US2783338A - Operating mechanism for a fluid-blast circuit breaker - Google Patents

Operating mechanism for a fluid-blast circuit breaker Download PDF

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Publication number
US2783338A
US2783338A US535619A US53561955A US2783338A US 2783338 A US2783338 A US 2783338A US 535619 A US535619 A US 535619A US 53561955 A US53561955 A US 53561955A US 2783338 A US2783338 A US 2783338A
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Prior art keywords
piston
valve
cylinder
fluid
blast
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US535619A
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English (en)
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John W Beatty
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General Electric Co
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General Electric Co
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Priority to US535619A priority Critical patent/US2783338A/en
Priority to GB28677/56A priority patent/GB842986A/en
Priority to DEG20589A priority patent/DE1035728B/de
Priority to CH346272D priority patent/CH346272A/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2783338A publication Critical patent/US2783338A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
    • H01H33/02—Details
    • H01H33/28—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism
    • H01H33/30—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using fluid actuator
    • H01H33/32—Power arrangements internal to the switch for operating the driving mechanism using fluid actuator pneumatic

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an operating mechanism for a fiuid-blast type of circuit breaker. More particularly, it relates to a fluid-actuated operating mechanism for the type of breaker which comprises a blast valve which can be opened to produce an arc-extinguishing blast of compressed fluid adjacent the contacts of the breaker.
  • the blast valve be capable of opening quickly so as to provide for quick arc-extinction and, second, that the blast valve remain open only so long as is necessary for the arc to be extinguished, so as to prevent wastage ofcompressed fluid.
  • Prior valve-control arrangements of which I am aware have either been complex in structure and operation or have not effectively fulfilled the above two performance requirements.
  • Another object is to provide an operating mechanism which is capable of quickly returning the blast valve to closed position after arc-extinction without the need for the usual heavy valve-return springs and without the necessity for dumping the operating mechanism in order to permit rapid reversal of its parts.
  • Such heavy return springs are undesirable in that they detract from the opening speed of the blast valve, Whereas such dumping means is undesirable because of its complexity both from the 2,783,338 Patented Feb. 26, 1957 tween said pistons.
  • the valve-controlling piston has a larger elfective working area exposed to pressurized fluid admitted to the inter-piston space than its effective working area which is exposed to pressurized fluid admitted to said one end of the cylinder.
  • the blast valve member is so located that it closes in the same general direction as the blast flows through the valve so that the blast does not materially interfere with closing of the valve member.
  • Fig. l is a partially schematiccross-sectional view through a circuit interrupter embodying the operating mechanism of my invention, the interrupter being shown in closed-circuit position;
  • Fig. 2 is'jan enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the operating mechanism at an intermediate point during a circuit opening operation;
  • Fig. 3 is a partially schematiccross-sectional view through a circuit interrupter embodying the operating mechanism of my invention, the interrupter being shown in closed-circuit position;
  • Fig. 2 is'jan enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the operating mechanism at an intermediate point during a circuit opening operation;
  • Fig. 3 is a partially schematiccross-sectional view through a circuit interrupter embodying the operating mechanism of my invention, the interrupter being shown in closed-circuit position;
  • Fig. 2 is'jan enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the operating mechanism at an intermediate point during a circuit opening operation;
  • Fig. 3 is a partially schematiccross-sectional view through a circuit interrupter embodying the operating mechanism
  • Another object of the invention is to positively drive the blast valve and the movable contact structure toward their respective fully-open positions substantially in unison and thereafter to positively return the blast valve to closed position while maintaining the movable contact structure in an open position.
  • Still another object is to provide a compact, reliable, and structurally-simple operating mechanism which is capable of controlling the blast valve and the movable contact structure in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph.
  • the circuit breaker is provided with a normally-closed valve member movable to an open position to produce an arc-extinguishing blast adjacent the breaker contacts, an operating cylinder, and a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member.
  • a second piston which is coupled to one of said contacts, is also movably mounted in said cylinder and is biased toward engagement with said first piston.
  • Means for admitting pressurized fluid into one end of the cylinder is provided for driving the first piston in a valve-opening direction and for causing said first piston to drive said second piston in a direction to produce contact-opening.
  • Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a control arrangement for the interrupter of Figs. l-3.
  • Fig. 5 shows a modified form of circuit-interrupter embodying my invention.
  • a circuit breaker of thefgas-blast type comprising an interrupting unit generally indicated at 10.
