm 57, which in turn will control the unlatching of the operating arm 7t? and the plunger 29.

After the completion of the clockwise rotation of timer arm 57 the curved extension ABS of the reclosing t me delay pawl lever 15'!) moves against the )in 186 to move the pawl tooth 184 out of engagement with the teeth 167 or 197:: of the time delay ratchet as the case may be (Figure 18).

At this time, the timing mechanism which was wound up by the rotation. of ratchet 162 by timer arm 57 in a clockwise direction with respect to Figures 1, 6 to 13 and 18 will now be free to rotate the time delay ratchet and its shaft back to the original or neutral position.

Th return movement of the timer shaft 110 and the time delay ratchet 1-22 will, however, be under the contrt of the timing mechanism. The time for the return of the time delay ratchet 102 will not necessarily be the as was required for the original movement. in the first place, the spring 87 which causes the forward movement and the spring in the timer which causes the return movement are of dillerent strengths and in addition the return movement is always at the same rate, which is the slowes speed of operation of the timer. On the other hand, forwar movement, which consists of two parts, is at a slow rate for the first portion of its travel. This rate is not necessarily the same as under the return portion since a much heavier spring is operated. in addition, the sccend portion of travel in the forward direction is under the innuence of the heavier spring and at a variable rate of operation depending on the magnitude of the sl ort circuit current.

if this return movement is completed before the n 1. opening operation, then the next opening operation occurs as if. it were the first opening operation of a series and the first and subsequent reclosures will occur as if they .vere the first of a series.

however, this return movement has not been completed before the next opening operation, then on the next opening operation, pawl 194 will engage teeth 16? of the time delay ratchet 102 at a position angularly displaced from the first engagement. The main latch roller 77 will be engaged and held by the latch 113 and the timer 57 will again descend under the control, however, of the timing mechanism in housing 92 translated to the ajregaao timer arm through the timer shaft 110, ratchet 102, and lever 100.

If the next opening of the circuit breaker occurs before the timing mechanism in housing 92 has had an opportunity to begin to return the ratchet 102 and shaft 110 back toward the initial position, then the return of the timing arm 57 under the control of the time delay mechanism will add cumulative angular rotation to ratchet 102 and shaft 110.

By adjusting a stop in the timer mechanism 92, it is possible to relocate the normal or reset portion of the timer and, therefore, the time delay ratchet 102. If this is done, the flat spot is moved in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 19) as shown in Figure 18, and then the detent 104 engages with a tooth and thus provides the full five seconds delay on the first reclosure due to the influence of the timer.

Icn. Lock-out It is essential in the operation of the novel circuit recloser that the contacts be locked open after a predetermined number of reclosing operations.

Thus, in the event the initial cause for opening of the contacts was some transient fault in the line, the recloser may close and remain closed. An example is the case of some accidentally maintained arcing over at an insulator on the line owing to an unusual transient condition, in which case momentary interruption of current occasioned by one opening and reclosure of the contacts will result in extinguishment of the are which will not then ordinarily reignite owing to the fact that the ionized gases would normally be blown away or otherwise cooled. This will also be the case if wires have accidentally swung together in a high wind.

Moreover, if some relatively high resistance member has caused the fault, the first or second reclosure of the automatic recloser may serve to burn away the cause of the fault and the automatic recloser contacts should then remain closed to maintain the circuit after the fault has been burned away.

If, however, the opening of the contacts resulted from a true short circuit condition which will not be cleared by repeated openings and closings of the automatic recloser, it then becomes essential to lock the automatic recloser open. This is the principal reason for making the angular movements of the time delay ratchet 102 and the timer shaft 110 cumulative on rapidly repeated reclosures.

After a predetermined number of such reclosures as after the second or third reclosure, this cumulative rotation of the reclosing time delay ratchet 102 and the timer shaft 110 may be utilized to bring a lock-out mechanism into operation.

The lock-out mechanism comprises a lockut ratchet 126 on the timer shaft 110 co-axial with but spaced from the reclosing time delay ratchet 102 and a lock-out pawl lever 121 having a pawl tooth 122 and connected at its opposite end by pin 123 to the principal latch 113.

A coil spring 125 biases the lock-out pawl lever 121 upwardly so that the pawl tooth 122 bears against the surface of the lock-out ratchet 120. The lock-out ratchet 120, as is seen in Figures 20 and 21, is smooth at 126 over a substantial portion of its surface and is provided with teeth 127 over another portion of its surface.

In the original condition of the elements, after a first opening, the pawl tooth 122 engages the smooth section 126 of the surface of the lock-out ratchet 120 whenever the latch 113 is in latching engagement with the roller 77.

After a repeated number of reclosures, however, resulting in cumulative rotation of the timer shaft 110, time delay ratchet 102 and lock-out ratchet 120, the teeth 127 of the look-out ratchet 120 move into position to be engaged by the pawl tooth 122 on the next opening operation when the latch 113 next moves to a position where it receives and holds the latch 77.

When. on an opening operation the latch 113 engages the roller '77 to lock the operating arm 70 and plunger 20 in the up position and when the pawl tooth 122 engages the teeth 127 of the look-out ratchet 120, remembering that the ratchets 102 and 120 are rotated in a clockwise direction with respect to Figures 18 and 20 as the timer arm descends, the teeth 127 are so curved that they will be locked by the pawl tooth 122 for such clockwise rotation and the pawl tooth 122 on the lock-out pawl lever 121 will prevent such further rotation by the timer shaft 110 and ratchets 102 and 120.

Hence, the timer arm 57 and its pawl lever cannot now descend and the automatic recloser mechanism is now locked out as shown in Figure 13. This is true since, as pointed out above, it is the descent of the timer arm that is necessary to push the principal latch 113 away from the latching roller '77; and the timer arm cannot now descend.

The lock-out ratchet 120, as hereinafter described, may be made angularly adjustable about the shaft so that the angular position of shaft 110 at which the teeth 127 move into conjunction with the pawl tooth 122 may be determined or set in accordance with the number of reclosures to be had before the lock-out position is reached.

The interlock arrangement definitely does not permit lock-out with the main contacts closed. A pin 121a, rigidly mounted on the operating arm 70, will hold the lock-out pawl 122 away from the lock-out ratchet 120.

When the contacts 20a and 21 open, on the lifting of the plunger and operating arm 70, then, as stated hereinbefore, the control coil 12 is de-energized and spring 26 returns the control switch 16 and the control armature 25 back to their original positions with the control unit returning from the position of Figure 5 back to the position of Figure 4. Owing to the fact that the end 95 of timer arm 57 is raised, the forward end 56 of the timer arm $7 is lowered and thus it moves away from the pickup calibrating screw 54.

Consequently, coil spring 52 may now drive the opening latch 50 to a position where its detent 60 locks under the roller 61 of toggle 626564. The latching detent 69 owing to the fact that the pick-up calibrating screw 54 at this point has nothing to rest on because of the lowering of end 56 of the timer arm 57 moves sufiiciently under the roller 61 so that it absolutely locks the roller 61 and so that the roller 61 cannot push the opening latch 50 out for a tripping operation.

Energization of control coil 12 after closing of contacts 20a21 by descent of plunger 20 after release of latch roller 77 cannot now pull down the armature 25 to reopen the control switch 16 until the timer arm 57 completes its full return to its original position.

At this time, thereby permitting the reopening time delay hereinafter described to be effective, the end 56 of the timer arm 57 lifts the pick-up calibrating screw 54 to rotate lug 53, pin 51, and latch 50 back to the calibrated position at which the control coil 12, if properly energized, will pull down the armature 25 with suflicient force to cause the roller 61 to push the latch 50 aside.

As previously pointed out, after the timer arm 57 in its return movement under the control of the time delay ratchet 102 causes the latch 113 to release the main latch roller 77, the closing spring hereinafter described closes contacts 20a and 21 to re-establish the fiow of current through the automatic recloser.

At this time, the switch 16 has been closed establishing a by-pass for the operating coil 24 and, therefore, the contacts remain closed. This reclosing of the circuit breakers occurs before the end 56 of the timer arm 57 has reached the pick-up calibrating screw 54.

Accordingly, the latch 50 and its detent are so located under the roller 61 at this point that the control coil 12 cannot pull down the armature 25 to open control switch 61.

With the latch 50, therefore, locking the roller 61, the

circuit breaker cannot at this time trip after the first reclosing operation even though a fault current may exist which would normally have energized coil 12 sufficiently to attract the armature 25 and open the switch 16. Such attraction of the armature 25 to open the switch 16 cannot occur until the end 56 of the timer arm 57 lifts the pick-up calibrating screw 54 after a time delay to rotate the latch 5 9 to a position where the roller 61 may push it aside to permit collapse of toggle 626564 and thereby permit the attraction of the armature 25 and opening of switch 16.

From the above, it will now be clear that the present invention provides time delay for each reclosing operation and for each opening operation following the first instantaneous opening operation.

Both time delays are achieved with the same timing mechanism and with individual latches.

inasmuch as reclosing is by spring opera n, first latch 112 locks the contacts in disengaged pos on. The time delay after a predetermined interval releases this first latch to permit fast spring reclosure of the contacts.

Since reopening is by magnet operation, a second latch locks the armature of the control magnet which in turn controls the energizing circuit of the operating magnet. The time delay after a predetermined interval releases "this second latch to effect energization of the operating magn t resultin in fast magnet opening of the contacts.

Although the latter latch is on the armature of the control magnet, which is preferable because the toggle 6255-64 permits a light latch 6'9 to lock against a strong pull, the net effect is to lock plunger 20 against movement. Accordingly, the latch can be located anywhere in the mechanical or electrical system which controls movement of plunger 29 including a latch on plunger 23, it being understood that release of the latch would be controlled by the time delay mechanism.

3- t'h the reclosing and reopening time delays are provided to automatically give the circuit time to correct the fault conditions if they can be corrected.

The timing mechanism and associated timer adjustment arm A timer adjustment arm 135 is provided to allow adistnient for more rapid operating of the timer. The n mechanism in housing 92 is so arranged that as timer adjustment arm 135 is moved downwardly, the ts 132, 120 and timer shaft 11%) may rotate more ely and when this arm is moved down all the way, the nets 182, 126 and the timer shaft 116 rotate substan- It is suficient here to point once more that it controls the rotation of the timer O by the timer arm 57 in one direction to delay the reoc-rn of the timer arm 57 back to its original posifter reclosure has occurred, it returns the timer shaft and its associated ratchets 102 and 12% back to their al position with a time delay period determined by relative strength of spring 271 hereinafter described,

ring the timer shaft 11a and its associated elements to their original position if the automatic recloser cmains closed following its reclosure.

The housing 92 for the timing mechanism 2 5i; of Figure l7 comprises essentially a pair of parallel plates 2.61. and 2 52.

he main operating shaft 270 of the time mechanism rotates in appropriate bearings in plates 253., nding transversely thereto. The portion of the main ating shaft 270 extending through plate 261 carries connecting pin 275 extending through the hexagonal rn'oer 2'76 mounted on the shaft 279 and through regis- .rng openings in the hexagonal member 276 and the shaft 270 so that rotation of the main operating shaft 270 12 will result in angular movement of the main operating pin 275 and vice versa.

Gear 289 on the main operating shaft 270 is connected to pinion 281 on the arbor 282 caried between plates 2G1 and 262. Gear 283 on the arbor 282 is connected to pinion 284 on arbor 285 also carried between plates 26? and 262. Gear 286 on arbor 285 is connected to pinion 287 on cam shaft 288. Cam shaft 288 is the escapement shaft of the timing mechanism.

Cam shaft 288 carries at its inner end the disc 239 heeled by the eccentric transverse cam pin 290 to the disc 291, which in turn is connected to the opposite end of the cam shaft 288a.

As the cam shaft 288, 288a is rotated by the gear train 2S'-9-231-283284-286287, the cam pin 296 do 1" .es a circle at a radius from the main axis of the cam 1 The escapement lever 295 is provided at its upper end with an escapement pin 2% registering in the escapement slot 297 of the escapement wheel The escapement wheel 298 is mounted on arbor 299 which is rotatable in appropriate bearings between plates 261 and 262. The fulcrum of escapement lever 1295 is the pin 36% carried by the timer adjusting arm 35. The lower end of the escapement lever 295 is provided with a flaring slot 305 wider toward its lower end and narrow at its upper end, the axis of the slot 305 extending along a line through the fulcrum 300 and the escapement pin 2%.

