Disconnect switch assemblies with a shared actuator that concurrently applies motive forces in opposing directions and related circuit breakers and methods

A method of operating a disconnect switch assembly, comprising:

• providing the disconnect switch assembly, wherein the disconnect switch assembly comprises a first vacuum interrupter disconnect switch, a second vacuum interrupter disconnect switch and a first drive actuator therebetween, each of the first and second vacuum interrupter disconnect switches comprising a respective vacuum chamber enclosing a fixed contact and a movable contact;
• and
• actuating the first drive actuator to concurrently apply a first motive force in a first direction to the movable contact in the first vacuum interrupter disconnect switch and a second motive force in an opposing second direction to the movable contact in the second vacuum interrupter disconnect switch to thereby move the movable contacts to an initial opening position,
• wherein the disconnect switch assembly further comprises a second drive actuator coupled to the first vacuum interrupter disconnect switch and a third drive actuator coupled to the second vacuum interrupter disconnect switch, the method further comprising:
• before or concurrently with actuating the first drive actuator to apply the first and second motive forces, directing the second drive actuator to apply a motive force to the first vacuum interrupter disconnect switch in a direction opposing the first motive force applied by the first actuator while directing the third drive actuator to apply a motive force to the second vacuum interrupter disconnect switch in a direction opposing the second motive force applied by the first actuator during an opening operation to thereby define a separation gap between respective fixed and movable contacts.