Blocking apparatus for circuit breaker contact structure
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsRoger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A blocking apparatus for blocking a contact structure from closing in a circuit breaker is provided. The apparatus includes a link extending from the circuit breaker and connected to a movable contact arm. The contact structure, being operated by an operating mechanism, remains in a separated position even when the operating mechanism is in the “ON” position due to the connection with the link of the blocking apparatus. A release assembly releases the link when it is desired to close the movable contact arm.
Claims16
An apparatus for blocking a movable contact from connection with a stationary contact in a circuit interrupter contact structure, said circuit interrupter contact structure having an operating mechanism that provides a closing force to move said movable contact into connection with said stationary contact, said apparatus comprising:
- a link connected to said movable contact, said link moving between a first position and a second position, said first position holding the movable contact away from said stationary contact against said closing force and said second position releasing said movable contact to allow said closing force to move said movable contact into connection with said stationary contact.
An apparatus for adding to a circuit interrupter, said circuit interrupter having a contact structure including a movable contact and a stationary contact, said apparatus blocking said movable contact from connection with said stationary contact, said contact structure having an operating mechanism that provides a closing force to move said movable contact into connection with said stationary contact, said apparatus comprising:
- a link connected to said movable contact, said link moving between a first position and a second position, said first position holding said movable contact away from said stationary contact against said closing force and said second position releasing said movable contact to allow said closing force to move said movable contact into connection with said stationary contact.
A method for blocking a contact structure in a circuit interrupter, said circuit interrupter contact structure having a movable contact and a stationary contact, said circuit interrupter contact structure having a closed position wherein said movable contact and said stationary contact are mated and an open position wherein said movable contact and said stationary contact are separated, and said circuit interrupter contact structure being controllable by an operating mechanism, said operating mechanism including an on position and an off position, said on position corresponding with said operating mechanism providing a force that urges said movable contact in the direction of said closed position, and said off position corresponding with said operating mechanism providing a force that urges said movable contact in the direction of said open position, said method comprising:
- moving said operating mechanism to said on position;
- holding said movable contact in said open position while said operating mechanism is in said on position;
- and
- releasing said movable contact.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.