Slot 305 surrounds the cam pin 290. As the main operating shaft 270 of the timer is rotating in one direction, it winds up the main spring 271. At the same time, through the gear train 280-281-283-284-235-237, it rotates the cam shaft 288 and the cam pin 2%. With the cam pin 29% resting in the narrow portion of the flaring slot 385, the escapement lever 295 is rotated back and forth around the fulcrum 300.

The escapement pin 296 of the escapement lever 295 entering the escapement slot 297 of the escapement wheel 2% causes the escapement wheel 298 to oscillate back and forth.

The time delay thus obtained is a function of the inertia of the escapement wheel 298 and the escapement lever 295 which, owing to the eccentric movement of the cam pin 299, must move in one direction, come to rest, move in an opposite direction, come to rest once more, and repeat this operation continuously as the main operating shaft 279 of the timing mechanism is rotated.

The inertia of these elements thus provides the time delay. Similarly, when the exterior rotative force on the main operating shaft 270 of the timing mechanism is rcleased, the main spring 271 rotates the elements in an opposite direction to reset the operating shaft 275 back to its original position, being delayed, however, by the escapement lever 295 and the escapement wheel 2.93, the inertia of which owing to constant change of direction of movement must be overcome at each change of direction of movement.

it will be obvious that the longer the period of e ch oscillation of escapement lever 295 and escapement micel 293, the greater the time delay and the shorter the period of oscillation, the smaller the time delay.

For this purpose, the fulcrum 300 is made shiftahlc vertically. With the fulcrum 300 in the lower positron, full time delay is achieved.

As the fulcrum 300 is raised, the flared portion of the slot 365 moves into registry with the cam pin 2% so that the cam pin 290 oscillates the lever 295 only at the ri h: and left extreme position, its rotation thereby oscilla ig it through a shorter period. This period decr sesthe flared portion of the slot 305 which registers with the cam pin 29%) is widened by raising of the fulcrum of the escapement lever 295.

in addition to the decreased period of oscillation, the power ratio of escapement pin 296 with respect to escape ment wheel 298 is increased since as the fulcrum 3% of 13 the escapement lever 295 is raised, the escapement pin 296 rises in slot 297 of the escapement wheel to an increased distance away from the pivot 299 of the escapement wheel.

Consequently, the net inertia of the escapement wheel 298 is decreased or rather the net effect of inertia owing to the increase in the power ratio above referred to is decreased.

When the fulcrum 300 is raised to a point where the full flared portion of the flaring slot 305 registers with the cam pin 290, the cam pin 290 does not engage the escapement lever at all during its rotation and operating shaft 270 may rotate even in response to external force or in response to its spring 271 free of the time delay effected by the escapement lever 295 and escapement wheel 29%.

To accomplish the shift in fulcrum 300 which varies the time delay afforded by the timing mechanism 260, the timer adjustment arm 135 which carries the fulcrum 300 is pivotally mounted on the cross pin 310 carried between plates 261 and 262. A coil spring 311 biases the end of the timer adjustment arm which carries the fulcrum 300 downwardly. The outer end of timer adjustment arm 135 has the reduced diameter section 312 which receives the slot 603 of the bell crank lever 600.

As the bell crank lever 600 is rotated in a manner hereinbefore mentioned and hereinafter described to move the end 312 of the timer adjustment arm 135 down, the fulcrum 300 of the escapement lever 295 is raised to decrease the time delay afforded by the timing mechanism 260.

When the bell crank arm 600 does not pull down the timer adjustment arm 135, then the conditions prevail in which full time delay is achieved.

An adjustable stop member 315 riding in slot 316 is provided against which the inner end 317 may rest to predetermine the maximum time delay. The higher the adjustable stop 315 is raised, the shorter the maximum time delay period and, therefore, the faster the reclosing operation.

Thus, the stop 315 of clamping screw 320 determines the maximum time delay of the timing mechanism 269 while the bell crank lever 600 positioned on operating arm 135 in response to force on the pull ring 236 (hereinafter described) determines the variation from this maximum time delay in the manner previously described.

