Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A circuit-interrupting device including a vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit having a pair of spaced first terminals and a pair of separable interiorly disposed contacts one of which is movable, a main shunting contact structure shunting said unit and having a pair of spaced stationary main shunting contacts respectively connected at all times to said first terminals of said unit and a movable main bridging contact member electrically bridging said spaced stationary main shunting contacts in the closed position of the device, a series disconnecting contact structure in series with said unit and having one of said spaced stationary shunting contacts which is connected to said one movable contact of the vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit as one of its disconnecting terminals and said movable bridging contact member as another movable disconnecting terminal, and means involving a continuous progressive opening movement of said movable bridging contact member for first opening the main shunting contact structure prior to opening of the vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit and subsequently opening said series disconnecting contact structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A circuit-interrupting device including a vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit having a pair of spaced first terminals and a pair of separable interiorly disposed contacts one of which is movable, a main shunting contact structure shunting said unit and having a pair of spaced stationary main shunting contacts respectively connected at all times to said first terminals of said unit and a movable main bridging contact member electrically bridging said spaced stationary main shunting contacts in the closed position of the device, a series disconnecting contact structure in series with said unit and having one of said spaced stationary shunting contacts which is connected to said one movable contact of the vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit as one of its disconnecting terminals and said movable bridging contact member as another movable disconnecting terminal, and means involving a continuous progressive opening movement of said movable bridging contact member for first opening the main shunting contact structure prior to opening of the vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit and subsequently opening said series disconnecting contact structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein said last-mentioned means effects reclosure of the contacts of the vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit in the fully open-circuit position of the device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein said last-mentioned means includes a rotatable crank arm, first linkage means connected to said rotatable crank arm and vacuum contacts, second linkage means connected to said movable contact, and the pivotal point of the first linkage means to the axis of rotation being more close than the pivotal point of the second linkage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein the first linkage means comprises a lost-motion connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein a cast resin insulating body is used to support the vacuum-type circuit-breaker unit and the main contact structure and the series disconnecting contact structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
In combination, a vacuum breaker unit including separable contacts electrically connected at all times to a pair of stationary main shunting contacts disposed in atmosphere, a movable shunting bridging contact member separable from one of said stationary main shunting contacts and sliding on a second stationary main shunting contact, a disconnecting contact structure in atmosphere in series with said unit and including said movable shunting bridging contact member as one terminal and said second stationary main shunting contact as another terminal, and operating means effecting a continuous opening movement of said main contact member for first providing a gap between said main stationary shunting contacts and then opening the separable contacts of said unit and finally opening said series disconnecting contact structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
In combination, a vacuum breaker unit including separable contacts electrically connected at all times to a pair of stationary main shunting contacts disposed in atmosphere, a movable shunting bridging contact member separable from one of said stationary main shunting contacts and sliding on a second stationary main shunting contact, a disconnecting contact structure in atmosphere in series with said unit and including said movable shunting bridging contact member as one terminal and said second stationary main shunting contact as another terminal, and operating means effecting a continuous opening movement of said main contact member for first providing a gap between said main stationary shunting contacts and then opening the separable contacts of said unit and finally opening said series disconnecting contact structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combinAtion according to claim 6, wherein said operating means includes a lost-motion linkage connected to the vacuum-breaker unit to obtain the right sequence of contact opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 7, wherein the lost-motion linkage is freed to obtain contact reclosure of the vacuum breaker unit at the end of the opening operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 8, wherein a rotatable crank-arm is used having the vacuum breaker linkage closer to the axis of rotation than the movable contact connection.