Bi-stable transfer switch
AssigneeAlpha Technologies Inc.
InventorsDouglas Manness, Robert Popove, Daniel Wahlgren
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power transfer switch suitable as a bypass switch connecting a utility feed to a load comprises a bi-stable actuator selectively driven by a compression means charged by a handle. A latch retains the actuator until suitable power source conditions are detected to allow the transfer to proceed. The controller releases the latch and the actuator abuts breakers in sequence to effect a reliable make-before-break or break-before-make transfer.
Claims32
A power transfer switch for transferring a load from a connected source to a destination source, comprising:
- an abutment member mounted to pivot in a direction of travel between two positions;
- said abutment member configured such that during a pivoting motion in said direction, said abutment member
- acts on and applies force first to a first switch beginning at a first point in the travel of the abutment member, and
- later acts on and applies force to a second switch beginning at a second point in the travel of the abutment member such that said travel between said two positions acts to toggle said first and second switches non-simultaneously;
- and
- a latch for selectively engaging said abutment member to restrain said abutment member from moving.
A power transfer switch for transferring a load between a utility and an uninterruptible power supply, comprising:
- a displaceable linkage for abutting a first breaker that selectively connects or disconnects said load from said utility and a second breaker that selectively connects or disconnects said load from said uninterruptible power supply, displacement of said linkage causing abutment of said linkage against said first and second breakers to toggle said first and second breakers between a connected state and a disconnected state;
- a compression spring mounted in a bi-stable over center configuration between a handle and said linkage so as to exert a driving force on said linkage when said linkage is displaced past a fulcrum point;
- a handle for compressing said compression spring;
- a releasable latch configured to selectively restrain said linkage from displacement;
- and,
- a controller for controlling the release of said latch.
A power transfer switch for transferring a load from a connected source to a destination source, comprising:
- an abutment member mounted to pivot in a direction of travel between two positions;
- said abutment member configured such that during a pivoting motion in said direction, said abutment member acts on and applies force first to a first switch beginning at a first point in the travel of the abutment member, and later to a second switch beginning at a second point in the travel of the abutment ‘member such that said travel between said two positions acts to toggle said first and second switches non-simultaneously;
- a latch for selectively engaging said abutment member to restrain said abutment member from moving;
- and
- a bias member selectively applying force on said abutment member in said direction, and wherein engagement of said latch on said abutment member prevents said bias member from causing said abutment member to travel between said two positions, and release of said latch from said abutment member allows said bias member to cause said abutment member to travel between said two positions.
A power transfer switch for transferring a load from a connected source to a destination source, comprising:
- an abutment member mounted to pivot in a direction of travel between two positions;
- said abutment member configured such that during a pivoting motion in said direction, said abutment member acts on and applies force first to a first switch beginning at a first point in the travel of the abutment member, and later to a second switch beginning at a second point in the travel of the abutment member such that said travel between said two positions acts to toggle said first and second switches non-simultaneously;
- wherein said abutment member comprises a plurality of abutment surfaces, a first one of said abutment surfaces being spaced from a second one of said abutment surfaces along said direction, said first and second abutment surfaces during said travel urging said first and second switches respectively to non-simultaneously toggle from a first toggle position to a second toggle position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.