US3171001A - Repeating circuit interrupter with fluid integrating means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 23, 1965 M. RIGERT REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH FLUID INTEGRATING MEANS Filed April 9, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. /Ydx Raye/"27 Feb. 23, 1965 M. RlGr-:RT 3,171,001

REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRPTER WITH FLUID INTBGRATING MEANS 'Filed April 9, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4ax Raye/" BY mi .um

ttor/7g M. RIGERT 3,171,001

mmm cmcurr m'rsanuvrsn ma FLUID :mamma uws Feb. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. /742' @gert REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTBR wITH FLUID INTEGRATING uEANs Filed April 9, 1962 M. RIGERT Feb. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. War R'yert tta/"ny AJM 3,171,0(11 Patented Feb. 23, 1965 eREPEATING CIRCUIT lNTERRUPTER-WITH t FLUIDl INTEGRATING 'MEANS Max Rigert, West Allis, Wis., lssignorto McGraw-Edison Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware `Filed Apr. 9, 1962, ser. No. 186,079 -6 Claims. (Cl. 200-89) This invention relates to repeating circuitinterrupters of thetypea commonly known as reclosers.

It is common practice toutilizea varietyof protective ldevices having time current characteristics of different kshapes and `slopesin a single electrical system. For example, a distribution system .may be provided with a recloserconnected in-series with themain line and .located adjacent the` source of power and fuses disposed `in feeder lines radiating from the main line. Because the majority of faults in such systems are Vtemporary in-nature, and twill, therefore, clear in a relatively short time, it is common to `arrange the repeating circuitinterrupter .to yexecute a series of rapid opening and-reclosing operations so that the period inV which the system remains energized is shorter `than the time `necessary for the fuse elements 'to melt. If the fault does not clear during .this initial series of rapid operations, -it is consideredpermanent and there follows a second-series of operations inwhich the vrecloser contacts remain closed foraperiod of sufficient `length'to melt the fuse element in the faulted feeder line. If the faultclears-due to the melting of thefuse or for some other `reasonduring-any of these successive operai tions, the recloser closesto Fmaintain power vin the-main line and in the non-faulted feeder lines. HIf, on the other v hand, the fault is not cleared `during thisvseries of rapid and retarded opening operations, the recloserautomatically locks out to disconnect the main -line1from the source. In order to properly coordinate a particular recloser with other protective devices the number :of V opening operations prior to lockout must kbe conveniently `and accurately preselectable.

As the use of electricv power increases in existing distribution systems it becomes necessary, from time to time, to increase the ratings of existingsystems. fThis requires the installation of higher rated transformers-and `reclosers vto accommodate this increase load. --In order to minimize the cost of such upgrading Iof existngsystemsyit is desirable to provide protective equipment which can Vbe mounted on poles `or other supporting vstructures repeating circuit `interrupterhaving compact operating `mechanism which allows aV higher 'rated device to-be -housed in a container customarily used with lower :rated devices.

Theseand'other objects and :advantages of the instant `inventionwill become more apparent from fthe. `detailed descriptionfthereof taken with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational viewfwithparts kbroken away,

ofa reclosing circuit interrupter assembly embodyingthe `instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the operating mechanism of the reclosing circuit interrupter illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side'elevational view partly in section illustrating the reclosing solenoid of the recloser of FIG.` 1;

FIG. 4 is 'a siderelevational view partly in section of the integrating mechanism according to the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is a view taken alonglines 5-5 of'vFIGav 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along lines 7-7' of-FIG.4;

FIG. 8 is a view taken along-lines 8 8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. A9 is a view takenalong lines-99 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the electrical circuit of the recloser shown in FIG. 1.

Referring more lspecifically to FIG. l, the circuit intterrupter yincorporating the instant inventionincludes a metallic tank` 10 'filled with dielectric iiuid, ksuch as oil, to a level indicated by the phantom line 11, and provided .with'a Vgasketed cover l2. 'The cover 12 is provided with a pair of bushings 13 which extend interiorly of -the tank 10 and beneath the oil 11l for connection to conductors 14, for the pur-pose of serially connecting the reeloser in the system being protected. As seen in` FIG.10,the current path through the recloser between the bushingsAlS, constitutes a series circuit including the conductors -14, an electromagnetic tripping relay 16 and an interrupting switch means generally designated by the reference numeral 18. f

The following will, in general'terms, be a discussion of the circuit interruptery illustrated lin FIG. 1 -for the purpose of correlating the various portions of the rdevice illustrated in the drawings.

