Remote controlled circuit interrupter

• US 3,883,781 A
• Filed: 09/06/1973
• Issued: 05/13/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Power T&D Co Inc (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: John F. Cotton
• Inventors: Cotton, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hix, L. T.
• Application Number:
  US05/394,906
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 337/47,3 335/17,68 317/14R,58
• US Class Current: 361/37
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/46 having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/68 actuated by electromagnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 73/14 Indicating lamp structurally associated with the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 73/24 reset by lever

Abstract

A circuit breaker with a bimetal actuated latch, which controls both tripping and an overload indicator switch, is provided for emergency control the bimetal actuated latch is adjustable by a remotely controlled emergency control electric operator. An emergency control limit switch is provided so that the status of the emergency control electric operator can be remotely monitored. The circuit interrupter also has a remotely actuated motor operator which is controlled by a limit switch and cam arrangement to automatically shut off at the on and off positions of the circuit interrupter. A contact limit switch is provided to be actuated when the contacts of the circuit interrupter are open to indicate the status of the circuit interrupter. A remotely controlled reset solenoid is provided for resetting the overload indicator switch after it has been released by the bimetal actuated latch.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker comprising:

a stationary contact;

a movable contact;

an elongated contact arm carrying said movable contact at one end thereof;

a primary latch supported for movement about a first axis and being in a latching position, latching the other end of said elongated contact arm;

a second latch in a latched position;

biasing means biasing said second latch toward a tripping position;

a bimetal actuated latch latching said second latch in the latched position;

a spring operating mechanism pivotally connected to said contact arm intermediate the end of said contact arm and being operable to pivot said contact arm about said other end on said primary latch between open and closed positions with a snap action;

a signal latch in a latched position;

said bimetal actuated latch latching said signal latch in the latched position;

a pair of signal contacts associated with said signal latch and being movable from an open to a closed position when said signal latch is released;

said bimetal actuated latch being responsive to current flowing through the circuit breaker so upon the occurrence of lesser overloads above a predetermined value, said bimetal actuated latch releases said signal latch, whereupon said pair of signal contacts moves to a closed position and upon the occurrence of a greater overload above a predetermined value, said bimetal actuated latch also releases said second latch, whereupon said biasing means moves said second latch to effect movement of said primary latch to unlatch said elongated contact arm, whereupon said spring operating mechanism moves said contact arm to a tripped open position; and

, signal reset means being responsive to an electric signal to reset said signal latch in a latch position.

2. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, comprising:

a spring biasing means for biasing said signal latch towards an unlatched position; and

said spring biasing means forming one of said pair of signal contacts.

3. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said signal reset means comprises an electric solenoid linked to said signal latch to reset said signal latch when activated.

4. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3, comprising:

a handle mechanism movable between an on and an off position connected to said spring operating mechanism;

said signal latch having a C-shaped portion with one end being linked by a wire-formed member to said signal reset means; and

said signal latch being disposed so as to contact and be reset by said handle when said handle is moved to the off position.

5. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 4, comprising:

a flat-formed spring biasing said signal latch towards an unlatched position; and

said flat-formed spring forming one of said pair of signal contacts.

6. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 4, comprising:

an electric motor;

said electric motor being connected to said spring operating mechanism to move said primary latch between open and closed positions in response to a remote signal.

7. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1, including:

an electric operator;

said electric operator being responsive to a remote electric signal to move said movable contact between open and closed position.

8. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 6, comprising:

a handle movable between an on and off position connected to said spring operating mechanism to operate said spring operating mechanism;

a gear reducer connected to the output shaft of said motor;

a cam connected to the output shaft of said gear reducer;

linkage means connecting said cam to said handle of said circuit breaker so that said handle mechanism is moved between the on and off positions while said electric motor is run in one direction.

9. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 8, including:

means for stopping said electric motor with said handle located at predetermined positions.

10. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means to stop said motor comprises:

a limit switch through which power flows to said electric motor;

a cam attached to the output shaft of said gear reducer;

said cam and said limit switch being cooperatively associated to interrupt electric power to said motor at predetermined positions of said cam.

11. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 6, including:

an emergency control activator;

connecting means connecting said emergency control activator to said bimetal actuated latch so that when said emergency control activator is moved, the value of the current required to cause said bimetal actuated latch to release said signal latch and said second latch is varied.

12. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 11, comprising:

an electric operator assembly remotely controlled for positioning said emergency control activator.

13. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 12, wherein said electric operator comprises:

an electric solenoid;

emergency control linkage means for connecting said electric solenoid to said emergency control activator so that when said electric solenoid is activated, the position of said emergency control activator is correspondingly changed; and

including, emergency control limit switch disposed so as to indicate the status of said emergency control activator.

14. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 11, comprising a contact limit switch;

said contact limit switch being disposed so as to engage said elongated contact arm when said movable contact is separated from said stationary contact so as to be activated when said circuit breaker is open.

15. A circuit breaker comprising:

a stationary contact;

a movable contact, movable between a closed position in engagement with said stationary contact and an open position spaced from said stationary contact;

an elongated contact arm carrying said movable contact at one end thereof;

a primary latch supported for movemeNt about a first axis and being in a latching position to latch the other end of said elongated contact arm;

a second latch held in a latched position;

biasing means biasing said second latch toward a tripping position;

a bimetal activated latch latching said second latch in the latched position;

a spring operated mechanism pivotally connected to said contact arm intermediate the ends of said contact arm and being operable to pivot said contact arm about said other end on said primary latch between open and closed positions with a snap action;

said bimetal actuated latch being responsive to current flow through the circuit breaker so upon the occurrence of a selected overload above a predetermined value, said bimetal actuated latch release said second latch, whereupon said biasing means moves said second latch to effect movement of said primary latch to unlatch said contact arm, whereupon said spring operating mechanism moves said contact arm to a tripped open position;

an emergency control activator being connected to said bimetal actuated latch so as to change the selected overload above which said bimetal actuated latch releases said second latch; and

an emergency control solenoid connected to said emergency control activator to move said emergency control activator in response to a remote signal so as to change the selected overload current at which said circuit breaker is tripped open.

16. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 15, including:

an emergency control limit switch positioned so as to be activated when said emergency control solenoid is operated to indicate the status of said emergency control activator.

17. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 16, comprising:

a contact position switch;

said contact position switch being located so as to be closed by said elongated contact arm when said movable contact is separated from said stationary contact and the circuit breaker is opened.

18. A circuit breaker comprising:

a stationary contact;

a movable contact;

an elongated contact arm carrying said movable contact at one end thereof;

a primary latch supported for movement about a fixed axis and being in a latching position, latching the other end of said elongated contact arm;

a second latch in a latched position;

biasing means biasing said second latch toward a tripping position;

a bimetal actuated latch latching said second latch in the latched position;

a spring operating mechanism pivotally connected to said connected arm intermediate the ends of said contact arm and being operable to pivot said contact arm about the other end on said primary latch between open and closed positions with a snap action;

said bimetal actuated latch being responsive to current flow through the circuit breaker so upon the occurrence of overload above a predetermined value, said bimetal actuated latch releases said second latch whereupon said biasing means moves said second latch to effect movement of said primary latch to unlatch said contact arm whereupon said spring operating mechanism moves said contact arm to a tripped open position; and

operating control means connected to said spring operating mechanism for operating said spring operating mechanism in response to a remote signal.

19. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 18, wherein said operating control means comprises:

an electric motor having an output shaft;

a gear reducer having an input shaft connected to the output shaft of said electric motor and having an output shaft;

an operating cam attached to the output shaft of said gear reducer;

a handle mechanism connected to said spring operating mechanism and being movable between an on and an off position to move said movable contact from the closed position to the open position;

linkage means connecting said handle mechanism to said operating cam mechanism so that said operating handle mechanism is moved between the on and off positions as Said operating cam is rotated by said electric motor.

20. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 19, wherein said electric motor is operable in one direction only.

21. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 19, including means for stopping said electric motor when said operating handle mechanism is in a predetermined position, comprising:

a control cam attached to the output shaft of said gear reducer;

a limit switch completing an electric circuit to said electric motor and being disposed so as to be activated by said control cam at discrete positions to control operation of said electric motor.

22. A circuit interrupter including a motor operator for remote control, comprising:

a stationary contact;

a movable contact, being movable between a closed position in engagement with said stationary contact and an open position spaced from said stationary contact;

an operating means connected to said movable contact to move said movable contact between the open and closed positions with a snap action;

an electric motor having an output shaft;

a gear reducer having an input shaft, connected to the output shaft of said motor, and an output shaft;

an operating cam connected to the gear reducer output shaft;

a linkage connecting said operating cam to said operating means so that said movable contact is moved between the open and closed positions as said cam is rotated by said electric motor.

