US3735073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit interrupter with overcenter spring charging means
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-30
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A circuit interrupter having stored energy overcenter spring operating means for operating the interrupter between open and closed positions and having auxiliary spring closing means for overcoming electromagnetic ''''blow-out'''' forces incurred by fault current.
Inventors
- 👤 N Davies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:39
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H3/00; H01H3/22; H01H3/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
A circuit interrupter comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, an operating shaft supported for rotation between open and closed positions to move the movable contact between open and closed positions relative to the stationary contact, an overcenter spring structure operatively connected to the operating shaft, drive means operable from a first position to a second position to move the overcenter spring structure from a spring discharged open position to a spring charged open position, the overcenter spring structure being movable to a spring discharged closed position for driving the operating shaft to the closed position, the drive means being operable from the second position to the first position to move the overcenter spring structure from the spring discharged closed position to a spring charged closed position, the overcenter spring structure being movable to a spring discharged open position for driving the operating shaft to the open position, biasing overcenter spring means operatively connected to the operating shaft and being movable between spring charged and spring discharged positions, one of which positions corresponds to one of the open and closed positions of the operating shaft, the other of which positions corresponds to the other of the open and closed positions of the operating shaft, the biasing overcenter spring means being chargeable only upon rotation of the operating shaft to the open position, and the biasing overcenter spring means being operable only to move the contacts to the closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
A circuit interrupter comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, an operating shaft supported for rotation between open and closed positions to move the movable contact between open and closed positions relative to the stationary contact, an overcenter spring structure operatively connected to the operating shaft, drive means operable from a first position to a second position to move the overcenter spring structure from a spring discharged open position to a spring charged open position, the overcenter spring structure being movable to a spring discharged closed position for driving the operating shaft to the closed position, the drive means being operable from the second position to the first position to move the overcenter spring structure from the spring discharged closed position to a spring charged closed position, the overcenter spring structure being movable to a spring discharged open position for driving the operating shaft to the open position, biasing overcenter spring means operatively connected to the operating shaft and being movable between spring charged and spring discharged positions, one of which positions corresponds to one of the open and closed positions of the operating shaft, the other of which positions corresponds to the other of the open and closed positions of the operating shaft, the biasing overcenter spring means being chargeable only upon rotation of the operating shaft to the open position, and the biasing overcenter spring means being operable only to move the contacts to the closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the biasing spring means is operatively connected to the operating shaft and is movable to a spring charged open position upon movement of the overcenter spring structure to the spring charged open position, and the biasing spring means is movable to a spring discharged closed position upon movement of the overcenter spring structure to the spring discharged closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the operating shaft is rotatable in a first direction from the open position to the closed position and the operating shaft is rotatable in a second direction opposite the first direction from the closed position to the open position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the biasing spring means comprises a link and spring means, the link being mounted on the operating shaft for pivotal movement between first and second positions to rotate the operating shaft between the open and closed positions, and the spring means having one end pivotally connected to the link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 4 in which the spring means comprises a compression spring and a spring supported rod, the rod being pivotally attached to the link and having spring-stop means spaced from the link, the sprIng being compressible to a charged position on the rod and on the side of the spring-stop means remote from the link upon movement of the overcenter spring structure to the spring discharged open position, and the spring being actuated to a discharged position upon movement of the overcenter spring structure to the spring discharged open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 5 in which the link and rod are substantially aligned when the spring is in the charged position and are disposed at substantially right angles when the spring is in the discharged position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the biasing spring means attains its completely discharged position before the operating shaft attains its completely closed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 in which the biasing spring means is completely discharged before the movable contact reaches the completely closed position with respect to the stationary contact.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 5 in which the compression spring has a length shorter than the effective movement of the operating shaft, whereby a reduced force is required to recharge the spring charged open 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) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |