US 2014/0232490 A1 · SOLENOID-DRIVEN AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH

Abstract

A solenoid-driven automatic bus transfer switch may automatically transfer one or more electrical loads from a first power source to a second power source, or vice versa, in the event of a power failure or other casualty that affects either power source. The transfer switch may be operated in response to the energization of a solenoid coil, which causes a main shaft having a transfer element to rotate from being in contact with the first power source to being in contact with the second power source. The transfer element may be spring-mounted to the shaft, which ensures that a sufficient electrical contact exists between the surfaces of the transfer element and the respective leads of the first and second power sources, regardless of any wear or degradation that may be experienced at any of the surfaces.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A transfer switch for transferring a load from a normal power source to an alternate power source comprising:

a source platform;
a load platform supported by a frame mounted to a top face of the source platform;
a transfer element mounted to a rotatable shaft that defines an axis, wherein the rotatable shaft is supported by the frame;
a normal source contact mounted to the top face of the source platform on a normal side of the axis;
an alternate source contact mounted to the top face of the source platform on an alternate side of the axis;
a load contact supported by the load platform;
and
a flexible conductor formed in a continuous loop, wherein the flexible conductor provides at least one conductive path between the transfer element and the load contact,
wherein the rotatable shaft is adapted to place the transfer element in electrical contact with the normal source contact when the rotatable shaft is in a normal position,
wherein the rotatable shaft is adapted to place the transfer element in electrical contact with the alternate source contact when the rotatable shaft is in an alternate position, and
wherein the automatic transfer switch is mass-centered about the axis.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solenoid-driven automatic transfer switch

Life of this patent

Solenoid-driven automatic transfer switch

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19