23. A circuit interrupter as claimed in claim 22 including:

an electric supply line feeding power to said electric motor;

a motor operator limit switch having a pair of contacts inserted in series with said electric supply line;

a control cam attached to the output shaft of said gear reducer and being cooperatively associated with said motor operator limit switch to open said electric supply line when the circuit interrupter is in the open position and also when the circuit interrupter is in the closed position.

24. A circuit interrupter comprising:

a stationary contact;

a movable contact being movable between a closed position in engagement with the said stationary contact and an open position spaced from said stationary contact;

an operating means connected to said movable contact to move said movable contact between the open and closed positions with a snap action;

a bimetal actuated latch latching said movable contact in the closed position;

spring biasing means connected to said movable contact to bias said movable contact towards the open position;

said bimetal actuated latch being responsive to current flow through the circuit interrupter so upon the occurrence of a tripping overload current above a predetermined value, said bimetal actuated latch releases said movable contact whereupon said circuit interrupter opens;

an emergency control actuator connected to said bimetal actuated latch and being movable between a normal position in which said bimetal actuated latch releases at predetermined current overload and an overload position wherein said bimetal actuated latch trips at a current level greater than the predetermined overload current; and

an electric solenoid connected to said emergency control activator to move said emergency control activator between the normal position and the overload position in response to a remote signal.

25. A circuit interrupter as claimed in claim 24, including:

an emergency control limit switch;

linkage means connecting said emergency control activator to said electric solenoid;

said emergency control limit switch being cooperatively associated with said emergency control linkage means so as to indicate the status of said emergency control activator.

26. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 25, including a electric operator being remotely controlled and connected to said operating means to activate said operating means in response to a remote control signal.

27. A circuit interrupter as claimed in claim 26, including a liMit switch disposed so as to contact said movable contact when said movable contact is in the open position, to thereby indicate the position of said movable contact.

28. A distribution transformer including:

a housing;

a core disposed within said housing;

a circuit interrupted disposed within said housing and being switchable between an open position, wherein the electrical connections through said transformer are open, and a closed position, wherein the electrical connections through said transformer are closed, in response to a remote signal;

an electric operator connected to said circuit interrupter and disposed within said housing for switching said circuit interrupter between an open and closed position in response to the remote signal; and

a control winding surrounding a portion of said core for supplying electric power to energize said electric operator.

29. A transformer as claimed in claim 28 wherein said control winding comprises;

a flat multiconductor cable disposed around a portion of said core; and

said flat multiconductor cable being connected with the ends of said flat multiconductor cable offset one conductor and spliced together to provide the desired operating voltage.

30. A distribution transformer as claimed in claim 29, wherein said circuit interrupter comprises:

a stationary contact;

a movable contact;

an elongated contact arm carrying said movable contact at one end thereof;

a primary latch supported for movement about a fixed axis and being in a latching position, latching the other end of said elongated contact arm;

a second latch in a latched position;

biasing means biasing said second latch toward a tripping position;

a bimetal actuated latch latching said second latch in the latched position;

a spring operating mechanism pivotally connected to said contact arm intermediate the ends of said contact arm and being operable to pivot said contact arm about the other end of said primary latch between open and closed positions with a snap action;

said bimetal actuated latch being responsive to current flow through the circuit breaker so upon the occurrence of overload above a predetermined value, said bimetal actuated latch releases said second latch whereupon said biasing means moves said second latch to effect movement of said primary larch to unlatch said contact arm whereupon said spring operating mechanism moves said contact arm to a tripped open position; and

, said electric operator being connected to said spring operating mechanism for operating said spring operating mechanism in response to a remote signal.

31. A distribution transformer as claimed in claim 30, wherein said electric operator comprises:

an electric motor having an output shaft;

a gear reducer having an input shaft connected to the output shaft of said electric motor and having an output shaft;

an operating cam attached to the output shaft of said gear reducer;

a handle mechanism connected to said spring operating mechanism and being movable between an on and an off position to move said movable contact from the closed position to the open position;

linkage means connecting said handle mechanism to said operating cam mechanism so that said operating handle mechanism is moved between the on and off positions as said operating cam is rotated by said electric motor.

32. A distribution transformer as claimed in claim 31, comprising:

a contact position switch;

said contact position switch being located so as to be closed by said elongated contact arm when said movable contact is separated from said stationary contact and said circuit interrupter is opened.