Transfer switch with improved actuator

US6765157B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Onan Corporation · US

Inventors

• Loren Rademacher · Rockford, US
• Larry D. Hokenson · Isanti, US
• Thomas Chapman Simon · Kammeltal, DE
• John E. Morley · Stacy, US
• Larry H. Smith · Coon Rapids, US
• Michael A. Peterson · Brooklyn Park, US
• Peter M. Hawkins · Mounds View, US
• Constantine Xykis · Eagan, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 24, 2002
• Grant date: Jul 20, 2004
• Expiry date: Jul 24, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H2300/018
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism includes moving contacts that alternately connect the output contacts with the primary and secondary input contacts. The transfer switch includes an actuator that rotates the first crossbar to alternately engage a first set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the primary input contacts, and rotates the second crossbar to alternately engage a second set of moving contacts with the output contacts and the secondary input contacts. A method of actuating a transfer switch to alternate the supply of power to an electric load. The method includes rotating a first crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a first set of switching contacts with a primary power source and rotating a second crossbar within the transfer switch to engage a second set of switching contacts with a secondary power source.