  • This interrupting unit comprises an enclosed interrupting chamber 11 defined, in part, by a spherical metallic casing 12.
  • This casing 12 is mounted on a tubular insulating column 13, preferaably of porcelain, by means of a cylindrical adapter 14 welded within an opening in the lower side of the casing 12.
  • Extending through this porcelain column 13 from a suitable lower terminal (not shown) is an elongated conductive stud 15. At its upper extremity, this stud 15 carries a suitable stationary contact assembly 16 which will soon be described in greater detail.
  • the lower portion of stud 15 can be utilized as the primary turn of an instrument current transformer and the supporting column 13 as an insulating housing for the transformer.
  • a second cylindrical adapter 18 is welded to the casing 12.
  • This adapter 18 supports a porcelain column 19, which at its upper end carries the upper terminal (not shown) of the breaker.
  • Extending downwardly from the upper terminal through the porcelain column 19 is an elongated conductive stud 20.
  • this stud 20 carries an upper stationary contact assembly 22 which corresponds in structure to the lower contact assembly 16.
  • the upper stud 20 is surrounded by a tubular insulating member 23 suitably sealed at its upper end, (not shown) whereas the lower stud 15 is surrounded by a similar tubular insulating member 24 which serves as a conduit communicating freely with a source (not shown) of high pressure gas.
  • a source not shown
  • Each of the stationary contact assemblies 16 and 22 comprises a pair of current-carrying contact fingers 25, biased together by suitable compression springs 27, and an arcing electrode 26 locatedadjacent the fingers 25.
  • Cooperating withthe respective stationary contact assemblies 16 and .22 are a pair of movable contacts 28, each of which is pivotally mounted ona stationary pivot 29. In their respective closed-circuit positions shown in 'Fig. l, the movable contacts 28 are received between the contact fingers 25, which are urged by the springs 27 into high-pressure, currentcarrying engagement therewith.
  • the movable contacts 28 are supported by means of their current-carrying pivots 29 on a centrally-disposed stationary bracket 31, which, thus, electrically interconnects the two movable contacts 28;
  • the bracket 31 is mounted on one end of a cylinder 32 which, at its other end, is suitably supported from a generally cylindrical casting 33.
  • the casting. 33 at its left hand end, has an annular flange 34 which is-suitably bolted (by means not shown) against a mating flange 35 rigidly carried by the metallic casing 12.
  • the casting 33 is provided with a normally-closed annular exhaust passage 36 which leads from the interrupting chamber 11 to the surrounding atmosphere.
  • the casting 33 at its right hand end is formed with a pair of generally diametrically-opposed nozzle-type electrodes 38 defining inlets to the exhaust passage 36.
  • nozzle-type electrodes 38 For controlling the flow ofarc-extinguishing gas through the nozzle electrode 38 and through the exhaust passage 36, there is provided at the outer end of the exhaust passage 36 a cylindrically-shaped reciprocable blast valvemember 40 which slides smoothly in a surrounding tubular valve housing 41 integrally formed in the casting33.
  • valve member 40 is shown in its closed position wherein an annular flange 42 formed at its left hand end sealingly abuts against the stationary flange 34, which serves as a valve seat.
  • the valve member 40 normally maintained in this closed position of Fig. 1 by the action of a contact biasing spring 64 '(soon to be described) and by the action of the pressurized gas within the passageway 36. This gas produces upon the flange 42 an unbalanced force urging the valve member 40 to the left into its closed position.
  • This mechanism 50 comprises two cooperating pistons 51 and 52 mounted for reciprocation in the cylinder 32.
  • the piston 51 is connected to the blast valve member 40 by means of a piston rod 54 which is shown extending through a central opening in the valve member 40.
  • This piston rod 54 has suitable threads formed at its outer end for receiving a retaining nut 55 which clamps the valve member 40 against a shoulder 56 formed on the piston rod 54.
  • the piston rod 54 also extends, in slidable relationship, through a central opening in a stationary end wall 57 provided fo rthe cylinder 32.
  • a suitable seal 57 mounted in this end wall 57 encircles the piston rod 54 and prevents gas from leaking around the piston rod.
  • the other piston 52 serves to control the movable con tacts 28 and is coupled to these contacts 28 by means of a piston rod 58, a crosshead 59, and a pair of connecting links 60.
