US3114021A - Counting mechanism for line sectionalizers - Google Patents

Description

Dec, 10, 1963 x A. R. HARM ETAL Y COUNTING MECHANISM FOR LINE SECTIONALIZERS Filed Sept. 19, 1961 s Sheets-Sheet 1 WITNESSES INVENTORS Alson R. Harm 6 William D wugner 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A-R.HARM ETAL Dec. 10, 1963 COUNTING MECHANISM FOR LINE SECTIONALIZERS 7 Filed Sept. 19, 1961 i L K Dec. 10, 1963 A. R. HARM ETAL COUNTING MECHANISM FOR LINE SECTIONALIZERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 19, 1961 3,114,021 COUNTING MECHANISM FOR LINE SECTRONALIZERS Alson R. Harm, Cincinnati, Ohio, and William D. Wagner, Richland, Ind., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Sept.'19, 1961, Sen. No. 139,195 7 Claims. (Cl. 200-89) This invention relates, generally, to switching apparatus and, more particularly, to line sectionalizing apparatus.

Line sectionalizers are usually provided with some type of normally inactive contact separating operating mechanism adapted to be actuated by an integrating or counting means in response to a predetermined number of successive circuit interrupting operations of an automatic reclosing apparatus in series with the line sectionalizing device. The integrating or counting means is preferably of the type which automatically resets if the overcurrent condition causing operation of the reclosing apparatus should clear, and the line sectionalizer contacts remain closed beforea sectionalizer lockout operation occurs. Accordingly, a lockout operation of. the sectionalizer apparatus occurs only when the integrator apparatus has counted a predetermined number of circuit interruptions which occur in rapid succession, and, if less than said predetermined number of circuit operations should occur, the integrator mechanismsresets to condition the line sectionalizer for making a complete count of circuit interruption operations which may later occur in the line.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a line sectionalizer having an integrating means, as described, means responsive to an electrical. impulse ofone polarity or another to adjustably dispose between the integrator mechanism and the lockout mechanism a motion transmitting means to adjust or change the total number Of 1f cuit interruption counting operations of the integrator required to eiiect lockout of the line sectionalizer apparatus.

More specifically, it is another object of this invention to provide in a line sectionalizer of the type described, and having an integrator mechanism, of the type described, electromagnetically operable means to selectively interpose between the integrator mechanism and the lockout mechanism a motion transmitting means for adjusting the total number of counting operations required to lockout the sectionalizer apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a line sectionalizer which may be mounted in an inverted position without aifecting the operating characteristics of the sectionalizer.

"ice

it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in use to this particular gas-filled sectionalizer, but is useful with other types of sectionalizers known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is disclosed a gas-filled sectionalizer 10 comprising a pressure vessel or tank 11 having an externally mounted operating handle mechanism 12 at the bottom thereof, and a pair of bushings 13, only one being shown, projecting from the top thereof. The tank 11 is hermetically sealed and contains therein suitable arc interrupting gas, such as sulphur hexafluoride. Mounted within the tank is an'operating mechanism 14 connected to operate a contact mechanism 15 in response to the operation of an integrator mechanism 16, or alternatively, in response to the operation of the handle mechanism 12. Thus, the operating mechanism 14 operates the contacts 15 in a sectionalizing mode as controlled by the integrator 16, and, alternatively, the operating mechanism 14 operates the contacts 15 in a switching mode in response to operation'of the handle mechanism 12.

The gas-filled sectionalizer 1i) generally, and the operating mechanism 14 in particular, are disclosed and claimed in the aforementioned copending application Serial No.

139,084. The present invention relates to the integrator mechanism 16 and is disclosed in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing.