When an yovercurrent existsin thev system beingprotected, the overcurrent relay 16 operatesto krelease a` linkage Vassembly 20, llustratedin greater 4detail in FIG. 2, upon which event the interrupting-switch means 18 of FIG. 1 is opened and seriesrelay 16 is de-energized. When the switch means 1i8 reachesits fully opened position, a ypotential coil 22 is placed in circuit between the erate -to initiate a switch opening operation in-themanner above described.

Each opening ofthe switch meanslscauses the-pump piston 28 of an integrating assemblyv27, VseeFIG. 5,- to deliver a'measured quantity of hydraulic ruidunder an integratingpiston 26 which elevates-in a step by step manner and accordingly,y causes similar advancement lof ra trip stem 122 to which it'is connectedby a pin 123. After a predetermined number of suchopening -operations,-usual ly four, the stem 122 has advanced to'whereit causes the operation ofa lockout mechanism 32, as -seen-inJFIG. 2, which preventsthe further energization of the-potential coilV 22 so'that further reclosure of the device is `prevented.

vReferring again to FIG. l, the'opera'tingmechanism 20 isa shown mounted on a chassis 34 whh is suspended from the cover- 12 byintegr'albosses236. Also `mounted on the chassis 34 and below the operating mechanism-20, is thehydraulic integrating mechanism 27.

The closingpotentialcoil 22 iswoundon a flanged spool mounted between the-ange of a collar member-$9 and a plate-40-which are, in turn, supported vbelow the ychassis -34 by vinsulating stringers 42. In asimilar manner, in-

The overcurrent -relay -16 includes a coil-49, a -core- 50 and amagnetic plunger 52 connected vto-f-the operating .mechanism 20 by a pair of long-insulatinglinks 53.V As

q seen in FIG. 2, the upper end of the links 53 are pivotally connected to a lever 55 of the operating mechanism 2li. When the current in overload coil 49 exceeds its rated value, the magnetic plunger 52 is attracted downwardly causing a downward movement of the vertical links 53.

Referring again to FIG. 2, vertical movement of the links 53 cause the clockwise rotation of the lever 55 which, in turn, rotates a trip shaft 56 to affect tripping of the device in the manner to be described.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the movable contact portion 58 of the interrupting switch mechanism 1S is carried at the lower end of a long vertical insulating link 59 which is connected at its upper end to one leg of a bell crank 61 through a short intermediate link 62, shown in FIG. 2.

-The bell crank 61 is adapted to pivot on a xed pivot 64 and is connected at its other leg to the switch opening spring 66. Under normal circuit conditions, when the recloser is closed, the opening spring 66 tends to rotate the bell crank 61 clockwise to force the link 59 downwardly and thereby open the main switch means 1S. Such opening action is normally prevented, however, by a collapsible general latch means or toggle link assembly designated by the reference numeral 67.

When the recloser is closed, the toggle link assembly 67 effects a rigid connection between the bell crank 61 and a rocking lever 69, the latter of which is normally latched and participates in a switch resetting operation as will be explained hereinbelow. The toggle link assembly 67 comprises a long link 76 pivotally connected near its mid section to a triangularly shaped link 72 which in turn is pivotally connected to the rocking lever 69 at 73.

The tendency is for the elongated link 7h to rotate in a clockwise direction under the inuence of opening spring 66 acting on the bell crank 61, but this is normally prevented by a semicylindrical latch shaft 75 that is pivotally .mounted on triangular link 72 and which acts as a stop for the link 70.

The half shaft 75 is provided with an arm 77 havingan aperture 7 8 at its free end. A spring Si? urges the arm 77 and the semicylindrical latch 75 in a counterclockwise direction until the edge of the aperture 78 engages a stop pin 79 extending from the triangular link 72. This holds the outer periphery of the semicylindrical latch 75 in engagement with the tip of the long link 7) to maintain the latter in its latched position. Thus, if the half shaft 75 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2, the tip of link 7i) will move past the flattened portion of said half shaft and allow rotation of the links 7 il and 72.

