US3180959A - Multi-break fluid-blast circuit breaker - Google Patents

Description

April 27, 1965 J. B. MaCNElLL ETAL MULTI-BREAK FLUID-BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 27, 1965 J. B. MaCNElLL ETAL 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIB April 27, 1965 J. B. MacNElLL ETAL 3,180,959

MULTI-BREAK FLUID-BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed Oct. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 27 1965 J. B. MaGNElLL ETAL 3,180,959

MULTI-BREAK FLUID-BLAST CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed OCt. 28, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent O 3,189,959 MULTI-'BREAK FLUlD-BLAST CRCUET BREAKER Y John B. MacNeill, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Beniainin P. Earlier, deceased, late of Monroeville, Pa., by Mellon National Bauli and Trust Company, executor, and Wayne S. Aspey, Monroeville, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., `a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed ct. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 65,359 9 Claims. (Cl. Zilli-1457) 1This invention relates to circuit interrupters in general and, more particularly, to arc-extinguishing structures therefor.

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved circuit interruptor, particularly adapted for interrupting higi -amperage currents at hir/l1 voltages, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that certain features of the invention are applicable to low-power ratings. For purposes of illustration, the circuit interrupter described herein is suitable for `23() kv. circuits and is capable of interrupting 15 million kva.

In United States patent' application, filed September 13, i957, Serial No. 683,760, now United States Patent 3,150,245, issued September' 22, 1964, to Winthrop M. Leeds and Benjamin P. Baker, and assigned to the assignee of the instant application, there is illustrated and claimed circuit-interrupting structures utilizing liqueiied gases as the arc-extinguishing mediums.

it is an additional object of the present invention to improve upon the interrupting structures set out in the aforesaid patent application, and to render the sante suitable over a wide current' and voltage range.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved circuit interruptor in which a plurality of arc-extinguishing units are secured to one end of a conventional-style terminal bushing, and the interrupting units extend into a porcelain-clad, or other 'feather-proof casing and are adaptable for ready inspection.

Another object is to provide an improved circuit interrupter involving one or more arc-extinguishing units in whicnimproved valve means are associated with the movable Contact structure so as to control the jetting of a suitable arc-extinguishing liquid under pressure into the one or more arc-extinguishing units.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting arrangement for multiple-unit-type circuit interrupters in which one or more tie-rods, under tension, are associated with spring means to retain a surrounding weather-proof casing under compression. Preferably, suitable means are additionally provided to enable a rapid inspection and replacement of parts of the interrupter, if needed, following long operational life of the interruptor.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve means which will insure a feeding, or jetting oi arc-extinguishing liquid into one or more arc-extinguishing units only during the opening operation, while retaining the said valve means closed during the closing operation.

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

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational View, partially in ljaented Apr. 27, 196

section, of a circuit interrupter embodying the present invention;

FG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional vieuI taken through the lower end of the arc-extinguishing assemblage of ENSURE l, the contact structure being illustrated in closed-circuit position;

3A and 3B collectively illustrate, in enlarged fashion, vertical sectional View taken through the lower end of the arc-extinguishing assemblage, substantially along the line lll-lll of FIG. 4, one of the three seriallyarranged arc-extinguishing units being omitted for purposes oi clarity, and the contact structure being shown in the closed-circuit position;

FlG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-lV oi FIG. 3B looking in the direction of the arrows;

FlG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along tbe line V-V ot FlG. 3A, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FlG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line fi-Vl of FIG. 4 looking in the direction oi the arrows;

FiG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the of i lG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows, the several operative parts being shown in the closed-circuit position; and,

FIG. S is a fragmentary vertical sectional view take along the line VlllkVlll of FlG. 4 at the lower end of the interruptimT assemblage to illustrate the compressionspring arrangement'.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FiG. l thereof, the reference numeral l generally designatos a circuit interrupter comprising a rather conventional-type terminal bushing 2 supported within a mechanism housing 3 and having the lower end 4 (FlG. 3A) thereof extending downwardly interiorly within a casing structure, generally designated by the reference numeral 5 in FIG. 1.

The casing structure 5 includes a pair of porcelain, or other Weather-prooi casings 6, 7 secured together in end-to-end arrangement as shown. A cap structure 8 is secured to the lower end of porcelain casing 7, as shown in FIGS. l and 8.

The mechanism housing 3 is of generally cylindrical configuration, and has an outwardly extending grounded ilange ring iii, which is supported by a grounded metallic traine-work comprising angle-irons ll, which extend in a horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 1. The angleiron horizontally-extending frame-work 11, is, in turn, supported an adequate distance up in tne air by verticallyextending angle-irons l2, i3, supported on a suitable base liand are diagonally interbraced by diagonallyextending angle-irons l5. The inter-braced verticallyextending structural members l2, .i3 rigidly secure the mechanism housing 3 rlxedly in a proper position and, in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, support the upper end ot the terminal bushing 2 vertically. However, it will be apparent that the circuit interruptor l, instead of being supported vertically, as s iown, could be supported generally horizontally or in any other desired position.

Surrounding the terminal bushing 2 and also disposed below the mechanism housing 3 is a pair of current transters le, i7, which, may be arranged, if desired, for relay protection, as described and claimed in United States patent application filed March 31, 1958, Serial No. 725,230, now United States Patent 3,032,689,

oneness issued May 1, 1962, to B. F. Baker and R. F. Karlicek Vand assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that secured to the lower internal end 4 of the terminal bushing 2 is a plurality, in this particular instance three, arc-extinguishing units I8 collectively comprising an arc-extinguishing assemblage, generally designated by the reference numeral 2?, fand, as shown, disposed interiorly within the casing structure S. Thethree arc-extinguishing units 1% are adapted to be :simultaneously actuated to the open and closed-circuit positions by a pair of insulating operating rods 21, only one of which is shown in FIG. 2. Reference may be had to FIG. 3A for a showing of the second operating rod 21. With reference to FIG. 3A, it will be observed that the upper ends of the insulating operating rods 21 are pivotally secured, by pins 22, to crank-arms 23, the latter being aflixed to a rotatable crank-shaft 24,'

journaled in bearings 25 extending interiorly of the mechanism hou-sing 3.

With reference to FIG. 5, it will be observed that rotation of the crank-shaft 24 is effected by means of a crankarm 26, pivotally connected by a pin 27 to a link 28. The right-hand end of the link 28 is pivotally connected, by a pin 30, to a bifurcated crank-arm 3i, aliixed to a vertically extending crank-shaft 32, which extends through a gas-tight seal 33 externally of the mechanism housing 3.

With reference to FIGS. l and 5, it will be noted that the lower external end 34 of the crank-shaft 32 is keyed to a crank-arm 55. The free end of crank-arm 35 is pivotally connected to a link 36 (FIG. 1), which is pivotally connected, as at 37, to a bell-crank 38, the latter being pivotally mounted upon the horizontal framework Il. To the outer end of one arm 4@ of bell-crank 38 is pivotally connected, as at 4l, an upwardly-extending insulating operating rod d2, the lower end of which may be connected to any suitable driving mechanism, not shown.

Thus, downward movement of operating rod 42 will effect rotation of the bell-crank 3S in a counter-clockwise direction to effect thereby rotation of crankshaft 32 and upward opening movement of the pair of insulating operating rods 2li interiorly of the upper porcelain casing 6.

As mentioned, the two insulating operating rods 2l effect simultaneous opening and closing movement-s of the movable contact structure 43. With reference to FIG. 3B, it will be observed that the lower end 44 of insulating operating rod 21 is pivotally connected, as at 39, to a reciprocally movable bracket 45, the lower end of which is secured to the upper movable contact 46 by a pair of machine screws 47. The bracket 45 has an encircling annular portion 48, to which is integrally formed, but not shown in FIG. 3B, a second upstanding bracket 45, which is secured to the second operating rod 23. in the saine manner that the bracket portion 45 is secured to the first mentioned operating rod 2l, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4, two insulating operating rods Si) mechanically interconnect the several movable contacts 46 for simultaneous movement. A bracket 5I, somewhat similar to the bracket 45, is secured to the operating rod Sti at one end, and has its other lower end secured by screws 47 to the lower-most movable contact 46, as shown in FIG. 3B. Actually, there are three interrupting units I comprising the arc-extinguishing assemblage 20, but FIG. 3B only shows the upper and lowermost arc-extinguishing units IS, the middle unit ll being omitted for purposes of clarity. Y Y

