High voltage circuit interrupting device operating mechanism including trip latch assembly

A circuit switching mechanism for use in a high voltage circuit interrupting device, comprising:

• (a) an opening spring (16);
• (b) a closing spring (18) positioned within and coaxially with said opening spring;
• (c) a support structure (22) supporting said open and closing springs;
• (d) a first rod member (24) positioned within and coaxially with said opening and closing springs and operatively associated with a circuit interrupter, wherein linear movement of said first rod member in a first direction effects the opening of an electrical circuit and linear movement of said first rod member in a second direction effects the closing of the electrical circuit, said first rod member being operatively coupled to said open and closing springs such that discharging of said opening spring effects the movement of said first rod member in said first direction and discharging of said closing spring effects the movement of said first rod member in said second direction;
• (e) a charging system (12) for charging said opening and closing springs;
• and
• (f) a trip latch mechanism (14), comprising a hammer;
• a trip link;
• a first pin coupling said hammer and trip link, said hammer and trip link being rotatable about said first pin;
• a second pin attached to said trip link, said second pin positioned such that said hammer, upon a predetermined amount of rotation about said first pin, bears against said second pin;
• a trip finger;
• and a third pin coupled said trip link and trip finger, said trip finger being rotatable about said third pin, said trip finger bearing against said support structure to hold at least one of said springs in a charge state.