US2864912A - Motor operated circuit breaker - Google Patents

Motor operated circuit breaker Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2864912A
US2864912A US517594A US51759455A US2864912A US 2864912 A US2864912 A US 2864912A US 517594 A US517594 A US 517594A US 51759455 A US51759455 A US 51759455A US 2864912 A US2864912 A US 2864912A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
motor
operating handle
circuit breaker
handle
operating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US517594A
Inventor
Frederick G Schmidt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ITE Circuit Breaker Co
Original Assignee
ITE Circuit Breaker Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ITE Circuit Breaker Co filed Critical ITE Circuit Breaker Co
Priority to US517594A priority Critical patent/US2864912A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2864912A publication Critical patent/US2864912A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/66—Power reset mechanisms
    • H01H71/70—Power reset mechanisms actuated by electric motor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
    • H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
    • H01H71/66—Power reset mechanisms
    • H01H2071/665—Power reset mechanisms the reset mechanism operating directly on the normal manual operator, e.g. electromagnet pushes manual release lever back into "ON" position
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
    • H01H3/22—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H3/26—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using dynamo-electric motor
    • H01H3/264—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using dynamo-electric motor using a travelling nut mechanism

Definitions

  • contacts are operatively connected to the operating handle to be engaged and disengaged responsive to the movement of an operating handle to a first and second extreme position.
  • the mechanism which operatively connects the operating handle and cooperating contacts usually has the following characteristics:
  • a means is provided to maintain the contacts in the engaged or disengaged position after they assume this position.
  • This maintaining means can be embodied in devices such as over center toggle systems, latches and many others which are well known in the art.
  • the mechanism can have trip free properties to allow separation of the contacts when engaged on a fault condition independently of the operating handle position.
  • Means are provided within the mechanism to'allow contact operation independently of the position of operating handle which are responsive to fault or predetermined conditions. In most cases, the operating handle will also be biased to assume a tripped position-upon contact operation responsive to the fault sensing means.
  • the motor operated mechanism of my invention has the following features:
  • a removable connection provides the important advantage of'a' visual indicationby'means'of the circuit breaker operating handle as towhether the circuit breaker contacts are opened, closedyor tripped -due -to predetermined conditions.
  • the devicesrof'the "prior art also require elaborate clutching mechanismszto attach'the motor to the circuit breaker handle'in order to allowva' convenient means of disconnection for subsequent'manual operation.
  • These devices are :typically shown in United States :Patents 2,192,046,.”2,2'28,466 and 2,354,135.
  • the principle of my invention as was above noted, is to use a reversible motor which is removably connected, by a connecting means, to the operating handle of the circuit breaker in such a manner to allow force transmission from the reversible motor to the circuit breaker handle for operation within the two extreme positions of the circuit breaker handle, and to automatically disconnect the reversible motor from the operating handle after the operating handle has been moved to an extreme position.
  • This novel connection between the motor and circuit breaker handle is now made possible since the rotary motion of the motor in either direction can be linked on a simple manner to the Circuit breaker handle to thereby operate the circuit breaker handle towards a first or second direction.
  • limit switches which would automatically de-energize the motor in response to the positioning of the circuit breaker handle in an extreme position could be provided.
  • limit switches which automatically disengages the circuit breaker handle and reversible motor after the circuit breaker handle is moved to an extreme position, continued rotation of the reversible motor in a given direction will merely cause engagement between the reversible motor and the circuit breaker handle which is immediately disconnected after they engage.
  • connection between the reversible motor and the operating handle can be simple to thereby allow manual operation of the circuit breaker after a simple disconnection of the connecting means, or to embody my principle in a manner such that the reversible motor will be completely removed from the operating handle after operation thereof.
  • invention disclosed in this application differs from the invention disclosed in copending application, Serial No. 571,593, filed June 23, 1955, in that a distinct operative connection between the motor operated mechanism and circuit breaker handle exists at all times unless physically disconnected, but this operative connection is so constructed as to transmit force from the motor operated mechanism to the circuit breaker handle over the range of motion of the circuit breaker handle and to thereafter be a non-force transmitting connection.
  • the motor operated mechanism is completely removed or automatically disconnected from the circuit breaker handle after operation thereof.
  • a primary object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for circuit breakers wherein the motor operated mechanism is connected to the circuit breaker handle for operation thereof and is thereafter automatically disconnected from said circuit breaker handle.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide an operating mechanism for circuit breakers which does not require a clutch, brake or complex electrical de-energizing circuits.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for circuit breaker handles wherein manual operation of the circuit breaker handle is afforded without any alteration of the mechanism.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker handle such that continued rotation of the driving motor will not cause breakage of the circuit breaker handle or its associated mechanism after the circuit breaker handle is moved to an extreme position.
  • a still further object of my invention is to provide a a motor operated mechanism for circuit breaker handle which will give a visual indication of the circuit breaker handle being in a first or open position, a second or closed position or a third or tripped position.
  • Another object of my invention is to provide a motor operating mechanism for circuit breakers wherein an operative connection between the motor and the circuit breaker is capable of transmitting force only over the range of motion of the circuit breaker handle.
  • Still another object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker having a simple linkage between a reversible motor and the circuit breaker handle and the reversible motor to thereby afford manual operation of the circuit breaker.
  • reversible motor of my invention can be replaced by a unidirectional motor wherein a reversing means such as a gear box can be interposed between the motor and an ouput shaft such that an energizing means will operate the motor and also operate the reversing means to obtain a selectively reversible rotation of the motor output shaft.
  • another object of my invention is to provide a motor having a reversible output shaft for operating the operating handle of a circuit breaker.
  • Circuit breakers with which my invention has its greatest application are of the type in which the circuit breaker handle performs an essentially linear motion. Accordingly another object of my invention is to provide a motor operating mechanism for circuit breakers having an operating handle which performs a substantially straight line motion.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of my novel invention, wherein the circuit breaker is connected to a reversible motor by means of a force transmitting connection during operation of the circuit breaker handle between a first and second position.
  • This connection becomes a non-force connection after the circuit breaker handle is operated to an extreme position and the rotation of the motor in a given direction is continued.
  • Figure 2 shows a portion of the embodiment of Figure 1 wherein the reversible motor is disconnected from the circuit breaker handle to permit the manual operation Of the circuit breaker handle.
  • Figure 3 shows a side view of Figure 1 with the circuit breaker handle in an on position.
  • Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 with the circuit breaker handle in the off position.
  • Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 with a worm gear replacing the spur gear of Figure 1.
  • FIG. 1 A first embodiment of my novel invention is shown in Figures 1 through 4 wherein a circuit breaker 27 having an operating handle 31 is operated by a reversible motor 20 which drives a shaft 22 through a gear box 23 and shaft 22 subsequently rotates spur gear 63.
  • Rotation of output shaft 22 by means of the motor 2t) can be selectively energized by an energizing means shown schematically by box 2-tlcz.
  • Box 20a would, of course, contain a power source and various switching apparatus which could be easily designed by anyone skilled in the art.
  • box Zita would also contain means to operate a reversing gear box through which shaft 22 would be reversibly rotated.
  • Motor 20 is mounted in a position with respect to the circuit breaker 27 by means of a mounting member 52a which is secured to a ground member 52 by means of a bolt arrangement such as 53.
  • the mounting strap 52:: is then secured to the motor as by a fastening means shown as bolts 4.
  • the motor shaft 22, as shown in Figure 1, can be mounted for rotation Within a bearing of the member 55.
  • Member 55 is fastened to a ground member 56 by means of a bolt arrangement 57.
  • Circuit breaker 27 has a protruding operating handle 31 which is operatively connected toa pair of cooperable contacts within circuit breaker by means which is now shown herein. Details of this construction, however, are typically shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,574,093. Although I show my novel motor operating mechanism in conjunction with a circuit breaker of this type, it will become apparent that my motor operated mechanism can be applied to any circuit breaker having an operating han- Circuit breaker handle 31 as more specifically shown in Figures 3 and 4, has a second member which is shown as the sector gear 58 pivotally mounted thereon at the pivot 59. Sector gear 58 is resiliently mounted on the circuit breaker handle 31 at the pivot point 59 in view of the biasing springs 69 and 61 which allow this resilien't feature. Clearly, the same result of a resilient mounting could be obtained in many ways, such as making a connection between the circuit breaker handle 31 and sector gear 58 through a resilient member, and the particular embodiment shown here is merely for explanatory purposes.
  • the teeth 62 of sector gear 58 engage the teeth of a spur gear 63 which is splined to the shaft 22 in such a manner as to be rotated with the shaft 22 and movable along the axis of the shaft 22.
  • the shaft 22 is further provided with stop members 64 and 65 which may be fastened to shaft 22 in any manner desired to prevent motion of the stop members 64 and 65 in the axial direction of the shaft 22.
  • a spring 66 is then positioned concentrically about shaft 22 and forces the spur gear 23 into engagement with the stop 64 to thereby be positioned to engage the sector gear teeth 62.
  • the disengaged position is more specificaily shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, by forcing spur gear 63 to move in an axial direction along shaft 22 to compress spring 66, the spur gear 63 is disengaged from the sector gear 58 to thereby allow manual operation of the circuit breaker handle 31.
  • the sector gear 58 is constructed to have just a sufiicient member of teeth 62 to prevent further motion of sector gear 58 to be transmitted from the spur gear 63 once the operating handle assumes an extreme position.
  • the circuit breaker operating handle 31 is operated from an off to on position by means of the force transmitted from the reversible motor 29 and spur gear 63, and as soon as the extreme left hand position is achieved by the operating handle 31 further force cannot be transmitted to the operating handle 31.
  • the sector gear 58 is resiliently mounted by means of springs 60 and 61, the end teeth of the sector gear 58 will continue to engage the teeth of the spur gear 63 in a ratchet type of action.
  • spur gear 63 which will now be given a counter clockwise rotation will immediately pick up the last tooth of the sector gear 58.
  • spur gear 63 can be replaced by a worm gear 67 mounted on the shaft 22 of reversible motor 20.
  • the shaft 22 will have its axis mounted in a plane which is parallel to the plane of motion of the operation handle 31, and secondly, that the motor 20 may be pivotally mounted at the pivot point 68 in order to allow disengagement between worm gear 67 and sector gear 58 for subsequent manual operation.
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second position, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position in response to rotation of said reversible motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said reversible motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said reversible motor in said second direction, said connection between said reversible motor and said operating, handle being constructed to be removable to allow man-- ual operation of said operating handle.
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is limited to movement between a first and a second extreme position; said mecha-- nism comprising a reversible motor having an output shaft which is rotatable in' a first and a second direction and, a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection be-- 7 tween said reversible motor output shaft and said operatingh'andle for" motion of said operating handle between said first and second extreme position; an energizing means connected to said reversible motor to selectively energize rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said first or second direction; said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor output shaft and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said reversible motor
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said operating handle, said second gear means being constructed to cooperate with said first gear means, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged into a force transmitting connection to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged into a nonforce transmitting connection when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second gear means towards operative engagement when said operating handleassumes said first or second extreme position and said first and second gear means are
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said operating handle, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second positions; biasing means constructed to flexibly bias into non-force transmitting engagement said first and second gear means when said operating handle assumes said first or second extreme position and said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle.
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said first gear means, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle as sumes either of said first or second positions, said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle, said first gear means comprising a worm gear carried by said reversiblemotor shaft, said second gear means comprising a sector gear flexibly
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said out put shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said first gear means, said first and second gear means con structed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second positions, said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle, said first gear means comprising a spur gear carried by said reversible'motor shaft, said second gear means comprising a sector gear
  • a motor operated mechanism for circuit breakers which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position, maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism associated with said cooperable contacts and a trip mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating mechanism comprising a reversible motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle into said first position and said cooperable contacts into the engaged position in response to rotation of said reversible motor in
  • a motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said "cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position, maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism associated with said cooperable contacts and a trip mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating mechanism comprising a motor having an output shaft which is rotatable in a first and a second direction and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions; an energizing means connected to said motor to selectively energize rotation of said motor
  • a motor operated mechanism for circuit breakers which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position, maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism associated with said cooperable contacts and a trip mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second position, said mechanism comprising a motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position in response to rotation of said motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for continued rotation of said motor in said first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said motor in said second direction.
  • a mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second position, said operating handle performing a substantially linear motion between said first and second positions, said mechanism comprising a motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection be tween said motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position in response to rotation of said motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for continued rotation of said motor in a first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle 11 Y for indefinitely continued rotation of said motor in said second direction.
  • a motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating means comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said re versible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and