By this means, therefore, a simplified timing mechanism is provided which will time delay the rotation of operating shaft 270 in one direction by an exterior force and which will correspondingly time delay the return of operating shaft 270 to its original position under the influence of the main spring 271.

III). Lock-out reset elements After the lock-out position previously described in connection with Figure 1 and illustrated schematically in Figure 12 is reached, it becomes necessary to release the parts of the automatic circuit recloser so that they may be placed in circuit once more after appropriate inspection of the line has been made.

The parts provided so that the automatic recloser may be placed in operation after the interior parts have been locked out, in the position of Figure 13, will now be described in connection with Figures 3, and 14 to 16.

As seen now in Figures 3 and 14 to 16, the plate 170 of operating arm 70 is provided with a downwardly directed extension 192 carrying the pin 193 to which is connected the link 194. The opposite end of link 194 is connected by pin 195 to the crank 196.

In Figure 3 the position of link 194 and crank 196 is shown for connection to the exterior parts in the exterior housing 200. The exterior operating shaft 205 passes through a bearing 206 in wall 203. The end of the shaft 205 is provided with the extended key 207 registering in the key way 208 at the end of the crank 196 opposite the pin 195. A bolt 2.09 passing through an opening in the end of crank 196 also enters a threaded opening in the inner end of the exterior operating shaft 205.

Thus, the exterior operating shaft 205 is connected to the operating arm 70 in such manner that when the operating arm 70 and plunger 20 are raised, the end 195 of crank 196 will correspondingly be raised, thus rotating the shaft 205 in a clockwise direction with respect to Figures 3 and 1416.

After the automatic recloser has been locked open in a manner previously described by operation of the lock out ratchet 120 in cooperation with the look-out pawl lever 121, it becomes necessary to reset the automatic recloser so that it may close after the fault which caused the locking open has been repaired.

For this purpose, a reset link 235 terminating in the ring 236 is provided, the said reset lever being rotatably mounted on the pin 237 and being secured in place by a cotter pin. Pin 237 extends from the crank arm 240 which is an extension of cross arm 241 mounted on the sleeve 242.

Sleeve 242 is in turn rotatably mounted on section 243 of reduced diameter of the exterior operating shaft 205. Cross arm 241 of the sleeve 242 extends above the crank arm 231 and crank arm 240 of cross arm 241 extends above pin 245 which pin is rigidly attached and transverse to the side of crank arm 231.

A coil spring 246 maintains the crank arm 240 and the reset link 235 in the up position even though shaft 205 is rotated so that crank 231 moves down as shown in Figure 16.

When now after a lock-out of the automatic reclosing mechanism as shown schematically in Figure 13 after the desired number of reclosures has occurred, it becomes necessary to reset the mechanism. The end of a hooked stick is inserted in ring 236 of the reset link 235 and the reset link 235 is pulled down. This pulls down the crank 240 in the cross arm 241 causing the sleeve 242 to rotate about section 243 of exterior operating shaft 255.

The crank 240 bearing on pin 245 pulls down the crank 231 rotating the shaft 205 further in a counterclockwise direction and lifting the plunger 20 and the operating arm 70 from the lock-out position of Figure 13 to the look-out release position of Figure 9. This lifts the latch roller 77 off the latching detent 112 in the principal latch 113 and up to the recessed portion 250 of the principal latch 113.

When the recloser is released from lock-out by pulling down on ring 236, the latch roller 7'7 is lifted up off of latching detent 112 to the upper portion of principal latch 113. However, the principal latch 113 does not move forward during this operation since the upper section has a contour which is a radius from pivot 75 so that the latch roller merely rolls up the radius section. This construction is desirable so that the principal latch 113 will move when the latch roller moves back down towards detent 112. This construction assures more positive latching action. Also, as the operating arm '70 is moved from the lock-out position of Figure 13 to the lock-out release position of Figure 9, the transverse pin 121a engages the lower surface of the timer arm 57 and rotates this arm counterclockwise.

