Method and apparatus for electromechanically interrupting and reconnecting circuits

A circuit interrupter, comprising:

• a first lock and a second lock, said first and second locks being in series with one another, and being in series between a driving source of said circuit and a load of said circuit, such that when said first lock is closed and said second lock is closed said circuit is closed, and when at least one of said first and second locks is open said circuit is open;
• wherein:
• said first lock is operatively connected to said driving source of said circuit;
• actuating said first lock between open and closed states does not change a state of said second lock, and actuating said second lock between open and closed states does not change a state of said first lock;
• while a first closing input is applied to said first lock said first lock is closed, and while said first closing input is not applied to said first lock said first lock is open;
• when a second opening input is applied to said second lock said second lock opens, and when a second closing input is applied to said second lock said second lock closes,
• wherein:
• said second opening input is a fault signal indicative of a fault in said circuit;
• and
• said second closing input is a reset signal.

An electrical circuit interrupter, comprising:

• a first lock and a second lock, said first and second locks being in series with one another, and being in series between a driving source of said circuit and a load of said circuit, said first lock being operatively connected to a driving source of said circuit;
• said circuit interrupter being actuable among first, second, third, and fourth states, such that:
• in said first state, said first lock is open, and said second lock is open, whereby said circuit interrupter is open;
• in said second state, said first lock is closed, and said second lock is open, whereby said circuit interrupter is open;
• in said third state, said first lock is closed, and said second lock is closed, whereby said circuit interrupter is closed;
• in said fourth state, said first lock is open, and said second lock is closed, whereby said circuit interrupter is open;
• wherein:
• while a first closing input is applied to said first lock said first lock is closed, and while said first closing input is not applied to said first lock said first lock is open;
• when a second opening input is applied to said second lock said second lock opens, and when a second closing input is applied to said second lock said second lock closes;
• actuating said first lock between open and closed states does not change a state of said second lock, and actuating said second lock between open and closed states does not change a state of said first lock,
• wherein:
• said first lock comprises:
• first contacts in electrical communication with said driving source, said first contacts being movable between an open position and a closed position;
• a first actuator engaged with said first contacts so as to actuate said first contacts between said open and closed positions;
• said second lock comprises:
• second contacts in electrical communication with a load of said circuit, said second contacts being movable between an open position and a closed position;
• a second actuator engaged with said second contacts so as to actuate said second contacts between said open and closed positions;
• wherein:
• in said first state, said first contacts are in said open position such that said first lock is open, and said second contacts are in said open position such that said second lock is open, whereby said interrupter is open;
• in said second state, said first contacts are in said closed position such that said first lock is closed, and said second contacts are in said open position such that said second lock is open, whereby said interrupter is open;
• in said third state, said first contacts are in said closed position such that said first lock is closed, and said second contacts are in said closed position such that said second lock is closed, whereby said interrupter is closed;
• in said fourth state, said first contacts are in said open position such that said first lock is open, and said second contacts are in said closed position such that said second lock is closed, whereby said interrupter is open
• wherein said first and second actuators each comprise a device operable for expanding and collapsing a magnetic field.

A method of circuit interruption, comprising:

• disposing first and second locks in series with one another, and in series between a driving source of said circuit and a load of said circuit, wherein said first lock is operatively connected to said driving source of said circuit;
• maintaining said first lock closed while a first closing input is applied thereto, and maintaining said first lock open while a first closing input is not applied thereto;
• opening said second lock when a second opening input is applied thereto, and closing said second lock when a second closing input is applied thereto;
• wherein said first and second locks are independent of one another with regard to being open or closed;
• wherein:
• said second opening input is a fault signal indicative of a fault in said circuit;
• and
• said second closing input is a reset signal.