  • the crosshead 59 is rigidly secured to the piston rod 58 by suitable clamping means, Whereas the connecting links 60 are pivotally connected at 61 and 62 to the crosshead and the movable contacts, respectively.
  • a heavy compression spring 64 bearing at one end against the crosshead 59 provides a force biasing the movable contacts 28 toward closed position.
  • the other end of the compression spring 64 bears against a suitable annular stop 65 which is mounted on a series of axially extending bolts adjustably threaded into the bracket 31.
  • the contact-controlling piston 52 is formed with a skirt portion 66, which in Fig. l, is shown abutting the valve-controlling piston 51 and forming a space or chamber 67 between the two pistons.
  • the skirt 66 is provided with a series of notches, or recesses, forming radial ports 68 extending through the skirt and into communication with the chamber 67.
  • a circumferential bevelled groove 69 formed in the external wall of the skirt 66 assures communication between these radial ports external of the skirt 66. The purpose of this chamber 67 and the radial ports 68 will soon appear more clearly.
  • Operation of the pistons 51 and 52 is initiated by supplying pressurized gas to a small clearance space 70 located at the left hand end of cylinder 32.
  • this clearance space 70 is vented to atmosphere by means of a two-position control valve 71 which is mounted adjacent a duct 72 which leads into the clearance space 70.
  • the control valve 71 comprises a casing 73 having. two radial ports 74 and 75, the first of which 74 communicates with the surrounding atmosphere through a suitable exhaust duct 76 and the other of which 75 directly communic'ates with the pressurized gas in the chamber 11. Flow through these ports 74 and 75 is controlled by means of a reciprocable valve element 77, which is releasably held in the elevated position shown in Fig. 1.
  • I provide a compression spring 79 biasing the valve element toward its lower position and a releasable electroresponsive latch 80 which, in its latched position shown in Fig. l, is eifective to hold the valve element in its elevated position against the bias of the spring 79. Release of the latch 80 can be effected either manually or in response to predetermined electrical conditions by energizing the coil 81 of the latch.
  • a push button switch 82 would be closed to complete an energizing circuit for the coii 81 of the latch.
  • the contacts 83 of a suitable conventional fault responsive relay (not shown) would be a operated to closed position to complete an energizing circuit for the coil 81.
  • the latch 80 would be released to permit the spring 79 to drive the control valve element 77 into its lower position.
  • this control system has been schematically shown closely adjacent the valve which, of course, is at high potential.
  • this low voltage control circuit preferably D.C.
  • the valve stem would be a long insulating rod which, for weather protection, preferably would run down inside of the supporting columns 13 and 24.
  • the mouth of the by-pass 85 is so located along the length of the cylinder wall that the blast valve member 40 is returned to closed position only after the pistons 51 and 52 have moved sufliciently to assure that the arc drawn by separation of the contacts will have been extinguished.
  • valve piston 51 The above-described difference in the opening and closing working surface areas of the valve piston 51 is due primarily to the presence of the large-diameter piston rod 54. Since this piston rod 54 projects from the opening working surface through a sealed opening to atmosphere, it will be apparent that the efiective area of this opening working surface is substantially smaller than that of the closing working surface, which is disposed at the opposite side of the pistonSl.
  • valve piston 51 has projecting from its left hand face a shoulder portion which is received in a suitable groove in the end wall 57 to provide a dashpot effect for softening the closing impact of the blast valve.
  • FIG. 2 and 3 Another feature of my invention which can be observed from Figs. 2 and 3 is that the opening stroke of piston 52 is positively terminated when the peripheral groove 69 is moved into alignment with the mouth of by-pass 85. Further opening travel beyond this point is positively prevented by the right hand end wall of the cylinder 32. So limiting the opening stroke of piston 52 insures that the groove 69 will not be moved past the mouth of bypass before sufficient pressure can be bulit up in chamber 67 to elfect valve-closing movement of the other piston 51.
  • the speed at which the two pistons 51 and 52 move to the right during the above-described opening operation is controlled by dashpot means forming a part of the operating mechanism. More particularly, the cylinder space 89 to the right of the contact-controlling piston 52 is sealed otf from the chamber 11 and communicates with atmosphere through a small metering passage 90. Initial opening movement of the pistons 51 and 52 is permitted to take place at relatively high speed due to the ease with which the gas within the dashpot space 89 is initially compressed and due to the relatively unrestricted access to the metering passageway 90.