Generally stated, the present invention comprises an integrator or counting wheel advanceable in a step fashion in response to closely successive operations of a solenoid in the line circuit, which solenoid is responsive to each fault current interruption of a recloser in series with the line sectionalizer. The integrator is continuously biased Another object of the invention is to provide for readily 7 toward a zero count reset position so that clearance of the fault condition before the integrator has been advanced a predetermined number of steps to the fully advanced position to trip-out the sectionalizer contact will allow the integrator to automatically reset to the zero count position in preparation for a subsequent counting of a new fault condition. In order to change the total number of counts required to eiiect tripping. or lockout operation of the sectionalizer contacts, there is provided an electromagnetic impulse responsive device operable,- depending upon the polarity of the impulse, to move from one position to another a motion transmitting means across the path betweenthe integrator means and thetrip-out means. The selective positioning of the motion transmitting means varies the number of counts required to lockout the sectionalizer, depending upon the position of the motion transmitting means.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing, it will be seen that the integrator 16 is supported between and upon a pair of support plates 21, 22 fixed in spaced parallel relationship by means of nut and bolt assemblies 23, 24 at the center and ends, respectively, of the plates, and by lateral flange members 25, 26, each on the left end of the plates 21, 22, respectively, and held together by a pair of nut and bolt assemblies 27, 28. Support plate 22 FIGURE 1 is a sectional view of a gas-filled line sectionalizcr embodying the present invention; 7

FIG, 2 is an elevational view, "taken in section, of the integrating mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the integrating mechanism of FIG. 2, and shown in operative association with the line contact operating mechanism.

The integrator mechanism embodying this invention is intended primarily for use in a gas-filled high capacity automatic line scctionalizer as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing. Although this invention is particularly disclosed as incorporated in a gas-filled sectionalizer of the type disclosed in copending applicationtSerial No. 139,084, filed September 19, 1961, by John E. Harder, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application,

is one of a pair of support plates which are attached to the bottomwall of tank 11 by means of bolts and tab assemblies 29, 30, FIG. 1, and which may support addi-' tional support plates 31, 32 which in turn support the I contact assembly 15 and solenoid assembly 17, FIG. 1.

assembly 14, a pawl assembly 36 operable to advance the integrator wheel 33, an electro-responsive pawl operating mechanism 37 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) in the line and responsive to fault current and subsequent interruption thereof I 3 by a series connected automatic recloser to operate the pawl mechanism, and an electro-responsive count adjusting mechanism 38 for changing the number of counting operations of the integrator wheel required to efiect operation of the trip mechanism.

The integrator wheel 33 comprises a wheel segment 46 mounted at the center of its curvature for unidirectional movement in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 41. The shaft 41 comprises the output of a mechanical timing apparatus 34, as hereinafter described. The unidirectional rotation of wheel 33 about shaft 41 is effected by means of a conventional capstan clutch, not shown, in a manner that will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The clutch connects wheel 33 to shaft 41 through a clutch journal 42 rigidly connected to the timing mechanism shaft 41.

The periphery of wheel 33 is provided with a plurality of spaced teeth members 46 by which the integrator wheel 33 is advanced in response to operation of the pawl assembly 36, as hereinafter described. A trip projection 47 is provided on the wheel 33 for operatively engaging the trip mechanism 35 in a manner as hereinafter described. The wheel 33 is continuously biased in the clockwise direction to the reset position shown in FIG. 2, by means of a tension spring 43 connected at one end to a pin member 49 and connected at the other end to pin member. 50 on support plate 21. The basic reset position of the wheel 33 is established by bolt, spacer, and nut assembly 23 against which the wheel 33 abuts in the reset position shown in FIG. 2.

The electro-responsive pawl operating assembly comprises a solenoid 37 having a coil 51 and an armature 52 adapted to be drawn upwardly therein in the normal manner. An armature stop 53 is fixedly attached to support plate 31 and includes a shoulder 53 engageable with the lower end of armature 52 to limit downward travel thereof. An armature extension 54 is attached to the armature 52 and extends downwardly between plates 21, 22. A force transmitting pawl support bar 55 is attached at one end to the lower end of extension 54 by means of a pivot 56, and is mounted for pivotal motion about a pin 57 supported between plates 21, 22. The armature extension 54 is axially adjustable with respect to armature 52.