Landscapes

  • Breakers (AREA)

Description

Dec. 16, 1958 OFF INVENTOR. FQejasmcx q SaHMDT BY QBWLMQ 2%,
United States Patent MOTOR OPERATED CIRCUIT BREAKER FrederickG. Schmidt,-.Haverf0rd,-'Pa., assignor to I-T-E CincultBreaker.Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 23, '1955,'Serial No. 517,594 .13 Claims. (Cl. 200-92) My invention'relates to amotor'operatedmechanism for circuit breakers, and more particularly to a.motor operated mechanism for the operation of a circuit breaker 'handle wherein the motor operated mechanism is conbreaker mechanism after the reversible motor has moved the circuit breaker handle to an extreme position.
As will be shown, I now provide a linkage between the reversible motor and the circuit breaker handle which 1s constructed to allow automatic disconnection between the reversible motor and the circuit breaker handle after operation thereof to an extreme position.
In circuit breakers of the type to which my novel invention may be applied, contacts are operatively connected to the operating handle to be engaged and disengaged responsive to the movement of an operating handle to a first and second extreme position. The mechanism which operatively connects the operating handle and cooperating contacts usually has the following characteristics:
1) Engagement or disengagement of the contacts is effected just before the operating handle assumes its corresponding extreme position. It should be noted, however, that my novel motor operated mechanism can be applied to circuit breakers in which the motion of the contacts either into or -out of engagement is a direct function of the'motion of the operating handle.
(2) A means is provided to maintain the contacts in the engaged or disengaged position after they assume this position. This maintaining means can be embodied in devices such as over center toggle systems, latches and many others which are well known in the art.
(3) The mechanism can have trip free properties to allow separation of the contacts when engaged on a fault condition independently of the operating handle position.
(4) Means are provided within the mechanism to'allow contact operation independently of the position of operating handle which are responsive to fault or predetermined conditions. In most cases, the operating handle will also be biased to assume a tripped position-upon contact operation responsive to the fault sensing means.
(5) An extremely important feature common to most circuit breakers is that the operating handle cannot move beyond either of its two extreme positions without breakage of either the handle, the casing upon which .the handle is mounted, the mechanism connecting the operating handle to the contacts, or any of the associated components of the circuit breaker.
In view of the above'properties, the motor operated mechanism of my invention has the following features:
(1") Rotation of the reversible motor in a first 'direc* tion will cause motion of the operating "handle to a first extreme position for contact engagement of the circuit breaker'co-ntacts and rotation of 'the"re'versible motor in a second direction will causemotion'of the operating handle -to a second direction for contact disengagement. "Ineach casethe rotation ofthe motor will transmit sufficient torque to overcome .the forces maintaining thecontacts inthe engaged or disengaged posi- T1011.
(2) When the circuit breaker operating handle assumes an extreme position the motor will be automatically disconnected from the circuit breaker operating handle. Therefore, continued rotation of the motorwill not cause breakage 'of theoperating handle or any of the associated parts of the circuit breaker.
(3) Upon automatic operation of' the 'circuitbreaker contacts due to fault conditions the motor mechanism can be operated to bring the circuit breaker handle" to an extreme position to reset the operating mechanism and then rotate in areverse'direction to reclose the circuit breaker contacts.
However, as will be shown hereinafter,a slight structural modification which is still within the principle of my invention, will allow the circuit breakerhandle to move a 'thirdpositionor trip'position in'vie'w of the novel'type of removably connecting-means used'in-connecting the reversible motor an'd'the circuit'breaker operating handle.
"Clearly, a removable connection provides the important advantage of'a' visual indicationby'means'of the circuit breaker operating handle as towhether the circuit breaker contacts are opened, closedyor tripped -due -to predetermined conditions.
Motor operated circuit breakers and mechanism are well known'in the art, and in each case a motor having a single direction of rotation 'is connected through "a complex oscillator'linkage to "energize the operation of a circuit breaker handle. Since the circuit 'breakerwill .go=through anotheroperating sequence if 'the motoris allowedto continueirotating, elaborate-electrical circuits and brake mechanisms are required-to de-energize the motor rotationafter operation ofthe circuit breaker handle' to a desired position.
The devicesrof'the "prior art also require elaborate clutching mechanismszto attach'the motor to the circuit breaker handle'in order to allowva' convenient means of disconnection for subsequent'manual operation. These devices are :typically shown in United States :Patents 2,192,046,."2,2'28,466 and 2,354,135.
If-a motor having '"only a unidirectional rotation is used to'bethe prime mover for themotor operated circuit breaker 'operatiomthere is an inherent'need -for --a brake onthe *motor to prevent the circuit'breaker handle or circuitbreaker casing from breakage due to the rotational energy in the 'motor rotor after operation of the circuit breaker 'handle. A complicated electric circuit is also needed to=assure deenergization of the motor toaprevent the continuedmotorrotation fromcausing a subsequent operation of the circuit breaker.
Clearly, if there is a failurein the'electric circuit which de-energizes the motor'rotation, then the circuit breaker .will be reoperated which could cause the destruction of:the;circuit"breaker or any number of dangerous conditions on the line being protected by the circuit breaker. Furthermore, if the complex linkage which transforms the unidirectional rotary motion ofthe motor to-the oscillatorymotion required by the circuitbreaker handle fails, then it would either be impossible to operate the circuit breaker or the circuit breaker handle or casing would be fractured.
The principle of my invention as was above noted, is to use a reversible motor which is removably connected, by a connecting means, to the operating handle of the circuit breaker in such a manner to allow force transmission from the reversible motor to the circuit breaker handle for operation within the two extreme positions of the circuit breaker handle, and to automatically disconnect the reversible motor from the operating handle after the operating handle has been moved to an extreme position. This novel connection between the motor and circuit breaker handle is now made possible since the rotary motion of the motor in either direction can be linked on a simple manner to the Circuit breaker handle to thereby operate the circuit breaker handle towards a first or second direction. Hence, there is no need, in view of the use of a motor which can rotate in two directions, to convert a unidirectional rotary motion which is given by a motor having only one direction of rotation to the oscillatory motion which could be a straight line motion as required by the circuit breaker handle.
Since the operating mechanism is now disconnected from the circuit breaker handle after motion thereof to an extreme position, the possibility of breakage of either the circuit breaker handle or its associate mechanism is clearly avoided.
If desired, limit switches which would automatically de-energize the motor in response to the positioning of the circuit breaker handle in an extreme position could be provided. In view of my novel connection, however, which automatically disengages the circuit breaker handle and reversible motor after the circuit breaker handle is moved to an extreme position, continued rotation of the reversible motor in a given direction will merely cause engagement between the reversible motor and the circuit breaker handle which is immediately disconnected after they engage.
