# US 2021/0280376 A1 · Transfer switch contactor mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0280376 A1 - Document ID: US20210280376A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/168,331 - Filed: 2021-02-05 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-05 - Assignees: Generac Power Systems, Inc. - Applicants: Generac Power Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Debra J. Miller; Joseph Peter Gerovac; Joseph M. Finney; Nicholas P. Brusky - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210280376A1 ## CPC - H01H 3/26: using dynamo-electric motor (for storing energy in a spring motor H01H3/30) - H01H 3/38: using spring or other flexible shaft coupling - H01H 3/40: using friction, toothed, or screw-and-nut gearing - H01H 2300/018: Application transfer; between utility and emergency power supply - H02J 9/062: {for AC powered loads} - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract An automatic transfer switch includes a motor and a drive shaft rotatable by the motor. The automatic transfer switch includes a gear rotatable by the drive shaft. The gear has a plurality of teeth offset from a central axis of the gear and the teeth are engageable by the drive shaft. The automatic transfer switch includes a pin attached to, and movable with, the gear. The pin is offset from the central axis of the gear. The automatic transfer switch includes a bracket rotatable around the central axis of the gear and connected to an output shaft. The bracket is rotatable separately from the gear. Upon rotation of the bracket, the output shaft rotates. The bracket has at least a first source position and a second source position and the first and second source positions are different. The automatic transfer switch includes a chargeable motivator that has a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the pin and the second end is connected to a portion of the bracket offset from the central axis. The chargeable motivator is at least partially charged upon movement of the pin to motivate the movement of the bracket between the first and second source positions. The automatic transfer switch includes a module connected to the output shaft. The module includes at least one movable electrical contact and the at least one electrical contact moves upon rotation of the output shaft. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An automatic transfer switch comprising: a motor; a drive shaft rotatable by the motor; a gear rotatable by the drive shaft, the gear having a plurality of teeth offset from a central axis of the gear, wherein the teeth are engageable by the drive shaft; a pin attached to, and movable with, the gear, the pin being offset from the central axis of the gear; a bracket rotatable around the central axis of the gear and connected to an output shaft, the bracket being rotatable separately from the gear, wherein upon rotation of the bracket, the output shaft rotates, the bracket having at least a first source position and a second source position, wherein the first and second source positions are different; a chargeable motivator having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the pin and the second end being connected to a portion of the bracket offset from the central axis, wherein the chargeable motivator is at least partially charged upon movement of the pin to motivate the movement of the bracket between the first and second source positions; and a module connected to the output shaft and including at least one movable electrical contact, wherein the at least one electrical contact moves upon rotation of the output shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, further comprising a gear rotation brake, wherein the gear rotation brake reduces the speed at which the gear rotates. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the gear is a first gear, wherein the electrical contact mechanism further includes a second gear rotatable by the drive shaft and with the first gear, wherein the pin is attached to, and movable with, the first and second gears. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The automatic transfer switch of claim 3, further comprising a first gear rotation brake and a second gear rotation brake, wherein each gear rotation brake reduces the speed at which the first and second gears rotate, respectively. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, further comprising a first kicker and a second kicker, wherein the first kicker and the second kicker contact the bracket to urge the bracket between the first and second source positions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the bracket has an OFF position between the first and second source positions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, further comprising a holder configured to hold the bracket in at least one of the first or second source positions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The automatic transfer switch of claim 7, wherein the holder includes a pair of arms configured to hold the bracket in at least one of the first or second source positions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The automatic transfer switch of claim 8, wherein the arms are charged via springs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The automatic transfer switch of claim 8, wherein the arms are charged with gas. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the chargeable motivator includes at least one spring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the chargeable motivator includes a pair of springs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is rotatable by a manually operated gear, separate from the motor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the motor is a first motor and the drive shaft is rotatable by the first motor and a second motor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, further comprising a first mechanical stop and a second mechanical stop, wherein the first mechanical stop stops the rotation of the bracket when the bracket is in the first source position, and wherein the second mechanical stop stops the rotation of the bracket when the bracket is in the second source position. ### Claim 16 An electrical contactor mechanism for an automatic transfer switch comprising: a housing; a first motor mounted within the housing; a second motor mounted within the housing; a drive shaft rotatable simultaneously by the first and second motors; a first gear mounted within the housing and rotatable by the drive shaft, the first gear having a plurality of teeth offset from a central axis of the first gear, wherein the teeth are engageable by the drive shaft; a second gear mounted within the housing and rotatable by the drive shaft, the second gear having a plurality of teeth offset from the central axis, wherein the teeth are engageable by the drive shaft; a pin attached to, and movable with, the first and second gears, the pin being offset from the central axis; a bracket rotatable around the central axis and connected to an output shaft, the bracket being rotatable separately from the first and second gears, wherein, upon rotation of the bracket, the output shaft rotates, the bracket having at least a first source position and a second source position, wherein the first and second source positions are different; and a chargeable motivator including a pair of springs, the chargeable motivator having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the pin and the second end being connected to a portion of the bracket offset from the central axis, wherein the springs of the chargeable motivator are at least partially stretched upon movement of the pin to urge the movement of the bracket between the first and second source positions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The electrical contactor mechanism of claim 16, further comprising a module connected to the output shaft and including at least one movable electrical contact, wherein the at least one electrical contact moves upon rotation of the output shaft. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The electrical contactor mechanism of claim 16, further comprising a first kicker and a second kicker each mounted inside of the housing, wherein the first kicker and the second kicker contact the bracket to urge the bracket between the first and second source positions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The electrical contactor mechanism of claim 16, further comprising a holder mounted outside of the housing and configured to hold the bracket in at least one of the first or second source positions. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The electrical contactor mechanism of claim 16, wherein the bracket has an OFF position between the first and second source positions. ### Claim 21 An automatic transfer switch comprising: a first motor; a second motor; a drive shaft rotatable simultaneously by the first and second motors; a first gear rotatable by the drive shaft, the first gear having a plurality of teeth offset from a central axis of the first gear, wherein the teeth are engageable by the drive shaft; a second gear rotatable by the drive shaft, the second gear having a plurality of teeth offset from the central axis, wherein the teeth are engageable by the drive shaft; a pin attached to, and movable with, the first and second gears, the pin being offset from the central axis; a bracket rotatable around the central axis and connected to an output shaft, the bracket being rotatable separately from the first and second gears, wherein, upon rotation of the bracket, the output shaft rotates, the bracket having at least a first source position and a second source position, wherein the first and second source positions are different; a chargeable motivator including a pair of springs, the chargeable motivator having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the pin and the second end being connected to a portion of the bracket offset from the central axis, wherein the springs of the chargeable motivator are at least partially stretched upon movement of the pin to urge the movement of the bracket between the first and second source positions; and a module connected to the output shaft and including at least one movable electrical contact, wherein the at least one electrical contact moves upon rotation of the output shaft. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The automatic transfer switch of claim 21, further comprising a first kicker and a second kicker, wherein the first kicker and the second kicker contact the bracket to urge the bracket between the first and second source positions. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The automatic transfer switch of claim 21, further comprising a holder configured to hold the bracket in at least one of the first or second source positions. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The automatic transfer switch of claim 21, wherein the bracket has an OFF position between the first and second source positions.