The pawl assembly 36 for operating the integrator ratchet wheel 33 is responsive to operation of the pawl operating mechanism 17 and comprises a pawl lever 61 pivotally mounted at one end to the force transfer bar 55 at pivot 62 disposed adjacent thepivot 56. The pawl is biased toward engagement with teeth 46 by a tension spring 58 stressed between point 59 on pawl 61 and pin 60 on plate 21. The other end of the pawl member 61 includes a laterally extending catch member 63 (FIG. 3) disposed to ride over the teeth 46 when the armature extension 54 is drawn upwardly as the coil 51 is energized, and is disposed to engage one of the teeth 46 to rotate the wheel 33 in the counterclockwise counting direction when the coil 51 is deenergized to allow armature extension 54 to return to the normal reset position, as shown in FIG. 2, under the urging of an integrating spring mechanism 64, hereinafter described in detail.

A pawl control rod 65 is provided to effect disconnection between the pawl catch 63 and the wheel 33 at the beginning of each counting stroke of the pawl 61. The control rod 65 is pivotally attached at one end to a pivot 66 fixed on plate 21, while the other end extends through an aperture adjacent the free end of pawl 61 and is curved on the opposite side of entry at 67 to provide an inward limit of motion of pawl 61 with respect to the teeth 46 on wheel 33, and at the same time allow sliding motion between'the rod 65 and pawl 61 to permit free riding motion of the pawl over the teeth 46 when the pawl is moving upwardly, as will be hereinafter described.

In order to provide an armature return force after interruption of fault current, to effect counting operation of the pawl 61 and counting wheel 33, there is provided the integrating spring mechanism 64, previously mentioned, and which comprises a compression spring 63 biasing the bar 55 in a counterclockwise direction and urging the armature extension 54 and the pawl 61in the downward direction to effect counting operation of wheel 33. To this end there is provided on the bar 55 a lateral extension 69 fixed to the bar 55 at the bar pivot point 57, and carrying at its outer end a spring keeper 70 pivoted thereto by a pivot 71. A second spring keeper 72 is attached to the plate 22 and plate 31 by means of a bracket and bolt assembly 73. The spring 68 is compressed by keepers 70 and 72 to bias bar 55 counterclockwise about pivot 57. The keeper 72 may be adjusted in the bracket 73 to vary the force exerted by the spring 68, thereby changing the minimum pickup point of the sectionalizer.

A counterweight 55' is disposed at one end of the lever 55 to balance the weight of the armature 52, the armature rod 543 and the pawl 61 which are supported by the other end of the lever. This enables the mechanism to be inverted without changing the net force on the armature, thereby leaving the minimum pickup point unchanged when the mechanism is inverted.

In the operation of the apparatus as thus far described, should a fault current of suflicient magnitude flow through the sectionalizer, the series solenoid 17 will pick up its armature and life armature rod 54 which will rotate armature lever 55 about its pivot 57 against the action of the compression spring 68. As lever 5511s rotated, the pawl 61 swingsinto the path of the integrating wheel teeth 46, slides over the teeth, and is withdrawn at the top of its stroke by rod 65 pivoting about its retaining pin 66. Upon interruption of the fault current, the armature 52, armature rod 5 armature lever 55 and pawl 61 are brought back to their initial position by operation of compression spring 68. During this return motion the pawl 61 is biased to swing again into the path of the integrator wheel teeth 46. The pawl 61 will engage the first tooth 46 of the integrating wheel 33 and will rotate it against the force of the timer spring 4-8. Motion of the integrating wheel in this direction is not impeded by the mechanical escapement because of the action of the unidirectional capstan clutch, previously described. As the pawl 61 nears the end of its return stroke, it is disengaged from the integrating wheel tooth by the tip of the pawl riding against the next tooth of the integrating wheel. The timer spring 48 biases the integrator wheel toward its original position, but the capstan clutch causes the integrating wheel 33 to engage the shaft of the mechanical escapement 34. The speed of return of the integrator wheel 33 is thus governed by the mechanical escapernent 34.