It is now clear that each of the above difliculties occurring in the prior art devices is overcome with this novel motor operated mechanism. The complex brake is abandoned in view of the disconnecting feature between the motor and circuit breaker operating handle after operation thereof. The complex linkages which were required to change the unidirectional motion of the motor to the oscillatory motion required by the circuit breaker handle are now avoided.
A further simplification provided with my novel motor operated mechanism is that the connection between the reversible motor and the operating handle can be simple to thereby allow manual operation of the circuit breaker after a simple disconnection of the connecting means, or to embody my principle in a manner such that the reversible motor will be completely removed from the operating handle after operation thereof.
Clearly, this eliminates the necessity of a complex clutch as was used in .the prior art devices to allow either manual or motor operation of the circuit breaker handle. This simple and inexpensive connection between the motor and the circuit breaker handle provides the further advantage of offering a clear visual indication of the position of the circuit breaker handle, whereas in the more complex devices using unidirectional motors a visual indication was often obstructed by the complex linkages connecting the circuit breaker handle and the unidirectional motor.
It is to be noted that invention disclosed in this application differs from the invention disclosed in copending application, Serial No. 571,593, filed June 23, 1955, in that a distinct operative connection between the motor operated mechanism and circuit breaker handle exists at all times unless physically disconnected, but this operative connection is so constructed as to transmit force from the motor operated mechanism to the circuit breaker handle over the range of motion of the circuit breaker handle and to thereafter be a non-force transmitting connection. In the co-pending application, however, the motor operated mechanism is completely removed or automatically disconnected from the circuit breaker handle after operation thereof.
Accordingly, a primary object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for circuit breakers wherein the motor operated mechanism is connected to the circuit breaker handle for operation thereof and is thereafter automatically disconnected from said circuit breaker handle.
Another object of my invention is to provide an operating mechanism for circuit breakers which does not require a clutch, brake or complex electrical de-energizing circuits.
Another object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for circuit breaker handles wherein manual operation of the circuit breaker handle is afforded without any alteration of the mechanism.
Another object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker handle such that continued rotation of the driving motor will not cause breakage of the circuit breaker handle or its associated mechanism after the circuit breaker handle is moved to an extreme position.
A still further object of my invention is to provide a a motor operated mechanism for circuit breaker handle which will give a visual indication of the circuit breaker handle being in a first or open position, a second or closed position or a third or tripped position.
Another object of my invention is to provide a motor operating mechanism for circuit breakers wherein an operative connection between the motor and the circuit breaker is capable of transmitting force only over the range of motion of the circuit breaker handle. I
Still another object of my invention is to provide a motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker having a simple linkage between a reversible motor and the circuit breaker handle and the reversible motor to thereby afford manual operation of the circuit breaker.
Obviously the reversible motor of my invention can be replaced by a unidirectional motor wherein a reversing means such as a gear box can be interposed between the motor and an ouput shaft such that an energizing means will operate the motor and also operate the reversing means to obtain a selectively reversible rotation of the motor output shaft. Accordingly, another object of my invention is to provide a motor having a reversible output shaft for operating the operating handle of a circuit breaker.
Circuit breakers with which my invention has its greatest application are of the type in which the circuit breaker handle performs an essentially linear motion. Accordingly another object of my invention is to provide a motor operating mechanism for circuit breakers having an operating handle which performs a substantially straight line motion.
These and other objects of my invention will become apparent when taken in connection with the drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of my novel invention, wherein the circuit breaker is connected to a reversible motor by means of a force transmitting connection during operation of the circuit breaker handle between a first and second position. This connection becomes a non-force connection after the circuit breaker handle is operated to an extreme position and the rotation of the motor in a given direction is continued.
Figure 2 shows a portion of the embodiment of Figure 1 wherein the reversible motor is disconnected from the circuit breaker handle to permit the manual operation Of the circuit breaker handle.
Figure 3 shows a side view of Figure 1 with the circuit breaker handle in an on position.
Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 with the circuit breaker handle in the off position.
Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 with a worm gear replacing the spur gear of Figure 1.
A first embodiment of my novel invention is shown in Figures 1 through 4 wherein a circuit breaker 27 having an operating handle 31 is operated by a reversible motor 20 which drives a shaft 22 through a gear box 23 and shaft 22 subsequently rotates spur gear 63. Rotation of output shaft 22 by means of the motor 2t) can be selectively energized by an energizing means shown schematically by box 2-tlcz. Box 20a would, of course, contain a power source and various switching apparatus which could be easily designed by anyone skilled in the art. in the case of motor 20 being a unidirectional motor, box Zita would also contain means to operate a reversing gear box through which shaft 22 would be reversibly rotated. Motor 20 is mounted in a position with respect to the circuit breaker 27 by means of a mounting member 52a which is secured to a ground member 52 by means of a bolt arrangement such as 53. The mounting strap 52:: is then secured to the motor as by a fastening means shown as bolts 4. The motor shaft 22, as shown in Figure 1, can be mounted for rotation Within a bearing of the member 55. Member 55 is fastened to a ground member 56 by means of a bolt arrangement 57.
It is clear that the motor 24) could have been mounted in any desirable manner, and the mounting shown in Figure l is for illustrative purposes only, and similarly, the mounting of shaft 22 as shown herein is for illustrative purposes only and the mounting could be accomplished in any desirable manner.
Circuit breaker 27 has a protruding operating handle 31 which is operatively connected toa pair of cooperable contacts within circuit breaker by means which is now shown herein. Details of this construction, however, are typically shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,574,093. Although I show my novel motor operating mechanism in conjunction with a circuit breaker of this type, it will become apparent that my motor operated mechanism can be applied to any circuit breaker having an operating han- Circuit breaker handle 31 as more specifically shown in Figures 3 and 4, has a second member which is shown as the sector gear 58 pivotally mounted thereon at the pivot 59. Sector gear 58 is resiliently mounted on the circuit breaker handle 31 at the pivot point 59 in view of the biasing springs 69 and 61 which allow this resilien't feature. Clearly, the same result of a resilient mounting could be obtained in many ways, such as making a connection between the circuit breaker handle 31 and sector gear 58 through a resilient member, and the particular embodiment shown here is merely for explanatory purposes.
The teeth 62 of sector gear 58 engage the teeth of a spur gear 63 which is splined to the shaft 22 in such a manner as to be rotated with the shaft 22 and movable along the axis of the shaft 22. The shaft 22 is further provided with stop members 64 and 65 which may be fastened to shaft 22 in any manner desired to prevent motion of the stop members 64 and 65 in the axial direction of the shaft 22. A spring 66 is then positioned concentrically about shaft 22 and forces the spur gear 23 into engagement with the stop 64 to thereby be positioned to engage the sector gear teeth 62. The disengaged position is more specificaily shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, by forcing spur gear 63 to move in an axial direction along shaft 22 to compress spring 66, the spur gear 63 is disengaged from the sector gear 58 to thereby allow manual operation of the circuit breaker handle 31.
The operation of the motor operating mechanism of Figure l is clearly shown with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 3 the operating handle 31 is shown to be in an extreme right hand or on position. When it is desired to move the operating handle 31 to the extreme left or off position of Figure 4, the motor shaft 22, which is splined to the spur gear 63 by a spline 63a is rotated in a clockwise direction. By this means it is clear that the spur gear 63 will engage the teeth 62 of the sector gear 58 and drive circuit breaker operating handle 31 into the position of Figure 4.
As shown in the figures, the sector gear 58 is constructed to have just a sufiicient member of teeth 62 to prevent further motion of sector gear 58 to be transmitted from the spur gear 63 once the operating handle assumes an extreme position. Hence, the circuit breaker operating handle 31 is operated from an off to on position by means of the force transmitted from the reversible motor 29 and spur gear 63, and as soon as the extreme left hand position is achieved by the operating handle 31 further force cannot be transmitted to the operating handle 31. Since the sector gear 58 is resiliently mounted by means of springs 60 and 61, the end teeth of the sector gear 58 will continue to engage the teeth of the spur gear 63 in a ratchet type of action. Hence, when it is desired to operate the circuit breaker from the oil position of Figure 4 to the on position ofFigure 3, spur gear 63 which will now be given a counter clockwise rotation will immediately pick up the last tooth of the sector gear 58.
in the embodiment of Figure 5, it is shown that the spur gear 63 can be replaced by a worm gear 67 mounted on the shaft 22 of reversible motor 20.
There are two variations however, which have to be made when going from the embodiment of Figures 1 through 4 to Figure 5. The first is that the shaft 22 will have its axis mounted in a plane which is parallel to the plane of motion of the operation handle 31, and secondly, that the motor 20 may be pivotally mounted at the pivot point 68 in order to allow disengagement between worm gear 67 and sector gear 58 for subsequent manual operation.
In the foregoing the invention has been described solely in connection with specific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations and modifications of the invention will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, it is preferred to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein contained, but only by the appended claims.
I claim:
1. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second position, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position in response to rotation of said reversible motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said reversible motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said reversible motor in said second direction, said connection between said reversible motor and said operating, handle being constructed to be removable to allow man-- ual operation of said operating handle.
2. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is limited to movement between a first and a second extreme position; said mecha-- nism comprising a reversible motor having an output shaft which is rotatable in' a first and a second direction and, a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection be-- 7 tween said reversible motor output shaft and said operatingh'andle for" motion of said operating handle between said first and second extreme position; an energizing means connected to said reversible motor to selectively energize rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said first or second direction; said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor output shaft and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor output shaft and said operating handle for continued rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said second direction.
3. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said operating handle, said second gear means being constructed to cooperate with said first gear means, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged into a force transmitting connection to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged into a nonforce transmitting connection when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second gear means towards operative engagement when said operating handleassumes said first or second extreme position and said first and second gear means are operatively disengaged.
4. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said operating handle, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second positions; biasing means constructed to flexibly bias into non-force transmitting engagement said first and second gear means when said operating handle assumes said first or second extreme position and said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle.
5. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said first gear means, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle as sumes either of said first or second positions, said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle, said first gear means comprising a worm gear carried by said reversiblemotor shaft, said second gear means comprising a sector gear flexibly carried by said operating handle, said sector gear having a surface for engaging said worm gear over a distance long enough to allow said operating handle to move between said first and second extreme positions and to thereafter be flexibly biased into engagement with said worm gear.
6. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second extreme position, said mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said out put shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said first gear means, said first and second gear means con structed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second positions, said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle, said first gear means comprising a spur gear carried by said reversible'motor shaft, said second gear means comprising a sector gear being flexibly carried by said operating handle, said sector gear having a surface for engaging said spur gear over a distance long enough to allow said operating handle to move between said first and second extreme positions and to thereafter be flexibly biased into engagement with said spur gear.