As stated hereinabove, operation of the overcurrent relay 16 will move the links 53 downwardly to rotate the trip shaft 56 clockwise. This moves the upper end of a trip arm 82, as viewed in FTG. 2, into engagement with the left end of a long link 83 carried at the lower ends of links 84 and 84. Link 84 is pivotally mounted at xed point S while link `84' is received on a manual operating shaft 86. Engagement of the link 83 by the arm 82 moves an offset portion S7 of the former into engagement with the arm 77 rotating shaft 75 against the influence of spring '80. The tip of link 7i) is thus allowed to move past the attened portion of shaft 75 so that the toggle links 70 and 72 are free to rotate. Upon this event, the bell crank 61 rotates clockwise through a limited angle opening the interrupting switch 1S.

When the toggle link assembly 67 collapses and the bell crank 61 rotates to open interrupting switch 18, rocking lever 69, which is affixed to a rocking shaft 8S, remains stationary temporarily because it is normally latched by a spring-biased lever 39 carried on a xed pivot point 92 and engaged at 93 with an end of the rocking lever. Howevenrwhen the bell crank 61 has nearly completed its clockwise rotation, a pin 95 extending transversely therefrom strikes lat'ch lever 'S9 and releases rocking lever 69 for' clockwise rotation under the influence of a spring 96. This elevat'es the closing magnetic plunger 24 which is connected to the rocking lever 69 by a pair of insulating links 98.

Clockwise rotation of rocking lever 69 also immediately aligns the triangular link '72 and the long link 70 of the toggle link assembly 67 and allows the tip of link 70 to move upward past the iiattened edge of half shaft and to catch again on the edge of the outer periphery thereof. This restores the toggle link assembly to rigid condition, but in a lower position, so that when rocking lever 69 is subsequently rotated counterclockwise by descent of plunger 24,'the toggle assembly 67 will drive bell crank 61 counterclockwise and thus extend opening spring 66. This not only closes the interrupting switch 18, but also reloads the opening spring 66 in preparation for another opening operation.

Closing of the interrupting switch 1S is achieved by the movement of the closing magnetic plunger 24 downwardly through the agency of resetting coil 22. Coil 22 is in circuit with an auxiliary switch, designated generally by the reference numeral 100, that completes an energizing circuit to the coil 22 when the plunger 24 is in its uppermost position and reopens the coil circuit when the plunger 24 is in its lowermost position.

Coil 22 is supplied withV line to ground voltage by being connected across the conductors 14, as seen in FIG. l0, through wires 102 which are in series with the contacts M3 of auxiliary switch 1lii,`see FIG. 2. Auxiliary switch 11N) is operated from the rocking shaft 88 to which rocking lever 69 is rigidly axed. When shaft 88 rotates through a limited angle after the main switch 18 opens it oscillates an arm 104 through a like clockwise angle for actuating switch from open position as shown to a closed position. For this purpose, arm 1114 is slotted at 105 for loosely and slidably engaging a pin1i6 that is carried by a link 107. The latter link 107 is moved on a stationary pin 108 and on the same pin there is also pivotally supported another link 109 to which an insulating rod 110 is pinned at 111. Links 167 and 169, together with a spring 112, constitute an overcenter linkage for operating switch 100 with a snap action.

It will be seen that when arm 104 is rotated clockwise, pins 106; 163 and 111 will rst form a straight line coincident with the line of action of spring 112 which will then be stretched and pre-loaded. As sliding pin 106 is carried further counterclockwise, spring 112 is able to contract and lift link 169 in a clockwise direction whereupon contacts 103 are bridged and coil 22 is temporarily energized. Plunger 24 is immediately drawn downward by coil 22 to close the interrupting switch 13 and to open the switch 1110 by an action of over-center spring 112 converse to that just described. Latch 89 then engages rocking lever 69 to hold plunger 24 down.

