Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080237015 | CATCHMENT MECHANISM TO PREVENT CAMSHAFT OVER-ROTATION DURING CLOSURE IN A DIRECT-DRIVE STORED ENERGY MECHANISM - A catchment mechanism for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The catchment mechanism includes a catchment wheel with a radially extending surface, a catchment prop, and a catchment prop reset pin. The catchment wheel rotates with the cam in the closing assembly as the closing springs are being charged. During the charging of the springs, the catchment prop stop edge travels over, but preferably does not engage, the wheel outer surface. When the closing springs are released, the catchment prop stop edge engages the catchment wheel radially extending surface thus causing the catchment wheel to stop rotating. As the catchment wheel is fixed to the cam shaft, the rotation of the cam shaft, and therefore the cam, is also stopped. The catchment wheel radially extending surface is positioned so that the cam is stopped in an appropriate position to begin recharging the closing spring. | 10-02-2008 |
20080237016 | POSITIVE RESETTING CLOSE LATCH FOR CLOSING ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS - A latch assembly for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism is provided. The latch assembly is structured so that force from the closing spring is directed along a line extending through the pivot point of a latch prop. A reset assembly for the latch prop is also provided. | 10-02-2008 |
20080271981 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS, AND YOKE ASSEMBLY AND SPRING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A spring assembly is provided for a yoke assembly of an electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a pole shaft. The yoke assembly is coupled to the pole shaft and is movable among first and second positions corresponding to the separable contacts being closed and open, respectively. The spring assembly includes a number of first springs having a first spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly, and a number of second springs having a second spring rate and being coupled to the yoke assembly. The second spring rate is different than the first spring rate. The number of first springs and the number of second springs bias the yoke assembly toward the second position. | 11-06-2008 |
20080271982 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS HAVING A CRADLE WITH COMBINED PIVOT AND OVER-TOGGLE REVERSING PIN - The present invention provides for an electrical switching apparatus operating mechanism opening assembly wherein the toggle assembly stop/kicker pin has been separated into a kicker pin and a stop pin. By separating the functions of the stop/kicker pin into separate pins, the kicker pin may now be located at the pivot point of the associated link. Further, the kicker pin and the stop pin are now disposed upon a cradle assembly as opposed to an elongated link. The cradle assembly further supports one of the toggle assembly links. Thus, rotation of the cradle assembly causes the toggle assembly to move. The operating mechanism opening assembly is configured so that, when an associated latch assembly latch plate assembly is released, the cradle assembly rotates so that the toggle assembly is moved away from a closing assembly closing device. | 11-06-2008 |
20080302640 | INTERLOCK ASSEMBLY FOR A STORED ENERGY MECHANISM - The stored energy device interlock assembly provided is structured to prevent the closing assembly and/or the latch assembly from being actuated in selected configurations. The interlock assembly includes a latch D-shaft link assembly, an on-command paddle assembly, and an on-command paddle actuator. The latch D-shaft link assembly is pivotally coupled to, and structured to rotate, the latch assembly D-shaft. The on-command paddle assembly is structured to move the D-shaft link assembly. The on-command paddle actuator is structured to move the on-command paddle assembly. The interlock assembly is structured to disengage the latch assembly D-shaft from the on-command paddle assembly in selected configurations of the electrical switching apparatus. The interlock assembly provided herein has two pivotal degrees of freedom as opposed to a pivotal degree of freedom and a sliding degree of freedom. | 12-11-2008 |
20080302645 | CLOSING PROTECTION MECHANISM FOR A CLOSING ASSEMBLY OVER-TOGGLE LINKAGE - The closing protection mechanism provided herein includes a control unit, a sensing switch and a sensing switch actuator. The control unit is coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the trip device. The control unit is structured to receive a sensing switch signal and to provide a control signal to the trip device. The sensing switch coupled to, and in electronic communication with, the control unit. The sensing switch is disposed adjacent to the toggle assembly. The sensing switch is structured to provide a sensing switch signal to the control unit. The sensing switch actuator is disposed on the toggle assembly. The sensing switch actuator is structured to actuate the sensing switch. The sensing switch is structured to be actuated by the sensing switch actuator when the toggle assembly is in the second, over-toggle configuration. | 12-11-2008 |
20110240445 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND CLOSE LATCH INTERLOCK ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A close latch interlock assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, which includes a stored energy mechanism, such as a closing spring. The close latch interlock assembly includes a close D-shaft pivotable between a latched and unlatched positions corresponding to the closing spring being chargeable and discharged, respectively. An actuator is movable between an unactuated position corresponding to the close D-shaft being disposed in the latched position, and an actuated position corresponding to the close D-shaft being movable toward the unlatched position. A release member cooperates with the actuator and is pivotably coupled to the first end of a transfer link. The second end of the transfer link extends toward the close D-shaft. When the actuator is moved toward the actuated position, it moves the release member, thereby moving the transfer link and pivoting the close D-shaft toward the unlatched position. | 10-06-2011 |
20120205226 | LATCH ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A latch assembly includes a latch plate having an opening therethrough; and a latch shaft having a shaft member and a positioning shoulder disposed on the shaft member. The positioning shoulder has a seating surface thereon. The shaft member passes through the opening of the latch plate. The latch plate engages the positioning shoulder of the shaft member. The seating surface of the shaft member is swaged to retain the latch plate to the shaft member. | 08-16-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100288610 | INERTIAL CATCH FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH POWER CONTACTOR - A catch assembly coupled to the operating mechanism of the ATS is provided. The catch assembly is structured to arrest movement within the operating mechanism when the operating mechanism moves at more than the speed for which it was designed. That is, the catch assembly does not engage when the operating mechanism is stationary, or moving at a standard speed, i.e. the speed at which the operating mechanism was intended to move. When there is a strong over-current, such as during a withstand test, a magnetic field causes a movable contact to separate from a fixed contact assembly which, in turn, causes the operating mechanism to move at a speed that is faster than the standard speed. The catch assembly is structured to engage and arrest the motion of the operating mechanism when the operating mechanism moves at a speed that is faster than the standard speed. | 11-18-2010 |