  • the circuit breaker automatically reopens in response to a fault, it should not reclose until the operator has released the control switch 95 and subsequently returned it to the closed position. In other words, the circuit breaker should close only once in response to a single closing of the control switch 95, and no pumping or repeated reclosures should take place in response to such single closing of control switch 95.
  • Such pumping is effectively prevented in my control arrangement by a seal-in circuit 99 for the auxiliary relay 97.
  • This seal-in circuit 99 which extends through seal-in contacts 99a, maintains the relay 97 energized even when the solenoid contacts 96 are opened in response to downward, or breaker-opening, movement of the valve element 77.
  • the contacts 98 of the auxiliary relay 97 remain open so long as the control switch 95 is held in closed position, thereby preventing further energization of the solenoid 94 during this interval. This prevents additional reclosures of the breaker, as is desired.
  • the control switch 95 is released and thus returned to open position, it interrupts the seal-in circuit 99 permitting the auxiliary relay 97 to reset to its normal position, thereby restoring the solenoid energizing circuit to an operative condition.
  • subsequent closing of the control switch 97 after such release will energize the solenoid 94 and initiate another breaker-closing operation, as may be desired.
  • a modified form of circuit interrupter which corresponds generally to the interrupter of Figs. 14 except for the dashpot means and the contact-controlling spring means. Accordingly, correspondingparts of these two interrupters have been assigned corresponding reference numerals.
  • the main piston 52 no longer serves as a dashpot piston since the cylinder space at its right hand side is vented comparatively freely to atmosphere through a duct 108 which remains accessible throughout the entire opening stroke.
  • Dashpot action for the opening stroke is provided by means of an auxiliary piston 110 which is slidably mounted within an auxiliary cylinder 112 rigidly supported from the right hand end of the main cylinder 32.
  • a piston rod 58 integral with the main piston 52 extends, in sealed relationship, through an end wall 114 common to the two cylinders.
  • the auxiliary piston 110 is rigidly clamped to the pistonrod 58 intermediate its ends by means of a suitable retaining nut 116.
  • the piston rod '58 carries a crosshead 59 which is pivotally-connected to the-movablecontacts 28 in thesarne manner as described in connection with Fig. 1.
  • the auxiliary cylinder 112 is-provided with an outer end wall 118 containing a central opening through which the piston rod 58 extends inslidable relationship.
  • the end wall 118 also contains a metering passage 119 and. a check. valve 120 permitting fluid to flow therethrough only in a direction out of the cylinder.
  • the piston rod 58 contains a keyway port 122 which permits fluid to flow through the central opening in the end wall 118 when the piston rod 58 is in or adjacent the closed-circuit position of Fig. 5.
  • the movable contacts 28 are biased into closed position by means of overcenter compression springs 125.
  • These springs 125 at their inner ends are supported on telescoping couplings 126 which, in turn, are pivotally-connected to the movable contacts 28 by pins 127.
  • the springs 125 are supported on suitable pivotally-mounted guide rod couplings 128.
  • Opening of the contacts 28 is initiated by driving the pistons 51 and 52 to the right in the same manner as described in connection with Figl.
  • the dashpot 110, 112 permits this opening action to be initiated at a relatively high speed since the keyway port 122 is then open and air ahead of piston 110 can flow freely therethrough.
  • the piston rod 58 has moved sufliciently to the right to render the keyway port 122 no longer effective to vent air ahead of piston 110. Thereafter, air can flow only through the restricted passa es 119 and 120, and, as a result, there is established at the end of opening stroke a retarding action which smoothly decelerates the pistons and contacts.
  • the movable contacts 28 are held in their respective 75open-circuit positions by fluid pressure maintained between the pistons 51 and 52 in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 1.
  • the overcenter springs 125 also provide a force which tends to hold the contacts in open-circuit position. These two forces which tend to hold the contacts open are opposed by the fluid pressure forces exerted on the auxiliary piston structure 110, 116.
  • the auxiliary piston structure 110, 116 has a pair of opposed working surfaces 130 and 131 which are exposed to pressurized insulating fluid from the casing of the surrounding interrupter, the surface 130 receiving fluid through an opening 133 and the surface 131 through metering passage 119.
  • piston structure 110, 116 is always acted upon by a pneumatic force from the right which tends to close the contacts and which varies directly in accordance with the fluid pressure of the insulating gas in the surrounding interrupter.