As seen in FIG. 3, the closing magnetic plunger 24 has a central bore 115 to permit the passage of the link 59, connected to the movable contacts 58, to pass therethrough. In addition, it can be seen that the plunger 24 resides in a dashpot 118 which is surrounded by the potential closing coil 22. The initial portion of the upstroke of plunger 24 is retarded as the oil is trapped beneath the plunger and has to be supplied through a small orice 119 in a check valve 120 (see FIG. 9) which is biased upwardly by a spring 121 to normally substantially close the lower portion of the dashpot cylinder 118. The check valve 120 freely opens downwardly and the plunger 24 has a relatively rapid downward stroke, cushioned by the oil in cylinder 118, and thus serves to quickly close the main switch 13. The upward stroke, however, is retarded and this provides a time delay for the circuit interrupter when it is closed after an opening operation.

This symmetrical arrangement'of the magnetic plunger and contact link 59 permits a more compact operating assembly than in prior art devices wherein the closing coil had to be mounted in an offset position relative to the main interrupting contacts. As a result the tank 10 may be of the same relative size as lower rated devices not having a closing coil but relying on springs to provide this function.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that "scribed in'detail. time `delay mechanism 149 reference is made to U.S.

'5 when an arc is interrupted in an oil-immersed interrupter, such as 47 shownin FIGS. 1 and 3, gas bubbles consisting of products of decomposed oil will be exhausted from the'ports'230. These bubbles will tend to rise to- `ward the upper end of the tank and in order to -prevent them from being drawn 'into the dash-pot cylinder 118 whenthe' piston 24 rises, a semi-cylindrical baille 231 is affixed over the orifice 119.

A small aperture 232 in the baille 231 permits the passage of the link 59. The baille not only deects the bubbles emitted from the interrupter 47 but also holds a `pocket of oil adjacent the orifice 119. This lessens the 28 of themechanism 27 is connected by a pin 29 to a stem-30which in turn is connected to the rocking lever 69. As a result, pump piston 28 is drivenby angular gyrations of the rocking lever 69 each time the recloser operates. The output of the pump piston 28 is delivered to the pressure side of lan integrating piston 26. As the recloser operates repeatedly, the integrating piston 26 isforced hydraulically upward in a step by step manner'causing a corresponding movement of a lockout stem 122 which is attached-thereto.

The'lockout stem 1'22is connected at its upper end, through the agency of an arm 124, to a lU-shaped lockout bar 125 whose opposite endsare pivotally mounted at 126 and 126 on the chassis 34. Each time the lockout `stem122 advances it rotates the lockout bar 125 through a counterclockwise angle as viewed in FIG. 2.

Lockout of the recloser is brought about by a lever. 127

'pivoted' on a stationary pivot 128 that depresses the `auxiliary `switchl'ink 110 and thereby prevents energization of the closing coil 22 until manually reset. The angular position of the lever 127 is controlled by an elongated linkl29 which `is positioned by a latch mechanism generally designated by the reference numeral130 and which includes a vlatch crank 132 received on the shaft 86 and having a tip'133 which normally bears on the outer pei riphery of a semicylindrical latch134. vThe latch 134 is carried byra link 135 which is pivoted 'about the fixed pointl36. The link-135 and the latch 134 are held in the position shown in FIG. 2 by a spring 137.

After a predetermined number of opening operations,

Va pin 138l extending laterally from one of. thearms of the lockout bar 125 will strike the latch lever 135 rotating the half moon latch 134 counterclockwise around pivot point 136 torelease the latch crank 132 and the shaft 86 for counterclockwise rotation by spring 140. This moves'the link 129 downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, to rotate the crank 127 counterclockwise into engagement with the upper end of the auxiliary switch link 110 to preventclosu're of the latter and thereby effect lockout.

Resetting ofthe devi is accomplished by clockwise rotation of an arm 142 aixed to the shaft 86, which in -turn'elevates the link 129 andv relatches the tip 133 of by the reference numeral 149 is provided. The specific details of the time delay mechanism 149 form no part of `the instant invention and accordingly will not be de- For a more complete description Vof yinitiate time delayed operation.

6 Patent 2,907,562 to A. Van Ryan et al. and assigned to the assignee Aof the instant invention.

As seen in FIG. 2, the lever 55, to which the upper end of the link 53 is pivotally connected, isconnected at its free end to a hook shaped time delayl latch linger 150 which extends generally upward. Latch finger 150 is biased clockwise with respect to lever 55 by a spring152 but such rotation is -normally opposed by a cross pin 153 lying in the swinging path of finger 150 and carried by a lever 155 which is pivoted about a xed pin 156. In order to rendery the time delay device 149 effective to fdelay tripping by retarding the downward movement of link 53, the latch linger 150 must be allowed to engage a pin 158 extending transversely through the time'delay lever 159 pivotally mounted at 160 on a .bracket 162 extending upwardly'from the body `ofthe time delay kmechanism 149.

As long as the time delay control bar 164 remains in the position in which it is shown in FIG. 2, the biasing inuence of spring 152 is overcome and the hooked end of the latch finger 150 is free to move downwardly without engagingpin. 158. Thus, in the first series of .operations link 53 may descend without retardation because time .delay arm 159 is disconnected from the latch linger 150.

The influence of the time delay device 149 is brought into effect by shifting a timing bar 164 to 'the left in opposition to a spring 166 to rotate the lever 155 clockwise and to move the pin 153 away from the latch finger 150 so that vthe latter is free to be rotated clockwise by the spring 152 until it engagesthe pin 158. Displacement of timing bar 164 in this manner'is accomplished through the agency of an indexing wheel 167 rotatably mounted at 126 and a lever 168.

The indexing Vwheel v167-is coupled to the integrating bar 125 by an indicating arm 170 which isatixed toone of the legs of said integrating bar. A driving connection is formed between the wheel 167 and the arm 170 byia transverse indexing pin 171 which is receivable in one of a plurality of indexing holes 172 adjacent the periphery of indexing wheel 167. Indicia 174 are provided adjacent the periphery of indexing wheels 167 at its opposite side for cooperating with the pointer 175 toindicate the number `of time delay operations which will occur. By removing the pin 171` fromone of the holes 172fand rotating the wheel in onedirection or the other, the edges of the recess 177 will be moved relative to roller 179 thereby changing the number of operations necessary-to Reinsertionk of the pin 171 in the hole 172 correspondingto this position reestablishes the driving connection.

It can be seen that rotation ofthe timing bar 125 in a counterclockwise direction `will move the edge of a recessed portion 177 yoi" the indexingwheel 167 into engagement with a roller 179 carried onthe free endof the lever 168 to rotate the latterand thereby displace the jtiming bar 164 ltoward ythe left to initiate time delayed operation.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 4-7, the integrating mechanism 27 is shown to include a block portion 182' forming a housing and having a pair4 of cylindrical 182 below the integrating cylinder 186 and is connected to said cylinder through a ball check valve 191. Also, the recess is connected to the pump cylinder 184 by passages 192, 193 and 194 (see 1FIG. 7). The lower end of the pump cylinder 184 is alsoy connected to the lower end of the sump-187 through a passage 196 and a ball check valve 198. In addition, ports 200 and 201,

respectively, connect the upper ends of the integrating cylinder 136 and the pump cylinder 18d to the sump 187. A second port 2tl3 near the lower end of the pump cylinder 184 also opens into the stunp 187.

As seen in FIG. 5, the pump piston assembly 28 includes an externally threaded body 2&5 which is threadably received into an internally threaded sleeve Ztl-5. it can be seen that the axial length of the body 265 is shorter than the sleeve y206. A pin extends across the lower end of the sleeve 296 and is rigidly aixed thereto Jfor the purpose of rotating the sleeve relative to the body 2tl5 so that the relative axial position of the sleeve and the body may be adjusted.

