US3824359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum loadbreak switch
Assignee: Cooper Industries LLC
•
Filing: 1972-10-06
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1992-10-06
Abstract
Abstract A loadbreak switch is provided in which a pair of spaced apart main current carrying blades are pivotally mounted for movement into and out of engagement with a stationary terminal, and a vacuum interrupter assembly has a nested position between the two blades and is also pivotable into and out of engagement with the stationary terminal. The main blade assembly and the vacuum interrupter assembly are both operable in response to a main switch operating mechanism. The vacuum interrupter assembly includes a vacuum switch and an operating device which is responsive to disengaging movement of the main blade assembly from the stationary terminal to first open the contacts of the vacuum switch and then unlatch the vacuum interrupter assembly from the stationary terminal. Subsequent to unlatching of the vacuum interrupter assembly, spring means snaps the vacuum interrupter assembly away from the stationary terminal and into the nested position of the vacuum interrupter assembly between the main blades. The main blades and the vacuum interrupter assembly are also pivotable into engagement with the stationary terminal as a single unit in response to the main switch operating mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 K Date
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:28
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/60; H01H33/66; H01H33/666; H01H33/6661; H01H33/02; H01H33/04; H01H33/12; H01H33/121; H01H33/125; H01H33/127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
In a load break switch including support means having first and second spaced apart insulative support members, first and second electrically conductive terminals respectively affixed to one end of said insulative support members, and a switch operator mounted on said support means, the combination comprising: an electrically conductive switch blade including a first end having an engaged and a disengaged position with the first conductive terminal and a second end pivotally mounted on the second conductive terminal, said switch blade being pivotable in response to the switch operator about said second end between the engaged and disengaged positions of the first end with the first conductive terminal; a vacuum switch electrically connected to said first and second conductive terminals and electrically connected in parallel with the switch blade, said vacuum switch having an open and a closed condition; said vacuum switch having an engaged and disengaged position with the first conductive terminal; latch means for holding the vacuum switch in said engaged position with the first conductive terminal, a vacuum switch operator means connected to the vacuum switch and the switch blade and being responsive to movement of the switch blade to move the vacuum switch from said closed to said open condition, and resilient means for moving the vacuum switch from said engaged to the disengaged position subsequent to disengagement of the vacuum switch from the latch means responsive to further movement of the switch blade means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a load break switch including support means having first and second spaced apart insulative support members, first and second electrically conductive terminals respectively affixed to one end of said insulative support members, and a switch operator mounted on said support means, the combination comprising: an electrically conductive switch blade including a first end having an engaged and a disengaged position with the first conductive terminal and a second end pivotally mounted on the second conductive terminal, said switch blade being pivotable in response to the switch operator about said second end between the engaged and disengaged positions of the first end with the first conductive terminal; a vacuum switch electrically connected to said first and second conductive terminals and electrically connected in parallel with the switch blade, said vacuum switch having an open and a closed condition; said vacuum switch having an engaged and disengaged position with the first conductive terminal; latch means for holding the vacuum switch in said engaged position with the first conductive terminal, a vacuum switch operator means connected to the vacuum switch and the switch blade and being responsive to movement of the switch blade to move the vacuum switch from said closed to said open condition, and resilient means for moving the vacuum switch from said engaged to the disengaged position subsequent to disengagement of the vacuum switch from the latch means responsive to further movement of the switch blade means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
143 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: normal current flow between the first and second conductive terminals is through the switch blade means when the latter is in its engaged position with the first conductive terminal; current flow between the first and second conductive terminals is through the vacuum switch when the switch blade means is in its disengaged position with the first conductive terminal and the vacuum switch contacts are in their closed position; and said switch blade means has a first intermediate position spaced from the first conductive terminal, said intermediate position occurring during movement of the swItch blade means from its engaged to its disengaged position with the first conductive terminal; and said vacuum switch operator is responsive to the switch blade means to open the vacuum switch contacts when the switch blade means is in said first intermediate position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein: said switch blade means has a second intermediate position spaced a greater distance from the first conductive terminal than the first intermediate position during movement of the switch blade means from its engaged to its disengaged position with the first conductive terminal; said vacuum switch means is pivotable between engaged and disengaged positions with the first conductive terminal; and further comprising latch means engaging the first end of the vacuum switch means for holding the vacuum switch means in its engaged position with the first conductive terminal; and said vacuum switch operator is responsive to the switch blade means to disengage the vacuum switch means from the latch means when the switch blade means is in said second intermediate position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: said switch blade means has spaced apart substantially parallel blade members; and said switch blade means and vacuum switch means have at least one position in which the vacuum switch means is located between said spaced apart substantially parallel blade members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said vacuum switch operator means is responsive to the vacuum switch during movement of the latter to its disengaged position to move the vacuum switch to its closed condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: said vacuum switch has a stationary contact and movable contact means movable in opening and closing directions relative to said stationary contact; and said vacuum switch operator means comprises: a lost motion means having a roller mounted on the movable contact means; a lost motion link connected to and movable with the member mounted on the switch blade; and cam means engaging said roller and connected to said lost motion link for moving the roller and movable contact means in said opening direction in response to movement of said lost motion link, responsive to movement of said member with the switch blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein: said switch blade has first and second sequentially occurring movement portions while pivoting from said engaged to said disengaged positions; and said lost motion means is inoperative during the first movement portion of the switch blade and operative during the second movement portion of the switch blade to move the vacuum switch to its open condition.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |