US 4,423,336 AGranted

Electromechanically controlled automatic transfer switch and bypass switch assembly

AssigneeMcGraw-Edison Company

InventorsJames R. Iverson, Ernest L. Tell, Terry L. Pinotti

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Abstract

An electromechanically controlled switch assembly including an automatic, three position, removable, transfer switch and a three position, manually operated bypass switch assembly. Electromechanical controls are utilized to sense the position of both switches, including whether or not the bypass switch is being manually switched to the normal or an emergency source of power, whether or not the power sources are available, and whether or not the transfer switch is properly located within its supporting frame for normal operation, completely isolated, or isolated from the load but in the correct location for testing. In one embodiment the electromechanical controls interlock the operation of the switches and assure safety of operation of the assembly by switching the automatic transfer switch to an open or neutral position if it is being isolated, returned to normal, or if the operator is switching the bypass switch to connect the load to a source of power other than that to which the transfer switch is connecting the load.

Claims23

Dependent claims

An automatic transfer switch and bypass switch assembly for interconnecting a normal source of power or an alternate source of power to a load, comprising:

a. a three postion motor operated transfer switch having three alternative postions;
an open position, a position for connecting the normal source of power to the load, and a position for connecting the alternate source of power to the load;
b. a three position manually operated bypass switch for bypassing the automatic transfer switch and alternatively connecting the load to the normal source of power, or to the alternate source of power, or to neither source of power;
c. position sensing means for sensing the position of said transfer switch and the position of said bypass switch;
d. power sensing means for sensing the availability of both the normal and the emergency sources of power;
e. operation sensing means for sensing when said bypass switch is being manually operated to connect the normal source of power to the load or to connect the alternate source of power to the load;
and
f. automatic means, electromachanically interlocking said transfer switch and said bypass switch and operating in response to said position sensing means, said power sensory means and said operation sensing means, for actuating said transfer switch to disconnect the load from the source of power to which said transfer switch is connecting the load if said bypass switch is manually operated to connect the other source of power to the load.

5 more elements

An electromechanically controlled transfer switch and bypass switch assembly for interconnecting a normal source of power or an emergency source of power to a load, comprising:

a. a support frame for housing electrical buses associated with said normal source of power, said emergency source of power and said load;
b. a three position removable automatic transfer switch having three alternative switch positions:
an open position, a position for connecting the normal source of power to the load, and a position for connecting the alternate source of power to the load, said transfer switch being removably carried by said frame between a fully inserted location where said transfer switch is electrically connected to said buses and an isolated location where said transfer switch is electrically disconnected from said buses;
c. removal means for moving said transfer switch within said frame between said inserted location and said isolated location;
d. a bypass switch, carried by said frame, for selectively connecting the load to the normal source of power, or the alternate source of power, or to neither source of power;
and
e. sensing and controlling means, operatively associated with said transfer switch and said frame, for interlocking the operation of said removal means with said bypass switch regardless of the initial position of the bypass switch.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/378,642Filed 17 May 1982
Granted: 27 Dec 1983
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H01H 3/26
Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism: using dynamo-electric motor
H02J 9/06
In which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source: with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS…
H01H 2003/266
Using dynamo-electric motor: having control circuits for motor operating switches, e.g. controlling the opening or closing speed of the contacts
H01H 2300/018
Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H: application transfer;…