Electrical switching apparatus and stored energy assembly therefor

A stored energy assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus comprising a housing and a mount coupled to said housing, said stored energy assembly comprising:

• a ratchet assembly comprising:
• a first ratchet member,
• a second ratchet member, and
• a shaft extending through said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member, said shaft being structured to extend through said mount;
• a stored energy mechanism coupled to said shaft;
• at least one charging mechanism structured to charge said stored energy mechanism in order to store energy;
• and
• a clutch assembly comprising a link assembly cooperating with said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member in order to transmit energy from said at least one charging mechanism to said stored energy mechanism,
• wherein said second ratchet member is disposed between said first ratchet member and said stored energy mechanism;
• wherein said ratchet assembly further comprises a coupling member coupled to said second ratchet member and said stored energy mechanism;
• and wherein said second ratchet member is structured to rotate said coupling member with respect to said shaft in order to transmit energy from said at least one charging mechanism to said stored energy mechanism.

A stored energy assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus comprising a housing and a mount coupled to said housing, said stored energy assembly comprising:

• a ratchet assembly comprising:
• a first ratchet member,
• a second ratchet member, and
• a shaft extending through said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member, said shaft being structured to extend through said mount;
• a stored energy mechanism coupled to said shaft;
• at least one charging mechanism structured to charge said stored energy mechanism in order to store energy;
• and
• a clutch assembly comprising a link assembly cooperating with said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member in order to transmit energy from said at least one charging mechanism to said stored energy mechanism,
• wherein said clutch assembly further comprises a pawl structured to be coupled to said mount;
• wherein said second ratchet member is structured to rotate at a first angle in a first direction and a second angle in a second direction opposite the first direction;
• wherein the first direction corresponds to said stored energy mechanism charging;
• and wherein said pawl engages said second ratchet member in order that the first angle is greater than the second angle.

An electrical switching apparatus comprising:

• a housing;
• a mount coupled to said housing;
• and
• a stored energy assembly comprising:
• a ratchet assembly comprising:
• a first ratchet member,
• a second ratchet member, and
• a shaft extending through said first ratchet member, said second ratchet member, and said mount,
• a stored energy mechanism coupled to said shaft,
• at least one charging mechanism structured to charge said stored energy mechanism in order to store energy, and
• a clutch assembly comprising a link assembly cooperating with said first ratchet member and said second ratchet member in order to transmit energy from said at least one charging mechanism to said stored energy mechanism,
• wherein said link assembly comprises a linking member and a biasing element each coupled to said first ratchet member;
• and wherein said biasing element biases said linking member toward engagement with said second ratchet member.