Slip-through mounting structure for circuit interrupter

#This invention relates to circuit interrupters, and more specifically relates to a circuit breaker having an interrupter assembly which is slidably connected within a gas-filled circuit breaker housing to one end of a bushing insulator conductor.

#Circuit breakers using puffer type interrupter units are well known. Such puffer interrupters are elongated units having movable and stationary contact assemblies which are connected, respectively, to the ends of the insulator bushing conductors. The space between the bushing conductor ends is relatively long, and must include the full length of the stroke of the movable contact. Moreover, the movable and stationary contact assemblies must be made with close tolerances to enable their cooperation within the circuit breaker tank. It is also difficult and tedious to mount and remove the interrupters from their enclosure.

#In accordance with the invention, a circuit breaker puffer interrupter geometry is provided which improves overall conductivity, minimizes bushing insulator spacing, maximizes allowable manufacturing tolerances, is self-guided and is easily installed and removed.

#FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a prior art three-pole circuit breaker employing gas puffer type interrupters.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of the circuit breaker of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view and partial schematic view of one pole unit of FIGS. 1 and 2.

#A prior art circuit breaker, employing puffer interrupters, is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a three-pole circuit breaker having entrance bushing insulators 10, 11 and 12 for each respective phase (FIG. 1) and three corresponding exit bushing insulators of which only one, bushing 13, is shown in FIG. 2. The circuit breaker is a dead tank circuit breaker, and has three horizontal puffer interrupter assemblies 15, 16 and 17 (FIG. 1), each of which is associated with a corresponding pair of exit and entrance bushings. The interrupter assemblies, bushings and an operating mechanism 18, which simultaneously operates each of the interrupters, are mounted on a frame mounting 19, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

#FIG. 3 is a view, partly in cross-section, of interrupter 15 and bushings 10 and 13 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Bushings 10 and 13 have current transformers 20 and 21, respectively. Entrance bushing 10 has a central conductor 22 which supports the interrupter assembly 23 within conductive tank 24. The right-hand end of assembly 23 is fixed to an insulator tube 25, through which a linearly movable operating rod 26 extends, which operates movable contact 27 between its open and closed positions, in the well-known manner.

#Exit insulator 13 has a central conductor 30 which is connected to the stationary contact assembly 31 which is suitably supported within tank 24. An insulator tube 32 extends between the stationary and movable contact assemblies 31 and 23, respectively.