Thus, when the recloser is reset from lock-out, the detent 370 of arm 57 strikes against the upper portion 371 of pawl 100, causing it to rotate in a clockwise direction around its pivot 101 (from Figure 13 to Figure 9) which disengages the detent 194 from the teeth of the time delay ratchet 102. The time delay ratchet 102 and lock-out ratchet 120 are then free to return to their normal reset position under the influence of reset spring 271. This action is possible because pawl has been disengaged from time delay ratchet 102 and the teeth on lock-out ratchet are so shaped that they will slip by detent 122 on lock-out pawl 121 in the reset direction.

re etting of the timing mechanism back to its in .1 position is accomplished with no intentional time The down y rd force on the pull ring 235 lifts the operating arm 7% and timer arm 57 as hereinbefore ed and also rotates the bell crank arm 60% from it-out position of Figure 13 to the lock-out release By means of the engagement between keyway 603 and the reduced section 312, the bell crank arm 60% is able to rotate the timer adjustment arm 135 about its p or against the bias of spring 311. This lifts the fulcrum of the escapernent lever 295 and permits the cam pin 2% to enter the wide portion of the flaring slot As hereinbefore mentioned, this movement of parts permits the timer mechanism 269 to operate inde pendent of the escapement wheel 2% and thus allows the 119 on associated ratchet wheels 102 and 120 1 to their normal position with no time delay. 12th of time thus required to return the ratchet and E29 to their normal position is less one second. if the bell crank lever titl were not attached to engage the timer adjustment arm 135, the return of the ratchet wheels 162 and 120 to normal 5 need not be held down any appreciable length Experience has proved that the timer mechn can reset the shaft 119 to its normal position if the pull ring is merely pulled down and reclosed without any intentional length of time held in the down ion. That is, a normal downward force on the pull ring will usually result in a lapse of one second, the period required to reset the timer mechanism 260, with intentionally holding down the pull ring 235.

on the pull ring 236 is pulled in the downward it not only raises rod 26 and releases the time described previously, but also it the recloser in the open position mechanically. plished by latch 25ft engaging with pin as shown in Figure 3. When pull ring 236 is the extension of pin 237 beyond the upper i pull ring 2.55 engages with the upper surface of the lower leg of lock-out latch 251, causing it to be d around its pivot 252. The detent 254 is then need to engage with pin on arm 231 and thus hold the mechanism in the open position. The recloser .naliy released from lock-out by releasing the by means of a switch stick pushed up against surface or against the extension 255. the entire period of time to change the positic-n of the reclose parts from the lock-out position of Figure 13 to the lock-out release position of Figure 9 and th l to the normal contact closed position of Figis 0 a few secnds and is accomplished with mechanism 266. When it -closer manually and cause it u re no time delay due to tn to open the The recloser is then latched open by means of latch as described above. The recloser c..n than be reclosed by pushing up against latch 251 and unlatching detent 254- from pin 245.

It should be noted that the main difilerence in reclosing the recloser is that when it is latched open mechanically from the outside, it is only necessary to unlatch the recloser by pushing up on latch 251. However, when the recloser locks open electrically on the inside, the reclosing operation consists of two parts. First, the pull ring is pulled down and then released which will allow the lock-out ratchet to reset, and second, to push up on latch 251 to release the mechanical latch. which was operated during the first part of the resetting action.

in the foregoing I have described my invention solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact said movable contact having a closed position and open position; a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current flows therein for operating said movable contact to its open position; a timer arm a connection from said movable contact to said timer; said timer being movable from a first posi tion to a second position on movement of said movable contact to open circuit position; a timing mechanism; means controlled by said timer for returning the timer arm from the second position to the first position; an adjusting arm for said timing mechanism for varying the rate of operation of said time mechanism between slow operation and fast operation; a member on said timer arm a manual control for said member; said member when operated by said manual control being engagea'ole with said adjusting arm to move said adjusting arm toward fast operation of said timing mechanism.

2. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact said movable contact having a closed position and open position; a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current flows therein for operating said movable contact to its open position; a timer arm a connection from said movable contact to said timer; said timer being movable from a first position to a second position on movement of said movable contact to open circuit position; a timing mechanism; means for returning the timer arm from the second position to the first position; an adjusing arm for said timing mechanism for varying the rate of operation of said time mechanism between slow operation and fast operation; a member extending from said timer arm; said timer arm being movable to a third position further removed from said first position than said second position a manual control for said member, said member when operated by said manual control engaging said timer adjusting arm in said third position of said timer arm and moving said timer adjusting arm to the position for fast operation of said timer arm.

3. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact said m vable contact havin" a closed position and open position; a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current flows ther n for operating said movable contact to its open position; a timer arm a connection from said move. le contact to said timer; said timer being movable from a first position to a second position on movement of said movable contact to open circuit position; a timing mechanism; means for returning the timer arm from the second position to the first position; means for locking said timer arm in said second position; said means also locking said timing mechanism against operation; an adjusting arm for said timing mechanism for varying the rate of osition said third osition releasing said timer arm A 9 p from said locking means and releasing said timing mechanism to permit it to operate a manual control for said member; said member when operated by said manual control engaging said timer adjusting arm in said third position of said timer arm and moving said timer adjusting arm to the position for fast operation of said timer arm.

4. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact said movable contact having a closed position and open position; a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current flows therein for operating said movable contact to its open position; adjustable timing mechanism a connection from said timing mechanism to said movable contact to bring said timing mechanism into operation by a movement of the movable contact to open position to time delay reclosing of said movable contact; apparatus operable after at least one opening movement of said movable contact to lock said movable contact in open position; apparatus for releasing said movable contact from said locking apparatus; a timing mechanism adjusting member; a connection from said adjusting member to said releasing apparatus said timing adjusting member being operated by said releasing member on release of said movable contact from said locking apparatus to increase the speed of operation of the timing mechanism.

5. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact; time delay apparatus connectable to said movable contact to delay movement thereof from the open to the closed position said time delay apparatus having a movable member to prevent the timing operation of said time delay apparatus; releasable locking apparatus for maintaining said movable contact in an electrically locked open position; a first and second manual means to effect contact re-engagement when moved from a first to a second position, said first manual means when moved from said first to said second position operating said movable member for defeating the operation of said time delay means so that movement of said second manual means from said first to said second position will insure contact reengagement.

6. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact, said movable contact having a closed position and open position, a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current flows therein for operating said movable contact to its open position, a timer arm, a connection from said movable contact to said timer, said timer being movable from a first position to a second position on movement of said movable contact to open circuit position; a timing mechanism; means controlled by said timer for returning the timer arm from the second position to the first position; an adjusting arm for said timing mechanism for varying the rate of operation of said time mechanism between slow operation and fast operation; a member operable by said timer arm; said member when operated by said timer arm being engageable with said adjusting arm to move said adjusting arm toward fast operation of said timing mechanism.

7. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact; said movable contact having a closed position and open position; a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current flows therein for operating said movable contact to the open position; a timer arm; a connection from said movable contact to said timer; said timer being movable from a first position to a second position on movement of said movable contact to open circuit position; a timing mechanism; means controlled by said timer for returning the timer arm from the second position to the first position; an adjusting arm for said timing mechanism for varying the rate of operation of said time mechanism between slow operation and fast operation; a member operable by said timer arm; said timer arm being movable to a third position further removed from said first position than said second position; said timer arm operable to move said member into engagement with said timer adjusting arm when said timer arm is moved to said third position; said member efiective to move said timer adjusting arm to the position for fast operation of said timer arm when said member is in engagement with said adjusting arm.

8. In a circuit recloser comprising a movable contact and a complementary contact; said movable contact having a closed position and open position; a fault responsive magnet operated when a fault current fio-ws therein for operating said movable contact to the open position; a timer arm; a connection from said movable contact to said timer; said timer being movable from a first position to a second position on movement of said movable contact to open circuit position; a timing mechanism; means controlled by said timer for returning the timer arm from the second position to the first position; means for locking said timer arm in said second position; said means also locking said timing mechanism against operation; an adjusting arm for said timing mechanism for varying the rate of operation of said time mechanism between slow operation and fast operation; a member operable by said timer arm; said timer arm being movable to a third position further removed from said first position than said second position; said third position releasing said timer arm from said looking means and releasing said timing mechanism to permit it to operate; said member when operated by said timer arm in said third position engaging said timer adjusting arm and moving said timer adjusting arm to the position for fast operation of said timer arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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