  • the interrupter is in fully-open position, i. e., with the contacts 28 fully separated from their respective stationary contacts and the pistons 52 and 110 held in their extreme right hand positions by pressurized fluid in the inter-piston space 67, and that it is desired to close the interrupter.
  • the inter-piston space 67 is vented to atmosphere in the same manner as described in connection with Fig. 1.
  • the fluid pressure forces exerted on the auxiliary piston structure 110, 116 become operative to drive the pistons 52 and-110 to the left and to carry these pistons, together with the contacts 28, into their respective closed-circuit position.
  • the overcenter springs 125 resist initial displacement of these parts from their respective closed-circuit positions, but if the fluid pressure within the interrupter is above a predetermined safe level, the pressure forces on the auxiliary piston 110,
  • the keyway port 122 also contributes to increased closing force near the end of the stroke by permitting a comparatively free influx of air into the cylinder 112 near the end of the stroke.
  • the closing force exerted on the auxiliary piston 110, 116 varies directly in accordance with the fluid-pressure in the surrounding circuit interrupter is effectively utilized to prevent closing of the interrupter when the pressure therein is below a safe level. For example, if for some reason, the pressure within the interrupter chamber should fall below a predetermined safe level when the contacts were in fully-open position, then evacuation of the inter-piston space 67 would not produce closing of the contacts. This is the case because, under such conditions, the differential closing force on the piston structure 110, 116 is insufiicient to overcome the opposition of the overcenter springs 125. Thus, un der such conditions, the overcenter springs would safely maintain the contacts 28 in fully-open position even though the inter-piston space 67 was vented to atmosphere.
  • Fig. 5 like that of Fig. 1, can, if desired, be provided with alight-weight spring which tends to bias the blast valve closed to facilitate initial filling of the arc-extinguishing chamber of the interrupter.
  • a normally-closed valve member movable to an open position to produce an arc-extinguishing blast adjacent said contacts, an operating cylinder, a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to one of said contacts, means biasing said one contact into closed position and said second piston toward engagement with said first piston, means for admitting pressurized fluid into one end of said cylinder for driving said first piston in a di rection to open said valve member and in a direction to produce contact-opening movement of said second piston, a normally-closed passageway adapted when open to supply pressurized fluid to a space between said pistons whereby to urge said second piston in a contactopening direction and said first piston in a valve-closing direction, and means responsive to a predetermined valveopening movement of said first piston for opening said passageway and admitting fluid to said inter-piston space whereby then to close said
  • circuit breaker of claiml in combination with means for evacuating said inter-piston space after a contact-opening operation to permit said biasing means to return said one contact toward closed position.
  • a normally-closed valve member movable to an open position to produce an arc extinguishing blast adjacent said contacts
  • an operating cylinder a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to one of said contacts, said first piston having a valve-closed position adjacent one end of said cylinder, said second piston having a contactopen position located at the other end of said cylinder and a contact-closed position located adjacent the valveclosed position of said first piston and on a side of said first piston opposite to said one end of the cylinder, means for admitting pressurized fluid into said one end of the cylinder for driving said first piston in a direction to open said valve and for causing said first piston to drive said second piston in a direction to produce contact opening, and means responsive to a predetermined valve-opening movement of said first piston for admitting pressurized fluid into a space between said pistons whereby then to return said
  • said lastmentioned means comprises a by-pass passage arranged to interconnect said one end of the cylinder and said inter-piston space, said by-pass passage being closed oti 11 by the outer periphery of said second piston until completion of said predetermined valve-opening movement whereupon said passage is opened to supply pressurized fluid to said inter-piston space.
  • a normally-close valve member movable to an open position to produce an arc-extinguishing blast adjacent said contacts and past said valve member, said valve member being so located that opening movement thereof is in a direction generally opposite to the direction of the blast in the region of the valve member and closing movement is in the same general direction as that of the blast, an operating cylinder, a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to one of saidcontacts, said first piston having a valve-closed position adjacent one end of said cylinder, said second piston having a contactclosed position located adjacent the valve-closed position of said first piston and on a side of said first piston opposite to said one end of the cylinder, means for admitting pressurized fluid into said one end of the cylinder for driving said first piston in a direction to open said valve member and for causing said first piston to drive said second piston in a direction to produce contactopening movement
  • a normally-closed valve member movable to an open position to produce an arc-extinguishing blast adjacent said contacts, an operating cylinder, a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to one of said contacts, said first piston having a valve-closed position adjacent one end of said cylinder, said second piston having a contactclosed position located adjacent the valve-closed position of said first piston and on a side of said first piston opposite to said one end of the cylinder, means for admitting pressurized fluid into said one end of the cylinder for driving said first piston in a direction to open said valve member and for causing said first piston to drive said second piston in a direction to produce contactopening movement, and a passageway communicating with said cylinder and terminating in a month which is normally covered by the outer periphery of said second piston and which when uncovered directs pressurized fluid from said passageway into
  • circuit breaker of claim 7 in combination with 12 motion-limiting means for preventing said second piston from moving in a contactope'n'ing direction past the position wherein said recessed portion registers with said mouth.
