US 4,233,643 A · Electrical power switching apparatus with sliding fuse drawer and interlock system · patentgrep

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Abstract

A switching apparatus (10) for use in an electrical control device is disclosed. The apparatus (10) includes a housing (12) divided into a switching section (28) and a bus section (26). The bus section (26) has a plurality of bus members (82) for supplying incoming electrical current. A fuse chassis (96) is attached to the housing (12) for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section (28). A plurality of fuse units (116) are held in the fuse chassis (96). A contactor mechanism (124) is supported in the switching section (28) for connecting and disconnecting the flow of current from the bus members (82) to an electrically actuated device. A first connector mechanism (162-166) connects first ends of the fuse units (116) to the bus members (82), and a second connector mechanism connects second ends of the fuse units (116) to the contactor mechanism (124). A door (34) is attached to a front face ( 14) of the housing (12) for pivotable motion between an opened and a closed position. A moving mechanism (220) is provided for moving the fuse chassis (96) between an engaged position and an isolated position.

Drawings

Claims55

Dependent claims

A switching apparatus for use in an electrical control device comprising:

a housing having a switching section and a bus section, said bus section having at least one bus member for supplying incoming electrical current;
a fuse chassis attached to said housing for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section of said housing;
means holding at least one fuse in said fuse chassis;
a contactor mechanism supported in the switching section of said housing forward of said bus section and vertically away from said fuse chassis for connecting and disconnecting flow of current from said at least one bus member to an electrically actuated device, said contactor mechanism being movable between an activated and a deactivated position wherein current is capable of flowing from said at least one bus member to the electrically activated device in said activated position but not in said deactivated position;
first connector means for connecting a first end of said at least one fuse to said at least one bus member, said first connector means including a discrete bus contact connected to said at least one bus member and a first descrete fuse contact engaging a first end of said at least one fuse, said first fuse contact being located at the rearward end of said fuse chassis;
second connector means for connecting a second end of said at least one fuse to said contactor mechanism, said second connector means including a second discrete fuse contact for engaging a second end of said at least one fuse and a discrete contactor contact for connecting said second fuse contact to said contactor mechanism;
a door attached to a front face of said housing for pivotal motion between an open and a closed position;
and
means for moving said fuse chassis between an engaged position and an isolated position, said first and second connector means connecting said at least one fuse between said at least one bus member and said contactor mechanism in said engaged position and said at least one fuse being disconnected from both said at least one bus member and said contactor mechanism in said isolated position, said fuse chassis moving means being actuated from outside said housing.

6 more elements

A switching apparatus for use in an electrical control device comprising:

a housing having a switching section and a bus section, said bus section having at least one bus member for supplying incoming electrical current;
a fuse chassis attached to said housing for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section of said housing;
means holding at least one fuse in said fuse chassis;
a contactor mechanism supported in the switching section of said housing for connecting and disconnecting flow of current from said bus member to an electrically actuated device, said contactor mechanism being movable between an activated and a deactivated position wherein current is capable of flowing from said bus member to the electrically activated device in said activated position but not in said deactivated position;
first connector means for connecting a first end of said fuse to said bus member;
second connector means for connecting a second end of said fuse to said contactor mechanism;
a door attached to a front face of said housing for pivotal motion between an open and a closed position;
means for moving said fuse chassis between an engaged position and an isolated position, said first and second connector means connecting said fuse between said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said engaged position and said fuse being disconnected from both said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said isolated position, said fuse chassis moving means being actuated from outside said housing;
and
interlock means comprising barrier means for blocking access to said bus members from the switching section when said fuse chassis is in the isolated position, said barrier means including a stationary plate interposed between said switching section and said bus section, said stationary plate having apertures for permitting said first connector means to connect the first ends of said fuses to said bus members, a movable barrier plate having a solid portion for blocking the apertures of said stationary plate when said fuse chassis is in the isolated position, said movable barrier plate having apertures for alignment with the apertures of said stationary plate when said fuse chassis is in the engaged position, and means for moving said barrier plate between a position wherein the apertures of said stationary plate are blocked and a position wherein the apertures of said barrier plate are in alignment with the apertures of said stationary plate;
said barrier plate moving means including first linkage means for operatively connecting the barrier plate moving means to the fuse chassis moving means, said first linkage means including a first link arm, a coupling plate, a rod and a drive arm, said first link arm having a first end pivotably coupled to a portion of said fuse chassis moving means and a second end pivotably coupled to said coupling plate, said rod being supported within said switching section, said coupling plate being carried by said rod for rotary motion about its axis, said drive arm having a first section pivotably coupled to said coupling plate and a second section pivotably coupled to said movable barrier plate, means for attaching said movable barrier plate to said stationary plate for parallel motion relative to said stationary plate whereby the pivoting of said coupling plate about the axis of said rod moves said barrier plate upwardly and downwardly.

8 more elements

A switching apparatus for use in an electrical control device comprising:

a housing having a switching section and a bus section, said bus section having at least one bus member for supplying incoming electrical current;
a fuse chassis attached to said housing for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section of said housing;
means holding at least one fuse in said fuse chassis;
a contactor mechanism supported in the switching section of said housing for connecting and disconnecting flow of current from said bus member to an electrically actuated device, said contactor mechanism being movable between an activated and a deactivated position wherein current is capable of flowing from said bus member to the electrically activated device in said activated position but not in said deactivated position;
first connector means for connecting a first end of said fuse to said bus member;
second connector means for connecting a second end of said fuse to said contactor mechanism;
a door attached to a front face of said housing for pivotal motion between an open and a closed position;
and
means for moving said fuse chassis between an engaged position and an isolated position, said first and second connector means connecting said fuse between said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said engaged position and said fuse being disconnected from both said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said isolated position, said fuse chassis moving means being actuated from outside said housing;
said fuse chassis moving means including a chain driven mechanism and means for connecting the chain driven mechanism to said fuse chassis, and including interlock means for preventing the withdrawal of said fuse chassis from its engaged position except through the activation of said chain driven mechanism and for preventing the insertion of the fuse chassis to its engaged position from its isolated position except through the activation of said chain driven mechanism.

7 more elements

A switching apparatus for use in an electrical control device comprising:

a housing having a switching section and a bus section, said bus section having at least one bus member for supplying incoming electrical current;
a fuse chassis attached to said housing for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section of said housing;
means holding at least one fuse in said fuse chassis;
a contactor mechanism supported in the switching section of said housing for connecting and disconnecting flow of current from said bus member to an electrically actuated device, said contactor mechanism being movable between an activated and a deactivated position wherein current is capable of flowing from said bus member to the electrically activated device in said activated position but not in said deactivated position;
first connector means for connecting a first end of said fuse to said bus member;
second connector means for connecting a second end of said fuse to said contactor mechanism;
a door attached to a front face of said housing for pivotal motion between an open and a closed position;
means for moving said fuse chassis between an engaged position and an isolated position, said first and second connector means connecting said fuse between said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said engaged position and said fuse being disconnected from both said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said isolated position, said fuse chassis moving means being actuated from outside said housing;
and
a latching means for locking said door in its closed position, said latching means including a rotatable handle disposed outside said door, an actuator bar disposed on the inside of said door and connected to said handle for rotary motion therewith, a pivotable latch plate, and a flange secured to the inside of said door adjacent said pivotable latch plate, said actuator bar in a locking position of said handle contacting said pivotable latch plate to thereby move said latch plate to a position wherein a portion of said latch plate is received within a slot of said flange to thereby lock said door in its closed position.

7 more elements

A switching apparatus for use in an electrical control device comprising:

a housing divided into a switching section and a bus section, said bus section having a plurality of bus members for supplying incoming electrical current;
a fuse chassis supported in said housing;
means for supporting said fuse chassis in said housing for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section of said housing;
means holding a plurality of fuses in said fuse chassis;
a contactor mechanism supported in the switching section of said housing for connecting and disconnecting flow of current from said bus members to an electrically actuated device, said connector mechanism including a plurality of vacuum switching means for performing the connecting and disconnecting function, said connector mechanism being movable between an activated and a deactivated position wherein current is capable of flowing from said bus members to the electrically actuated device in said activated position but not in said deactivated position;
first connector means for connecting first ends of said fuses to said bus members;
second connector means for connecting second ends of said fuses to said vacuum switching means;
a door attached to a front face of said housing for pivotal motion between an open and a closed position;
latching means for locking said door in said closed position;
means for moving said fuse chassis between an engaged and an isolated position, said first and second connector means connecting said fuses between said bus members and said vacuum switches in said engaged positions and said fuses being disconnected from both said bus members and said vacuum switches in said isolated position, said fuse chassis moving means being actuatable from outside said housing;
first interlock means comprising barrier means for blocking access to said bus members from the switching section when said fuse chassis is in the isolated position;
second interlock means for preventing the withdrawal of said fuse chassis from its engaged position and for preventing the movement of said fuse chassis from its isolated position to its engaged position when said contactor mechanism is in its activated position;
third interlock means for preventing the withdrawal of said fuse chassis from its engaged position except through the activation of said moving means;
fourth interlock means comprised of an electrical interlock means for preventing the activation of said vacuum switches unless said fuse chassis is in its engaged position;
fifth interlock means for preventing the opening of said door when said fuse chassis is in its engaged position;
and
sixth interlock means for preventing the movement of said fuse chassis from its isolated position to its engaged position when said door is open.