If a second fault current should follow immediately, the armature 52 will again be pulled into the series solenoid 17 and when the circuit is opened, the pawl 61 will engage and move the second tooth of the integrator wheel 33. After a third operation the integrator wheel will have been moved far enough-so that the surface 47 will have contacted the trip mechanism 35.

The trip mechanism 35 for operating the contact operating mechanism 14 in response to operation of the integrator wheel 33 to the final count, comprises a trip bar '74- operable for movement along its axis in response to engagement with a trip pin 75 thereon by the trip surface 47 of the integrator wheel 33.

At the left end of the trip bar 74 there is provided a pair of rollers 76 mounted between plate 22 and a sup port plate 77 attached to the plate 22, as by bolts 78. The rollers 76 are disposed to guide therebetween the end of the bar 74 in its axial movement. This end of the bar 74 is twisted through an angle of The other end of bar '74 is pivotally attached to one end of a pivot lever 79 by means of a pin 86. A latch lever 81 is fixedly attached to pivot lever79 and includes at the upper end thereof a laterally extending latch member 82 crossing over lever 79 and normally overlying the protruding end of a trigger mechanism 83 which forms a part of the operating mechanism 14, as hereinafter descr bed. A trip lever return spring 85 encircles the pivot pin 86 of the pivot lever 79 and latch lever 81 and has its ends engaged against the catch 82 and pivot 57, respect vely, to bias the trip bar '74 to the right in its normal position, as shown in FIG. 2.

From the foregoing it will be understood that operation of the integrator wheel 33 to the fully advanced counting position, as described, will effect engagement of the trip surface 47 on wheel 33 with the trip pin 75, or by a motion transmitting means hereinafter described, to move trip bar 74 to the left effecting release of trigger 83 in the operating mechanism 14 As hereinafter described, therelease of trigger 83 effects contaotseparation operation of the operating mechanism 14 The operating mechanism 14 (FIG 3) is fully described in the previously mentioned copending application Serial No-.139,0 84, and reference is made thereto for a detailed description of the function and operation thereof The operating mechanism 1 4' will be generally described herein to further an understanding of the manner in which the operation of the integrator device effects contact separation operation of the contact mechanism 15 in response to the operation of tripbar74 in the integrator mechanism The operating mechanism 14 includes a flexible lever system 89 which includes a pair of levers 90, 91 pivotally connected to each other by a pivot pin 92 and biased into predetermined normal position with respect to each other around said pivot by means of a spring mechanism 93 carried solely by the lever system 89 The lever system is pivoted atone end on a pin 87 mounted between plates 22 and 29 and adapted for movement of the free end of the lever system from either one of a pair of spaced latch members 94, 94 (only one shown) to the other, the latch means being spaced in a plane parallel with the planes of the support plates 22, 29, and each latch means engageable with the free end to hold the lever system 89 in the corresponding latched position. An operating handle mechanism 12, FIG 1, shown and described in detail in the aforementioned copending application, Serial No. 139,084 is connected to the lever 91 of the lever system 89 by means of a pin 95 to rotate the lever system about the pivot 87 against the holding force of one or the other of the latch means 94 to break or buckle the lever system from the normal position, thus charging the-spring assembly 93 and at the same time shortening the e-ifective length of the lever system 39 to effect release of the end of lever 90 from the latch 94 by sliding disengagement therewith, whereupon the charged spring 93 snaps lever 90 into normal alignment with the rotated lever 91 to effect snap action of the movable contact of contact means 15 connected to the free end of the lever 90 and to propel the free end of lever 90' into latched engagement with the other latch means 94. Thereafter, operation of the handle means 12 in the opposite direction effects reverse action of the lever system' to the other latched means 94 to effect snap operation of the movable contact in the opposite direction.

