Circuit interrupting apparatus and method for high current power lines

A portable circuit interrupting apparatus for use in association with a circuit isolating device of the type which includes a ring-like conducting part and a hook-like conducting part which are relatively moveable between a contacting position for establishing a closed circuit through the device, and a separated position for establishing an open circuit through the device, said circuit interrupting apparatus comprising a tubular housing defining a central axis, a sleeve coaxially mounted to said housing and so as to be slidable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position, and spring biasing means for biasing said sleeve in a first direction extending from said withdrawn position toward said inserted position, a hook engaging terminal, and means mounting said hook engaging terminal to said sleeve, a ring engaging terminal, and means mounting said ring engaging terminal to said housing and comprising a tubular cylinder fixed and generally parallel to said tubular housing, a shuttle slidably mounted in said tubular cylinder for movement between an upper position which is relatively close to said hook engaging terminal and a lower position relatively remote from said hook engaging terminal, second spring biasing means for biasing said shuttle toward an upper position, and with said ring engaging terminal being fixed to said shuttle so as to extend radially outwardly from said tubular cylinder shunting circuit means connected between said ring engaging terminal and said hook engaging terminal and including a circuit segment positioned within said housing and sleeve, means for automatically interrupting said circuit segment upon said sleeve being moved to and reaching said withdrawn position, means for automatically and releasably locking said sleeve in said withdrawn position, means for releasably locking said shuttle in the upper position, and means for automatically and releasably locking said shuttle in a lower position.

In combination,

• a circuit isolating device comprising a ringlike conducting part and a hook-like conducting part which are relatively moveable between a contacting position for establishing a closed circuit through the device, and a separated position for establishing an open circuit through the device, and
• a portable circuit interrupting apparatus comprising
• (a) a tubular housing defining a central axis,
• (b) a sleeve coaxially mounted to said housing and so as to be slidable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position, and spring biasing means for biasing said sleeve in a first direction extending from said withdrawn position toward said inserted position,
• (c) an elongate ring engaging terminal mounted to said tubular housing so as to extend radially outwardly from said tubular housing,
• (d) a hook engaging terminal mounted to said tubular housing so as to extend radially outwardly from said tubular housing,
• (e) shunting circuit means connected between said ring engaging terminal and said hook engaging terminal and including a circuit segment positioned within said housing and sleeve, and means for automatically interrupting said circuit segment upon said sleeve being moved to and reaching said withdrawn position, and
• (f) a line pole connector arm including means for attaching an elongate line pole thereto, and means mounting said line pole connector arm to said housing, such that the line pole is manually engaged by an operator of said apparatus and the apparatus can be remotely manipulated by the operator,
• said ring engaging terminal and said hook engaging terminal being oriented with respect to each other and separated a predetermined distance from each other when said sleeve is in said inserted position so as to permit said ring engaging terminal to enter said ring-like conducting part of said circuit isolating device and thereby guide the hook engaging terminal into operative engagement with the hook-like conducting part of said circuit isolating device upon a continuous lateral thrust of said circuit interrupting apparatus toward said circuit isolating device.