HIGH-VOLTAGE CIRCUIT BREAKING DEVICES, NOTABLY FOR A SHIELDED-TYPE PREFABRICATED ELECTRIC STATION
United States Patent 3622728
Electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system, which comprises a casing of electrically insulating material closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a mechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of electrically insulating material or of an externally insulated conducting material and conducting lower portions, said conducting portions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact members each connected to a conductor, such as a cable head or bar, and adapted to be each connected to the other rod in one of their positions, and a ground circuit, characterized in that a third contact member connected to said ground circuit is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of said casing, said third contact member being electrically connected to one of said conductors, such as a cable head, through said conducting bridge and at least one of said rods in the grounding condition of the device. The actuating mechanism includes two seperate control members, actuation of one control rod raising and lowering both contact rods simultaneously, and actuation of the other control rod raising and lowering only one of the contact rods.
US Patent References:
Electric circuit breaker
Nijland - July 1939 - 2166590
Electric circuit breaker
Nijland - January 1949 - 2458792
Switching device for high tension
Nijland - January 1955 - 2700718
Electric switch with multiple contact actuator tie bar construction capable of multi- or single-switch selection
Clark - May 1967 - 3317683
Electric circuit breaker
Nijland - July 1939 - 2166590
Electric circuit breaker
Nijland - January 1949 - 2458792
Switching device for high tension
Nijland - January 1955 - 2700718
Electric switch with multiple contact actuator tie bar construction capable of multi- or single-switch selection
Clark - May 1967 - 3317683
Inventors:
Bokshorn, Yves (Villiers-sur-Marne, FR)
Boudiak, Jean-pierre H. (Gagny, FR)
Boudiak, Jean-pierre H. (Gagny, FR)
Application Number:
05/010794
Publication Date:
11/23/1971
Filing Date:
02/12/1970
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Coq-france (Pantin, FR)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
200/425, 200/48R, 200/253.100
International Classes:
H02B11/00; H02B13/02; H02B13/075; H02B13/035; H01H31/24
Field of Search:
200/163,148B,48R,150,5C
Primary Examiner:
Schaefer, Robert K.
Assistant Examiner:
Vanderhye, Robert A.
Claims:
What is claimed as new is
1. Electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system, which comprises a casing of electrically insulating material closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a mechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of electrically insulating material or of an externally insulated conducting material and conducting lower portions, said conducting portions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact members each connected to a conductor, such as a cable head or bar, and adapted to be each connected to the other rod in one of their positions, and a ground circuit, characterized in that a third contact member connected to said ground circuit is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of said casing, said third contact member being electrically connected to one of said conductors, such as a cable head, through said conducting bridge and at least one of said rods in the grounding condition of the device; a contact rod actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the contact rods; said actuating mechanism including two separate control members, actuation of one control rod raising and lowering both contact rods simultaneously and actuation of the other control rod raising and lowering only one of the contact rods.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanism comprises two springs or groups of springs of which one actuates one rod while all of said springs actuate both rods simultaneously, the first spring or group of springs being stressed and released by the first control member and all of said springs being stressed and released by the second control member.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the control members consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally of the device and adapted to pivot about a fixed axis, an arm angularly rigid with said control lever and adapted to move a finger engaging studs rigid with one end of said springs whereby the springs associated with the two sections of the mechanism can be stressed jointly during the movement of said first control lever from one end to the other of its end positions while retaining the other end of said springs through latch means and allowing said springs to operate at the end of the setting movement by releasing said latch means through the inherent movement of the arm thus actuating simultaneously two rods.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second control member consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally of the device and pivoted about a fixed axis which may be the same as that of the first control member, said second control lever being angularly solid with the end of a spring and permitting of stressing the setting spring of that section of the mechanism which is associated with only one of said contact rods when said second lever is moved from one to the other of its two end positions while holding the other spring end by means of a latch and allowing the spring to expand at the end of the setting movement by releasing the latch as a consequence of the inherent movement of said lever so as to actuate one of said contact rods.
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two control members are pivotally mounted about a common axis, one of the control members being provided with a cam member engaging with its contour a coupling member adapted to operate jointly the push members of said contact rods and also to actuate the bolt of a latching device for releasing one of said push members, the one control member also acting upon a link attached to a spring stressing strap, a latch consisting of an arm fulcrumed to a fixed pivot pin being adapted to hold said second push member upon completion of the setting movement, said last-named latch being released during the setting movement of said strap so as to permit the downward movement of the second push member and the coupling members of which a positioning stud engages a fixed guide member and is adapted to carry along the first push member.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end of the second member has fulcrumed thereto a link attached to the setting lever.
7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that clutch means are interposed in the kinematic chain between each control member and the setting strap.
8. An electric circuit breaker for a high-voltage wiring system, comprising:
1. Electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system, which comprises a casing of electrically insulating material closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a mechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of electrically insulating material or of an externally insulated conducting material and conducting lower portions, said conducting portions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact members each connected to a conductor, such as a cable head or bar, and adapted to be each connected to the other rod in one of their positions, and a ground circuit, characterized in that a third contact member connected to said ground circuit is disposed in the vicinity of the upper portion of said casing, said third contact member being electrically connected to one of said conductors, such as a cable head, through said conducting bridge and at least one of said rods in the grounding condition of the device; a contact rod actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the contact rods; said actuating mechanism including two separate control members, actuation of one control rod raising and lowering both contact rods simultaneously and actuation of the other control rod raising and lowering only one of the contact rods.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanism comprises two springs or groups of springs of which one actuates one rod while all of said springs actuate both rods simultaneously, the first spring or group of springs being stressed and released by the first control member and all of said springs being stressed and released by the second control member.
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that one of the control members consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally of the device and adapted to pivot about a fixed axis, an arm angularly rigid with said control lever and adapted to move a finger engaging studs rigid with one end of said springs whereby the springs associated with the two sections of the mechanism can be stressed jointly during the movement of said first control lever from one end to the other of its end positions while retaining the other end of said springs through latch means and allowing said springs to operate at the end of the setting movement by releasing said latch means through the inherent movement of the arm thus actuating simultaneously two rods.
4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second control member consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally of the device and pivoted about a fixed axis which may be the same as that of the first control member, said second control lever being angularly solid with the end of a spring and permitting of stressing the setting spring of that section of the mechanism which is associated with only one of said contact rods when said second lever is moved from one to the other of its two end positions while holding the other spring end by means of a latch and allowing the spring to expand at the end of the setting movement by releasing the latch as a consequence of the inherent movement of said lever so as to actuate one of said contact rods.