, Both latch 'means 94 include a latch support frame 9'9 supported between the plates 22, 29 and which in turn support a trigger 100 adapted for axial movement from a first position in the path of the lever 90, as shown in FIG. 3, to a second position away from the path of lever 90 and against the action of a spring biasing means, not shown, sothat the trigger 100 may yield to the force of the lever 90 arriving from the other latch means 94 to allow passage of the lever 90 and to hold the lever 90 in the latched position. The trigger 109 in the top latch 94-, seen inFIG.3, is also adapted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the trigger extension 83 under the weight of the lever system bearing downupon the trigger head 100. As seen in "FIG. 2 theaxis of rotation of the trigger and extension 83 provides a substantially vertical movement of the extension 83. However, previously describedlatch catch means 82 on latch lever 81 in the trip mechanism 35 prevents rotation of the-trigger extension 83 in the direction described. When the trip bar 74 is moved'to the left in a sectionalizing mode, as above described, the catch 82 releases trigger extension 83:.allowing trigger 190 to rotate out of the means for providing movement of a force transmitting means to and away from a position between the trip surface 47 on the integrator wheel 33 and the trip assemvbly 35.

The electro-responsive control mechanism 105 is of the type basicallyidescribed and claimed in copending application Serial No. 139,082 filed September 19, 1961 by John E. Harder. The control mechanism 105 comprises a pair of spaced parallel channel members 106, 107, havingtheir ends in straddling relationship with a pair, of spaced coil members 108, 109 between the channel members. A pair of nut and bolt assemblies 27, 28, previously described, each extend through the center of one of the coils and the end portions of the channel members 106, 107 to hold. the assembly'together as a unit and also to fixedly, mount the assembly on the plate 21. The channel members 106, 107 are constructed of non-magnetic substances such as brass. A permanent bar magnet 111 is captured between the channel members 106, 107 and is freely. slidable along the channel members between the coils 108, 109. A pair of clips 112, 112, constructed of high permeability material, are supported on opposite ends of each coil 103, 109 to provide anchoring means for the permanent magnet111. The coils 108, 109 are adapted to be connected in circuit with a direct current source, not shown, through a suitable switch, not shown, whereupon the application of an impulse to the coil members will effect movement of the permanent magnet 111 from one coil to the other, depending upon the polarity of the impulse. This electromagnetic force providing means is fully described in copending application Serial No. 139,082, mentioned above. i

. A lever 115 is provided to operate the contact adjusting means and includes at one end a pair of keeper legs 116 straddling the bar magnet 111, and is adapted for pivotal motion about. a pivot pin 117 in response to movement of magnet 111 as described above. Theother or free end of lever 115 pivotally supportsa support member 118 counterbalanced at 119. A spacer element 120 is fixed on the end of support member118 forrdisposition between trip surface 47 on integrator wheel 33 and trip pin 75 on trip bar 74, the thickness of the spacer 120 and support 118 comprising the thickness of one count space so that when the magnet 111 is in the position shown in FIG. 2, the integrator will effect trip operation of the trip means 35 at a total count reduced by one when the spacer member 120 is disposed between the trip surface 47 and the trip pin 75.

In the operation of the count advancing mechanism 38, if it isdesired to have the sectionalizer lock-open after a total count of one less counting operation than is normally required, the adjustment is made by energizing the adjustment solenoid control means 38 with polarity such that the permanent magnet armature is pulled down. This armature motion rotates the adjustment lever 115 counterclockwise about its pivot 117 raising the lockout pawl lever 118 into such a position between the integrator wheel surface 47 and trip pin 75 that the integrator wheel surface 47 will cause the pawl lever 118 to move against the pin 75 on the trip bar to trip out the contact prior to a full count of the integrator wheel 33. Thus, by the simple addition or removal of the spacing element 120 between the integrator wheel tripping surface 47 and the tripping bar 75, the integrator can be adjusted for either two or three operations to lock-open the contact mechanism. It is to be understood that the total number of'counts required to lockout the sectionalizer may be varied in accordance with the number of teeth on the integrator wheel and proper spacing between the trip surface 47 and pin 75, as desired.

The timing mechanism 34 may be of any conventional mechanical timing apparatus known in the art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing integrator mechanism may be readily adapted for use in automatic recloser devices as well as sectional- 12ers.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that there has been provided in an integrator device for switching mechanisms, an electromagnetic control device which quickly alters the desired number of counts to lockout the switch mechanism from a preferred number of counts to an alternate number of counts by merely adjusting the position of a force transmitting means to and away from a position between an integrator trip device and a contact trip-out operating mechanism.