7. A motor operated mechanism for circuit breakers, which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position, maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism associated with said cooperable contacts and a trip mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating mechanism comprising a reversible motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle into said first position and said cooperable contacts into the engaged position in response to rotation of said reversible motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for continued rotation of said reversible motor in said first direction and to move said operating handle into said second position and saidcooperable contacts-tosaid disengaged position inresponse 'to'rotation of said reversible motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmittingconnection between said reversible motor and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said reversible motor in said second direction.
8. A motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker. which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said "cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position, maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism associated with said cooperable contacts and a trip mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating mechanism comprising a motor having an output shaft which is rotatable in a first and a second direction and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions; an energizing means connected to said motor to selectively energize rotation of said motor output shaft in said first or second direction; said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position responsive to rotation of said motor output shaft in said first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for continued rotation of said motor output shaft in said first di rection and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said motor output shaft in said second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said reversible motor output shaft in said second direction.
9. A motor operated mechanism for circuit breakers, which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position, maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism associated with said cooperable contacts and a trip mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating mechanism comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said reversible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said operating handle, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second positions; biasing means constructed to flexibly bias into non-force transmitting engagement, said first and second gear means when said operating handle :assumes said first or second extreme position and said first and second gear means are operatively disengaged, said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle.
10. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is limited to movement between a first and a second extreme position; said mechanism comprising a motor having an output shaft which is rotatable in a first and a second direction and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second extreme position; an energizing means connected to said motor to selectively energize rotation of said motor output shaft in said first or second direction; said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position responsive to rotation of said motor output shaft in said first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for continued rotation of said motor output shaft in said first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said motor output shaft in said second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor output shaft and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said motor output shaft in said second direction, and de-energizing means to de-energize energization of said reversible motor constructed to operate when said operating handle is moved into said first or second extreme position.
11. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second position, said mechanism comprising a motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position in response to rotation of said motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for continued rotation of said motor in said first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for indefinitely continued rotation of said motor in said second direction.
12. A mechanism for operating a circuit breaker having an operating handle which is movable between a first and a second position, said operating handle performing a substantially linear motion between said first and second positions, said mechanism comprising a motor and a connecting means, said connecting means being constructed to provide a force transmitting connection be tween said motor and said operating handle for motion of said operating handle between said first and second positions, said connecting means being constructed to move said operating handle toward said first position in response to rotation of said motor in a first direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle for continued rotation of said motor in a first direction and to move said operating handle toward said second position in response to rotation of said motor in a second direction and to thereafter provide a non force transmitting connection between said motor and said operating handle 11 Y for indefinitely continued rotation of said motor in said second direction.
13. A motor operated mechanism for a circuit breaker, which comprises an operating handle, cooperable contacts, wherein said operating handle is operatively connected to said cooperating contacts to move said contacts to the engaged position when said operating handle is moved to a first position and to move said contacts to the disengaged position when said operating handle is moved to a second position maintaining means to maintain said operating handle in said first position and said cooperable contacts in said engaged position when moved thereto and to maintain said operating handle in said second position and said cooperable contacts disengaged when moved thereto, a trip free mechanism to allow disengagement of said cooperable contacts in response to predetermined conditions independently of the position of said operating handle; said operating means comprising a reversible motor and connecting means for connecting said reversible motor to said operating handle, said re versible motor having an output shaft being rotatable in a first or second direction, energizing means for selectively energizing said reversible motor for rotation of said output shaft in said first or second direction, said connecting means comprising a first gear means associated with said output shaft and a second gear means associated with said operating handle, said first and second gear means constructed to be operatively engaged to move said operating handle between said first and second positions responsive to rotation of said reversible motor output shaft and'to be operatively disengaged when said operating handle assumes either of said first or second positions, a biasing :means constructed to flexibly bias into non force trans- .rnittmg engagement said first and second gear means when said operating handle assumes said first or second ex- "treme position and said first and second gear means are operatively disengaged, said first and second gear means being disengageable to allow manual operation of said operating handle, and de-energizing means to de-energize energization of said reversible motor constructed to operate When said operating handle is moved into said first or second extreme positions.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS" 404,895 Byrne June 11, 1889 771,188 Thomson Sept. 27, 1904 836,019 DuBois Nov. 13, 1906 1,019,047 Howe Mar. 5, 1912 1,748,917 Leake Feb. 25, 1930 1,989,393 Anderson Jan. 29, 1935 2,103,416 Gregory Dec. 28, 1937 2,275,510 Dietrich et al. Mar. 10, 1942 2,550,792 Path May 1, 1951
US517594A 1955-06-23 1955-06-23 Motor operated circuit breaker Expired - Lifetime US2864912A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US517594A US2864912A (en) 1955-06-23 1955-06-23 Motor operated circuit breaker

