Phase reversal switch and/or circuit breaker

Claim 2

Phase reversing switch means comprising, in combination in a three phase system, a first switch for the common phase, a pair of switches for each of the other two phases, each pair of switches being connected at one side to the respective phase and having one switch connected at its other side to said respective phase, and interphase connector means coupling the other side of the other switch of each of said pairs to the opposite of said two phases, each of said switches comprising shunt switch means for normally carrying the load of the circuit and vacuum tube switch means operable upon opening of said shunt switch means for momentarily carrying the load of the circuit and then opening the circuit, means for operating said first switch and a first one of the switches of each pair as a first group and for operating said first switch and the second one of the switches of each pair as a second group, and interlock means for retaining said first switches of said pairs in open circuit position when said second switches of said pairs are in closed circuit position and vice versa.

Claim 3

The switch means of claim 1 including means for totally isolating the vacuum tube switch means of each switch from the circuit subsequent to operation thereof for opening the circuit.

Claim 4

Phase reversing switch means comprising, in combination in a three phase system, a first switch for the common phase, a pair of switches for each of the other two phases, each pair of switches being connected at one side to the respective phase and having one switch connected at its other side to said respective phase, and interphase connector means coupling the other side of the other switch of each of said pairs to the opposite of said two phases, each of said switches comprising spaced stationary contacts, insulated housing means bridging between said contacts, vacuum tube switch means in said housing means electrically connected between said contacts, shunt switch means normally bridging between said contacts, and means for first opening said shunt switch means, then opening said vacuum switch means and then swinging all of said switch means into spaced relation to said contacts.

Claim 5

Phase reversing switch means comprising, in combination in a three phase system, a first switch for the common phase, a pair of switches for each of the other two phases, each pair of switches being connected at one side to the respective phase and having one switch connected at its other side to said respective phase, and interphase connector means coupling the other side of the other switch of each of said pairs to the opposite of said two phases, each of said switches comprising spaced stationary contacts, insulated housing means bridging between said contacts, vacuum tube switch means in said housing means electrically connected between said contacts, shunt switch means normally bridging between said contacts, and means for first opening said shunt switch means, then opening said vacuum switch means and then swinging all of said switch means into spaced relation to said contacts.

Claim 6

Phase reversing switch means comprising, in combination in a three phase system, a first switch for the common phase, a pair of switches for each of the other two phases, each pair of switches being connected at one side to the respective phase and having one switch connected at its other side to said respective phase, and interphase connector means coupling the other side of the other switch of each of said pairs to the opposite of said two phases, each of said switches comprising a pair of spaced stationary contacts, an insulated housing bridging between said contacts, vacuum tube switch means in said housing electrically connected between said contacts, shunt switch means normally bridging between said contacts parallel to and external of said housing, and means for rotating said shunt switch means about an axis perpendicular thereto and centrally between said stationary contacts for swinging said shunt switch means away from said stationary contacts, said means having connection with said vacuum tube switch means centrally of said housing for operating said vacuum tube switch means to open circuit position subsequent to swinging said shunt switch means to open circuit position.

Claim 7

Phase reversing switch means comprising, in combination in a three phase system, a first switch for the common phase, a pair of switches for each of the other two phases, each pair of switches being connected at one side to the respective phase and having one switch connected at its other side to said respective phase, and interphase connector means coupling the other side of the other switch of each of said pairs to the opposite of said two phases, each of said switches comprising a pair of spaced stationary contacts, an insulated housing bridging between said contacts, vacuum tube switch means in said housing electrically connected between said contacts, shunt switch means normally bridging between said contacts parallel to and external of said housing, and means for rotating said shunt switch means about an axis perpendicular thereto and centrally between said stationary contacts for swinging said shunt switch means away from said stationary contacts, said means having connection with said vacuum tube switch means centrally of said housing for operating said vacuum tube switch means to open circuit position subsequent to swinging said shunt switch means to open circuit position.

Claim 8

The switch means of claim 4, said means upon reverse swinging movement of said shunt switch means closing said vacuum tube switch means and engaging said shunt switch means with said contacts in leading relationship to the closing of said vacuum tube switch means between said stationary contacts whereby to relieve said vacuum tube switch means from circuit closing stresses.

Claim 9

The switch means of claim 4 including means for rotating said housing about said axis away from said stationary contacts subsequent to opening of said vacuum tube switch means to isolate said vacuum tube switch means from the circuit.

Claim 10

Phase reversing switch means comprising a first vertical pair of switches both having connection at one terminal thereof with a first phase input lead, a second vertical pair of switches parallel to said first pair and both having connection at one terminal thereof to a second phase input lead, an interphase connection between the other terminals of the upper switches of the two pairs, an interphase connection between the other terminals of the lower switches of the two pairs, the upper switch of one of said pairs having its said other terminal connected to an output lead for one of the two phases and the lower switch of the other pair having its said terminal connected to an output lead for the other of the two phases, a common phase switch mounted adjacent and parallel to the second pair of switches at the level of the output lead from the first pair of switChes and having its terminals connected to input and output leads, and means including an operator vertically aligned with said common phase switch for operating said upper switch of said one pair, said lower switch of said other pair and said common phase switch as one group and for operating the lower switch of said one pair, the upper switch of said other pair and said common phase switch as a second group.

Claim 11

Phase reversing switch means comprising a first vertical pair of switches both having connection at one terminal thereof with a first phase input lead, a second vertical pair of switches parallel to said first pair and both having connection at one terminal thereof to a second phase input lead, an interphase connection between the other terminals of the upper switches of the two pairs, an interphase connection between the other terminals of the lower switches of the two pairs, the upper switch of one of said pairs having its said other terminal connected to an output lead for one of the two phases and the lower switch of the other pair having its said terminal connected to an output lead for the other of the two phases, a common phase switch mounted adjacent and parallel to the second pair of switches at the level of the output lead from the first pair of switChes and having its terminals connected to input and output leads, and means including an operator vertically aligned with said common phase switch for operating said upper switch of said one pair, said lower switch of said other pair and said common phase switch as one group and for operating the lower switch of said one pair, the upper switch of said other pair and said common phase switch as a second group.

Claim 12

The switch means of claim 7, said operator means including interlock means accommodating closing of either group of switches only when the other group is open.

Claim 13

The switch means of claim 7, including an enclosure for the switches having vertical partitions separating the two pairs of switches and the common phase switch from the second pair and horizontal partitions separating the switches of each pair and the common phase switch from the operator, whereby each switch and the operator are enclosed in individual cubicles.

Claim 14

The switch means of claim 9, said enclosure and its partitions being metal and having at each point of ingress and egress of input and output leads a bushing for receiving the lead and a surrounding collar for attachment of the lead enclosure.

Claim 15

The switch means of claim 9 said enclosure and its partitions being of double wall construction and formed of electrically conductive material to provide an isolated phase assembly of said switches.