Cooperating with each movable Contact 4d is a relatively stationary contact structure, generally designated by the` reference numeral 52, and including stationary resilient finger contacts 53. As shownV in FIG. 3B, the finger contacts 53 resiliently engage the lower ends of the movable contacts 46. In addition, an arcing Contact stud 54 projects interiorly of each hollow movable tubular contact 46 in the closed-circuit position, as shown in FIG. 3B. The arcing contact stud 52 has a tapped bore 5:5 provided at its lower end to accommodate a machine bolt 56, which rigidly secures the arcing Contact stud 52 to a contact support 57. It will be noted that the contact fingers 53 are formed by slotting the upper tubul ar portion of the contact support 57. The lower end of the contact support 57 likewise forms resilient nger contacts 58, which bear upon the upper sides of the movable contacts 46.

The lseveral contact supports 57 are maintained in fixed spaced relation relative to each other by three tie-rod supports oil, more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the three insulating tie-rods o@ have reduced portions 6l thereon, which secureV support sleeves 62 in spaced fixed relation. As shown in FIG. 3B, the support sleeves have threaded support holes 63 provided therein, into which are threadedly secured thecontact supports 57. The support sleeves 62 have outwardly-jutting apertured bracket portions 64, which assist in guiding the longitudinal reciprocal motion of the two insulating operating rods Eil and hence the movable contacts 46.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3B, one of the insulating operating rods 5@ is effective to bring about opening and closing movement of the several movable contacts 46 by virtue of the bracket portions 45, 5l. The companion operating rod Sti, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 7, has secured thereto a plurality of spaced cams 65 having beveled ends 66, 67. Besides carrying the three cams 65,

the companion operating rod 5d is likewise secured to a bracket 5I, not shown, secured to the annular portion 48. It will be remembered that FIGS. 3A and 3B are a somewhat quarter-section view, as taken along the line III-III of FIG. 4; consequently, only one insulating operating rod 5t? is shown, and reference must be had to FIG. 4 for a showing or the companion operating rod 50, which carries the three spaced cams 65, the purpose for which will be described hereinafter.

With reference to FIG. 3B, it will be observed that secured to the upper side 68 yof each contact support 62k is an insulating orifice structure, generally designated by the reference numeral 70. The orice structure 7tl includes an insulating orifice sleeve member 7l having a restricted orifice opening 72. Viewing the lower orifice structure 7th of FIG. 3B, it will be noted that immediately below the restricted orifice opening 72 is a plurality of,

. in this particular instance sixteen, jet apertures 73, which direct liquid under pressure radially inwardly into the arc region to effect immediate extinction of the arc, not shown, drawn between each movable Contact 46 and each stationary contact 52.

Surrounding the insulating orifice structure 70 is a metallic feeding manifold structure 74, which serves to supply liquid, under pressure, into each of the Vsixteen jet apertures '73. The supply manifold structure 74 is connected to a valve means 75, comprising a ball valve 76, which is spring-biased closed over an inlet opening 77 by a compression spring 7d. The lower end of the compression spring 78 seats upon a spring seat 8), which is supported from the contact support 62;.

An insulating liquid supply tube 81, shown more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 6, connects to all three valve means 75. Asshown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply tube 81 comprises a plurality of tube sections 82, which feed into an inlet passage 83 associated with each of the valve means 7S. Normally, in the open and closed-circuit positions of the interrupter 1, the ball valve 76 is maintained closed over the inlet opening by the biasing action exerted by the compression spring '78. It is desired to eiect opening of the ball valves 76 by relaxing the spring pressure only during the opening operation of the circuit interrupter 1. During the closing stroke of the interrupter, it is desired to maintain the ball valve 76 closed upon its valve seat 84. To effect this end, a collapsible valve-operating lever, generally designated by the reference numeral85 in FIG. 7, is employed. The valve operating lever 85 is pivotally mounted, by a pivot pin 86, to a valve support S7, which constitutes an'integral part of the valve casing 88. The valve operating lever 85 has a spring compressing arm adsense 85a, which effects a slight compression of the compression spring 7S, the latter tending to maintain the ball valve 76 in its closed position over inlet opening 77. In addition, the valve-operating lever 35 has a second valveactuating portion 8511, to which is pivotally connected, by a pivot pin 89, a bifurcated cam lever 99. The cam lever 90, as shown in FIG. 7, has an integral web, or bight portion 90a, which is biased by a torsion spring 91 into abutting engagement with an outer extremity, or stop 92 ofthe valve actuating arm @b.