5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two control members are pivotally mounted about a common axis, one of the control members being provided with a cam member engaging with its contour a coupling member adapted to operate jointly the push members of said contact rods and also to actuate the bolt of a latching device for releasing one of said push members, the one control member also acting upon a link attached to a spring stressing strap, a latch consisting of an arm fulcrumed to a fixed pivot pin being adapted to hold said second push member upon completion of the setting movement, said last-named latch being released during the setting movement of said strap so as to permit the downward movement of the second push member and the coupling members of which a positioning stud engages a fixed guide member and is adapted to carry along the first push member.
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the end of the second member has fulcrumed thereto a link attached to the setting lever.
7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that clutch means are interposed in the kinematic chain between each control member and the setting strap.
8. An electric circuit breaker for a high-voltage wiring system, comprising:
Description:
This invention relates to electric breaking devices for high-voltage circuits or systems, notably for prefabricated electric station units of the so-called "shielded" or "sealed-in" type.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In high-voltage wiring systems charge-breaking switches are frequently used in conjunction with grounding sectionalizing switches the former for breaking the various circuits of the system and the latter for grounding the cable ends when the station unit is dead and it is desired to perform service of other operations on its cables.
Conventional "open" prefabricated station units in which the electric insulation is provided by an atmospheric air medium incorporate as a rule two separate apparatus for performing these different functions.
In prefabricated station units of the so-called "shielded" or "sealed-in" type the present trend is towards a limitation of the number of apparatus in order to minimize cost and overall dimensions; in the same frame of spirit various station constructions have been developed wherein a single breaking switch provides the two functions set forth hereinabove; thus, it is known to provide a station unit wherein the breaker is converted into a grounding sectionalizing switch by replacing the conventional sliding contact rods with special devices, without requiring any manual intervention on the apparatus.
Another solution was also advocated which eliminates any intervention at the contact level and is based on the principle of tumbling the breaker which can thus have two positions: a normal position (set of bars) and a tilted position (ground).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a breaker device wherein neither auxiliary intervention intervention nor any change of position are required for converting the apparatus from its breaker function to its sectionalizing or grounding function, and vice versa.
The electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system according to this invention, which comprises in a casing or vessel of electrically insulating material, closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a suitable mechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of a suitable electrically insulating material (or a conducting material lined externally with a suitable insulating material), and conducting lower portions, said conducting lower portions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact member each connected to a conductor (such as a cable heads or bar) and each adapted to be connected to one of said rods in one of their positions, and a ground circuit, is characterized essentially in that a third contact member connected to said ground circuit is provided in close vicinity of the upper portion of said casing and electrically connected to one of said conductors (cable heads) through said bridge and at least one of said rods in the grounding position of said device.
According to a specific feature of this invention, said conducting bridge comprises at least one through-contact adapted to slide along the conducting portion of one of said rods.
According to another feature characterizing this invention, at least one of said rods can be separated both electrically and mechanically from said bridge.
According to a first form of embodiment of this last-named feature, one of said rods is replaced by a fully conducting grounding rod adapted to provide an electrical connection between said bridge and said ground circuit through said third contact member in the grounding position of the device.
According to a further feature of this invention, said conducting bridge comprises a second through-contact permitting retracting of said second rod and the replacement thereof, in the grounding position of the device, by an insulated rod used for cable-testing purposes.
According to another feature characterizing this invention, one of said rods is adapted on the one hand to be separated mechanically from said conducting bridge while preserving an electrical connection thereof, and on the other hand to be locked in relation to the metal cover of said casing.
According to a specific form of embodiment of the feature disclosed in the last paragraph hereinabove, the mechanical separation of said rod from said bridge and/or the locking of said rod in relation to said metal cover is or are obtained by simply rotating said rod about its axis.
According to a preferred constructional arrangement incorporating this specific form of embodiment, said rod comprises a pair of studs projecting from two generatrices angularly spaced part, said studs being adapted, when said rod has been rotated through the good angle, to engage by turns a pair of fingers carried the one by said bridge and the other by the upper portion of said casing or vessel.
According to another form of embodiment of this invention, said rod actuating mechanism controlled by means of two separate members is characterized in that one of said control members operates both rods simultaneously and the other control member actuates only one of said rods.
According to a specific feature of this form of embodiment, said mechanism comprises a pair of springs (or groups of springs) one of said springs (or groups of springs) actuating one rod while the whole of said springs are adapted to move both rods simultaneously, the first spring or group of springs being tensioned and releasable by said first control member, and the whole of said springs are adapted to be tensioned and released by said second control member.
According to a first and fragmentary form of embodiment of this specific feature one of said control members consists of a first control ever provided with a handle disposed externally of the device and adapted to pivot about a fixed axis, another control lever being angularly rigid with said first lever and adapted to drive a finger engaging the studs rigid with one end of said springs to permit the stressing of all the springs in both sections of the mechanism when said first lever is moved from one to the other of its two extreme positions while holding the opposite ends of said springs by means of latches and allowing the springs to expand at the end of the stressing movement by releasing said latches through the inherent movement of said lever, whereby both rods are actuated simultaneously.
According to another form of embodiment of this specific feature the second control member consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally of the breaking device and pivoted about a fixed axis (which may be the same as that of said first control member); another lever angularly rigid with said second lever is adapted to drive a finger engaging a stud rigid with the end of a spring and permits of stressing the setting spring of that section of the mechanism which is associated with only one of the contact rods when said second lever is moved from one to the other of its extreme positions while holding the other end of said spring by means of a latch and permitting the expansion of said spring at the end of the setting movement by releasing said latch by means of the inherent movement of said lever, so as to actuate one of the contact rods.
According to a further form of embodiment of this invention, all the movements are obtained from a single spring or group of springs, the same spring or group or springs being adapted to actuate either a single section or both sections of the mechanism.
According to a specific feature of this last disclosed form of embodiment the mechanism comprises two control levers adapted to pivot about an axis, a first lever being provided with a cam contour adapted to engage with a coupling member adapted in turn to lock together the push members of said two rods and to actuate the lock bolt of a latch in order to release one of said pair of push members, the first lever further acting upon a link rigid with the spring stressing strap, a latch consisting of a lever fulcrumed about a fixed axis being adapted to hold the second push member at the end of the spring stressing movement, said latch being released during the spring stressing movement by the setting strap, thus permitting the downward stroke of the second push member and the coupling members of which a positioning stud runs along a fixed guide member and carries along the first push member.
According to another feature of this invention a link solid with the spring stressing strap is pivoted to said second control lever.
According to a specific form of embodiment of the various features set forth hereinabove, clutch means are interposed in the kinematic chain between each control lever and the spring stressing strap.
The attached drawings illustrate diagrammatically by way of example four different forms of embodiment of this invention; in the drawing:
FIG. 1 illustrates in vertical section a breaker device according to a first form of embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of the device shown in FIG. 1 but converted into a sectionalizing grounding switch by means of a rod substitution in the open-circuit position, and
FIG. 3 is a similar diagram showing the closed position of the same member;
FIG. 4 is a similar diagram showing the same device but in the case of a cable-testing operation;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic sectional views showing a breaker device according to a second form of embodiment of this invention, in the open and closed positions, respectively, the transformation of the device into a sectionalizing grounding device taking place without any rod substitution;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar views of the same form of embodiment but converted into a sectionalizing grounding device;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a three-phase breaker device according to a third form of embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a part-sectional diagram showing one phase of the device of the same third form of embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic views showing, in the case of the same third form of embodiment of the invention, the positions of the component elements of the device and of the first control member in the "open breaker," "set" and "closed" conditions respectively;
FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate diagrammatically, in the case of this third form of embodiment, the positions of the component elements of the device and of the second control member in the "set" and "closed" grounding sectionalizing-switch conditions, respectively;
FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate diagrammatically a fourth form of embodiment of the device wherein the component elements thereof and the first control member are in an "open," "set" and "closed" conditions, respectively;
FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate diagrammatically for this fourth form of embodiment, the positions of the component elements of the device and of the second control member thereof in the "set" and "closed" conditions, respectively, and
FIG. 21 is a detail view showing the clutch means associated with one of the control levers.
As clearly shown in the drawing the breaker device according to this invention which is adapted to operate on the one hand as a device for breaking a high-voltage electric circuit and on the other hand as a grounding sectionalizing device, comprises an external casing characterized by a vessel 1 of electrically insulating material, filled with a suitable dielectric liquid substance 2 and closed at its top by a metal cover 3 (adapted on the other hand to constitute the base of a conventional mechanism, not shown). The lower portion of this vessel 1 may be divided into two cups 1a and 1b as described and illustrated in the copending patent application No. 10,792 filed Feb. 12,1970 by the same applicants
said cups comprising each a transverse partition such as 1c through which extend a contact member 4 (or 5) provided with double plug-in contact means 4a, 4b (5a, 5b). The upper contact means 4a and 5a are the breaking contacts of a breaker device and in the closed condition of this device they receive the ends of sliding rods 6 and 7 electrically interconnected through a conducting bridge piece 8.
The lower contact means 4b and 5b are likewise plug-in contacts adapted to be connected directly or indirectly to connecting conductors 9 and 10 (cable heads, set of bars, etc.).
Another contact 14 connected to a ground circuit is provided at or near the upper portion of the vessel 1.
Each rod 6, 7 comprises an upper portion 6a (or 7a) of electrically insulating material (or externally insulated conducting material) and a lower portion 6b (or 7b) of electrically conducting material; the conducting bridge 8 interconnecting said lower portions 6b and 7b also acts as a coupling yoke permitting the simultaneous translation of rods 6 and 7.
It will be noted that the breaker device comprises two poles per phase; it therefore affords a substantial reduction in the length of the opening stroke, due to the duality of rods 6 and 7.
In the specific form of embodiment contemplated herein the mechanical connections between said bridge 8 and the rods 6, 7 may differ but in all cases the electrical connection is maintained.
According to the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the mode of operation is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the yoke-bridge 8 actuated by an insulated rod 11 responsive to a conventional mechanism (not shown) comprises a pair of through contacts (of annular, segmental or other suitable and known configuration) resiliently engaging the conducting portions 6b, 7b of rods 6 and 7. It may also be noted that in this specific form of embodiment the presence of contacts of this character is justified by the fact that the rods 6 and 7 must be adapted to be separated from the bridge 8 in specific cases to be described presently.
FIG. 1 illustrates the breaker device in the position establishing a circuit between connecting conductors 9 and 10, such as 9, 4b, 4a, 6b, 8, 7b, 5a, 5b and 10.
In contrast thereto, when the pair of rods 6 and 7 and the bridge 8 are in their upper positions the same circuit is open since portions 6b and 7b are separated from contacts 4a and 5a.
In the case of the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the second function of the device, i.e., the grounding function, notably as far as the connecting conductor 10 is concerned, the half-conducting, half-insulating rod 6 is replaced, as shown in FIG. 2, by a fully conducting rod 15 comprising two sections of different diameter, namely a section 15a of greater diameter adapted to be clamped by contact 14 and a section 15b of smaller diameter adapted to slide through contact 12a of bridge 8. This assembly operates as follows:
when the device is open (rods 6 and 7, bridge 8 in their upper positions), the rod 6 is removed and replaced by a rod 15 of the above-described type; then bridge 8 is grounded; the device is subsequently closed, rod 11 lowers the bridge 8 and also rods 7 and 15. Rod 7 is thus plugged in contact 5a (FIG. 3). Since rod 15 cannot reach contact 4, the ground circuit is obtained through elements 10, 5b, 5a, 7b, 12b, 8, 12a, 15b, 15a and 14.
As clearly shown in FIG. 4, upon completion of the grounding operation the rod 7 can be removed and replaced by a cable-testing rod 16 so that the connection 10 can be tested, this connection leading for example to the cable head.
The conducting bridge 8 as explained hereinabove is grounded and constitutes a shield between connection 9 (connected for example to one of the bars constituting the set of bars of the device) and connection 10 (connected for instance to the cable head) thus protecting the operator against any risk of stray flux.
Of course, the rods 6 and 7 are held or locked against movement in relation to the bridge 8 during the operation of the device. This locking action may be obtained for example by using so-called bayonet coupling, rod 6 (or 7) carrying a stud 17 engaging a groove formed in an anchor member 13 rigid with bridge 8. It will be readily understood that it is only necessary to rotate the rods 6 and 7 about their axes for locking or releasing them in relation to said bridge 8.
In the modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive the grounding operation does not require a rod substitution as the same rod 18 is used both as a braking member and as a grounding sectionalizing member. The two positions of rod 18 may be obtained by simply rotating this rod, possibly in synchronized relationship through mechanical coupling means provided between the different single-phase rods in case the station unit is of the multiphase type.