14 more elements

A switching apparatus for use in an electrical control device comprising:

a housing having a switching section and a bus section, said bus section having at least one bus member for supplying incoming electrical current;
a fuse chassis attached to said housing for reciprocal movement into and out of the switching section of said housing;
means holding at least one fuse in said fuse chassis;
a contactor mechanism supported in the switching section of said housing for connecting and disconnecting flow of current from said bus member to an electrically actuated device, said contactor mechanism being movable between an activated and a deactivated position wherein current is capable of flowing from said bus member to the electrically activated device in said activated position but not in said deactivated position;
first connector means for connecting a first end of said fuse to said bus member;
second connector means for connecting a second end of said fuse to said contactor mechanism;
a door attached to a front face of said housing for pivotal motion between an open and a closed position;
means for moving said fuse chassis between an engaged position and an isolated position, said first and second connector means connecting said fuse between said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said engaged position and said fuse being disconnected from both said bus member and said contactor mechanism in said isolated position, said fuse chassis moving means being actuated from outside said housing;
interlock means for preventing the withdrawal of said fuse chassis from its engaged position and for preventing the movement of said fuse chassis from its isolated position to its engaged position when said contactor mechanism is in its activated position, said interlock means including linkage means and a movable blocking means, said linkage means being coupled to a movable portion of said contactor mechanism and to said movable blocking means for transferring motion of said movable portion of the contactor mechanism to said blocking means, and said movable blocking means obstructing the motion of said fuse chassis when said contactor mechanism is activated;
and
said linkage means including a connecting link, an arm and a blocking rod, said connecting link having a first end pivotably connected to the movable portion of said contactor mechanism and a second end, said arm having a stationary pivot point about which it pivots, said blocking rod having a first end in contact with said arm at a location spaced from said pivot point, the second end of said connecting link being connected to said arm intermediate its pivot point and the point of contact with said blocking rod whereby upward and downward motion of said connecting link moves said blocking rod upwardly and downwardly, a flange member extending from said fuse chassis and being disposed rearward of said blocking rod in the fuse chassis engaged position and forward of said blocking rod in fuse chassis isolated position whereby the motion of the fuse chassis beyond said blocking rod is prevented when said blocking rod is in its upward position.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description10,085 words

Summary1,414 words

#The present invention relates to electrical power switching apparatus. The power switching apparatus of the present invention is utilized in motor control operations for motors starting duty in the medium voltage (2300-7200 volts) class. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus of a power module which incorporates the switching, fusing and isolating functions for the motor starter within a single compact housing.

#Numerous types of electrical power switching apparatus are known in the prior art. Different types of switching mechanisms are generally used within different voltage ranges. Within lower voltage ranges simple mechanical switches may prove suitable. In the higher voltage ranges, more complex and generally bulky switching mechanisms are required. Safety, reliability and space efficiency are important design criteria for the switching mechanisms utilized in the higher voltage ranges.

#Within the medium voltage class, i.e. 2300-7200 volts, the typical switching mechanisms have generally been large. One reason for the large size of these prior art devices, has been the need to space the fuses a sufficient distance from the switching mechanism in order to protect the fuses from the arcing which usually occurs at the switching mechanism. Also, this type of prior art device has proven cumbersome to operate or repair because the fuses and the switches have been fixed together so that a large and sturdy roller system is required to move the fuses and the switches in unison.

Brief description of the drawings19 figures

#FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a switching apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side sectional view taken generally along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken generally along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

Detailed description8,349 words

#Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 an electrical power switching apparatus, designated generally as 10. The apparatus 10 includes a frame or housing 12 having a front face 14, a back face 16, a top face 18, a bottom face 20, and a pair of opposed side faces 22, 24. The housing is divided into a bus section 26 and a switching section 28. The bus section 26 is located at the rear of the housing 12, while the switching section 28 is located in front of the bus section 26.

#The back face 16 has an opening 30 which permits incoming high voltage lines to be connected to the bus section 26. The incoming voltage lines are generally in the medium voltage class, i.e. 2300-7200 volts. The side face 22 also has an opening 32. The opening 32 permits additional components (not shown) to be attached to the side face 22 so that the apparatus 10 can be incorporated into a modular designed system. A door 34 is mounted to the front face 14 for a pivotable motion about a hinge mechanism 36. The door 34 is pivotable between an open position wherein access is gained to the interior of the switching section 28 and a closed position wherein access is blocked. A solid mounting section 38 extends along the front face 14 at one side of the door 34. A plurality of air inlet slots 40 are formed in the door 34 adjacent its lower end. A barrier 41 is attached to the interior of the door 34 above the slots 40.

#A plurality of support members, hereinafter more fully described, are secured within the housing 12 to support the various components of the apparatus 10. An upright support member 42 extends vertically along the opening 32 in the side face 22. A first lower horizontal support member 44 is attached at one end to a portion 46 of the front face 14 and at its other end to an inwardly extending portion of the upright support member 42 see FIG. 4. A first lower horizontal support member 48 extends horizontally along the side face 22 and is attached to the housing 12 and the upright support member 42.