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described construction, and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all the matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. A switching apparatus, comprising: separable contacts; means including trip means operable to eifect operation of said contacts; integrator means for counting occurrences of a predetermined circuit condition and including means advanceable a predetermined increment of a predetermined plurality of increments for each occurrence of said circuit condition and operable to engage and operate said trip means when advanced said plurality of increments; motion transmitting means movable to and away from a position between said advanceable means and said trip means whereby the integrator may engage said motion transmitting means to eiiect operation of said trip means in advance of said predetermined plurality of increments; and electrical impulse responsive means for moving said motion transmitting means to and away from said position so that the integrator may actuate said trip means either before or after, respectively, the counting of said predetermined plurality of increments, said electrical responsive means including a permanent magnet movable between first and second predetermined positions to actuate said motion transmitting means to and away from the position between said advanceable means and said trip means and electromagnetic means disposed adjacent to said permanent magnet and energizable'to actuate said permanent magnet between said first and second positions.

2. A switching apparatus, comprising: separable contacts; means including trip means operable to eifect operation of said contacts; a rotatable integrator wheel means for counting occurrences of a predetermined circuit condi-' tion and including means advanceable a predetermined increment of a predetermined plurality of increments for each occurrence of said circuit condition and operable to engage and operate said trip means when advancing said plurality of increments; motion transmitting means movable to and away from a position between said advanceable means and said trip means whereby the integrator may engage said motion transmitting means to effect operation of said trip means in advance of said predetermined plurality of increments; and electrical impulse responsive means for moving said motion transmitting means to and away from said position depending upon the polarity of the impulse so that the integrator means may actuate said trip means either before or after, respectively, the counting of said predetermined plurality of increments, said electrical responsive means including a permanent magnet movable between first and second predetermined positions to actuate said motion transmitting means to and away from the position between said advanceable means and said trip means and electromagnetic means disposed adjacent to said permanent magnet and energizable to actuate said permanent magnet between said first and second positions.

3. A line sectionalizer apparatus, comprising: separable contacts; means including trip means operable to eliect operation of said contacts; rotatable integrator means for counting occurrences of a predetermined circuit condition and including means advanceable a predetermined increment of a predetermined plurality of increments for each occurrence of said circuit condition and'operable to engage and operate said trip means when advancing said plurality of increments; motion transmitting means movable to and away from a position between said advanceable means and said trip means whereby the integrator may engage said motion transmitting means to effect operation of said trip-means in advance of said predetermined plurality of increments; and electrical polarity responsive means for moving said motion transmitting means to and away from said position so that the integrator means may actuate said trip means either before or after, respectively, the counting of said predetermined plurality of increments, said electrical responsive means including a permanent magnet movable between first and second 1 predetermined positions to actuate said motion transmitting means to and away from the position between said advanceable means and said trip means and electromag netic means disposed adjacent to said permanent magnet and energizable to actuate said permanent magnet between said first and second positions.

4. A switching apparatus, comprising: separable contacts for connection in a line circuit; means including trip means operable to operate said contacts; integrator wheel means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuit condition in the line circuit and operable to trip said trip means in response to the occurrence of a predetermined number of said circuit conditions; a plurality of teeth on said integrator wheel means; pawl means adjacent said teeth; means for biasing said pawl into engagement with said teeth; means responsive to each occurrence of said circuit condition for advancing said pawl in a first direction in overriding relationship with said teeth and for moving said pawl in the reverse direction to engage one of said teeth and advance said integrator Wheel means; means connected to said pawl means for opposing said biasing means to thereby release said pawl means from the teeth on said integrator wheel means at the beginning and end of each pawl movement; means providing for slow return movement of the integrator wheel means so that said integrator wheel means will be advanced a predetermined amount greater than the predetermined total amount of increments only in response to closely successive occurrences of said circuit condition.

