US 5,628,394 AGranted

Switchgear with top mounted vertical takeoff tripping and spring release interlock

AssigneeEaton Corporation

InventorsJames J. Benke, Francois Marchand, John J. Hoegle

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Abstract

Switchgear with a closing spring release and an opening release accessible from a front face is further provided with top mounted closing and opening spring releases. In order to avoid interference with internal parts of the switchgear and to follow the movement of the trip mechanisms to which they are connected, these top mounted spring releases are flexible elongated members preferably in the form of flat stainless spring steel straps. The flat strap of the top mounted opening spring release has a slot engaging the opening trip lever and is sized so as not to engage the trip lever when the front accessible spring release is otherwise actuated. As the horizontal pivot axis of the closing spring trip lever moves transversely, the flat strap of the top mounted closing spring release is oriented to bend in the same direction while the lower end section is twisted 90.degree. to receive a coupling pin on the trip lever.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Switchgear comprising:

a housing having a front face and an upper face;
separable contacts mounted within said housing;
and
an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts and comprising:
a pole shaft mounted in said housing for rotation;
connecting means connecting to said pole shaft to said separable contacts for opening and closing said separable contacts in response to rotation of said pole shaft;
opening spring means in said housing coupled to said pole shaft to rotate said pole shaft to open said separable contacts when released;
closing spring means in said housing coupled to said pole shaft to rotate said pole shaft to close said separable contacts and to charge said opening spring means when released;
means for charging said closing spring means;
first spring release means accessible from said front face of said housing for releasing said closing spring means;
second spring release means accessible from said front face of said housing for releasing said opening spring means;
first top mounted spring release means accessible at said upper face of said housing for releasing said closing spring means from said upper face;
and
second top mounted spring release means accessible at said upper face of said housing for releasing said opening spring means from said upper face.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.