Rotation ot the sleeve 205 is accomplished by a rod 210 extending through a bore 211 formed in the housing 132 and opening into the lower end of the cylinder 184. The rod 210 is provided with a head 212 having a slot 214 for embracing the pin 26S. Thus, when rotation of the sleeve 206 is desired the piston assembly 23 is depressed to the lower end of the chamber 184, a threaded plug 215 covering the outer end of the bore 211 is removed, the slot `214 is engaged with the pin 26S and the rod 210 is rotated to rotate the sleeve 2de. Because the body 205 is rigidly ailixed to the stein 3@ by the pin 29, rotation of the sleeve 2&5 will cause relative axial movement between the body 2% and said sleeve. The purpose for this adjustment will be more fully appreciated when operation of the integrating assembly is discussed in detail hereinbelow.

lAs seen in -`PlGS. 2 and 4, the upper end of the pump piston stem 30 is connected through the agency of a pair of links 216 to the rocking lever 69. Thus, each time the rocking lever pivots, after a switch opening operation, the pump piston assembly 28 is depressed in cylinder 134i to force a measured quantity of hydraulic iiuid through the passages y192, 193 and .194, past the ball check valve 1191 and below the integrating piston 26 elevating the latter.

The integrating piston stem 122 is connected by links 21% to the lockout bar 125. As a result, elevation of the integrating piston 26 rotates the lockout bar l25 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FEiG. 2.

It will be recalled that when the interrupting switch 1S is reclosed by the descent of the magnetic plunger 24, the rocking lever 69 is returned to its original unretated position. This raises the pump piston assembly 2S to its original elevated position shown in FIG. 5 whereupon hydraulic iluid is drawn from the sump fl through the ball check valve 198. As a result, the pump piston assembly 2S'is in position to force a second measured quantity of oil beneath the integrating piston 26 should a succeeding opening operation occur. In this manner the integrating piston 26 is advanced in a step by step manner until the lockout bar 125 has been rotated suiciently to cause lockout. lf the number of operations are insuiicient to cause lockout, the integrating piston 26 will slowly settle to its initial position so that the integrating assembly is reset. This rate of resettlement is not, however, rapid enough to ailect the number oi operations during the normal operating sequence.

It can be seen that because the port 2tl3 opens directly into the sump 137 no iluid will be pumped beneath the integrating piston 26 until the lower edge of the sleeve 206 completely covers said port. Thus, iiuid will be pumped under the piston 26 only for that portion of the pump piston stroke subsequent to the passage of the sleeve 206 over the port 2635. Because the body 205 is rigidly aixed to the stem 30, its descent in the cylinder y'184 will he ixed regardless of its axial position relative to the sleeve 265. Thus, by moving the sleeve 2% downward in relation to the body 2t5, it will be made to cover the port 203 for a greater portion of the downward stroke so that a larger quantity of oil will be pumped beneath the integrating piston 26. Conversely, movement of the sleeve 206 axially upward relative to the body 2% CII will decrease the working stroke of the piston assembly 28. However, because the stroke of the piston assembly 23 remains constant, increasing or decreasing its working portion has the etect of increasing or decreasing the amount of iluid pumped beneath the integrating piston 26. As a result, it is possible to accurately adjust the distance the integrating piston 26 will be elevated for cach opening operation oi the device. Thus, initiation of the time delay and lockout operations by the integrating piston can be accurately adjusted.

A friction plug 2.2i?, disposed in a transverse recess 222 formed in the body 205 and urged outwardly against the threads of the sleeve 206, prevents rotation of said sleeve during normal operation of the assembly 27.

lt will be appreciated that by providing a completely seit contained hydraulic assembly 27 having its own supply of hydraulic huid, it is not necessary to submerge the assembly 27 in the dielectric duid 11 so that long insulating members for connecting the pump piston stem Sil and the integrating piston stem 122 to the operating mechanism 2t?) are not needed. The completely self contained unit has the additional advantage in that-bubbles, inherent in the iiuid 11 during a fault interruption, will not be drawn into the pump and integrating cylinders and thereby produce erratic movement of their respective pistons.

While only a single embodiment has been shown and described it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

`1. A repeating circuit interrupter for protecting an electrical system and including a casing containing a quantity of dielectric iluid, switch means disposed in the lower end of said casing and beneath said dielectric fluid, operating means disposed near the upper end of said casing and above said dielectric duid, a link extending downward from said operating means for connecting the latter to said switch means, said operating means including resilient means urging said switch means toward an open position and latch means for holding said switch means closed in opposition to said resilient means, trip means for releasing said latch means upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition in said system, electromagnetic reclosing means disposed between said operating means and said switch means and including a coil energizable after each opening operation of said switch means and a plunger having a bore extending therethrough for permitting said link to pass therethrough, said plunger being connected to said operating means independently of said link for being moved upwardly during each opening operation, said plunger being attracted downwardly into said coil upon the energization of the latter to relatch said switch means.

2. A repeating circuit interrupter including a sealed casing containing a quantity of dielectric iluid, switch means disposed in the lower end of said casing and beneath said dielectric fluid, operating means disposed near the upper end of said casing and above said dielectric iiuid, a long link extending downward from said operating means for connecting the latter to said switch means, said operating means including spring means urging said switch means toward an open position and latch means for holding said switch means closed in opposition -to said spring means, overcurrent responsive trip means for releasing said latch means, electromagnetic reclosing means disposed beneath said fluid and including a coil energizable after each opening operation of said switch means and a plunger, a dashpot cylinder disposed interiorly of said coil for receiving said plunger through its upper end when the latter is attracted by said coil to retard the movement of said plunger, said plunger having a bore extending therethrough and said. dashpot having an aperture at its lower end for permitting said long link to pass therethrough, whereby said long link and said plungerY may move independently of each other, said plunger being connected to said operating means to relatch said switch means upon being attracted downwardly into said dashpot by said coil.

3. A repeating circuit interrupter including a sealed casing containing a quantity of dielectric uid, switch means disposed in the lower end of said casing and beneath said dielectric fluid, operating means disposed near the upper end of said casing and above said dielectric fiuid, a long link extending downward from said operating means for connecting the latter to said switch means, said operating means including spring means urging said switch means toward an open position and latch means for holding said switch Ameans closed in opposition -to said spring means, overcurrent responsive trip means for releasing said latch means, electromagnetic reclosing means disposed beneath said tluid and including a coil energizable after each opening operation of said switch means and a plunger, a dashpot cylinder disposed interiorly of said coil for receiving said plunger through its upper end when the latter is attracted by said coil 'to retard the movement of said plunger, said plunger having a bore extending therethrough and said dashpot having an aperture at its lower end for permitting said long link to pass therethrough, said plunger being connected to said operating means for being moved upwardly during each opening operation, said plunger being attracted downwardly into said dashpot by said coil upon the energization of the latter .to relatch said switch means, said fiuid being drawn into and expelled from the aperture in said dashpot during the upward and downward movement of said plunger, and baffle means disposed below said aperture to prevent the entrance into said dashpot of bubbles incident to the interruption of a circuit by said switch means beneath said fluid.

4. -For use in a repeating circuit interrupter having switch means, operating means for opening and reclosing said switch means and lockout means for preventing the reclosure of said switch means after a predetermined number of opening operations, the combination of a selfcontained hydraulic integrating assembly comprising a sealed housing having first and second cylinders and a sump cavity formed therein, a quantity of hydraulic fluid disposed within said sump cavity, pump piston means disposed in said first cylinder, integrating piston means disposed in said second cylinder, valve means for connecting `the pressure side of said pump piston means to said intergrating piston means when said pump piston means is descending and for connecting the pressure side of said pump piston means to said sump when said pump piston means is ascending, said pump piston means being mechanically connected to said operating means for depression upon each switch opening operation so that a measured quantity of hydraulic fiuid is pumped beneath said integrating piston, a by-pass passage connected to said sump cavity and opening into said rst cylinder intermediate its ends for by-passing a portion of said pumped fiuid around said integrating cylinder, said pump piston including closure means for closing said by-pass passage after said piston begins descending, means extending through said housing and operable externally of said integrating assembly for adjusting the relative proximity of said closure means to said passage independently of the stroke of said pump piston so that the quantity of fluid delivered to said integrating cylinder upon each opening operation may be adjusted.