5. A switching apparatus, comprising: separable contacts for connection in a line circuit; means including trip means operable to operate said contacts; rotatable means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuit condition in the line circuit and operable to trip said trip means in response to the occurrence of a predetermined number of said circuit conditions; a plurality of teeth on said counting means; pawl means disposed adjacent to said teeth; means for biasing said pawl means into engagement with said teeth; means responsive to each occurrence of said circuit condition for advancing said pawl means in a first direction in overriding relationship with said teeth and for moving said pawl in the reverse direction to engage one of said teeth and advance said counting means; means connected to said pawl means and pivoted about a fixed pivot for opposing said biasing means to thereby release the pawl means from the teeth on said counting means at the beginning and end of each pawl movement; means providing for slow return movement of the counting means so that said counting means Will be advanced a predetermined amount greater than the predetermined total amount of increments only in response to closely successive occurrences of said circuit condition. I

6. A line sectionalizer comprising: separable contacts for connection in a line circuit; means including trip means operable to operate said contacts; means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuit condition in the line circuit and operable to trip said trip means in response to the occurrence of a predetermined member of said circuit conditions; pavvl means for driving said counting means; lever means supporting said pawl means; means responsive to each occurrence of said circuit condition for actuating said lever to advance said pawl means in a first direction in overriding relationship with said counting means; spring means for actuating said lever and said pawl inthe reverse direction to engage and advance said counting means; means for biasing said pawl means into engagement with said counting means, means connected to said pawl means for opposing said biasing means to disengage said pawl from said counting means at the beginning and end of each pawl movement; and a counterweight on said lever for balancing said lever.

7. A line sectionalizer comprising: separable contacts for connection in a line circuit; means including trip means operable to operate said contacts; means for counting successive occurrences of a predetermined circuit condition in the line circuit and operable to trip said trip means in response to the occurrence of a predetermined member of said circuit conditions; pawl means for driving said counting means; lever means supporting said pawl means; means responsive to each occurrence of said circuitcondition for actuating said lever to advance said; pawl in a first direction in overriding relationship with teristics of the sectionalizer.

References Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Chabala May 26, 1959

Claims (1)

1. A SWITCHING APPARATUS, COMPRISING: SEPARABLE CONTACTS; MEANS INCLUDING TRIP MEANS OPERABLE TO EFFECT OPERATION OF SAID CONTACTS; INTEGRATOR MEANS FOR COUNTING OCCURRENCES OF A PREDETERMINED CIRCUIT CONDITION AND INCLUDING MEANS ADVANCEABLE A PREDETERMINED INCREMENT OF A PREDETERMINED PLURALITY OF INCREMENTS FOR EACH OCCURRENCE OF SAID CIRCUIT CONDITION AND OPERABLE TO ENGAGE AND OPERATE SAID TRIP MEANS WHEN ADVANCED SAID PLURALITY OF INCREMENTS; MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS MOVABLE TO AND AWAY FROM A POSITION BETWEEN SAID ADVANCEABLE MEANS AND SAID TRIP MEANS WHEREBY THE INTEGRATOR MAY ENGAGE SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS TO EFFECT OPERATION OF SAID TRIP MEANS IN ADVANCE OF SAID PREDETERMINED PLURALITY OF INCREMENTS; AND ELECTRICAL IMPULSE RESPONSIVE MEANS FOR MOVING SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS TO AND AWAY FROM SAID POSITION SO THAT THE INTEGRATOR MAY ACTUATE SAID TRIP MEANS EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER, RESPECTIVELY, THE COUNTING OF SAID PREDETERMINED PLURALITY OF INCREMENTS, SAID ELECTRICAL RESPONSIVE MEANS INCLUDING A PERMANENT MAGNET MOVABLE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND PREDETERMINED POSITIONS TO ACTUATE SAID MOTION TRANSMITTING MEANS TO AND AWAY FROM THE POSITION BETWEEN SAID ADVANCEABLE MEANS AND SAID TRIP MEANS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT TO SAID PERMANENT MAGNET AND ENERGIZABLE TO ACTUATE SAID PERMANENT MAGNET BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS.

Images