Fault interrupter and operating mechanism therefor
US6180902A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H3/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fault interrupter is provided that includes a high-speed disconnect in series with an interrupter wherein the circuit opening is via the interrupter and the circuit making is via the disconnect. A stored energy disconnect operating mechanism operates the disconnect between ground, open and closed positions and also charges the interrupter mechanism during a slow opening of the disconnect without fully charging the disconnect operating mechanism. Thus, the required operating forces to open the disconnect and charge the interrupter mechanism are reduced. During a manual opening, the disconnect operating mechanism trips open the interrupter, then only partially charges to begin opening the disconnect before releasing the stored energy. Continued operation of the disconnect operating mechanism slowly drives the disconnect open while charging the interrupter mechanism and closing the interrupter. The interrupter mechanism remains charged during operation of the disconnect between the open and ground positions by the disconnect operating mechanism.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.