With reference to FIG. 7, it will be apparent that up ward opening motion of the insulating operating rod Eil will carry upwardly therewith the cani 65. The upper beveled end 66 of cam 65 will engage a earn roller 93 pivotally mounted upon a pin 94 to the outer end of the cam lever 9i). In the opening, or upward motion of the operating rod Sti, the cam 65 will force the web portion 90a of cam lever 9b against abutment $2 of valve-operating lever 85 to effect compression of the compression spring '78. This will permit liquid under pressure contained within supply tube 81 to pass through inlet passage S3 over valve seat 84, past ball valve 76 and into the manifold supply structure 74 to jet liquid under pressure through the sixteen liquid jet passages 73 and into the established arc.

During the closing operation of the circuit interruptor 1, that is, during downward motion of the operating rod 5t), with reference to FIG. 7, the beveled end 67 of cam will strike cam roller 93, and will collapse the cam lever Qtlin a clockwise direction about pivot pin 89 in opposition to the biasing action exerted by torsion spring 91. This will render the valve operating lever inactive during the closing operation of the interrupter as far as compressing spring 73 is concerned. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that only during the opening operation is liquid jetted through the jet orifices 73 to effect arc extinction. During` the closing operation, the valve structure 75 remains closed.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, it will be noted that the porcelain casings 6, 7 have cemented to their opposite ends mounting-harige rings 95, 96, 97 and 98, as by cement 101i. .The cap structure 8, disposed at the lower end of the circuit interrupter 1, includes a cupshaped metallic closure cap 101 having a peripheral flange portion 102, which is secured by bolts 103 to a support plate 104. The mounting-flange ring 9S, disposed at the lower end of the porcelain casing '7, is secured, by bolts 10S, to the support plate 104. f

With reference to FIG. 3B, it will be observed with the contact-mounting Sleeve 62a, associated with the lowermost arc-extinguishing unit 18, has a lower sleevelilte depending portion 62b, which is exteriorly threaded, as at 106. Threadedly secured to the support sleeve 62a is a clamping nut 1117, which has an outer flange portion 198, which bears against an annular apertured spring plate 111D. The apertured spring plate has a plurality of apertures 111 (FIG. 8), through which extend spring bolts 112, the upper ends 113 of which are threadedly secured in tapped apertures 114.

Encircling the spring bolts 112, and disposed between the annular spring plate 110 and the support plate 104, are a plurality ofstrong compression springs 11S, which exert compressive stress upon the porcelain casings 6, 7 and correspondingly exert tension upon the tie-rod supports 60. Y

Since the upper ends 116 (FIG. 2) of the tie-rod supports 60 are fixedly secured to laterally jutting brackets 117, integrally formed with a clamping casting 1153 threaded to the lower end 4 of the bushing 2, it will consequently be observed that the terminal stud, not shown, passing interiorly through the terminal bushing 2, together with the tie-rods 60 are all in tension and not only exert compression upon the casings 6, 7, but also exert compression upon the external porcelain casing 119 associated with the upper end of the terminal bushing 2.

With reference to FIG. 3B, it will be noted that the support plate 1M has cut-out portions 104:1 to accommodate longitudinal reciprocating opening and closing motion of the two insulating operating rods 50.

As shown in FIG. l, a liquid storage reservoir 12) is provided, which is preferably at least partially filled with a liquid under pressure. This liquid could be oil, or any suitable arc-extinguishing liquid under pressure, but preferably it is desired to utilize a liquefied gas, such as liquefied sulfur hexafluoride (SFG) gas under a pressure of say 10G() p.s.i. As shown, a supply pipe 121 leads through the mechanism housing 3 (FIG. 3A) and downwardly interiorly within the upper porcelain casing 6, connecting with the lower supply tube $1, which feeds the several inlet passages 83. Following the jetting of the liqueiied (SFS), or other liquid, into the several arcing regions 122, the liquefield SFS gas expands into its gaseous phase, and exhausts into the interior region 123 interiorly of the casing 6, '7. This region 123 may be at several atmospheres pressure, in the case of sulfur hexaiiuoride gas, to insure adequate dielectric strength in the open-circuit position of the contact structure. This exhaust SFS gas is collected by a collecting pipe 12,4 (FIG. 3A) and is drawn downwardly through a pipe 125 (FIG. l) into a compressor 126, where it is liquefied and forced, in liquid form, upwardly through a feed pipe 127 back to the liquid reservoir 126.

A distinct advantage of the circuit interrupter construction illustrated in FIG. l is the ease of inspection and replacement of worn parts. For example, following exhausting of the SFS gas from the interior of the circuit interrupter 1, the lower closure cap 101 may be removed by unscrewing the bolts 1133. This will cause a contact stud portion 12S to be retracted from spring lingers S8 associated with the lower contact support 57. Following removal of the cap 161, the clamping nut 1t?? is backed off of the support sleeve 62a to release the compressive force exerted by the several compression springs 115.

kThe clamping nut 1117 is removed, and bolts 130 (FIG.

3B) are removed to permit dropping of the lower-most porcelain casing 7 downwardly from the circuit interrupter 1, exposing the several spaced serially related arcextinguishing units 18 for inspection. The interruptor 1 may then be operated to the open and closed-circuit positions, noting the condition of the contacting parts. With the units 13 exposed, any worn parts may readily be replaced. The lower casing 7 may then be secured, by the bolts 130, to the flange ring 97 (FIG. 3B), and the clamping nut 1137 screwed over the threads 196 to compress the spring plate 119, thereby causing compressive force to be exerted along the casings 119, 6 and 7. Finally, the lower closure cap 1G11 may be put back into place with the stud portion 12S engaged by the lower-most contact fingers 5S and with the bolts 163 secured into place.

The opening operation of the circuit interruptor 1 will now be described. In the closed-circuit position of the interrupter 1, the circuit obviously extends from the upper terminal 131 through the terminal stud, not shown, exteriorly through the terminal bushing 2, to the lower clamping casting 118 threadedly secured to the lower end of the terminal stud. The circuit then extends through a dependent slotted contact-sleeve portion 132 to the upper-most movable contact 46. The circuit then extends through the lingers 53 of upper fixed contact support 57, through the lower lingers 58 of said contact support 57 to the middle movable contact 46. The circuit continues in similar fashion down through the fingers 5S, associated with the lower-most contact support 57, and to the terminal stud 128 of removable closure cap 161. The circuit continues by way of the lower stud portion 133 to the other transmission line L2.

To effect an opening operation of the interrupter 1, the insulating operating rod L12 (FIG. l) is pulled downwardly by any suitable operating mechanism, not shown. This will effect, through the linkage previously described,

' arcing zone.

upward opening movement of the insulating operating rods 21, and upward corresponding 'opening movement of the two insulating contact operating rods 50. Prior to contact disengagement, the cams 65, associated with the right-hand contact rod t) (FIG. 4), engage the several cam rollers 93 to eiieet counter-clockwise rotative motion of the several valve operating levers 35. The spring seat engaging portions 85e of the valve levers 8S compress the-compression springs 78 to permit the liquid pressure to force the ball valves 76 downwardly, `thereby permitting `liquefied sulfur hexafluoride (SFS) gas to pass by the ball valves 76, through the supply manifold passages 74 and through the several jets 73 of the units 1S into the arcing regions 122. This preferably occurs prior to contact disengagement.

