Composite groundable barrier for switchgear and grounding apparatus

Claim 2

Electrical apparatus, comprising: (a) electrically grounded support means; (b) a stationary electrical contact means disposed on said support means in a disposition to be contacted only from a point within a limited three-dimensional angular range; (c) movable electrical contact means for being selectively disposed in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact means or not, said engagement coming from a point within said range; (d) movable composite barrier means movably disposed upon said support means for being actuated to a first position to insulate said stationary contact means from any point within said range when said movable contact means is not in a disposition of engagement therewith, and for being actuated to a second position to allow said engagement of said stationary contact means with said movable contact means, said composite barrier means comprising electrically insulating material for that portion thereof which is closest to said stationary contact means when said barrier means is in said first position and electrically conducting material which is spaced from said stationary contact means by said insulating material, said electrically conducting material having a contact thereon for being grounded when said barrier means is in said first position to thus interpose the electrical potential of ground between said stationary contact means and any point in said range, said electrically conducting material being ungrounded when said barrier means is in said second position to thus reduce the tendency to interact electrically with said engaged stationary contact means and said movable contact means; (e) actuating means for moving said barrier means; and (f) grounding means including an electrical conductor and an actuating-means-actuated contact means for connecting said support means to said conductor at a time which is generally concurrent with said contact on said barrier means being connected to said conductor for thus grounding said conducting material when said barrier means is in said first position, said latter two separate connections both being disconnected when said barrier means is in said second position.

Claim 3

Switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) a grounded metal enclosure; (b) a stationary electrical contact disposed within said enclosure for being contacted within said enclosure from a point within a limited three-dimensional angular range; (c) movable electrical apparatus including contact means for being selectively disposed in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact or not, said engagement coming from a point within said range; (d) movable composite barrier means movably disposed within said enclosure means for being actuated to a first position to insulate said stationary contact from any point within said range when said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus is not in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact, and for being actuated to a second position to allow said engagement of said stationary contact with said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus, said composite means comprising electrically insulating material for that portion thereof which is closest to said stationary contact when said barrier means is in said first position and electrically conducting material which is spaced from said stationary contact by said insulating material, said electrically conducting material having a contact thereon for being grounded when said barrier is in said first position to thus interpose the electrical potential of ground between said stationary contact and any point in said range, said electrically conducting material being ungrounded when said barrier means is in said second position to thus reduce the tendency to interact electrically with said engaged stationary contact and said electrical apparatus; (e) actuating means for moving said barrier means; and (f) grounding means including an electrical conductor and an actuating-means-actuated contact means for connecting said support means to said grounding means at a time which is concurrent with said contact on said barrier means being connected to said grounding means for grounding said conducting material when said barrier means is in said first position, said latter two separate connections both being disconnected when said barrier means is in said second position.

Claim 4

Switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) a grounded metal enclosure; (b) a stationary electrical contact disposed within said enclosure for being contacted within said enclosure from a point within a limited three-dimensional angular range; (c) movable electrical apparatus including contact means for being selectively disposed in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact or not, said engagement coming from a point within said range; (d) movable composite barrier means movably disposed within said enclosure means for being actuated to a first position to insulate said stationary contact from any point within said range when said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus is not in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact, and for being actuated to a second position to allow said engagement of said stationary contact with said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus, said composite means comprising electrically insulating material for that portion thereof which is closest to said stationary contact when said barrier means is in said first position and electrically conducting material which is spaced from said stationary contact by said insulating material, said electrically conducting material having a contact thereon for being grounded when said barrier is in said first position to thus interpose the electrical potential of ground between said stationary contact and any point in said range, said electrically conducting material being ungrounded when said barrier means is in said second position to thus reduce the tendency to interact electrically with said engaged stationary contact and said electrical apparatus; (e) actuating means for moving said barrier means; and (f) grounding means including an electrical conductor and an actuating-means-actuated contact means for connecting said support means to said grounding means at a time which is concurrent with said contact on said barrier means being connected to said grounding means for grounding said conducting material when said barrier means is in said first position, said latter two separate connections both being disconnected when said barrier means is in said second position.

Claim 5

The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said movable electrical apparatus comprises a circuit breaker.

Claim 6

The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein said barrier means comprises a shutter which moves in a generally vertical direction between said first and said second positions.

Claim 7

Switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) a grounded metal enclosure; (b) a plurality of horizontally aligned stationary electrical contacts disposed within said enclosure each of which is capable of being contacted within said enclosure from points within a limited three-dimensional angular range; (c) movable electrical apparatus including a plurality of contacts means, each of which is capable of being selectively disposed in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact or not, said engagement coming from points within said range; (d) movable composite barrier means movably disposed within said enclosure for being actuated to a first position to insulate said stationary contacts from any point within said range when said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus are not in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contacts, and for being actuated to a second position to allow said engagement of said stationary contacts with said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus, said composite means comprising electrically insulating material for that portion thereof which is closest to said stationary contacts when said barrier means is in said first position and electrically conducting material which is spaced from said stationary contact by said insulating material, said electrically conducting material having a contact thereon for being grounded when said barrier means is in said first position to thus interpose the electrical potential of ground between said stationary contacts and any point in said range, said electrically conducting material being ungrounded when said barrier means is in said second position to thus reduce the tendency to interact electrically with said engaged stationary contacts and said electrical apparatus; (e) actuating means for moving said barrier means; and (f) grounding means including an electrical conductor and an actuating-means-actuated contact means for connecting said support means to said grounding means at a time which is concurrent with said contact on said barrier means being connected to said grounding means for grounding said conducting material when said barrier means is in said first position, said latter two separate connections both being disconnected when said barrier means is in said second position.

