Mechanical interlock structure for switchgear

A mechanical interlock structure for a circuit breaker, the interlock structure being constructed and arranged to be coupled between actuating structure and a travel adjuster of the circuit breaker, the interlock structure comprising:

• a body having a bore therein,
• an engaging member having a portion sized to be received by the bore, the engaging member being constructed and arranged to be coupled with the travel adjuster for movement therewith,
• a slide member movable with respect to the body between operative and inoperative positions, and
• linkage structure coupled to the slide member for moving the slide member, the linkage structure being constructed and arranged to be coupled to the actuating structure such that upon movement of the actuating structure, the linkage structure moves the slide member to the operative position so that a portion of the slide member blocks at least a portion of the bore to prevent the portion of the engaging member from entering the bore and thus prevents the travel adjuster from moving in a certain direction, and upon different movement of the actuating structure, the linkage structure moves the slide member to the inoperative position so that the portion of the slide member is in a position to permit the portion of the engaging member to enter the bore so that the travel adjuster can move in the certain direction.

A method of controlling closure of primary contacts of a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker including a travel adjuster associated with the contacts such that when the circuit breaker effects a closing position, the travel adjuster moves in a certain direction to permit the contacts to close, the circuit breaker further including actuating structure, the method comprising:

• coupling interlock structure with the travel adjuster, the interlock structure having an engaging member that moves with the travel adjuster, the interlock structure further including a slide member and linkage structure, the linkage structure being constructed and arranged to move the slide member between operative and inoperative positions,
• coupling the linkage structure to the actuating structure, and
• moving the actuating structure to move the linkage structure and thus the slide member to the operative position to prevent the engaging member and thus the travel adjuster from moving in a certain direction to prevent closure of the contacts,
• moving the circuit breaker to a connected position, and
• moving the actuating structure to move the linkage structure and thus the slide member to the inoperative position to permit the engaging member and thus the travel adjuster to move in the certain direction to enable closure of the contacts,
• wherein the interlock structure includes a body having a bore therein that is sized to receive a portion of the engaging member such that when the slide member is in the operative position, a portion of the slide member blocks at least a portion of the bore to prevent the portion of the engaging member from entering the bore, and in the inoperative position of the slide member, the portion of the slide member is in a position to permit the portion of the engaging member to enter the bore so that the travel adjuster can move in the certain direction.