Continued upward opening movement of the contact rods 50 causes contact disengagement between contacts 46, 5S, Vso that an arc, not shown, is drawn through each restricted orifice 72 associated with each arc-extinguishing unit iti. The inwardly jetting streams of liquefied sulfur hexafluoride (SP6) gas, directed into the several arcs quickly effects the extinction thereof, and continued opening motion of the contact 'operating rods Si? causes the cams 65 to slide off, or disengage the cam rollers 93, thereby permitting the compression springs 78 to effect reclosure Aof the Vseveral ball valves 76. This stops the jetting action, and the contact structure separates to kan Visolated open-circuit position. Y

To effect reclosure of the contact structures and thereby effect closing of the circuit interrupter l, the external operating rod 42 (FIG. l) is moved upwardly. Through the linkage, previously described, this effects downward closing motion of the pair of insulating operating rods 2i, thereby eiiecting corresponding downward closing motion of the two contact operating rods 5. When the beveled ends 67 of the several cams 65 strike the rollers 93, the cam levers 9@ rotate in a clockwisedirection about pins 89, against the biasing action exerted by torsion springs 9i, and the valve levers 85 remain stationary andV inoperative during such a closing operation. The contact rods 5i) effect contact reclosure between contacts 46, 5?, and the circuit is completed through the circuit inter- Arupter ll.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that there is described a novel circuit interrupter 1 readily adaptable for different voltage and current ratings by utilizing 'one or more elemental arc-extinguishing units 113 in series. It will be observed that all of the extinguishing units 18 are dependent from the lower end 4 of the terminal bushing 2 in the preferred mounting arrangement, and are readily observed for inspection purposes by dropping the lower-most porcelain casing 7, as previously described. The liquefied sulfur hexafluoride (SP6) gas is jetted into the arcing regions 122 prior to arc drawal although the time of feeding, or supply may obviously be varied depending upon the application requirements. The valve means 75 is so arranged as to `open only during the opening operation.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will be apparent that there is disclosed a novel type of circuit interrupter utilizing liqueiied gas injected into the Although liquefied sulfur hexafluoride (SFS) gas has been described as an example of a possible liqueed gas, in describing the structure, it is to be clearly understood that liqueed selenium hexafiuoride (SeF), or any 'one or a mixture of two or more of the liquefied gases enumerated above and below may be employed in substitution of liquid sulfur hexafluoride (SFS) gas.

The various gases, which are suitable for use in interrupters of the type considered, have similar properties and characteristics are set out in the following table.

Vapor Dielectric Boiling Pressure, Strength Point ,It/sq. in with Air C Gauge at or Ng -78 830 0.9 -10 35 2. 0V 63. 8 300 2. 2 34. 5 2. D -30 160 2. 5 -28 68 2. 4 ,47.,5 139 3.0 -78 1.8 -37 2. 0 -8l. 5 325 1.4 CFaBr -58 195 l. 25

Although the foregoing liqueiied gases may be used to advantage, exceptional and unusual performance is obtained with liquid SP6 and liquid Sel-76, since the gaseous phases of these two materials are so highly effective in arc interruption and high dielectric insulation.

In addition, conventional arc-extinguishing liquids under pressure, such as oil, carbon tetrachloride, etc. may be employed with advantage.

Although there has been shown and described a specic circuit interrupting structure, 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 ofthe invention.

We claim as our invention:

l. A multi-break circuit interrupter including a Vterminal bushing, grounded supporting means for supporting said terminal bushing adjacent the mid-portion thereof, line terminal means disposed at one end of said terminal bushing, insulating casing means disposed at the other end of said terminal bushing, the other end of the terminal bushing extending within one end of said insulating casing means, the external end of said terminal bushing having an insulating casing, second line terminal means disposed adjacent the other end of said casing means, the terminal bushing and the casing means being in substantial yalignment, a multi-break arc-extinguishing assemblage supported by said other end of the terminal bushing and positioned between said other end of the terminal bushing and said second line terminal means within the insulating casing means, the arc-extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of liquid-jet are extinguishing units, valve means associated with each unit, liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure to each valve means, an oriiice structure through which the arc in each unit is drawn and having a plurality of radially disposed jet passages, a movable contact cooperable with a relatively stationary contact within each unit to establish an arc through the orifice structure of the unit, and a plurality of insulating tie rods terminating Iat said other end of the terminal bushing and supporting said arc extinguishing units in fixed spaced relation and additionally maintaining said insulating casing means and said casing in compression.

