Handle interlock arrangement for high ampere-rated circuit breaker operating handles
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsMark A. Zaffetti, Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of an operating handle and a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two-stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs. The operating springs cannot become discharged until and unless the operating handle is in a fully retracted position.
Claims12
An industrial-rated circuit breaker for high level overcurrent protection comprising:
- an insulative base (11);
- an insulative cover (12) above said base, said cover enclosing a closing shaft (33);
- a closing spring (16) connecting with said closing shaft, said closing spring adapted for rotating said closing shaft and driving circuit breaker contacts to a closed condition;
- close means (32) operatively connecting with said closing spring allowing an operator to release said closing spring for moving circuit breaker contacts to a closed condition;
- a latching arrangement operatively connecting with said close means for preventing release of said operating spring until operation of said close means;
- and
- an externally-accessible operating handle allowing an operator to charge said closing spring, said handle including handle interlock means (40) interacting between said latching arrangement and said close means providing controllable release of said closing spring.
A circuit breaker handle interlock comprising:
- an externally-accessible operating handle (17) arranged on a top surface of a circuit breaker cover (12) allowing an operator to charge a closing spring (16) subjacent said circuit breaker cover, said handle including handle interlock means (40) interacting between a latching arrangement restraining release of said closing spring and a close button providing controllable release of said closing spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.