Assembly for engaging an electromagnetic actuator

A lock-out mechanism for a interrupter comprising:

• at least one vacuum circuit breaker assembly comprising a fixed conductive contact and a movable conductive contact, the movable conductive contact connected to a push rod having an over-travel spring, the over-travel spring configured to separate the fixed conductive contact from the movable conductive contact upon movement of the push rod away from the fixed conductive contact;
• at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly comprising a fixed permanent magnet, a plunger and a sliding armature having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the over-travel spring of the at least one vacuum circuit breaker assembly and the second end connected to the plunger, the at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly having an activated state and a deactivated state, wherein the activated state is defined by the plunger contacting the fixed permanent magnet and the deactivated state defined by the plunger separated from the fixed permanent magnet, the at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly configured to conductively separate the movable conductive contact from the fixed conductive contact;
• and
• an assembly comprising:
• a first shaft having a first end connected to an input crank and a first link located along the first shaft, the first shaft and the first link rotatable about a first axis in a first angular direction;
• a second shaft having a second link located along the second shaft, and a contact arm located along the second shaft, the second link and the contact arm rotatable about a second axis in the first angular direction, the contact arm configured to advance the sliding armature of the at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly;
• and
• a biasing assembly having a movable first member connected to the first link, a movable second member connected to the second link, and a biasing member disposed between the first movable member and the second movable member, the biasing assembly rotatable about a biasing assembly axis in a second angular direction between an initial position and a final position,
• wherein rotation of the first link in the first angular direction between the initial position and a toggle-over position causes the biasing member to rotate in the second angular direction, and the first movable member and the second movable member to compress the biasing member, and
• wherein rotation of the first link in the first angular direction between the toggle-over position and the final position causes the biasing member to urge the first movable member and the second movable member away from the biasing member.

A method for locking-out an interrupter, the method comprising:

• rotating an input crank of a mechanical assembly in a first angular direction such that a contact arm of the mechanical assembly is rotated from an initial position to a contact position;
• rotating the input crank in the first angular direction such that the contact arm of the mechanical assembly is rotated from the contact position to a toggle-over position;
• and
• rotating the input crank in the first angular direction such that the contact arm of the mechanical assembly is rotated from the toggle-over position to a final position,
• wherein the mechanical assembly comprises:
• a first shaft having a first end connected to the input crank and a first link located along the first shaft, the first shaft and the first link rotatable about a first axis in the first angular direction;
• a second shaft having a second link located along the second shaft, and the contact arm located along the second shaft, the second link and the contact arm rotatable about a second axis in the first angular direction, the contact arm configured to advance a sliding armature of at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly;
• and
• a biasing assembly having a movable first member connected to the first link, a movable second member connected to the second link, and a biasing member disposed between the first movable member and the second movable member, the biasing assembly rotatable about a biasing assembly axis in a second angular direction between an initial position and a final position,
• wherein the at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly comprises a fixed permanent magnet, a plunger and a sliding armature having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to an over-travel spring of at least one vacuum circuit breaker assembly and the second end connected to the plunger, the at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly having an activated state and a deactivated state, and
• wherein the activated state is defined by the plunger contacting the fixed permanent magnet and the deactivated state defined by the plunger separated from the fixed permanent magnet, the at least one electromagnetic actuator assembly configured to conductively separate a movable conductive contact from a fixed conductive contact.