2. A multi-break circuit interruptor including a terminal bushing, grounded supporting means for supporting said terminal bushing adjacent the mid-portion thereof, line terminal means disposed at one end of said terminal bushing, insulating casing means disposed at the other end of said terminal bushing, the other end of the terminal bushing extending within one end of said insulating casing means, second line terminal means including a terminal cap and a spring plate disposedl adjacent the other end of said casing means, the terminal bushing and the casing means being in substantial alignment, a multi-break arcextinguishing assemblage supported by-one or more tie rods at said other end of the terminal bushing and positioned between said other end of the'terminal bushing and said second line terminal means within the insulating casing means, the arc extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of liquid-jet are extinguishing units, valve means associated with each unit, liquid supply means for supplying liquid under pressure to each valve means, an orifice structure through which the arc in each unit is drawn and having a plurality of radially disposed jet passages, a movable contact cooperable with a relatively stationary contact Within each unit to establish an 'arc through the orifice structure of the unit, said one or more insulating tie rods supporting said arc-extinguishing units in fixed spaced relation and maintaining said insulating casing means in compression by means of said spring plate, one or more compression springs disposed within said terminal cap `and bearing against the spring plate and said casing means, and a clamping nut mounted upon the assemblage adjacent said second line terminal means for increasing pressure upon the spring plate.

3. A multi-break circuit interrupter including a terminal bushing, grounded supporting means for supporting said terminal bushing adjacent the mid-portion thereof, line terminal means disposed at one end of said 'terminal bushing, insulating casing means disposed at the other end of said terminal bushing, the other end of the terminal bushing extending within one end of said insulating casing means, second line terminal means disposed adjacent the other end of said casing means, the external end of the terminal bushing having a weatherproof insulating shell, the terminal bushing and the casing means being in substantial alignment, a multi-break arc-extinguishing assemblage supported by said other end of the terminal bushing and positioned between said other end of the terminal bushing and said second line terminal means within the insulating casing means, the arc-extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of arc-extinguishing units, separable contact means associated with each Vunit to establish an arc within the unit, and a plurality of insulating tie rods secured to said other end of the terminal bushing and supporting said arc-extinguishing units in fixed spaced relation and maintaining said insulating casing means and external insulating shell in compression.

4. A multi-break circuit interrupter including a terminal bushing, grounded supporting means for supporting said terminal bushing adjacent the mid-portion thereof, line terminal means disposed at one end of said terminal bushing, insulating casing means disposed at the other end of said terminal bushing, the other end of the terminal bushing extending within one end of said insulating casing means, second line terminal means disposed adjacent the other end of said casing means, the terminal bushing and the casing means being in substantial alignment, a multibreak arc-extinguishing assemblage supported by said other end of the terminal bushing and positioned between said other end of the terminal bushing and said second line terminal means Within the insulating casing means, the arc-extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of arc-extinguishing units, separable contact means associated with each unit to establish an arc within the unit, a terminal cap associated with said second line terminal means and having a plurality of compression springs therein, a spring plate, said compression springs exerting compressive force upon ther insulating casing means and against the spring plate, and clamping means secured to the arc-extinguishing assemblage and forcing the spring plate to compress the springs, whereby the casing means will be subjected to compressive force whereas the arcextinguishing assemblage will be subjected to tensile stress.

5. An arc-extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of serially-related arc-extinguishing units, each unit including a generally tubularly-shaped contact support having a stationary contact adjustably threadedly supported adjacent one end thereof, the other end of the tubularly-shaped contact support lixedly securing an insulating orifice structure into operative position, each stationary contact having opposed contact fingers and an arcing rod secured to a mid-web portion thereof, and a plurality of laterally-supported tubular movable contacts making separable contacting engagement with one set of contact fingers of one relatively stationary contact and i@ also constant contacting engagement with the next adjacent relatively stationary contact.

6. A multi-break circuit interrupter including a terminal bushing, grounded supporting means for supporting said terminal bushing adjacent the mid-portion thereof, line-terminal means disposed at one end of said terminal bushing, insulating casing means disposed at the other end of said terminal bushing, the other end of the terminal bushing extending Within one end of said insulating casing means, second line terminal means disposed adjacent the other end of said casing means, the terminal bushing and the casing means being in substantial alignment, a multi-break arc-extinguishing assemblage supported by said other end of the terminal bushing and positioned between said other end of the terminal bushing and said second line terminal means within the insulating casing means, said arc-extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of serially-related arc-extinguishing units, each unit including a generally tubularly-shaped contact support having a stationary contact adjustably threadedly supported adjacent one end thereof, the other end of the tubularly-shaped contact support fixedly securing an insulating orifice structure into operative position, each stationary contact having opposed contact fingers and an arcing rod secured to a mid-Web portion thereof, and a plurality of laterally-supported tubular movable contacts making separable contacting engagement With one set of contact fingers of one relatively stationary contact and also constant contacting engagement with the next adjacent relatively stationary contact.

