US3071671A - Circuit interrupters - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 1, 1963 w. M. LEEDS 3,071,671

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS Filed July 22, 1959 L| 3 g 4 A Q L2 l4 l4 l4 I l4 E Operating Mechanism :3 l3 1:1 7)

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WITNESSES INVENTOR m Winthrop M. Leeds United States Patent Ofifice 3,071,671 Patented Jan. 1, 1963 3,071,671 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS Winthrop M. Leeds, Forest Hills, Pa, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 22, 1959, Ser. No. 828,861 13 Claims. (ill. 200-148) This invention relates to circuit interrupters in general, and more particularly to improved arc-extinguishing structures and mounting arrangements therefor. The invention has particular applicability for very high-volt age service, such as 230 or 345 kv. and above.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved circuit-interrupting arrangement particularly suitable for high-voltage application, and in which a number of unit-type interrupting structures may be employed readily in series circuit.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved unit-type, multiple-break, circuitinterrupting assemblage operable to effectively interrupt the connected circuit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arc-extinguishing assemblage involving a pair of upstanding, generally tubular, interrupting structures with improved operating means for simultaneously effecting their opening and closing operations.

In United States patent application filed January 13, 1959, Serial No. 786,587, entitled Circuit Interrupters by Winthrop M. Leeds and Harry J. Lin'gal, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, there is disclosed and claimed a generally tubular interrupting structure employing a rotatable contact blade, which electrically bridges a pair of relatively stationary contact structures. One end of the rotatable contact blade separates from its associated relatively stationary contact structure to draw a pressure-generating arc. The other end of the rotatable contact blade simultaneously separates from its associated relatively stationary contact structure to draw an interrupting arc. Fluid under pressure, generated at the pressure-generating arc, is forced generally longitudinally along the generally tubular interrupting structure and out one open end thereof adjacent the interrupting are to effect the extinction thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to improve upon the interrupting structure disclosed in the aforesaid Leeds and Lingal patent application, particularly adapting it for multiple-unit, 'high voltage service, such as the 230 or 345 kv. service voltage noted above.

Still a further object of the present invention it to provide a multiple-break interrupting assemblage involving a pair of the aforesaid generally tubular interrupting structures, in which the metal casings serve in a conducting capacity, so that only a single terminal bushing need be associated with each generally tubular interrupting structure.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to employ one or more serially related upstanding interrupting assemblages, supported up in the air upon an insulating support, in which a single operating mechanism, disposed at ground potential, may be employed and interconnected to the one or more interrupting assemblages to simultaneously effect their opening and closing operations.

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

FIGURE 1 illustrates, in side elevation, and somewhat diagrammatically, a multiple-unit, interrupting assemblage, particularly adapted for high-voltage service, such as 345 kv. and above; and

FIG. 2 is a considerably enlarged, side elevational view, partially in vertical section, of one of the unit-type, arc extinguishing assemblages employed in the interrupting structure of FIG. 1, the contact structure being illustrated in the fully open-circuit position.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a multiple-unit, circuit-interrupting structure suitable for very high-voltage service, such as, for example, 230 or 345 kv. and above. Generally, it will be noted that there are employed a plurality of serially related arccxtinguishing assemblages, generally designated by the reference numeral 2. A transmission line L is connected to the left-hand end or" the left arc-extinguishing assembiage 2.. The right-hand end of the left-hand arc-extinguishing assemblage is connected by a strap connector 3 to a middle arc-extinguishing assemblage 2, which, in turn, is connected, by a strap connection 4, to the right hand arc-extinguishing assemblage 2. The other line connection L is connected, as shown, to the right-hand end of the right-hand arc-extinguishing assemblage 2.

Preferably a single operating mechanism, disposed within an operating mechanism compartment 6, at ground potential, is employed to eifect the simultaneous operation of all three arc-extinguishing assemblages 2. As shown, a weatherproof metallic tubular casing 7 encloses a rotatable operating shaft, not shown, which is connected by linkage, not shown, within the base structures 8, 9, 10, of the arc-extinguishing assemblages 2 to efiect vertical reciprocal motion of an insulating operating rod 11 (FIG. 2), which is associated with each arcextinguishing assemblage 2.