  • a normally-closed valve member movable to an open position to produce an arc e'xtinguishing blast adjacent said contacts
  • an operating cylinder a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to one of said contacts, said first piston having a valve-closed position adjacent one end of said cylinder, said second piston having a contact-closed position located adjacent the valve-closed position of said first piston and on a side of said first piston opposite to said one end of the cylinder, means for admitting pressurized fluid into said one endof the cylinder for driving said first piston in a direction to open said valve member and for causing said first piston to drive said second piston in a direction to produce contact-opening movement, piston control means responsive to a predetermined valve-opening movement of said first piston for returning said first piston to valve closed position and for holding said second piston in a contactopen position, said piston control means comprising a predetermined valve-opening movement of said first piston for returning said
  • a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid through a circuit interrupter, a valve member movable between. closed and open positions to produce in response to valve-opening a blast of fluid past said valve member, said valve member being so located that closing movement thereof'is in a direction generally the same asthe direction of the blast in the region of said valve member, an operating cylinder, a piston movably mounted in said cylinder andcoupled to said valve member, said piston having a pair of opposed working surfacesone of which constitutes an opening working surface for transmitting force in a direction to open said valve and the other of which constitutes a closing working surface for transmitting force in a direction to close said valve, means for supplying pressurized fluid to said opening working surface for opening said valve member, a normally-closed passage adapted when open to supply pressurized fluid to said closing working surface, means for opening said passage in response to predetermined valve opening movement of said piston thereby to supply pressurized fluid to said closing working surface, the effective area of said closing working surface being substantially larger than the effective area of
  • a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid through a circuit interrupter, a valve member movable between closed and open positions to produce in response to valve-opening a blast of fluid past said valve member, said valve member being so located that closing movement thereof is in a direction generally the same as the direction of the blast in the region of said valve member, an operating cylinder, a piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, means for admitting pressurized fluid into one Bid of said cylinder for driving said piston in a direction to open said valve member, a normally-closed passage adapted when opened to supply pressurized fluid to the other end of said cylinder, means for opening said passage in response to predetermined valve opening movement of said piston whereby to supply pressurized fluid to said other end of the cylinder, the effective working area of said piston exposed to fluid admitted to said other end of the cylinder being substantially larger than the effective working area of said piston exposed to fluid at said one end whereby admission of fluid to said other end returns said piston and valve member to closed posinon
  • a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid through a circuit interrupter, a valve member movable between closed and open positions to produce in response to valve-opening a blast of fluid past said valve member, said valve member being so located that closing movement thereof is in a direction generally the same as the direction of the blast in the region of said valve member, an operating cylinder, a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston also movably mounted in said cylinder, means biasing said second piston toward a position adjacent one side of said first piston, means for supplying pressurized fluid to the opposite side of said first piston for driving said first piston into driving relationship with said second piston and for opening said valve member, a passageway communicating with said cylinder and terminating in a mouth which is normally covered by said second piston and which when uncovered directs pressurized fluid into a space between said pistons whereby to urge said first piston back 14 toward its valve-closed position, one of said pistons having a recessed portion which after a predetermined valveopen
  • valve mechanism of claim 13 in combination with motion-limiting means for preventing said second piston from moving past the position wherein said recessed portion registers with said mouth.