As in the above-described example each rod 6 (or 7) comprises a radial stud such as 17 permitting of locking the bridge 8 by inserting this stud into a retaining member 13 somewhat as in a bayonet coupling.
This rod 18, like the rod 6 of the first form of embodiment, consists partly of conducting metal 18b and partly of insulating material 18a. The conducting section 18b comprises at its junction with the insulating section a conducting projection 18c (enlarged portion, collar portion, etc.).
To obtain the "switching" function (open, FIG. 5, or closed, FIG. 6) the rod 18 is mechanically and electrically connected or rigid with bridge 8 and moves bodily therewith during the upward and downward strokes.
On the other hand, to obtain the "grounding" or "grounding sectionalizing device" function, the rod 18 is held against movement and its conducting projection 18c is grounded in this case via contact 14, its conducting section 18b sliding through the contact 12a of bridge 8.
In this case the rod 18 is held against movement by providing a second stud 19 carried by this rod 18 above the projection 18c (this stud 19 being located on one generatrix of rod 18 which is spaced 90° apart from that receiving the first stud 17), second stud 19 being adapted to engage a finger 20 rigid with the vessel 1 above the ground contact 14.
After opening the device (FIG. 5) it is only necessary to rotate the rod 18 through 90° for causing the stud 17 to be released from anchor member 13 (mechanical separation of 8 from 18) and causing the other stud 19 to be engaged under 20 (anchoring of 8 and 1), whereby this rod will remain stationary during the movements of the conducting bridge 8 of which the contact 12a slides along this now stationary rod.
As will be seen in FIG. 8, the device in its closing condition then acts as a sectionalizing device to provide a ground circuit between conductor 10 and ground 14 via elements 10, 5b, 5a, 7b, 12b, 8, 12a, 18b, 18c and 14.
According to the third modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 15 inclusive the device is converted from a breaker device to a grounding sectionalizing device without requiring any manual intervention as far as contact rods are concerned; both functions are obtained through two separate control members 21 and 22.
The device according to this third modified form of embodiment is shown in elevational view in FIG. 9 and comprises three chambers 1 (one per phase) and connections 9a, 9b and 9c (designated by the general reference numeral 9 in FIG. 10) connected to bars 23a, 23b and 23c, respectively (general reference numeral 23 in FIG. 10). The control mechanism is enclosed in a casing C from the opposite sides of which project the ends 24a and 24b of coaxial shafts which are provided with control levers 21, 22 ending with handles 21a and 22a, respectively, constituting the control members mentioned in the foregoing.
As clearly shown in FIGS. 10 to 15 inclusive the breaker device properly so-called consisting essentially of a pair of parallel sliding rods 6 and 7 interconnected by a conducting bridge 8 is housed in the insulating chamber 1 of each phase, divided at its lower portion into two poles 1a and 1b containing the double contact members 4 and 5 respectively, as in the other forms of embodiment described hereinabove. The conducting bridge 8 is rigid with rod 7 but comprises a through contact 12b engaged by the other rod 6; overlying this bridge 8 is a grounded sliding contact 14 adapted to coact with rod 6.
Each plug-in contact element 5b of member 5 is engaged by a rod 10 leading to a cable head 25.
Under these conditions, it is clear that when both sliding rods 6 and 7 are in their lower position (FIG. 13) with their ends clamped in contact elements 4a and 5a, an electric circuit is formed from bar 23 to cable head 25 through the path 9, 4a, 4b, 6, 12a, 8, 7, 5b, 5a, and 23. Thus, the device acts as a breaker switch.
When both rods are in their upper position the same circuit is open since the rods 6 and 7 are extracted from their relevant clamping contact elements 4a and 5a.
Now a two-section mechanism will be described, the design and function of this mechanism being such that one section operates both rods simultaneously and the other section operates only one rod.
Referring to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, it will be seen that a setting member 21 provided with a control handle 21a is adapted, when pivoted about the stationary axis of shafts 24a, 24b, to cause the angular movement of a lever 33 having one end rigid with said setting member 21 and its other end pivotally engaged in a push member 26 jointly engaging registering and coplanar ledges 27 and 28 rigidly connected to one end of compression springs 29 and 30, respectively.
At the end of this downward stroke, lock or latch means of conventional and known type, for example as shown diagrammatically at 31 and 32, are adapted to release the ledges 27 and 28, respectively. The device having previously been operated as a breaker has closed the circuit as explained hereinabove.
These springs 29 and 30 are shown in their released condition in FIG. 11 and in their stressed condition in FIG. 12. When compressed or stressed these springs 29 and 30 can move the pair of rods 6 and 7 until their lower ends are clamped by the contact elements 4a and 5a respectively (FIG. 13).
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 14 and 15, it will be seen that control lever 22 provided with a handle 22a is fulcrumed about a fixed axis materialized by shaft 24b; it is angularly solid with an arm 34 having its outer end pivoted to a push member 35 holding a stud 36 rigid with the lower end of spring 29, a latch member 32 keeping the spring 29 in its compressed stressed condition.
Under these conditions, the angular movement of arm 22 acts only upon the spring 29, thus causing the downward stroke of rod 7 and bridge 8, the other rod 6 remaining in its upper position, in this case.
To sum up, actuating the control lever 21 will stress both springs 29 and 30, and actuating the control lever 22 will stress only spring 29. Under these conditions, by using the member 21 the operator will stress or set both springs of the mechanism in a single movement, and at the end of the setting movement (FIG. 12) as both latch means 31 and 32 operate simultaneously the two groups of rods 6 and 7 also operate synchronously, thus providing a connecting action as a switch member (FIG. 13); on the other hand, when lever 22 alone is actuated (FIG. 14), only one fraction of the spring means is stressed, namely the springs associated with rod 6 connected to the cable box 25. When the latch 32 is dropped at the end of the setting movement, rod 6 moves while rod 7 remains stationary, so as to keep the bridge 8 grounded throughout the stroke. In this position the apparatus is connected as a grounding sectionalizing device (FIG. 15).
The release steps take place in a similar fashion but in the reverse order.
The above-described apparatus is advantageously incorporated in metal-casing prefabricated wiring systems, but it is obvious that the basic principle of this invention is also applicable to the construction of conventional general-purpose switchgears.
In the modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 the mechanism comprises a same and single spring for performing all the maneuvers contemplated.
As clearly shown in this FIG. 16, the control lever 21 provided with a handle 21a is fulcrumed about a fixed spindle or shaft 24 and comprises on the one hand a pivot pin 100 to which is attached a link 100a rigid with a setting strap 101 and on the other hand a cam member 102 coacting with a coupling member 103 for engaging the two push movable members 104 and 105 to which the pair of contact rods 6 and 7 are attached.
During the setting movement the control lever 21 compresses through link 100a and setting strap 101 the spring 106 at causes jointly through its cam member 102 the movement of coupling member 103, thus providing a mechanical coupling between the push members 104 and 105 associated with rods 6 and 7.
As clearly shown in FIG. 17, during this setting movement the coupling member 103 releases the bolt 107 holding the push member 104 solid with the fixed portion of the mechanism 108 to the "open" position of the breaker device.
At the end of this setting movement the strap 101 engages the latch member 109 to release same, thus allowing the spring 106 to expand and to move jointly both push members 104 and 105, and therefore the associated contact rods 6 and 7 connecting electrically the both conductors (for example the set of bars 23 and cable head 25, FIG. 18). The coupling member 103 is provided with a positioning stud 110 which, during the movements of said push members, slides along a guide slot 111 formed in a fixed portion of the mechanism, thus ensuring an accurate positioning of said coupling member.
The latch 107 is double and has its two studs disposed on either side of the mechanism; the simultaneous movements of these studs are obtained by means of the transverse shaft 112, and the release takes place in the opposite direction with the assistance of latch member 113.
As shown in FIG. 19, the lever 22 provided with a control handle 22a is fulcrumed about the fixed spindle 24a. It comprises a pivot pin 114 from which a link 115 solid with the setting strap 101 is suspended.
During the setting movement the control lever 22 compresses the spring 106 through link 115 and setting strap 101, and at the end of this movement said strap releases the latch 109, thus permitting the expansion of spring 106 and therefore the movement of push member 104 to which contact 7 is attached (FIG. 20).
On the other hand, and as also shown in FIG. 19, the second lever 22 has no cam portion and therefore does not actuate the coupling member; under these conditions, on the one hand the two push members are independent of each other and on the other hand the latch member 107 keeps holding in a fixed position the push member 105 and the rod 6 attached thereto and electrically connected via ground contact 14 to the metal cover of the breaker device.
The conducting bridge 8 rigid with rod 7 moves bodily with push member 105 by sliding along the fixed contact rod 6 to the "closed" position of the switch device when an electrical connection is established from the ground contact 14 through fixed rod 6, through contact 12b, conducting bridge 8, movable rod 7, and the breaking contact element 5a connected in turn to means 10 (for example a cable head). This corresponds to the "closed" condition of the breaker device as a grounding sectionalizing device (FIG. 20). The release movement takes place in the reverse direction with the assistance of latch member 113.
To prevent the movement of the first lever from causing the movement of the second lever, and vice versa, during the setting operation, these levers are adapted to be disconnected from each other as shown in diagrammatic form in FIG. 21. It is clear that in their inoperative positions these levers are urged by a spring 116 for engagement with the fixed portion 108 of the mechanism so as to be disconnected in relation to link 100a (position "a").
During the initial portion of the setting movement, due to the presence of a member 117 provided with a cam face, the lever moves along its axis or horizontally and causes a pin 100 to engage an orifice formed in said link, thus providing a mechanical coupling between these two members (position "b").
Both levers are provided with this clutch device and a device of known type (not shown) is also provided for interlocking these levers and positively preventing the operation of one lever when the other lever has started its movement.
As will readily occur to those conversant with the art, the various forms of embodiment of the breaker and grounding sectionalizing device described and illustrated herein can easily be incorporated in prefabricated electric station units.
Although a few forms of embodiment of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many modifications and variations may be brought thereto without departing from the basic principles of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In high-voltage wiring systems charge-breaking switches are frequently used in conjunction with grounding sectionalizing switches the former for breaking the various circuits of the system and the latter for grounding the cable ends when the station unit is dead and it is desired to perform service of other operations on its cables.
Conventional "open" prefabricated station units in which the electric insulation is provided by an atmospheric air medium incorporate as a rule two separate apparatus for performing these different functions.
In prefabricated station units of the so-called "shielded" or "sealed-in" type the present trend is towards a limitation of the number of apparatus in order to minimize cost and overall dimensions; in the same frame of spirit various station constructions have been developed wherein a single breaking switch provides the two functions set forth hereinabove; thus, it is known to provide a station unit wherein the breaker is converted into a grounding sectionalizing switch by replacing the conventional sliding contact rods with special devices, without requiring any manual intervention on the apparatus.
Another solution was also advocated which eliminates any intervention at the contact level and is based on the principle of tumbling the breaker which can thus have two positions: a normal position (set of bars) and a tilted position (ground).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a breaker device wherein neither auxiliary intervention intervention nor any change of position are required for converting the apparatus from its breaker function to its sectionalizing or grounding function, and vice versa.
The electric breaker device for high-voltage wiring system according to this invention, which comprises in a casing or vessel of electrically insulating material, closed by a metal cover, a pair of movable contact rods per phase, adapted to be moved vertically by means of a suitable mechanism, said rods having their upper portions made of a suitable electrically insulating material (or a conducting material lined externally with a suitable insulating material), and conducting lower portions, said conducting lower portions of said rods being interconnected by a conducting bridge, a pair of contact member each connected to a conductor (such as a cable heads or bar) and each adapted to be connected to one of said rods in one of their positions, and a ground circuit, is characterized essentially in that a third contact member connected to said ground circuit is provided in close vicinity of the upper portion of said casing and electrically connected to one of said conductors (cable heads) through said bridge and at least one of said rods in the grounding position of said device.
According to a specific feature of this invention, said conducting bridge comprises at least one through-contact adapted to slide along the conducting portion of one of said rods.
According to another feature characterizing this invention, at least one of said rods can be separated both electrically and mechanically from said bridge.
According to a first form of embodiment of this last-named feature, one of said rods is replaced by a fully conducting grounding rod adapted to provide an electrical connection between said bridge and said ground circuit through said third contact member in the grounding position of the device.
According to a further feature of this invention, said conducting bridge comprises a second through-contact permitting retracting of said second rod and the replacement thereof, in the grounding position of the device, by an insulated rod used for cable-testing purposes.
According to another feature characterizing this invention, one of said rods is adapted on the one hand to be separated mechanically from said conducting bridge while preserving an electrical connection thereof, and on the other hand to be locked in relation to the metal cover of said casing.
According to a specific form of embodiment of the feature disclosed in the last paragraph hereinabove, the mechanical separation of said rod from said bridge and/or the locking of said rod in relation to said metal cover is or are obtained by simply rotating said rod about its axis.