As illustrated in PEG. 1, it will be noted that each arcextinguishing assemblage 2 is supported at the upper end of an insulating cylindrical column 13, which may be formed from a suitable strong insulating material, such as ceramic, or the like. The insulating operating rod 11, as shown in FIG. 2, extends upwardly interiorly Within each hollow porcelain column 13.

FIG. 2 more clearly shows the internal construction of each arc-extinguishing assemblage 2. With reference to this figure, it will be observed that, generally, each arcextinguishing assemblage 2 includes a spaced pair of generally tubular interrupting structures 14 supported upon a line conducting support plate 15, the latter being secured by a mounting flange ring 16 to the upper extremity of the hollow porcelain column 13. As shown, a terminal bushing 18 includes a porcelain weatherproof casing 19, which surrounds a tubular insulating sleeve 20. The in sulating sleeve 20 may either be a molded insulating dielectric body, or it may include spaced foil layers embedded in insulating material to provied a capacitance means associated with the terminal bushing 18, as well known by those skilled in the art. A conductor stud 2 1 extends longitudinally through the terminal bushing 18. At its outer extremity there is provided a threaded stud portion 22, adaptable either for connection with a transmission line, such as the line L in FIG. 1, or it is adaptable for the connection to a strap connector, such as the strap connectors 3, 4 of FIG. 1.

The inner end of the conductor stud 21 is electrically and mechanically connected to a relatively stationary contact structure, generally designated by the reference numeral 23 in FIG. 2. The relatively stationary contact structure 23 not only serves as a contact structure, as hereinafter described, but also the relatively stationary contact structure 23 cooperates with the conductor stud 21 to detachably support a generally tubular interrupting unit 24 fixedly into position.

Cooperating with the relatively stationary contact structure 23 to draw an interrupting are 25 is the upper end 26 of a rotatable contact blade, generally designated by the is reference numeral 27. Although FIG. 2, as mentioned, illustrates the contact structure in the fully open-circuit position, for purposes of illustration, the interrupting are has been indicated.

The lower end 28 of the rotatable contact blade 27 constitutes a movable pressure-generating contact, which cooperates with a second relatively stationary contact structure 29, to draw a pressure-generating are 30. The pressure-generating are 30, established between contacts 28, 29, generates pressure within the arc-extinguishing medium 31 disposed interiorly within the live metallic casing 32, and forces this medium, under pressure, upwardly in the direction, indicated by the arrows 33, and out the open upper end 34 of the insulating casing 35 of the interrupting unit 24. To assist in the interruption of the interrupting arc 25, there is preferably provided an orifice sleeve 36 and a splitter plate 37. The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular type of interrupting structure disposed at the upper end of the insulating casing 35 of the interrupting unit 24, since other types of interrupting structures, than the type illustrated in FIG. 2, will obviously suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Merely for purposes of illustration is the simple orifice construction 36 and the splitter arrangement 37 employed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rotatable contact blade 27 is pivotally supported about a stationary shaft 38, which is journaled in diametrically disposed apertures provided in the insulating casing 35. To efiect rotatable motion of the contact blade 27, there is provided an actuating link 39 of insulating material. Preferably the actuating link 39 is of composite construction, including a bifurcated metallic rod-end 39a and an insulation portion 39b. The bifurcated metallic rod-end portion 39a of the link 39 is pivotally connected, as at 40, to the rota-table contact blade 27 and effects the rotation thereof about the pivot shaft 38.

The insulation portion 39b of link 39 has a threaded connection, as at 41, to the bifurcated rod-end portion 39a. In addition, the insulating rod portion 39b is pivotally connected, as at 42, to a bell-crank 43, which is stationarily pivoted at 44. The stationary pivot shaft 44 could, of course, be journaled within interiorly disposed boredboss portions, not shown, afiixed to the inner wall of a metallic tubular mechanism housing 45, which inter-connects the metallic tanks 32 of the two tubular interrupting structures 14.

There is, of course, a stationarily mounted bell-crank 43 associated with each interrupting unit 24. As shown,

the arms 46 of the two bell-cranks 43 are pivotally connected, as at 47, to links 48. The lower ends of links 48 are pivotally connected, as at 49, to a metallic operating rod enlargement 50, which is secured, as by brazing, to the lower end of a metallic bellows 51. The operating rod enlargement 50 is disposed at the upper end of a metallic portion 52, which is threadedly secured, as at 53, to the lower insulating portion 54 of the operating rod 11.

A spring seat 55 is fixedly secured to the metallic end 52 of the operating rod 11, and serves as the lower seat for an accelerating compression spring 56, the latter being disposed interiorly within an upstanding metallic spring casing 57. The upper end of the accelerating spring 56 seats against a radially inwardly extending flange portion 58 secured, as by welding at 59, to the inner wall of the metallic spring casing 57.

It will be apparent that the metallic bellows 51 separates, in a gas-tight manner, the region 60 within mechanism housing 45 and the two steel tanks 32 from a region 61 interiorly of spring casing 57. In other words, it is desirable to retain the arc-extinguishing medium 31, preferably under pressure, within the casings 32. A curved interconnecting conduit 63 interconnects the lower ends of the steel tanks 32 passing around the spring casing 57. Thus, where liquefied sulfur hexafluoride, or liquefied selenium hexafluoride are used, as more fully de- 4 scribed hereinafter, the liquid level 64 will be the same within both tanks 32.

Detachably closing the upper ends of both steel tanks 32 is a removable cover plate 65, secured by bolts 66 to a flange portion '67, which may be welded to the upper end of each tank 32. To facilitate the removal of each arc-extinguishing unit 24 upwardly out of the open end of the tank 32, following removal of upper closure cap 65, there is also provided a disconnecting contact structure 68 disposed at the lower end of the tank 32. This disconnecting contact structure 68 includes a rodshaped disconnecting contact 69 afiixed to the relatively stationary contact structure 29, and removable therewith when the interrupting unit 24 is bodily lifted upwardly out of the open upper end of the tank 32 during maintenance operations.

Cooperating with the rod-shaped disconnecting contact 69 is a cluster of relatively stationary finger-type disconnecting contacts 70, suitably afiixed to the conducting support plate 15. As a result, following removal of upper closure cap 65, by unscrewing the bolted connections 66, the interrupting unit 24 may be removed upwardly and out of the tank structure 32 for inspection or replacement of the contact structures 23, 29. In connection with this operation, there also occurs removal of an access cover 71, and detachment of the pivotal connection 42. Also a Wrench may be inserted through the opening 72 to unscrew the insulating rod portion 39b from the bifurcated metallic rod-end portion 390 at the threaded connection 41. It will, therefore, be evident that upward removal of the interrupting unit 24 is axially brought about by disconnecting the linkage and removal of the cover plates 65, 71.

In United States patent application filed September 13, 1957, Serial No. 683,760 by Winthrop M. Leeds and Benjamin =P. Baker, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, there is disclosed and claimed the use of liquefied gases, such as liquefied sulfur hexafiuoride gas (SP or liquefied selenium hexafiuoride gas (SeF or other liquefied gases, disclosed in this patent application, for use in circuit interrupters as arc-extinguishing mediums.

As mentioned, other arc-extinguishing fluids may be employed, but particular advantage is obtained by the use of liquefied gases. Although liquefied SP has been described as an example of a possible liquefied gas, in describing the operation of the present structure, it is to be clearly understood that liquefied selenium hcxafluoridc, or any one, or a mixture of two or more, of the liquefied gases enumerated below in the following table may be employed in substitution of liquefied SF The various gases which are suitable in liquid or gaseous form for use in the interrupter of the type considered, have similar properties and characteristics as set out in the following table:

Vapor Dielectric Boiling Pressure, Strength Point t /Sq. in. Compared Gauge at With Air or 20 C. Nitrogen Although the foregoing liquefied gases may be used to advantage, exceptional and unusual performance is obtained with liquid SP or liquid SeF or mixtures of these two, since the gaseous phase of these two fluids are so highly effective in arc interruption and have high dielectric strength.

As mentioned, while the interrupting construction is useful for any suitable gas or liquid having good insulating and arc-quenching properties, a preferred embodiment Would utilize sulfur hexafluoride (SP For low interrupting ability it is sufficient to fill the tank with gas at 30 to 60 p.s.i. Higher interrupting ability can be obtained by using liquid SP and filling to a level above the lower contacts at which the pressure-generating arc is formed. Maximum interrupting ability would require sufiicient liquid to completely fill the entire interrupting chamber 35 containing both sets of contacts. The vapor pressure above the liquid varies from 100 to 500 psi. over a temperature range from F. to 110 F.