5. For use in a repeating circuit interrupter having switch means, operating means for opening and reclosing said switch means and lockout means for preventing the reclosure of said switch means after a predetermined number of opening operations, the combination of a selfcontained hydraulic integrating assembly comprising a sealed housing having first and second cylinders and a sump cavity formed therein, a quantity of hydraulic fiuid disposed within said .Sump cavity, pump piston means disposed in first cylinder, an integrating piston disposed in said second cylinder, valve means for connecting the pressure side of said pump piston means to said integrating piston when said pump piston means is moved in one direction and for connecting the pressure side of said pump piston means to said sump when said pump piston is moved in the opposite direction, said pump piston means including an internal body member and an external sleeve member adjustably mounted on said body member, said body member being mechanically connected to said operating means for movement in one direction upon each switch opening operation so that a measured quantity of hydraulic fluid is pumped to said integrating piston, a by-pass passage connected to said sump cavity and opening into said first cylinder intermediate its ends for by-passing a portion of said pumped fluid around said integrating cylinder, said sleeve member being operative to close said by-pass passage after said pump piston means begins moving in said first direction, means extending through said sealed housing and operable externally of said integrating assembly for adjusting the relative position of said sleeve member on said body member so that the initial proximity of said sleeve member relative to said passage may be changed independently of the stroke of said pump piston whereby the quantity of fluid delivered to said integrating cylinder may be adjusted.

6. For use in a repeating circuit interrupter having a sealed casing, a quantity of dielectric liquid disposed within said casing, switch means disposed beneath said liquid, operating means for opening and reclosing said switch means and lockout means for preventing the reclosure of said switch means after a predetermined number of opening operations, the combination of a self-contained hydraulic integrating assembly comprising a sealed housing having first and second cylinders and a sump cavity formed therein, a quantity of hydraulic fluid disposed within said sump cavity, pump piston means disposed in said first cylinder, an integrating piston disposed in said second cylinder, the upper end of each of said cylinders being connected to said sump cavity, valve means for connecting the lower end of said pump piston means to the lower end of said integrating piston when said pump piston means is descending and for connecting the lower end of said pump piston means to said sump when said pump piston means is ascending, said pump piston means being mechanically connected to said operating means for depression upon each switch opening operation so that a measured quantity of hydraulic fluid is pumped beneath said integrating piston, a by-pass passage connected to said sump cavity and opening into said first cylinder intermediate its ends for by-passing a portion of said pumped fiuid around said integrating cylinder, said pump piston means including a body and closure means -for closing said by-pass passage after saidpiston begins descending, said closure means being rotatable relative to said body for changing its proximity relative to said passage independently of the stroke of said pump piston so that the quantity of fiuid delivered to said integrating cylinder may be adjusted, and means extending through said housing for engaging said closure means to rotate the same from a point external of said integrating assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,739,207 3/56 Edwards et al. 200-89 2,769,054 10/56 Edwards 200-89 2,859,392 11/58 Van Ryan et al. 200-97 2,860,205 11/58 Stramowski 200-89 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A REPEATING CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER FOR PROTECTING AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND INCLUDING A CASING CONTAINING A QUANTITY OF DIELECTRIC FLUID, SWITCH MEANS DISPOSED IN THE LOWER END OF SAID CASING AND BENEATH SAID DIELECTRIC FLUID, OPERATING MEANS DISPOSED NEAR THE UPPER END OF SAID CASING AND ABOVE SAID DIELECTRIC FLUID, A LINK EXTENDING DOWNWARD FROM SAID OPERATING MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE LATTER TO SAID SWITCH MEANS, SAID OPERATING MEANS INCLUDING RESILIENT MEANS URGING SAID SWITCH MEANS TOWARD AN OPEN POSITION AND LATCH MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID SWITCH MEANS CLOSED IN OPPOSITION TO SAID RESILIENT MEANS, TRIP MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID LATCH MEANS UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A PREDETERMINED CONDITION IN SAID SYSTEM, ELECTROMAGNETIC RECLOSING MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID OPERATING MEANS AND SAID SWITCH MEANS AND INCLUDING A COIL ENERGIZABLE AFTER EACH OPENING OPERATION OF SAID SWITCH MEANS AND A PLUNGER HAVING A BORE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FOR PERMITTING SAID LINK TO PASS THERETHROUGH, SAID PLUNGER BEING CONNECTED TO SAID OPERATING MEANS INDEPENDENTLY OF

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