Patent · US Expired

Operating mechanism for electrical switches

US4578551A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
3References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 10, 1985
Grant dateMar 25, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 10, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T74/11
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An improved operating mechanism is provided for controlling the operational state of an electrical switch or interrupter between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism includes a switch operating member that is selectively movable in switch-opening and switch-closing directions to effect opening and closing of the switch. The operating mechanism stores energy to selectively close the switch and to immediately thereafter be capable of opening the switch as required. A carriage is driven to charge an opening spring and a closing spring while the switch operating member remains latched in a stationary position. The closing spring acts between the carriage and the switch operating member. The opening spring acts between the carriage and the frame or housing of the operating mechanism. An independent latch is provided for each of the switch operating member and the carriage; each of the latches directly operating on a respective one of the switch operating member or the carriage. To close the switch, the latch for the switch operating member is tripped to release the stored energy in the closing spring which acts to move the switch operating member to the switch-closed posit…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.