Claim 8

Switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) a grounded metal enclosure; (b) a plurality of horizontally aligned stationary electrical contacts disposed within said enclosure each of which is capable of being contacted within said enclosure from points within a limited three-dimensional angular range; (c) movable electrical apparatus including a plurality of contacts means, each of which is capable of being selectively disposed in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contact or not, said engagement coming from points within said range; (d) movable composite barrier means movably disposed within said enclosure for being actuated to a first position to insulate said stationary contacts from any point within said range when said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus are not in a disposition of engagement with said stationary contacts, and for being actuated to a second position to allow said engagement of said stationary contacts with said contact means of said movable electrical apparatus, said composite means comprising electrically insulating material for that portion thereof which is closest to said stationary contacts when said barrier means is in said first position and electrically conducting material which is spaced from said stationary contact by said insulating material, said electrically conducting material having a contact thereon for being grounded when said barrier means is in said first position to thus interpose the electrical potential of ground between said stationary contacts and any point in said range, said electrically conducting material being ungrounded when said barrier means is in said second position to thus reduce the tendency to interact electrically with said engaged stationary contacts and said electrical apparatus; (e) actuating means for moving said barrier means; and (f) grounding means including an electrical conductor and an actuating-means-actuated contact means for connecting said support means to said grounding means at a time which is concurrent with said contact on said barrier means being connected to said grounding means for grounding said conducting material when said barrier means is in said first position, said latter two separate connections both being disconnected when said barrier means is in said second position.

Claim 9

The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said electrical apparatus comprises a circuit breaker.

Claim 10

The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said barrier means comprises a shutter which moves in a generally vertical direction between a first shutter position and a second shutter position.

Claim 11

The combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein said electrically conducting material comprises a rectangular which completely overlaps all of said horizontally aligned stationary electrical contacts when said barrier means is in said first position.

Claim 12

The combination as claimed in claim 8 wherein said conducting material is non-magnetic.

Claim 13

The combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein said electrically conducting material comprises separate plates, each of which completely overlaps one of such horizontally aligned stationary electrical contacts when said barrier means is in said first position.

Claim 14

The combination as claimed in claim 10 wherein said conducting material is non-magnetic.

Claim 15

The combination as claimed in claim 7 wherein a second plurality of horizontally aligned stationary contacts is disposed beneath the first plurality of horizontally aligned stationary contacts, said electrically conducting material comprising separate plates, each of which completely overlaps one of said horizontally aligned stationary electrical contacts and one of said second plurality of horizontally aligned stationary contacts.

Claim 16

Electrical apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) first contact means supported by said support means but electrically insulated therefrom; (c) second electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said first contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier mean insertable to a disposition between said first contact means and said second contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said first and second contact means when said first and second contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said first and second contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said first and said second contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 17

Electrical apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) first contact means supported by said support means but electrically insulated therefrom; (c) second electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said first contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier mean insertable to a disposition between said first contact means and said second contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said first and second contact means when said first and second contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said first and second contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said first and said second contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 18

Electrical apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) first electrical contact means supported by said support means; (c) second electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said first contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier means insertable to a disposition between said first contact means and said second contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said first and second contact means when said first and second contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said first and second contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said first and said second contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 19

Electrical apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) first electrical contact means supported by said support means; (c) second electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said first contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said first and said second contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier means insertable to a disposition between said first contact means and said second contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said first and second contact means when said first and second contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said first and second contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said first and said second contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 20

Electrical switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) generally fixed contact means supported by said support means but electrically insulated therefrom; (c) movable circuit interrupter apparatus with circuit interrupter electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said fixed contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier means insertable to a disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said fixed contact means and circuit interrupter contact means when said fixed and circuit interrupter contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 21

Electrical switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) generally fixed contact means supported by said support means but electrically insulated therefrom; (c) movable circuit interrupter apparatus with circuit interrupter electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said fixed contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier means insertable to a disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said fixed contact means and circuit interrupter contact means when said fixed and circuit interrupter contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 22

Electrical switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) generally fixed contact means supported by said support means; (c) movable circuit interrupter apparatus with circuit interrupter electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said fixed contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier means insertable to a disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said fixed contact means and circuit interrupter contact means when said fixed and circuit interrupter contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.

Claim 23

Electrical switchgear apparatus, comprising: (a) support means electrically maintained at generally ground electrical potential; (b) generally fixed contact means supported by said support means; (c) movable circuit interrupter apparatus with circuit interrupter electrical contact means disposable in either of two dispositions relative to said fixed contact means, the first of said two dispositions being one of electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means, the second of said two dispositions being one of non-electrical continuity between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means; (d) electrically insulating barrier means insertable to a disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means when both said later contact means are in said second disposition, said barrier means having electrical conductor means thereon for providing an electrical ground potential between said fixed contact means and circuit interrupter contact means when said fixed and circuit interrupter contact means are in said second disposition; and (e) grounding means actuable by the movement of said barrier means towards said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for making separate electrical contact with said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and a conductor on said support means, said grounding means being actuable by movement of said barrier means from said barrier-means-disposition between said fixed contact means and said circuit interrupter contact means for breaking said separate electrical contact between said electrical conductor means on said barrier means and said conductor on said support means.