US3748609A - Circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Circuit interrupter Download PDF

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Publication number
US3748609A
US3748609A US00245064A US3748609DA US3748609A US 3748609 A US3748609 A US 3748609A US 00245064 A US00245064 A US 00245064A US 3748609D A US3748609D A US 3748609DA US 3748609 A US3748609 A US 3748609A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
lever
releasable
circuit interrupter
trip
latched
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00245064A
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English (en)
Inventor
J Wallace
A Maier
R Hill
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Westinghouse Electric Corp
Original Assignee
Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Westinghouse Electric Corp filed Critical Westinghouse Electric Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3748609A publication Critical patent/US3748609A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H83/00—Protective switches, e.g. circuit-breaking switches, or protective relays operated by abnormal electrical conditions otherwise than solely by excess current
    • H01H83/20—Protective switches, e.g. circuit-breaking switches, or protective relays operated by abnormal electrical conditions otherwise than solely by excess current operated by excess current as well as by some other abnormal electrical condition

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A circuit interrupter, such as a switch or a circuit breaker, comprising relatively movable contact means, operating means releasable to open the contact means, and trip means which may be responsive to ground fault currents through the contact means to effect the release of the operating means to open the contact means upon the occurrence of ground fault currents.
  • This invention relates to circuit interrupters having an energizable release device for opening the contacts in the interrupter upon the occurrence of ground fault current through the contacts or upon the application of an energizing current for any purpose.
  • a circuit interrupter having relatively movable contact means and means releasable to effect opening of the contact means
  • trip means including first and second levers operable for effecting automatic release of the releasable means when a ground fault occurs or energizing current is applied for any purpose, the levers being operable between latched and unlatched positions relative to the releasable means
  • the trip means also including an electromagnetic trip device responsive to ground fault currents through the contacts or the application of an energizing current to effect movement of the first lever to the unlatched position, the trip means being biased in the latched position
  • the releasable means including a releasable lever having an end portion movable between said positions, the second lever having a roller engageable with the end portion in the latched position and being rollable to a nonengaging position of the end portion in the unlatched position
  • FIG. I is a vertical sectional view taken on the line I-I of FIG. 4 and embodying the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line II-II of FIG. 4 and showing the circuit interrupter in the tripped position;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line Ill -III of FIG. 1 and embodying the principles of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is atop plan view of the switch shown in FIG. I.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings a circuit interrupter or switch is generally indicated at 10. It comprises a switch structure 12 which is mounted on a molded base 14 of electrically insulating material, and which is disposed between spaced electrical conductors l6 and 18.
  • the switch 10 is of the multi-pole type and the mechanism may be of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,508,178, issued May 16, I950 to T. Lindstromet al., and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
  • the switch 10 includes a stationary contact 20 and a movable contact 22 for each pole of the device.
  • a commonoperating mechanism, generally indicated at 24 (FIG. 1 is provided for simultaneously actuating three movable contacts 22 (FIG. 4) to open and closed circuit positions.
  • the stationary contact 20 is rigidly mounted on the inner end of the conductor 16 which has a line terminal (not shown) connected to the outer end.
  • the movable contact 22 for each pole is rigidly mounted on a contact arm 28 supported on a switch arm 30 which is rigidly secured on the end of a tie bar 32 that extends across all of the poles (FIG. 4) of the switch for movement together to open and closed circuit positions.
  • the contact arm 28 is connected by a flexible conductor 34 to the conductor 18 which is se cured to the base 14 in a suitable manner such as by a screw (not shown). 3;
  • the operating mechanism 24'for the switch structure 12 is disposed in the center compartment (FIG. 4) of the mechanism and is supported on a pair of laterally spaced frames 36 and 38 which are secured to the base 14 by suitable means such as screws 40.
  • the operating mechanism comprises a forked operating lever 42, a toggle comprising links 44 and 46, overcenter springs 48, and a releasable lever or pivoted cradle 50.
  • An arcuate insulating shield 52 is mounted over the operating and of the operating lever 42 and is provided with an integral switch handle 54.
  • the shield 52 is mounted over an intermediate portion 56 of the operating lever 42 and is secured in place by suitable means such as screws 58 attached to the forked portions of the lever 42, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1.
  • the toggle links 44 and 46 are pivotally connected together by a knee pivot pin 60.
  • the toggle link 44 is pivotally connected by a pivot pin 62 to the cradle 50 and the toggle link 46 is pivotally connected to the switch arm 30 for the center pole by a pivot pin 64.
  • the overcenter springs 48 are connected under tension between the knee pivot pin and the outer end of the operating lever 42 at pivot pin 66.
  • the switch structure for the circuit breaker 12 is operated to the open operating position by manipulation of the handle 54 in a clockwise directionto the oft position, actuating the overcenter springs 48 to cause collapse of the toggle links 44 and 46 (FIG. 2), thereby causing opening movement of the switch arms 30 for all of the poles-of the switch in a well-known manner.
  • Trip means are provided for automatically opening the switch 10 when a ground fault occurs or an energizing current is applied.
  • the trip means being generally indicated at 63 comprises a "knuckle" type linkage which is movable between latched and unlatched positions with regard to the cradle 50. In the latched position, the knuckle linkage goes overcenter" and the linkage is held in tension (FIG. 1) by the springs 48 of the operating mechanism 24. More particularly, the trip means 63 includes (FIG. 2) a lever 65, a lever or bellcrank 67, a roller 68, and a biasing spring 70. In addition, the trip means 63 includes an electromagnetic device such as a solenoid 72 (FIGS.
  • the solenoid 72 is suitably mounted such as by a bracket 76 on a supporting frame of the circuit breaker, as shown in FIG. 4, where the plunger 74 is adapted to move the lever 65 in response to any abnormal current occurring through the contacts 20 and 22 as the result of a ground fault.
  • the lever 65 is mounted on the frame 36 (FIG. 1) by a pivot pin 78.
  • the lever 65 is provided with a flange 80 by which the lever is moved clockwise to the position shown in FIG. 2 by the plunger 74 when the solenoid 72 is actuated.
  • the bellcrank 67 is pivotally mounted on the frame 36 by a pivot pin 82 and cooperates with a shaft support member 84 for mounting the shaft 86.
  • the preferred construction of the bellcrank 67 and the shaft support member 84 includes an interconnecting portion 88 which with the bellcrank and support member form a U-shaped unit that is disposed between the frames 36 and 38.
  • the shaft support member 84 is pivotally mounted on the upper end of the frame 38 by a pivot pin 90 (FIG. 3).
  • the shaft 86 supports the roller 68 which is rotatably mounted on the shaft and which cooperates with the cradle 50 in a manner set forth below.
  • the bellcrank 67 includes an outturned portion 92 which extends to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • a connecting link 94 extends between the bellcrank 67 and the lever 65.
  • a pivot pin 96 connects the link 94 to the bellcrank 92 and a pivot pin 98 connects the link to the lever 65.
  • the spring 70 which is mounted on the pivot pin 96 has opposite end portions connected to the lever 65 and the bellcrank 67 for biasing the trip means 63 in the counterclockwise or latched position as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the trip means 63 is disposed in the latched position with the roller 68, composed of a hard material such as hardened steel, disposed over an end portion 50a on the upper side of the cradle 50 to hold the cradle in the lowermost (latched) position.
  • the contacts and 22 may be opened and closed in a normal manner by manual manipulation of the handle 54 in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
  • the cradle 50 is retained in the latched position under normal electric current conditions.
  • the springs 48 Upon release of the cradle 50, the springs 48 operate to pivot the cradle counterclockwise about its pivot and to change the line of action of the springs so that the springs collapse the toggle links 44 and 46 from the extended positions of FIG. 1 to the collapsed position of FIG. 2 and to thereby raise the contact arm 28 to the open position in a conventional manner.
  • the energizing current may be discontinued or the ground fault which tripped the mechanism is corrected and the plunger 24 moves to the left or retracted position
  • the device of the present invention satisfies problems that existed in the prior art with regard to ground fault phenomena.
  • the device is particularly adapted for tripping a fusible switch by means of a shunt trip actuated by a ground current or an energizing current whereby a solenoid uses a minimal amount of force (ounces) to actuate a relatively much higher latch load (pounds); i.e., the device provides a highly satisfactory and advantageous mechanical advantage.
  • prior art circuit interrupters of the general type described have not included suitable means for tripping the breaker upon the occurrence of a ground fault through the contacts or application of an energizing current.
  • a circuit interrupter comprising relatively movable contact means and means releasable to effect opening of the contact means, the releasable means comprising a releasable lever, trip means comprising tension linkage including first and second levers and a connecting link operable for effecting automatic release of the releasable means, the first and second lever being pivotally mounted respectively on first and second pivot pins, the connecting link being pivotally mounted on the first and second levers respectively on third and fourth pivot pins, the first and second levers being operable between latched and unlatched positions relative to the releasable lever, the trip means also including an electromagnetic trip structure adapted to respond to an energizing current to effect movement of the first lever to the unlatched position, and the second lever being movable by the first lever from latch to unlatched positions of the releasable lever upon operation of the electromagnetic trip structure.
  • a circuit interrupter comprising relatively movable contact means and means releasably to effect opening of the contact means, the releasable means comprising a releasable lever, trip means comprising tension linkage including first and second levers and a connecting link operable for effecting automatic release of the releasable means, the first and second lever being pivotally mounted respectively on first and second pivot pins, the connecting link being pivotally mounted on the first and second levers respectively on third and fourth pivot pins, the first and second levers being operable between latched and unlatched positions relative to the releasable lever, the trip means also including an electromagnetic trip structure responsive to abnormal ground fault currents to effect movement of the first lever to the unlatched position, and the second lever being movable by the first lever from latched to unlatched positions of the releasable lever upon operation of the electromagnetic trip structure.
  • the contact means comprise a stationary contact, a movable contact, and a movable switch arm having the movable contact thereon;
  • the releasable means comprising an operating lever, a switch handle, the releasable lever, an overcenter toggle operable by the operat ing lever to effect movement of the switch arm to opened and closed circuit positions, and the overcenter toggle being operatively connected between the releasable lever and the movable switch arm.

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US00245064A 1972-04-18 1972-04-18 Circuit interrupter Expired - Lifetime US3748609A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US24506472A 1972-04-18 1972-04-18

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US3748609A true US3748609A (en) 1973-07-24

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JP (1) JPS5340672Y2 (en)van)
CA (1) CA973914A (en)van)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3947791A (en) * 1974-01-22 1976-03-30 Unelec Locking device having low control power for an electrical device
FR2531581A1 (fr) * 1982-08-09 1984-02-10 Merlin Gerin Tableau de distribution terminale basse tension
WO1993008579A1 (en) * 1991-10-18 1993-04-29 Square D Company Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker
US6727788B1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2004-04-27 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Latch mechanism for a circuit breaker

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60149843A (ja) * 1984-01-18 1985-08-07 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 温水タンク

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2285040A (en) * 1940-08-03 1942-06-02 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
US2508178A (en) * 1944-02-10 1950-05-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupter
US3453568A (en) * 1967-12-20 1969-07-01 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker with improved auxiliary device
US3470507A (en) * 1966-11-05 1969-09-30 Square D Co Earth-leakage sensing circuit breaker

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2285040A (en) * 1940-08-03 1942-06-02 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Circuit breaker
US2508178A (en) * 1944-02-10 1950-05-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Circuit interrupter
US3470507A (en) * 1966-11-05 1969-09-30 Square D Co Earth-leakage sensing circuit breaker
US3453568A (en) * 1967-12-20 1969-07-01 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker with improved auxiliary device

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3947791A (en) * 1974-01-22 1976-03-30 Unelec Locking device having low control power for an electrical device
FR2531581A1 (fr) * 1982-08-09 1984-02-10 Merlin Gerin Tableau de distribution terminale basse tension
WO1993008579A1 (en) * 1991-10-18 1993-04-29 Square D Company Operating mechanism for a circuit breaker
US6727788B1 (en) * 2002-06-20 2004-04-27 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Latch mechanism for a circuit breaker

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA973914A (en) 1975-09-02
JPS5340672Y2 (en)van) 1978-10-02
JPS4929460U (en)van) 1974-03-13

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