Motor operator for padmount switchgear

A motor operator for switchgear, said switchgear including a switch mechanism for opening and closing the switch contacts, and movable linkage means coupled with said mechanism for causing selective shifting movement thereof to effect opening and closing of the switch contacts in response to movement of the linkage means, said motor operator comprising:

• an elongated threaded screw;
• a nut threadable mounted on said screw and translatable fore-and-aft along the length thereof;
• selectively operable motor means operatively coupled with said screw for axially rotating the latter;
• support structure supporting the screw and motor means for pivoting movement thereof as a unit about a common axis while preventing axial movement of the screw with respect to the pivot axis of the structure;
• a shaft mounted for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel to the axis of pivoting of the screw and said motor means, said shaft being adapted to shift said linkage to operate said switch mechanism in response to rotation of the shaft;
• and
• drive coupling means pivotally joined to said nut and drivingly connected to said shaft for rotating the latter in one direction in response to translation of the nut on the screw in one direction and for rotating the shaft in the opposite direction as the nut translates on the screw in the opposite direction of travel of the nut.

A motor operator for switchgear, said switchgear including a switch mechanism for opening and closing the switch contacts, said motor operator comprising:

• a shaft for effecting actuation of the switch opening and closing mechanism;
• an elongated threaded screw;
• a nut threadably mounted on said screw and translatable fore-and-aft along the length thereof;
• selectively operable motor means operatively connected with said screw for axially rotating the latter;
• support structure supporting the screw and motor means for pivoting movement thereof as a unit about a common axis while preventing axial movement of the screw with respect to the pivot axis of the structure;
• movable output means for operative connection with said mechanism for actuating the latter to open and close the switch contacts;
• and
• drive coupling means pivotally connected to said nut and drivingly coupled to said output means for, in response to axial rotation of said screw, causing said nut to translate along the screw and to move the output means as the screw and motor means pivot as a unit about said common axis.