20110062005 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND CHARGING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A charging assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The charging assembly includes a compression arm and a charging cam. The compression arm includes a pivot and first and second legs extending outwardly from the pivot, preferably in a generally L-shape. An engagement portion disposed at or about a second end of the first leg cooperates with an outer cam surface of the charging cam. A shaped contact surface disposed at or about a second end of the second leg includes a first edge for engaging and moving an impact member of the circuit breaker closing assembly to charge a biasing element of the closing assembly, and a second edge. The second edge is disposed at an angle with respect to the first edge, and is structured to engage the impact member when the biasing element is disposed in the charged position. | 03-17-2011 |
20110062006 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND LINKING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A linking assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The linking assembly includes a hatchet having first and second edges and an arcuate portion extending therebetween. The hatchet moves between a latched position in which the first edge engages a D-shaft, and an unlatched position in which the hatchet pivots with respect to the D-shaft to unlatch the linking assembly. A cradle includes first and second opposing ends and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. A latch plate, which is pivotally coupled to the housing, includes a protrusion that cooperates with the hatchet. A latch link is disposed between and is pivotally coupled to the cradle and the latch plate. A toggle assembly includes first and second linking elements coupled between the circuit breaker poleshaft and the cradle. | 03-17-2011 |
20110073451 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND SHAFT ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A shaft assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing and a pivotal shaft. The shaft assembly includes a paddle assembly comprising an elongated body including a first end and a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end. A number of paddles extend radially outwardly from the elongated body. A support bracket is coupled to the housing of the circuit breaker. The first end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the pivotal shaft, and the second end of the elongated body is coupled to and supported by the support bracket. The support bracket is preferably an accessory mounting bracket. The paddle assembly preferably further includes a separate molded member. When the separate molded member moves, the elongated body moves. However, the elongated body is pivotable independently from the separate molded member. | 03-31-2011 |
20110214975 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND STATUS INDICATING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A status indicating assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism comprises a stored energy mechanism and a primary latch. The primary latch is pivotable between a latched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being chargeable, and an unlatched position corresponding to the stored energy mechanism being discharged. The status indicating assembly includes a first indicator for indicating whether the separable contacts are open or closed, a second indicator for indicating whether the stored energy mechanism is charged or discharged, and a third indicator for indicating whether or not the circuit breaker is ready to close the separable contacts. | 09-08-2011 |
20120061219 | Charging Handle Apparatus and Switchgear Apparatus - A charging handle apparatus includes a two-piece support apparatus that is disposed on a handle assembly and that is engaged with a gear. One of the two pieces is movable with respect to the first piece. The second piece of the support apparatus includes a number of engagement structures that are engaged with the gear and that retain the gear in a given position with respect to the handle assembly. The charging handle apparatus thus can be provided as a pre-assembled component that is readily mountable to a shaft of a circuit interrupter. | 03-15-2012 |
20120103775 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND CHARGING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - A charging assembly for an electrical switching apparatus includes a cam shaft and including a number of cams. A latch lobe and a charging handle are coupled to opposing ends of the cam shaft. Each stroke of the charging handle pivots the cams a predetermined amount. A rocker arm includes a first portion cooperating with the cams, a second portion translating movement of the cams into movement of a stored energy mechanism, and a third portion cooperating with a close D-shaft having a close latch. A close prop includes a first end cooperating with the close D-shaft, and a second end including a roller that cooperates with the latch lobe. The close D-shaft pivots between latched and unlatched positions. The third portion cooperates with the close D-shaft to hold the close latch in the unlatched position until the charging handle has been pivoted a predetermined number of strokes. | 05-03-2012 |
20130134020 | CHARGING ASSEMBLY WITH OVER ROTATION CONTROL AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS EMPLOYING SAME - A charging assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The charging assembly includes a stored energy mechanism, such as a closing spring, which is movable between charged and discharged positions. A cast member is coupled to the closing spring and moves therewith. The cast member includes a projection. A cam shaft is pivotably coupled to the housing, and includes a number of cams. A catchment, which is also pivotably coupled to the housing, includes an impact surface and a protrusion. The impact surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the cams to resist over rotation of the cam shaft. The protrusion of the catchment cooperates with the projection of the cast member to maintain the desired relationship between the catchment and the cam. | 05-30-2013 |
20130199910 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS AND OPENING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - An opening assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a poleshaft. The opening assembly includes a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivotably coupled to the poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion. A number of opening springs each include a fixed end fixedly coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. The spring link is movable between an open position, wherein the opening springs bias the spring link and poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts, and a closed position, wherein the opening springs do not bias the poleshaft. | 08-08-2013 |
20130270084 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS, AND CLOSING ASSEMBLY AND REVERSAL PREVENTION MECHANISM THEREFOR - A reversal prevention mechanism for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, includes an actuator assembly pivotably coupled to the circuit breaker housing, a first stop element for controlling movement of the actuator assembly, a stop assembly pivotably coupled to the housing, and a second stop element for controlling movement of the stop assembly. The stored energy mechanism is movable among a charged position, a discharged position, and a contact touch position corresponding to a point at which the circuit breaker separable contacts make initial electrical contact. When the stored energy mechanism is disposed in the contact touch position, the stop assembly cooperates with the actuator assembly to prevent the stored energy mechanism from moving backwards. | 10-17-2013 |