US3600540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor-operated spring-closing circuit breaker
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-06
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1989-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker comprises spring closing means and a motor drive structure for charging the spring-closing means with improved means supporting the motor drive structure in a cooperating relationship with the spring closing means.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred Bould
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/22; H01H3/30; H01H3/3005; H01H2003/3063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A circuit breaker comprising a support structure, a circuit breaker mechanism supported on said support structure, said support structure comprising a baseplate and a pair of spaced generally parallel sideplates connected to said baseplate, a pair of spaced generally parallel center plates connected to said baseplate within the dimension between said sideplates and supported in a generally parallel relationship with respect to said sideplates, said circuit breaker mechanism comprising a closing spring means and a motor drive structure operable to charge said closing spring means, said closing spring means comprising a crankshaft supported for rotation on said center plates and a pair of closing springs connected to said crankshaft, a ratchet wheel connected to said crankshaft, a reciprocating pawl structure mounted on said crankshaft for movement relative to said crankshaft, said motor drive structure comprising a main body motor part and a rotatable output shaft structure extending from said main body motor part, said rotatable output shaft structure comprising an end part and an intermediate part, said intermediate part being intermediate said end part and said main body motor part, support means supporting said motor drive structure on said support sTructure, said support means comprising a first support and a second support, said first support fixedly supporting said main body motor part on one of said sideplates, said second support comprising a bearing support supported on one of said center plates and receiving said end part of said output shaft structure therein, said bearing support supporting said end part of said output shaft structure against radial movement with said end part rotating on said bearing support during operation of motor drive structure, and upon energization of said motor drive structure said output shaft rotating and said intermediate part operating against said reciprocating pawl structure to advance said ratchet wheel to thereby rotate said crankshaft to charge said closing spring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
A circuit breaker comprising a support structure, a circuit breaker mechanism supported on said support structure, said support structure comprising a baseplate and a pair of spaced generally parallel sideplates connected to said baseplate, a pair of spaced generally parallel center plates connected to said baseplate within the dimension between said sideplates and supported in a generally parallel relationship with respect to said sideplates, said circuit breaker mechanism comprising a closing spring means and a motor drive structure operable to charge said closing spring means, said closing spring means comprising a crankshaft supported for rotation on said center plates and a pair of closing springs connected to said crankshaft, a ratchet wheel connected to said crankshaft, a reciprocating pawl structure mounted on said crankshaft for movement relative to said crankshaft, said motor drive structure comprising a main body motor part and a rotatable output shaft structure extending from said main body motor part, said rotatable output shaft structure comprising an end part and an intermediate part, said intermediate part being intermediate said end part and said main body motor part, support means supporting said motor drive structure on said support sTructure, said support means comprising a first support and a second support, said first support fixedly supporting said main body motor part on one of said sideplates, said second support comprising a bearing support supported on one of said center plates and receiving said end part of said output shaft structure therein, said bearing support supporting said end part of said output shaft structure against radial movement with said end part rotating on said bearing support during operation of motor drive structure, and upon energization of said motor drive structure said output shaft rotating and said intermediate part operating against said reciprocating pawl structure to advance said ratchet wheel to thereby rotate said crankshaft to charge said closing spring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A circuit breaker according to claim 1, said intermediate part comprising an operating arm movable upon rotation of said output shaft through a first part of a 360* revolution of said output shaft structure to move said reciprocating pawl structure against a tooth of said ratchet wheel to advance said ratchet wheel, and spring means operating to return said reciprocating pawl structure to position said reciprocating pawl structure adjacent another tooth of said ratchet wheel during the second part of said 360* revolution of said output shaft structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A circuit breaker according to claim 1, and said intermediate part of said output shaft structure comprising a roller arm part operable against said reciprocating pawl structure upon rotation of said output shaft structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A circuit breaker according to claim 3, and said second support comprising a ball bearing support supporting said end part against radial movement during operation of said motor drive structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
A circuit breaker according to claim, said circuit breaker being a multipole circuit breaker, said circuit breaker mechanism comprising an elongated jackshaft common to all of the poles of said circuit breaker, each of said poles comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, means operatively connecting each of said movable contacts with said jackshaft, means supporting said jackshaft on said sideplates and said center plates for movement about the elongated axis thereof, a closing cam on said crankshaft between said center plates, link means operatively connecting said closing cam with said jackshaft, said motor drive structure being operable to operate said reciprocating pawl structure to rotate said crankshaft from a spring discharged position to a spring charged position to charge said closing spring means, latch means for latching said crankshaft in the spring charged position, upon release of said latch means said closing spring means rotating said crankshaft and said closing cam operating through said link means and said jackshaft to move said movable contacts to the closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |