Switchgear system having chain driven circuit breaker and associated methods

A switchgear system, comprising:

• a switchgear frame including an interior compartment and primary and secondary circuits;
• a truck carrying a circuit breaker, the truck supported for linear movement on the switchgear frame;
• a drive mechanism mounted on the switchgear frame and connected to the truck, the drive mechanism configured to rack the circuit breaker into:
• a connected position where the primary and secondary circuits are electrically connected, and
• a disconnected position where both primary and secondary circuits are electrically disconnected, wherein said drive mechanism comprises:
• a drive chain,
• first and second sprockets interconnecting the drive chain,
• a shuttle carried by the drive chain and configured to engage the truck and rack in and fix the circuit breaker into the connected position, and
• a pin that locks the truck to the shuttle at a position adjacent to the second sprocket when the circuit breaker is in the connected position.

A method for operating a switchgear system having:

• a switchgear frame, the switchgear frame including an interior compartment and primary and secondary circuits,
• a drive mechanism mounted to the switchgear frame, the drive mechanism comprising a drive chain and a shuttle carried by the drive chain, and
• a truck carrying a circuit breaker, the method comprising:
• electrically connecting the primary and secondary circuits by operating the drive mechanism and racking in and fixing the circuit breaker into a connected position, and
• racking out the circuit breaker and electrically disconnecting the primary and secondary circuits at a disconnected position.