Operating mechanism for combined interrupter disconnect switch

Abstract

An apparatus for operating a combined interrupter disconnect switch is disclosed. The disconnect switch is operated by a slow speed linear motion of a mechanism pullrod. The interrupter, which is a component of the disconnect switch arm, is operated by a high speed linear motion of the same mechanism pullrod. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises: an operating rod; a high speed operating mechanism connected to the operating rod; a sliding gear having an elongated gear face; a motor, rotatably connected to the sliding gear; a coupling gear drive having a longitudinally disposed threaded shaft and an external gear face, connected to the operating rod and meshed with said sliding gear; a threaded rod threaded into the threaded shaft of the coupling gear drive; and a drive rod connected to the threaded rod and to the mechanism pullrod. The high speed operating mechanism and motor respectively provide high speed and slow speed linear motion to the mechanism pullrod. The elongated gear face of the sliding gear permits decoupling of the high speed operating mechanism and slow speed motor, although both are acting on the same mechanism pullrod. In a preferred embodiment, the operating mechanism of the present invention also comprises upper and lower limit switches, controlled by a switch control bracket, for transmitting open and close commands to the high speed operating mechanism and motor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.