According to a preferred constructional arrangement incorporating this specific form of embodiment, said rod comprises a pair of studs projecting from two generatrices angularly spaced part, said studs being adapted, when said rod has been rotated through the good angle, to engage by turns a pair of fingers carried the one by said bridge and the other by the upper portion of said casing or vessel.
According to another form of embodiment of this invention, said rod actuating mechanism controlled by means of two separate members is characterized in that one of said control members operates both rods simultaneously and the other control member actuates only one of said rods.
According to a specific feature of this form of embodiment, said mechanism comprises a pair of springs (or groups of springs) one of said springs (or groups of springs) actuating one rod while the whole of said springs are adapted to move both rods simultaneously, the first spring or group of springs being tensioned and releasable by said first control member, and the whole of said springs are adapted to be tensioned and released by said second control member.
According to a first and fragmentary form of embodiment of this specific feature one of said control members consists of a first control ever provided with a handle disposed externally of the device and adapted to pivot about a fixed axis, another control lever being angularly rigid with said first lever and adapted to drive a finger engaging the studs rigid with one end of said springs to permit the stressing of all the springs in both sections of the mechanism when said first lever is moved from one to the other of its two extreme positions while holding the opposite ends of said springs by means of latches and allowing the springs to expand at the end of the stressing movement by releasing said latches through the inherent movement of said lever, whereby both rods are actuated simultaneously.
According to another form of embodiment of this specific feature the second control member consists of a lever provided with a handle disposed externally of the breaking device and pivoted about a fixed axis (which may be the same as that of said first control member); another lever angularly rigid with said second lever is adapted to drive a finger engaging a stud rigid with the end of a spring and permits of stressing the setting spring of that section of the mechanism which is associated with only one of the contact rods when said second lever is moved from one to the other of its extreme positions while holding the other end of said spring by means of a latch and permitting the expansion of said spring at the end of the setting movement by releasing said latch by means of the inherent movement of said lever, so as to actuate one of the contact rods.
According to a further form of embodiment of this invention, all the movements are obtained from a single spring or group of springs, the same spring or group or springs being adapted to actuate either a single section or both sections of the mechanism.
According to a specific feature of this last disclosed form of embodiment the mechanism comprises two control levers adapted to pivot about an axis, a first lever being provided with a cam contour adapted to engage with a coupling member adapted in turn to lock together the push members of said two rods and to actuate the lock bolt of a latch in order to release one of said pair of push members, the first lever further acting upon a link rigid with the spring stressing strap, a latch consisting of a lever fulcrumed about a fixed axis being adapted to hold the second push member at the end of the spring stressing movement, said latch being released during the spring stressing movement by the setting strap, thus permitting the downward stroke of the second push member and the coupling members of which a positioning stud runs along a fixed guide member and carries along the first push member.
According to another feature of this invention a link solid with the spring stressing strap is pivoted to said second control lever.
According to a specific form of embodiment of the various features set forth hereinabove, clutch means are interposed in the kinematic chain between each control lever and the spring stressing strap.
The attached drawings illustrate diagrammatically by way of example four different forms of embodiment of this invention; in the drawing:
FIG. 1 illustrates in vertical section a breaker device according to a first form of embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of the device shown in FIG. 1 but converted into a sectionalizing grounding switch by means of a rod substitution in the open-circuit position, and
FIG. 3 is a similar diagram showing the closed position of the same member;
FIG. 4 is a similar diagram showing the same device but in the case of a cable-testing operation;
FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic sectional views showing a breaker device according to a second form of embodiment of this invention, in the open and closed positions, respectively, the transformation of the device into a sectionalizing grounding device taking place without any rod substitution;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar views of the same form of embodiment but converted into a sectionalizing grounding device;
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a three-phase breaker device according to a third form of embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 10 is a part-sectional diagram showing one phase of the device of the same third form of embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic views showing, in the case of the same third form of embodiment of the invention, the positions of the component elements of the device and of the first control member in the "open breaker," "set" and "closed" conditions respectively;
FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate diagrammatically, in the case of this third form of embodiment, the positions of the component elements of the device and of the second control member in the "set" and "closed" grounding sectionalizing-switch conditions, respectively;
FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate diagrammatically a fourth form of embodiment of the device wherein the component elements thereof and the first control member are in an "open," "set" and "closed" conditions, respectively;
FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate diagrammatically for this fourth form of embodiment, the positions of the component elements of the device and of the second control member thereof in the "set" and "closed" conditions, respectively, and
FIG. 21 is a detail view showing the clutch means associated with one of the control levers.
As clearly shown in the drawing the breaker device according to this invention which is adapted to operate on the one hand as a device for breaking a high-voltage electric circuit and on the other hand as a grounding sectionalizing device, comprises an external casing characterized by a vessel 1 of electrically insulating material, filled with a suitable dielectric liquid substance 2 and closed at its top by a metal cover 3 (adapted on the other hand to constitute the base of a conventional mechanism, not shown). The lower portion of this vessel 1 may be divided into two cups 1a and 1b as described and illustrated in the copending patent application No. 10,792 filed Feb. 12,1970 by the same applicants
said cups comprising each a transverse partition such as 1c through which extend a contact member 4 (or 5) provided with double plug-in contact means 4a, 4b (5a, 5b). The upper contact means 4a and 5a are the breaking contacts of a breaker device and in the closed condition of this device they receive the ends of sliding rods 6 and 7 electrically interconnected through a conducting bridge piece 8.
The lower contact means 4b and 5b are likewise plug-in contacts adapted to be connected directly or indirectly to connecting conductors 9 and 10 (cable heads, set of bars, etc.).
Another contact 14 connected to a ground circuit is provided at or near the upper portion of the vessel 1.
Each rod 6, 7 comprises an upper portion 6a (or 7a) of electrically insulating material (or externally insulated conducting material) and a lower portion 6b (or 7b) of electrically conducting material; the conducting bridge 8 interconnecting said lower portions 6b and 7b also acts as a coupling yoke permitting the simultaneous translation of rods 6 and 7.
It will be noted that the breaker device comprises two poles per phase; it therefore affords a substantial reduction in the length of the opening stroke, due to the duality of rods 6 and 7.
In the specific form of embodiment contemplated herein the mechanical connections between said bridge 8 and the rods 6, 7 may differ but in all cases the electrical connection is maintained.
According to the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the mode of operation is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the yoke-bridge 8 actuated by an insulated rod 11 responsive to a conventional mechanism (not shown) comprises a pair of through contacts (of annular, segmental or other suitable and known configuration) resiliently engaging the conducting portions 6b, 7b of rods 6 and 7. It may also be noted that in this specific form of embodiment the presence of contacts of this character is justified by the fact that the rods 6 and 7 must be adapted to be separated from the bridge 8 in specific cases to be described presently.
FIG. 1 illustrates the breaker device in the position establishing a circuit between connecting conductors 9 and 10, such as 9, 4b, 4a, 6b, 8, 7b, 5a, 5b and 10.
In contrast thereto, when the pair of rods 6 and 7 and the bridge 8 are in their upper positions the same circuit is open since portions 6b and 7b are separated from contacts 4a and 5a.
In the case of the form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the second function of the device, i.e., the grounding function, notably as far as the connecting conductor 10 is concerned, the half-conducting, half-insulating rod 6 is replaced, as shown in FIG. 2, by a fully conducting rod 15 comprising two sections of different diameter, namely a section 15a of greater diameter adapted to be clamped by contact 14 and a section 15b of smaller diameter adapted to slide through contact 12a of bridge 8. This assembly operates as follows:
when the device is open (rods 6 and 7, bridge 8 in their upper positions), the rod 6 is removed and replaced by a rod 15 of the above-described type; then bridge 8 is grounded; the device is subsequently closed, rod 11 lowers the bridge 8 and also rods 7 and 15. Rod 7 is thus plugged in contact 5a (FIG. 3). Since rod 15 cannot reach contact 4, the ground circuit is obtained through elements 10, 5b, 5a, 7b, 12b, 8, 12a, 15b, 15a and 14.
As clearly shown in FIG. 4, upon completion of the grounding operation the rod 7 can be removed and replaced by a cable-testing rod 16 so that the connection 10 can be tested, this connection leading for example to the cable head.
The conducting bridge 8 as explained hereinabove is grounded and constitutes a shield between connection 9 (connected for example to one of the bars constituting the set of bars of the device) and connection 10 (connected for instance to the cable head) thus protecting the operator against any risk of stray flux.
Of course, the rods 6 and 7 are held or locked against movement in relation to the bridge 8 during the operation of the device. This locking action may be obtained for example by using so-called bayonet coupling, rod 6 (or 7) carrying a stud 17 engaging a groove formed in an anchor member 13 rigid with bridge 8. It will be readily understood that it is only necessary to rotate the rods 6 and 7 about their axes for locking or releasing them in relation to said bridge 8.
In the modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 inclusive the grounding operation does not require a rod substitution as the same rod 18 is used both as a braking member and as a grounding sectionalizing member. The two positions of rod 18 may be obtained by simply rotating this rod, possibly in synchronized relationship through mechanical coupling means provided between the different single-phase rods in case the station unit is of the multiphase type.
As in the above-described example each rod 6 (or 7) comprises a radial stud such as 17 permitting of locking the bridge 8 by inserting this stud into a retaining member 13 somewhat as in a bayonet coupling.
This rod 18, like the rod 6 of the first form of embodiment, consists partly of conducting metal 18b and partly of insulating material 18a. The conducting section 18b comprises at its junction with the insulating section a conducting projection 18c (enlarged portion, collar portion, etc.).
To obtain the "switching" function (open, FIG. 5, or closed, FIG. 6) the rod 18 is mechanically and electrically connected or rigid with bridge 8 and moves bodily therewith during the upward and downward strokes.
On the other hand, to obtain the "grounding" or "grounding sectionalizing device" function, the rod 18 is held against movement and its conducting projection 18c is grounded in this case via contact 14, its conducting section 18b sliding through the contact 12a of bridge 8.
In this case the rod 18 is held against movement by providing a second stud 19 carried by this rod 18 above the projection 18c (this stud 19 being located on one generatrix of rod 18 which is spaced 90° apart from that receiving the first stud 17), second stud 19 being adapted to engage a finger 20 rigid with the vessel 1 above the ground contact 14.
After opening the device (FIG. 5) it is only necessary to rotate the rod 18 through 90° for causing the stud 17 to be released from anchor member 13 (mechanical separation of 8 from 18) and causing the other stud 19 to be engaged under 20 (anchoring of 8 and 1), whereby this rod will remain stationary during the movements of the conducting bridge 8 of which the contact 12a slides along this now stationary rod.
As will be seen in FIG. 8, the device in its closing condition then acts as a sectionalizing device to provide a ground circuit between conductor 10 and ground 14 via elements 10, 5b, 5a, 7b, 12b, 8, 12a, 18b, 18c and 14.
According to the third modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 15 inclusive the device is converted from a breaker device to a grounding sectionalizing device without requiring any manual intervention as far as contact rods are concerned; both functions are obtained through two separate control members 21 and 22.
The device according to this third modified form of embodiment is shown in elevational view in FIG. 9 and comprises three chambers 1 (one per phase) and connections 9a, 9b and 9c (designated by the general reference numeral 9 in FIG. 10) connected to bars 23a, 23b and 23c, respectively (general reference numeral 23 in FIG. 10). The control mechanism is enclosed in a casing C from the opposite sides of which project the ends 24a and 24b of coaxial shafts which are provided with control levers 21, 22 ending with handles 21a and 22a, respectively, constituting the control members mentioned in the foregoing.
As clearly shown in FIGS. 10 to 15 inclusive the breaker device properly so-called consisting essentially of a pair of parallel sliding rods 6 and 7 interconnected by a conducting bridge 8 is housed in the insulating chamber 1 of each phase, divided at its lower portion into two poles 1a and 1b containing the double contact members 4 and 5 respectively, as in the other forms of embodiment described hereinabove. The conducting bridge 8 is rigid with rod 7 but comprises a through contact 12b engaged by the other rod 6; overlying this bridge 8 is a grounded sliding contact 14 adapted to coact with rod 6.
Each plug-in contact element 5b of member 5 is engaged by a rod 10 leading to a cable head 25.
Under these conditions, it is clear that when both sliding rods 6 and 7 are in their lower position (FIG. 13) with their ends clamped in contact elements 4a and 5a, an electric circuit is formed from bar 23 to cable head 25 through the path 9, 4a, 4b, 6, 12a, 8, 7, 5b, 5a, and 23. Thus, the device acts as a breaker switch.
When both rods are in their upper position the same circuit is open since the rods 6 and 7 are extracted from their relevant clamping contact elements 4a and 5a.
Now a two-section mechanism will be described, the design and function of this mechanism being such that one section operates both rods simultaneously and the other section operates only one rod.
Referring to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, it will be seen that a setting member 21 provided with a control handle 21a is adapted, when pivoted about the stationary axis of shafts 24a, 24b, to cause the angular movement of a lever 33 having one end rigid with said setting member 21 and its other end pivotally engaged in a push member 26 jointly engaging registering and coplanar ledges 27 and 28 rigidly connected to one end of compression springs 29 and 30, respectively.
At the end of this downward stroke, lock or latch means of conventional and known type, for example as shown diagrammatically at 31 and 32, are adapted to release the ledges 27 and 28, respectively. The device having previously been operated as a breaker has closed the circuit as explained hereinabove.
These springs 29 and 30 are shown in their released condition in FIG. 11 and in their stressed condition in FIG. 12. When compressed or stressed these springs 29 and 30 can move the pair of rods 6 and 7 until their lower ends are clamped by the contact elements 4a and 5a respectively (FIG. 13).
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 14 and 15, it will be seen that control lever 22 provided with a handle 22a is fulcrumed about a fixed axis materialized by shaft 24b; it is angularly solid with an arm 34 having its outer end pivoted to a push member 35 holding a stud 36 rigid with the lower end of spring 29, a latch member 32 keeping the spring 29 in its compressed stressed condition.
Under these conditions, the angular movement of arm 22 acts only upon the spring 29, thus causing the downward stroke of rod 7 and bridge 8, the other rod 6 remaining in its upper position, in this case.
To sum up, actuating the control lever 21 will stress both springs 29 and 30, and actuating the control lever 22 will stress only spring 29. Under these conditions, by using the member 21 the operator will stress or set both springs of the mechanism in a single movement, and at the end of the setting movement (FIG. 12) as both latch means 31 and 32 operate simultaneously the two groups of rods 6 and 7 also operate synchronously, thus providing a connecting action as a switch member (FIG. 13); on the other hand, when lever 22 alone is actuated (FIG. 14), only one fraction of the spring means is stressed, namely the springs associated with rod 6 connected to the cable box 25. When the latch 32 is dropped at the end of the setting movement, rod 6 moves while rod 7 remains stationary, so as to keep the bridge 8 grounded throughout the stroke. In this position the apparatus is connected as a grounding sectionalizing device (FIG. 15).
The release steps take place in a similar fashion but in the reverse order.
The above-described apparatus is advantageously incorporated in metal-casing prefabricated wiring systems, but it is obvious that the basic principle of this invention is also applicable to the construction of conventional general-purpose switchgears.
In the modified form of embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16 the mechanism comprises a same and single spring for performing all the maneuvers contemplated.
As clearly shown in this FIG. 16, the control lever 21 provided with a handle 21a is fulcrumed about a fixed spindle or shaft 24 and comprises on the one hand a pivot pin 100 to which is attached a link 100a rigid with a setting strap 101 and on the other hand a cam member 102 coacting with a coupling member 103 for engaging the two push movable members 104 and 105 to which the pair of contact rods 6 and 7 are attached.
During the setting movement the control lever 21 compresses through link 100a and setting strap 101 the spring 106 at causes jointly through its cam member 102 the movement of coupling member 103, thus providing a mechanical coupling between the push members 104 and 105 associated with rods 6 and 7.
As clearly shown in FIG. 17, during this setting movement the coupling member 103 releases the bolt 107 holding the push member 104 solid with the fixed portion of the mechanism 108 to the "open" position of the breaker device.
At the end of this setting movement the strap 101 engages the latch member 109 to release same, thus allowing the spring 106 to expand and to move jointly both push members 104 and 105, and therefore the associated contact rods 6 and 7 connecting electrically the both conductors (for example the set of bars 23 and cable head 25, FIG. 18). The coupling member 103 is provided with a positioning stud 110 which, during the movements of said push members, slides along a guide slot 111 formed in a fixed portion of the mechanism, thus ensuring an accurate positioning of said coupling member.
The latch 107 is double and has its two studs disposed on either side of the mechanism; the simultaneous movements of these studs are obtained by means of the transverse shaft 112, and the release takes place in the opposite direction with the assistance of latch member 113.
As shown in FIG. 19, the lever 22 provided with a control handle 22a is fulcrumed about the fixed spindle 24a. It comprises a pivot pin 114 from which a link 115 solid with the setting strap 101 is suspended.
During the setting movement the control lever 22 compresses the spring 106 through link 115 and setting strap 101, and at the end of this movement said strap releases the latch 109, thus permitting the expansion of spring 106 and therefore the movement of push member 104 to which contact 7 is attached (FIG. 20).
On the other hand, and as also shown in FIG. 19, the second lever 22 has no cam portion and therefore does not actuate the coupling member; under these conditions, on the one hand the two push members are independent of each other and on the other hand the latch member 107 keeps holding in a fixed position the push member 105 and the rod 6 attached thereto and electrically connected via ground contact 14 to the metal cover of the breaker device.
The conducting bridge 8 rigid with rod 7 moves bodily with push member 105 by sliding along the fixed contact rod 6 to the "closed" position of the switch device when an electrical connection is established from the ground contact 14 through fixed rod 6, through contact 12b, conducting bridge 8, movable rod 7, and the breaking contact element 5a connected in turn to means 10 (for example a cable head). This corresponds to the "closed" condition of the breaker device as a grounding sectionalizing device (FIG. 20). The release movement takes place in the reverse direction with the assistance of latch member 113.
To prevent the movement of the first lever from causing the movement of the second lever, and vice versa, during the setting operation, these levers are adapted to be disconnected from each other as shown in diagrammatic form in FIG. 21. It is clear that in their inoperative positions these levers are urged by a spring 116 for engagement with the fixed portion 108 of the mechanism so as to be disconnected in relation to link 100a (position "a").
During the initial portion of the setting movement, due to the presence of a member 117 provided with a cam face, the lever moves along its axis or horizontally and causes a pin 100 to engage an orifice formed in said link, thus providing a mechanical coupling between these two members (position "b").
Both levers are provided with this clutch device and a device of known type (not shown) is also provided for interlocking these levers and positively preventing the operation of one lever when the other lever has started its movement.
As will readily occur to those conversant with the art, the various forms of embodiment of the breaker and grounding sectionalizing device described and illustrated herein can easily be incorporated in prefabricated electric station units.
Although a few forms of embodiment of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many modifications and variations may be brought thereto without departing from the basic principles of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.