The interrupting operation of the arc-extinguishing assemblage 2 of FIG. 2 will now be described. In the closed-circuit position of the assemblage 2, not shown, the electrical circuit therethrough includes connecting stud portion 22, terminal stud 21, relatively stationary contact structure 23, through conducting blade 27 to relatively stationary contact structure 29. The electrical circuit then extends through disconnecting contact 69, disconnecting fingers 70 to conducting support plate 15. The circuit extends through the right-hand, arc-extinguishing unit 24- in a similar manner to the right-hand connecting stud 22 of right-hand terminal bushing 18.

During the opening operation, the operating mechanism, not shown, disposed within mechanism compartment 6 (FIG. 1) is unlatched, to thereby permit the three accelerating compression sprngs 56, associated with the three arc-extinguishing assemblages 2 of FIG. 1, to force the insulating operating rods 11 downwardly. Since the lower ends of all the operating rods 11 are interconnected within the base supports 8, 9, 10 to the rotatable operating shaft extending longitudinally through weatherproof tubular casing 7, all the contact structures in the circuit interrupter 1 are simultaneously opened at the same time.

With reference to FIG. 2, within each arc-extinguishing assemblage 2, the downward opening motion of operating rod 11 will effect, through the rotation of the bell-cranks 43, inward motion of the two links 39 toward each other. This will eifect rotation of both rotatable contact blades 27 about their pivotal supports 38, to simultaneously establish a pressure-generating are 30 and an interrupting arc 25 within each tubular arc-extinguishing unit 24. As described hereinbefore, the pressure-generating are 30 will generate pressure within the liquid sulfur hexafluoride (SP for example, and will force this arc-extinguishing medium 31 upwardly in the direction indicated by the arrows 33, and out through the restricted orifice 73 associated with the orifice sleeve 36. The insulating splitter plate 37 will, of course, assist in the interrupting of the interrupting are 25. Interruption quickly occurs after only a short break distance, say of 1 7 inches, as'described in the aforesaid Leeds and Lingal patent application. The circuit will consequently be interrupted, the several contact blades 27 cooperating with the relatively stationary contact structures 23, 29 to provide the requisite isolating gap distances.

' Where a number of unit type, arc-extinguishing assemblages 2 are employed in series manner, as shown in FIG. 1, for high-voltage service, say 345 kv. or higher, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that certain voltage-distributing arrangements will be desired to evenly distribute the voltage between the several arc-extinguishing assemblages 2. Various voltage graduation schemes are known by those skilled in the art. For example, one such scheme, which may be employed, is that set forth in United States Patent 2,748,226, issued May 29, 1956, to John B. MacNeill and Benjamin P. Baker. Other possible arrangements may be employed.

Circuit interrupters designed for very high-voltage service, such as 230 or 345 kv. and above, for example, are most economically constructed and tested when a multibreak assembly can be made using duplicate interrupting in part, with a means of adapting the dead-tank, liquid sulfur hexafluoride interrupter, such as set out in the aforesaid Leeds and Lingal patent application, so as to be suitable as a multi-break, high voltage circuit interrupter incorporating live metallic tanks 32.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, only one bushing 18 per tank 32 is required, since the circuit between pairs of interrupters 24 is completed through the disconnecting contacts 68 and the live tanks 32.

The interrupters 24 may be readily removed by taking off the main covers 65 and the middle access cover 71 to disconnect the links 39, loosen the terminal stud 21 and lift up the interrupters 24 and contacts 23, 29 upwardly out of the open upper ends of the tanks 32.

Assuming, for example, that the six interrupting units 24 employed in the circuit interrupter 1 of FIG. 1 are employed for 345 kv. service, it will be apparent that due to the use of live tanks 32, only 69 kv. terminal bushings 18 need be employed in connection with the arc-extinguishing assemblage 2.

It will be noted that the two live tanks 32 and the tubular mechanism housing 45 constitute generally an H-shaped metallic tank means, which is at line potential in the closed circuit position of the interrupter. The operating rod means 39 extends through the horizontal leg 45 of the H-shaped tank means to effect simultaneous operation of the pair of separable contact structures.

