Abstract An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker is provided having a rotatable main lever, which is rotated to a closed position by an actuator, such as a piston, movable within a cylinder, and is maintained in the closed position by a latching device, such as a collapsible linkage maintained in its extended position by a magnetic trip device. The arrangement functions, during an opening operation, to actuate the tripping device, which permits collapse of the linkage and opening rotative motion of the main lever. During a subsequent closing, the piston device provides the energy for rotating the main lever to its closed position against the opposition provided by accelerating springs, and the collapsible linkage maintains the main lever in the closed position by the magnetic trip.
An operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including, in combination: a. supporting means rotatively supporting a main operating lever on a fixed pivot and having rotative opening and closing motions about said fixed pivot; b. said operating lever having a latching-arm portion; c. a collapsible toggle linkage pivotally connected between a stationary point and said latching-arm portion and in an underset condition at all times; d. holding means releasably maintaining said collapsible toggle linkage in an underset condition; e. means releasing said holding means; f. an operating rod interconnecting the operating mechanism with the contact motion and responsive to motion of said operating lever; and, g. closing means for, at times, effecting the rotative closing motion of said main operating lever about said fixed pivot independently of said toggle linkage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter including, in combination: a. supporting means rotatively supporting a main operating lever on a fixed pivot and having rotative opening and closing motions about said fixed pivot; b. said operating lever having a latching-arm portion; c. a collapsible toggle linkage pivotally connected between a stationary point and said latching-arm portion and in an underset condition at all times; d. holding means releasably maintaining said collapsible toggle linkage in an underset condition; e. means releasing said holding means; f. an operating rod interconnecting the operating mechanism with the contact motion and responsive to motion of said operating lever; and, g. closing means for, at times, effecting the rotative closing motion of said main operating lever about said fixed pivot independently of said toggle linkage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the holding means is a magnetically-actuated trigger arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the closing means is a piston-operated device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said operating rod is connected to a control valve for controlling the operation of piston-actuated contacts of the circuit breaker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein a pair of shock absorbers cushion the opening and closing motions of the rotatable main operating lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination according to claim 3, wherein the piston-operated device includes a piston reciprocally movable within an operating cylinder and spring-retracted to its inoperative position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination according to claim 2, wherein a flux-shifter magnetically releases an armature attached to the trigger arm.