  • a valve member movable between closed and open positions to produce in response to valve-opening a blast of fluid past said valve member, said valve member being so located that closing movement thereof is in a direction generally the same as the direction of the blast in the region of said valve member, an operating cylinder, a first piston movably mounted in said cylinder and coupled to said valve member, a second piston also movably mounted in said cylinder, means biasing said second piston toward a position adjacent one side of said first piston, means for supplying pressurized fluid to the other side of said first piston for driving said first piston into driving relationship with said second piston and for opening said valve member, piston control means responsive to a predetermined valve-opening movement of said first piston for returning said first piston to valve-closed position, said piston control means comprising a passage which when opened supplies pressurized fluid to a space between said pistons, said passageway normally being closed off by the outer periphery of said second piston and being opened by said
  • circuit breaker of claim 3 in which substantially all fluid-pressure forces acting to drive said second piston from said contact-closed position to the region of said contact-open position are supplied through said first piston, thus tending to preclude independence of motion of said two pistons during movement of said sec: ond piston from said contact-closed position to the region of contact-open position.

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US535619A 1955-09-21 1955-09-21 Operating mechanism for a fluid-blast circuit breaker Expired - Lifetime US2783338A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US535619A US2783338A (en) 1955-09-21 1955-09-21 Operating mechanism for a fluid-blast circuit breaker
GB28677/56A GB842986A (en) 1955-09-21 1956-09-19 Improvements in and relating to electrical circuit-breaker of the gas blast type
DEG20589A DE1035728B (de) 1955-09-21 1956-09-19 Druckgasschalter
CH346272D CH346272A (de) 1955-09-21 1956-09-21 Elektrischer Schalter mit Funkenlöscheinrichtung

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US535619A US2783338A (en) 1955-09-21 1955-09-21 Operating mechanism for a fluid-blast circuit breaker

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US2783338A true US2783338A (en) 1957-02-26

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US535619A Expired - Lifetime US2783338A (en) 1955-09-21 1955-09-21 Operating mechanism for a fluid-blast circuit breaker

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US (1) US2783338A (de)
CH (1) CH346272A (de)
DE (1) DE1035728B (de)
GB (1) GB842986A (de)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2874242A (en) * 1957-05-23 1959-02-17 Gen Electric Fluid-pressure controlled operating mechanism for a circuit breaker
US2897324A (en) * 1957-10-09 1959-07-28 Gen Electric Fluid blast circuit interrupter
US2911492A (en) * 1957-02-25 1959-11-03 Gen Electric Operating mechanism for a fluid blast circuit breaker
US3167630A (en) * 1959-06-02 1965-01-26 English Electric Co Ltd Multi-break gas blast circuit breaker and operating means therefor
US3244844A (en) * 1962-12-24 1966-04-05 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Energy storage operating means for air blast circuit breakers
US3256414A (en) * 1962-03-30 1966-06-14 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Operating mechanism for electrical circuit breaker of the gas blast type
US3258569A (en) * 1961-02-15 1966-06-28 Westinghouse Electric Corp Truck-mounted compressed-gas circuit interrupter with tank-enclosed interrupting units and blast tubes in spaced vertical planes
US3336454A (en) * 1964-12-29 1967-08-15 Gen Electric Means for controlling the blast valve of a gas blast circuit breaker
US3358106A (en) * 1964-12-07 1967-12-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp Pneumatic control for compressed-gas circuit breaker having pressurized tank with insulating control tubes pressurized in both the open and closed-circuit positions
US3358107A (en) * 1964-12-07 1967-12-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp Simplified pneumatic control for compressed-gas circuit breaker having pressurized tank with insulating control tubes pressurized in the closedcircuit position
US3566054A (en) * 1968-02-13 1971-02-23 Gen Electric High voltage circuit breaker comprising a mechanical linkage interconnecting its components for synchronized operation thereof
US3639713A (en) * 1968-12-10 1972-02-01 Westinghouse Electric Corp Operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter
US3885113A (en) * 1973-10-19 1975-05-20 Gen Electric Control for an electric circuit breaker with valve and piston operating means
US4430535A (en) 1980-11-27 1984-02-07 Asea Aktiebolag Damping device for electric circuit breakers
US4550234A (en) * 1983-01-12 1985-10-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vacuum circuit breaker with two switching tubes connected in series for each pole