Although there has been illustrated and described a particular arc-extinguishing assemblage 2, and showing its multiple series use, as indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 1, it is to be clearly understood that the same was merely for the purpose of illustration, and that changes and modifications may readily be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A circuit interrupter for high-voltage service including a plurality of spaced upstanding arc-extinguishing assemblages, only a single upstanding insulating hollow column for supporting each arc-extinguishing assemblage up in the air above ground potential, an operating mechanism at ground potential, an insulating operating rod extending interiorly upwardly within each hollow insulating column, contact structure associated with each arc-extinguishing assemblage which is operated by the respective insulating operating rod, said contact structure including a serially related pair of rotatable contact blades and four serially related stationary contacts, crank means for simultaneously actuating said rotatable contact blades, and an operating shaft extending between the hollow insulating columns connected to the several insulating operating rods and actuated by said operating mechanism.

2. A circuit interrupter including an H-shaped arcextinguishing assemblage mounted up in the air above ground potential, the H-shaped arc-extinguishing assemblage including a pair of generally upstanding interrupting structures and a live conducting support plate electrically interconnecting the two interrupting structures in series, each interrupting structure including a live metallic tank adaptable for withstanding considerable internal pressure, separable contact structure disposed within each live metallic tank, a terminal bushing extending laterally through the side wall of each metallic tank and connected to the separable contact structure disposed therein, and operating means disposed between the spaced metallic tanks in the horizontal portion of the H-shaped assemblage and connected to the separable contact structures to effect their simultaneous operation.

3. Circuit interrupting means including a spaced pair of metallic tanks, a pair of terminal bushings extending through the side walls of the spaced pair of metallic tanks, a removable arc-extinguishing unit suspended within each metallic tank from the interior end of the respective terminal bushing, a live supporting conducting plate closing the ends of the spaced metallic tanks and having a pair of disconnecting contact structures thereon, one disconnecting contact structure being disposed within each metallic tank, and each arc-extinguishing unit having a disconnecting contact aifixed thereto and removable therewith which cooperates with one of said disconnecting contact structures.

4. Circuit interrupting means including a spaced pair of metallic tanks, a tubular mechanism housing interconnecting the spaced pair of metallic tanks constituting thereby a generally H-shaped structure, a pair of terminal bushings extending through the side walls of the spaced pair of metallic tanks, a removable arc-extinguishing unit suspended within each metallic tank from the interior end of the respective terminal bushing, separable contact means associated with each arc-extinguishing unit, operating rod means extending through said tubular mechanism housing for effecting the separation of the separable contact means associated with each arc-extinguishing unit, a live supporting conducting plate closing the ends of the spaced metallic tanks and having a pair of disconnecting contact structures thereon, one disconnecting contact structure being disposed within each metallic tank, and each arc-extinguishing unit having a disconnecting contact affixed thereto and removable therewith which cooperates with one of said disconnecting contact structures 5. Circuit interrupting means including a spaced pair of metallic tanks, a tubular mechanism housing interconnecting the spaced pair of metallic tanks constituting thereby a generally H-shaped structure, a pair of terminal bushings extending through the side walls of the spaced pair of metallic tanks, a removable arc-extinguishing unit suspended within each metallic tank from the interior end of the respective terminal bushing, separable contact means including a rotatable contact blade associated with each arc-extinguishing unit, operating rod means extending through said tubular mechanism housing for effecting the rotation of said rotatable contact blade associated with each arc-extinguishing unit, a supporting conducting plate closing the ends of the spaced metallic tanks and having a pair of disconnecting contact structures thereon, one disconnecting contact structure being disposed within each metallic tank, and each arc-extinguishing unit having a disconnecting contact afiixed thereto and removable therewith which cooperates with one of said disconnecting contact structures.

6. A circuit interrupter including live H-shaped metallic tank means, a pair of terminal bushings extending laterally into said live H-shaped metallic tank means, a pair of removable arc-extinguishing units removably assoc1ated with the interior ends of the pair of terminal bushings, a conducting support plate closing one end of said live H-shaped metallic tank means and electrically interconnecting the two arc-extinguishing units, and detachable cover means at the other end of the live metallic tank means.

7. A high-voltage, fluid-blast circuit interrupter includng one or more serially arranged arc-extinguishing assemblages, a hollow insulator column for supporting each arcextinguishing assemblage up in the air a safe distance from ground potential, each arc-extinguishing assemblage including live metallic tank means enclosing a serially related pair of arc-extinguishing units of the fluid-blast type, only a single pair of terminal bushings extending through said metallic tank means, each arc-extinguishing unit including an insulating tube open at one end and closed at the other end, a pair of spaced relatively stationary contact structures disposed along the wall of each insulating tube, a rotatable bridging contact blade pivotally mounted in each insulating tube and electrically interconnecting the two relatively stationary contact structures associated with :each insulating tube, the end of the contact blade adjacent the closed end of the tube separating (J from the relatively stationary contact structure at the closed end of the tube to establish a pressure-generating arc adjacent the closed end of the tube, the other end of said contact blade drawing an interrupting arc adjacent the opcn end of the insulating tube, and fluid under pressure blasting out of the open end of each tube to extinguish the interrupting are drawn adjacent thereto.

8. A high-voltage, fluid-blast circuit interrupter including one or more serially arranged arc-extinguishing assemblages, a hollow insulator column for supporting each arc-extinguishing assemblage up in the air a safe distance from ground potential, each arc-extinguishing assemblage including live metallic tank means enclosing a serially related pair of arc-extinguishing units of the fluid-blast type, only a single pair of terminal bushings extending through said metal-lic tank means, each arc-extinguishing unit including an insulating tube open at one end and closed at the other end, a pair of spaced relatively stationary contact structures disposed along the walls of each insulating tube, a rotatable bridging contact blade pivotally mounted in each insulating tube and electric-ally interconnecting the two relatively stationary contact structures associated with each insulating tube, the end of the contact blade adjacent the closed end of the tube separating from the relatively stationary contact structure at. the closed end of the tube to establish a pressuregenerating are adjacent the closed end of the tube, the other end of said contact blade drawing an interrupting are adjacent the open end of the insulating tube, fluid under pressure blasting out of the open end of each tube to extinguish the interrupting are drawn adjacent thereto, and a conducting support plate for supporting said tank means and electrically interconnecting the two arcextinguishing units within each tank means.

9. A high-voltage, iluid b'last circuit interrupter including one or more serially arranged arc-extinguishing assemblages, a hollow insulator column for supporting each arc-extinguishing assemblage up in the air a safe distance from ground potential, each arc-extinguishing assemblage including live metallic tank means enclosing a serially related pair of arc-extinguishing units of the fluid-blast type, only a single pair of terminal bushings extending through said metallic tank means, each arc-extinguishing unit including an insulating tube open at one end and closed at the other end, a pair of spaced relatively stationary contact structures disposed along the walls of each insulating tube, a rotatable bridging contact blade pivotally mounted in each insulating tube and electrically interconnecting the two relatively stationary contact structures associated with each insulating tube, the end of the contact blade adjacent the closed end of the tube separating from the relatively stationary contact structure at the closed end of the tube to establish a pressuregenerating'arc adjacent the closed end of the tube, the other end of said contact blade drawing an interrupting are adjacent the open end of the insulating tube, fluid under pressure blasting out of the open end of each tube to extinguish the interrupting are drawn adjacent thereto, a conducting support plate for supporting said tank means and electrically interconnecting the two arc-extinguishing units within each tank means, removable cover means for said tank means, and a disconnecting contact structure for electrically interconnecting each arcextinguishing unit with said conducting support plate.

10. A circuit interrupter including an H-shaped metallic tank means at line potential, insulating column means for supporting said H-shaped metallic tank means at line potential up in the air a safe distance from ground potential, a pair of serially related arc-extinguishing units disposed within said H-shaped metallic tank means, a pair of terminal bushings extending through the side walls of the H-shaped tank means, separable contact means associated with each arc-extinguishing unit, and operating rod means extending through the horizontal leg of the H-shaped tank means to efiect simultaneous operation of both separable contact means.

11. A high-voltage circuit interrupter including a spaced pair of generally tubular interrupting structures, supporting structure, a conducting plate means supported by said supporting structure and having a spaced pair of relatively stationary disconnecting contacts associated therewith, a removable arc-extinguishing unit disposed within each generally tubular interrupting structure and having a movable disconnecting contact associated therewith for cooperation with the respective relatively stationary disconnecting contact, said conducting plate means electrically interconnecting the two arc-extinguishing units in series, cover means associated with each generally tubular interrupting structure adapted for removal therewith, whereby upon removal of said cover means from each of said generally tubular interrupting structures the respective removable arc-extinguishing unit may be removed causing thereby disengagement of the respective movable disconnecting contact from the respective relatively stationary disconnecting contact.

12. A high-voltage circuit interrupter including a spaced pair of generally tubular interrupting structures, supporting structure, a conducting plate means supported by said supporting structure and having a spaced pair of relatively stationary disconnecting contacts associated therewith, a removable arc-extinguishing unit disposed within each generally tubular interrupting structure and having a movable disconnecting contact associated therewith for cooperation with the respective relatively stationary disconnecting contact, said conducting plate means electrically interconnecting the two arc-extinguishing units in series, terminal means extending interiorly within each generally tubular interrupting structure and assisting in supporting the respective arc-extinguishing unit therein, cover means associated with each generally tubular interrupting structure adapted for removal therewith, whereby upon removal of said cover means from each of said generally tubular interrupting structures the respective removable arc-extinguishing unit may be removed causing thereby disengagement of the respective movable disconnecting contact from the respective relatively stationary disconnecting contact.

13. A high-voltage circuit interrupter including a spaced pair of generally tubular interrupting structure-s, supporting structure, a conducting plate means supported by said supporting structure and having a spaced pair of relatively stationary disconnecting contacts associated therewith a removable arc-extinguishing unit disposed within each generally tubular interrupting structure and having a movable disconnecting contact associated therewith for cooperation with the respective relatively stationary disconnecting contact, said conducting plate means electrically interconnecting the two arc-extinguishing units in series, operating rod means extending between the two generally tubular interrupting structures, terminal stud means extending laterally outwardly in opposite directions substantially diametrically of said operating rod means, cover means associated with each generally tubular in terrupting structure adapted for removal therewith, whereby upon removal of said cover means from each of said generaliy tubular interrupting structures the respective removable arc-extinguishing unit may be removed causing thereby disengagement of the respective movable disconnecting contact from the respective relatively stationary disconnecting contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,091,659 Hewlett Mar. 31, 1914 1,324,909 Krantz Dec. 16, 1919 2,100,753 Schoficld et a1 Nov. 30, 1937 2,258,376 Clothier et a1 Oct. 7, 1941 2,454,586 Amer Nov. 23, 1948 2,459,600 Strom Jan. 18, 1949- 2,766,348 Forwald Oct. 9, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 504,138 Great Britain Apr. 20, 1939 535,799 Great Britain Apr. 22, 1941 535,956 Great Britain Apr. 28, 1941 605,163 Great Britain July 16, 1948 626,842 Great Britain July 21, 1949 732,462 Germany Mar. 3, 1943 852,550 France Oct. 30, 1939 856,014 Germany Nov. 17, 1952 1,133,485 France Nov. 19, 1956

Claims (1)

1. A CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE SERVICE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED UPSTANDING ARC-EXTINGUISHING ASSEMBLAGES, ONLY A SINGLE UPSTANDING INSULATING HOLLOW COLUMN FOR SUPPORTING EACH ARC-EXTINGUISHING ASSEMBLAGE UP IN THE AIR ABOVE GROUND POTENTIAL, AN OPERATING MECHANISM AT GROUND POTENTIAL, AN INSULATING OPERATING ROD EXTENDING INTERIORLY UPWARDLY WITHIN EACH HOLLOW INSULATING COLUMN, CONTACT STRUCTURE ASSOCIATED WITH EACH ARC-EXTINGUISHING ASSEMBLAGE WHICH IS OPERATED BY THE RESPECTIVE INSULATING OPERATING ROD, SAID CONTACT STRUCTURE INCLUDING A SERIALLY RELATED PAIR OF ROTATABLE CONTACT BLADES AND FOUR SERIALLY RELATED STATIONARY CONTACTS, CRANK MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ACTUATING SAID ROTATABLE CONTACT BLADES, AND AN OPERATING SHAFT EXTENDING BETWEEN THE HOLLOW INSULATING COLUMNS CONNECTED TO THE SEVERAL INSULATING OPERATING RODS AND ACTUATED BY SAID OPERATING MECHANISM.

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