Scalable medium voltage latching earthing switch
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorDavid D. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A scalable earthing switch that incorporates a torsion spring to effect rapid closure of the switch. The torsion spring is supported coaxially about a rotatable shaft on which contact blades are mounted resulting in compact design. The blade contacts are separated axially along the length of the shaft by one or more spacers. By using difference size spacers the distance between adjacent blade contacts can be changed and, thus, the earthing switch can be easily scaled for different applications. A latching (detent) mechanism is provided for latching the switch in an open position.
Claims16
An earthing switch for connecting a power source to ground comprising:
- an actuating mechanism;
- a rotatable shaft adapted to be rotated by the actuating mechanism;
- at least one moveable contact secured to the rotatable shaft for rotation therewith, the at least one moveable contact moveable between an open position and a closed position via rotation of the rotatable shaft by the actuating mechanism;
- a torsion spring for biasing the at least one moveable contact towards the closed position;
- a detent mechanism for latching the at least one moveable contact in the open position;
- and
- a mounting bracket;
- wherein the rotatable shaft is supported on the mounting bracket for rotation, and wherein a coil of the torsion spring is received coaxially over the rotatable shaft, a first end of the torsion spring being fixed against rotation relative to said mounted bracket, and a second end of the torsion spring being operatively connected to the movable contact, whereby rotation of the rotatable shaft in a first direction is opposed by the torsion spring while rotation of the rotatable shaft in the second direction is assisted by the torsion spring.
An earthing switch for connecting a power source to ground comprising:
- an actuating mechanism;
- a rotatable shaft adapted to be rotated by the actuating mechanism;
- a plurality of moveable contacts secured to the rotatable shaft for movement therewith between an open position and a closed position, the moveable contacts being axially spaced apart along the shaft by at least one spacer;
- a torsion spring for biasing the at least one moveable contact towards the closed position;
- and
- a detent mechanism for latching the at least one moveable contact in the open position,
- wherein the at least one spacer is conductive.
A modular earthing switch assembly comprising:
- a support member;
- a rotatable shaft having a non-circular cross-section supported for rotation on said support member;
- a moveable contact mountable on the rotatable shaft in a plurality of positions, the moveable contact having a bore with a non-circular cross-section for telescoping over the non-circular cross-section of the rotatable shaft thereby fixing the movable contact for rotation with the rotatable shaft;
- at least one spacer received coaxially on the rotatable shaft and located adjacent the moveable contact, the at least one spacer axially locating the moveable contact along the rotatable shaft;
- and
- a torsion spring for biasing the movable contact towards a closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.