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US517594A US2864912A (en) 1955-06-23 1955-06-23 Motor operated circuit breaker

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2864912A true US2864912A (en) 1958-12-16

Family

ID=24060436

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US517594A Expired - Lifetime US2864912A (en) 1955-06-23 1955-06-23 Motor operated circuit breaker

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US2864912A (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3171920A (en) * 1962-11-08 1965-03-02 Gen Electric Motor operating mechanism for use with an electric circuit breaker
US3198908A (en) * 1960-11-14 1965-08-03 Gen Electric Motor operated circuit breaker
US3198907A (en) * 1960-11-14 1965-08-03 Gen Electric Electrically operated circuit breaker
US3697905A (en) * 1970-03-09 1972-10-10 Jerry Athans Jr Remotely controlled wall switch operating means
WO1991005358A1 (en) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-18 Square D Company Energy management accessory for circuit breaker
US5015930A (en) * 1987-03-31 1991-05-14 Asmo Co., Ltd. Power converting mechanism
US5200877A (en) * 1990-04-04 1993-04-06 Baton Labs, Inc. Battery protection system
US5949157A (en) * 1997-09-11 1999-09-07 Baton Labs, Inc. Motor driven switch
EP1202316A1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2002-05-02 ABB Research Ltd. An improved remotely controlled circuit breaker
US20100320952A1 (en) * 2009-06-22 2010-12-23 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd. Overload protection device for motor
CN102969209A (en) * 2012-12-03 2013-03-13 杭州凯雅捷科技有限公司 Automatic reclosing lock transmission mechanism