7. The combination 4according to claim 6, wherein a removable closure cap is associated with the second lineterminal means and has a terminal-stud portion which ma tes contacting engagement with the set of contact fingers of the relatively stationary contact most remote fnom said other end of said terminal bushing.

8. A multi-break circuit interrupter including a terminal bushing, grounded supporting means for supporting said terminal bushing adjacent the mid-portion thereof, line-terminal means disposed at one end of said terminal bushing, insulating casing means disposed at the other end of said terminal bushing, the other end of the terminal bushing extending Within one end of said insulating casing means, second line-terminal means disposed adjacent the other end of said casing means, the terminal bushing and the casing means being in substantial alignment, a multibreak arc-extinguishing assemblage supported by said other end of the terminal bushing and positioned between said other end of the terminal bushing and said second line-terminal means within the insulating casing means, the arc-extinguishing assemblage including a plurality of serially-related liquid-jet arc-extinguishing units, each unit including a generally tubularly-shaped contact support having a stationary contact adjustably threadedly supported adjacent one end thereof, the other end of the tubularly-shaped contact support lixedly securing an insulating orifice structure into operative position, each stationary contact having opposed contact fingers and an arcing rod secured to a mid-Web portion thereof, a plurality of laterally-supported tubular movable contacts making separable contacting engagement with one set of contact lingers of one relatively stationary contact and also constant contacting engagement With the next adjacent relatively stationary contact, valve means associated with each unit, liquid-supply means for supplying liquid under pressure to each valve means, and means movable with the movable contact structure for actuating said valve means to the open position for supplying a quantity of liquid into each unit during the opening operation for arc-extinguishing purposes.

9. The combination according to claim 8, wherein the orifice structure of each unit has a plurality of radiallydisposed jet passages and a supply-and-manifold passage communicating with the radially-disposed jet passages.

(References on following page) 3,180,959 il Y Z Reieuces Cited by the `Elfmlmiiner FOREGN PATENTS. UNITED STATES PATENTS 662,215 7/ 38 Germany. K 597,150 1/9-8 Knudsen 20o-148 502,443 3/39 Great Britain- 1,071,s29 9/13 Turner 20o-148 5 1219923 10/59 Ffan Y n 2,667,556 1/54 Van Sickle et al. 20-145 I. l 2,866,045 12/58 Leeds 200 145 BERNARD A. GLHEANY, Pllmmy Exammel. 2,979,591 4/ 61 Friedrich 200-145 MAXL. LEVY, Examiner.

3,033,962 5/62 Friedrich et al. 20D-148

Claims (1)

1. 5. AN ARC-EXTINGUISHING ASSEMBLAGE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SERIALLY-RELATED ARC-EXTINGUISHING UNITS, EACH UNIT INCLUDING A GENERALLY TUBULARLY-SHAPED CONTACT SUPPORT HAVING A STATIONARY CONTACT ADJUSTABLY THREADEDLY SUPPORTED ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF, THE OTHER END OF THE TUBULARLY-SHAPED CONTACT SUPPORT FIXEDLY SECURING AN INSULATING ORIFICE STRUCTURE INTO OPERATIVE POSITION, EACH STATIONARY CONTACT HAVING OPPOSED CONTACT FINGERS AND AN ARCING ROD SECURED TO A MID-WEB PORTION THEREOF, AND A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY-SUPPORTED TUBULAR MOVABLE CONTACTS MAKING SEPARABLE CONTACTING ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE SET OF CONTACT FINGERS OF ONE RELATIVELY STATIONARY CONTACT AND ALSO CONSTANT CONTACTING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEXT ADJACENT RELATIVELY STATIONARY CONTACT.

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