US4849650A (en) * 1987-03-27 1989-07-18 Bbc Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Hydraulic drive for a high-voltage switchgear

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DE1221333B (de) * 1960-02-10 1966-07-21 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Steuerventil fuer den Druckluftzufluss zu den Schaltkammern von Druckluftschaltern
US3267241A (en) * 1964-10-05 1966-08-16 Gen Electric Multiple break high voltage circuit breaker with variable length gap control means
US3364325A (en) * 1964-12-07 1968-01-16 Westinghouse Electric Corp Gas-operated gas-blast circulating-type circuit breaker with simplified pneumatic control

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US2153400A (en) * 1936-12-14 1939-04-04 Gen Electric Electrical switch gear
US2290726A (en) * 1940-10-25 1942-07-21 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker
US2665351A (en) * 1951-02-09 1954-01-05 Asea Ab Arrangement in air blast circuit breaker provided with damping resistance

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DE551527C (de) * 1931-01-02 1932-06-01 Aeg Ventilanordnung zur Steuerung der Druckgaszufuhr bei Schaltern mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch Druckgas
DE659281C (de) * 1934-06-16 1938-05-14 Voigt & Haeffner Akt Ges Blasventilanordnung fuer elektrische Schalter mit Lichtbogenloeschung durch stroemendes Druckgas
DE654658C (de) * 1935-01-30 1937-12-28 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Schalter mit pneumatischer Steuerung und mit mindestens zwei in Reihe geschalteten, verschiedenartigen Kontaktstellen
DE711306C (de) * 1938-01-14 1941-09-29 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Elektropneumatische Steuerung fuer Schalteinrichtungen
DE707302C (de) * 1938-06-28 1941-06-18 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Druckluftschalter mit elektropneumatischer Steuerung
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US2153400A (en) * 1936-12-14 1939-04-04 Gen Electric Electrical switch gear
US2290726A (en) * 1940-10-25 1942-07-21 Gen Electric Electric circuit breaker
US2665351A (en) * 1951-02-09 1954-01-05 Asea Ab Arrangement in air blast circuit breaker provided with damping resistance

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2911492A (en) * 1957-02-25 1959-11-03 Gen Electric Operating mechanism for a fluid blast circuit breaker
US2874242A (en) * 1957-05-23 1959-02-17 Gen Electric Fluid-pressure controlled operating mechanism for a circuit breaker
US2897324A (en) * 1957-10-09 1959-07-28 Gen Electric Fluid blast circuit interrupter
US3167630A (en) * 1959-06-02 1965-01-26 English Electric Co Ltd Multi-break gas blast circuit breaker and operating means therefor
US3258569A (en) * 1961-02-15 1966-06-28 Westinghouse Electric Corp Truck-mounted compressed-gas circuit interrupter with tank-enclosed interrupting units and blast tubes in spaced vertical planes
US3256414A (en) * 1962-03-30 1966-06-14 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Operating mechanism for electrical circuit breaker of the gas blast type
US3244844A (en) * 1962-12-24 1966-04-05 Ite Circuit Breaker Ltd Energy storage operating means for air blast circuit breakers
US3358106A (en) * 1964-12-07 1967-12-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp Pneumatic control for compressed-gas circuit breaker having pressurized tank with insulating control tubes pressurized in both the open and closed-circuit positions
US3358107A (en) * 1964-12-07 1967-12-12 Westinghouse Electric Corp Simplified pneumatic control for compressed-gas circuit breaker having pressurized tank with insulating control tubes pressurized in the closedcircuit position
US3336453A (en) * 1964-12-29 1967-08-15 Gen Electric Means for controlling the blast valve and contacts of a gas blast circuit breaker
US3336454A (en) * 1964-12-29 1967-08-15 Gen Electric Means for controlling the blast valve of a gas blast circuit breaker
US3566054A (en) * 1968-02-13 1971-02-23 Gen Electric High voltage circuit breaker comprising a mechanical linkage interconnecting its components for synchronized operation thereof
US3639713A (en) * 1968-12-10 1972-02-01 Westinghouse Electric Corp Operating mechanism for a circuit interrupter
US3885113A (en) * 1973-10-19 1975-05-20 Gen Electric Control for an electric circuit breaker with valve and piston operating means
US4430535A (en) 1980-11-27 1984-02-07 Asea Aktiebolag Damping device for electric circuit breakers
US4550234A (en) * 1983-01-12 1985-10-29 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Vacuum circuit breaker with two switching tubes connected in series for each pole
US4849650A (en) * 1987-03-27 1989-07-18 Bbc Brown Boveri Aktiengesellschaft Hydraulic drive for a high-voltage switchgear

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH346272A (de) 1960-05-15
GB842986A (en) 1960-08-04
DE1035728B (de) 1958-08-07

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