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US404895A (en) * 1889-06-11 Electric elevating-machine
US771188A (en) * 1903-01-02 1904-09-27 Safety Car Heating & Lighting Pole-changer.
US836019A (en) * 1906-01-13 1906-11-13 Western Electric Co Multivoltage-speed controller.
US1019047A (en) * 1911-09-30 1912-03-05 Gen Railway Signal Co Relay-movement.
US1748917A (en) * 1926-03-25 1930-02-25 Gen Railway Signal Co Relay-operating mechanism
US1989393A (en) * 1932-02-25 1935-01-29 Appleton Electric Co Switch enclosing box or housing
US2103416A (en) * 1936-05-19 1937-12-28 Auto Flagger Corp Railroad crossing signal
US2275510A (en) * 1940-09-06 1942-03-10 Arrow Hart & Hegeman Electric Directional operating means for electric switches
US2550792A (en) * 1946-06-24 1951-05-01 Cutler Hammer Inc Electric switch

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US404895A (en) * 1889-06-11 Electric elevating-machine
US771188A (en) * 1903-01-02 1904-09-27 Safety Car Heating & Lighting Pole-changer.
US836019A (en) * 1906-01-13 1906-11-13 Western Electric Co Multivoltage-speed controller.
US1019047A (en) * 1911-09-30 1912-03-05 Gen Railway Signal Co Relay-movement.
US1748917A (en) * 1926-03-25 1930-02-25 Gen Railway Signal Co Relay-operating mechanism
US1989393A (en) * 1932-02-25 1935-01-29 Appleton Electric Co Switch enclosing box or housing
US2103416A (en) * 1936-05-19 1937-12-28 Auto Flagger Corp Railroad crossing signal
US2275510A (en) * 1940-09-06 1942-03-10 Arrow Hart & Hegeman Electric Directional operating means for electric switches
US2550792A (en) * 1946-06-24 1951-05-01 Cutler Hammer Inc Electric switch

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3198908A (en) * 1960-11-14 1965-08-03 Gen Electric Motor operated circuit breaker
US3198907A (en) * 1960-11-14 1965-08-03 Gen Electric Electrically operated circuit breaker
US3171920A (en) * 1962-11-08 1965-03-02 Gen Electric Motor operating mechanism for use with an electric circuit breaker
US3697905A (en) * 1970-03-09 1972-10-10 Jerry Athans Jr Remotely controlled wall switch operating means
US5015930A (en) * 1987-03-31 1991-05-14 Asmo Co., Ltd. Power converting mechanism
WO1991005358A1 (en) * 1989-09-29 1991-04-18 Square D Company Energy management accessory for circuit breaker
US5083103A (en) * 1989-09-29 1992-01-21 Square D Company Energy management accessory for circuit breaker
US5296997A (en) * 1990-04-04 1994-03-22 Baton Labs, Inc. System for protecting a battery
US5200877A (en) * 1990-04-04 1993-04-06 Baton Labs, Inc. Battery protection system
US5296788A (en) * 1990-04-04 1994-03-22 Baton Labs, Inc. System for controlling a motor driven switch
US5949157A (en) * 1997-09-11 1999-09-07 Baton Labs, Inc. Motor driven switch
EP1202316A1 (en) * 2000-10-23 2002-05-02 ABB Research Ltd. An improved remotely controlled circuit breaker
US20100320952A1 (en) * 2009-06-22 2010-12-23 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co.,Ltd. Overload protection device for motor
US8222850B2 (en) * 2009-06-22 2012-07-17 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Overload protection device for motor
CN102969209A (en) * 2012-12-03 2013-03-13 杭州凯雅捷科技有限公司 Automatic reclosing lock transmission mechanism
CN102969209B (en) * 2012-12-03 2016-02-10 杭州凯雅捷科技有限公司 A kind of automatic reclosing transmission mechanism

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2870288A (en) Motor operated circuit breakers
US2864912A (en) Motor operated circuit breaker
US2901076A (en) Overload protection for power drives
US1970179A (en) Power wrench
US2587377A (en) Electric power apparatus for steering and the like
US2864911A (en) Mechanism for motor operation of a circuit breaker
US2861198A (en) Transfer switch
US2886756A (en) Plugging of single phase motors
US2205235A (en) Valve operator
US1996849A (en) Switch clutch
US3165656A (en) Electric motor with overload cut-out
US2549265A (en) Reversible split-phase motor
US2359553A (en) Windshield wiper mechanism
US2204065A (en) Motor driven tuning system
US3796937A (en) Motor-driven line transfer control
US1580251A (en) Safety device for electric motors
GB220051A (en) Improvements in or relating to electric time-element devices
US2821586A (en) Motor operated circuit breaker and disconnect switch
US2372096A (en) Induction regulator
US1999301A (en) Electrical system and apparatus
US2181741A (en) Prime mover control system
US2891122A (en) Switch operating means
US1684315A (en) Electric control apparatus
US2145895A (en) Control circuit for shaft positioning system
US1794961A (en) Control system