CA1169112A - Metal enclosed, high-voltage, two-way switchgear - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE High-voltage switchgear includes one or more poly-phase switches, each in its own module, which are opened and closed by respective stored-energy operators. If energy stored in any operator is released by the action of either an electrical sensor or a hand lever to operate its switch, an electric motor-driven facility or a human-manipulated facility restores energy thereto. Release of the stored energy by the hand lever is blocked during an ongoing restoration of the stored energy by either energy-restoring facility. Also, ongoing restoration of the energy by the human-manipulated facility prevents both operation of the motor-driven facility and release of the energy by the electrical sensor. Each operating mechanism may be selectively coupled to and decoupled from its switch regardless of the presence or absence of stored energy in the operator; if energy is stored when decoupling is attempted, facilities permit the safe dissipation thereof, as necessary, without damage to the switch or the operating mechanism. The switch is locked in its extant position before decoupling is achieved and is unlocked when recoupling occurs. Various indicators visually inform of the position (opened, closed) of each switch, the position (switch open, switch closed) and condition (charged, uncharged) of each operator, and the status (coupled, decoupled) of each switch-operator pair.

Description

ll~.ittl~Z c,;~ c- r~rr~ - C

BACKGROI~ND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved high-voltflge switchgear, and 'i 5 more specifically, to metal-enclosed, two-way transfer switchgear which includes high-voltage switches, operating mechanisms for the switches, ~nd high-voltage fuses, all in a metallic enc~osure. The type of switchgear contemplated by the present invention includes one three-phase switch connectable to a preferred source of h,gh-voltage electricity and another three-phase switch connectable to an alter-nate source of high-voltage electricity. Electrical power is supplied to electrical loads through high-voltage fuses connectable to the switches. Normally, the pre-ferred source energizes the loads; should anything untoward occur with or in thepreferred source, the switch associated therewith is opened and the switch associated with the alternate source is closed to disconnect the preferred source from the loads and to connect the alternate source to the loads through the fuses.
Various types of high-yoltage switchgear which include ~tored-energy operating mechanisms for the switch thereof are well known, as exemplified by numerous, commonly-assigned U.S. Patents and Canadian Patent Applications set forth ~
below. The present invention relates to improvements in such high-voltage switch-gear. Specifically, according to various aspects of the present invention, the oper-ating mechanisms for the switches may have mechanical energy stored therein either automatically, by a motor, or manually, by manipulation of a hand crank.
The energy, once stored, may be either automatically released, in response to the condition of the preferred and alternate sources, or may be manually released, regardless of the condition of the sources at the option of operating personnel, to affect the condition of the switches. Each operating mechanism may be decoupled from its switch so that they may be exercised for maintenance or adJustment purposes without affecting the condition of the switches. The manual release of the energy stored in the operating mechanisms is prevented when energy is in theprocess of being stored therein by either the motor or the hand crank. Also, engagement of the hand crank with either operating mechanism preparatory to ": r .;C~

manually storing mec~ ical energy therein prcvents its motor from attempting to store energy therein and also prevents automatic or manual release of any energy stored within the operating mechanism. Deooupling of the operating mechanisms from their switches causes the switches to be locked in their extant position at the time of decoupling and may also prevent automatic operation of the switchgear while such unooupled condition exits, although manual operation may occur.
The improved switchgear also includes appropriate legen~s visible to operating personnel and informating whether mechanical energy is or is not stored within each operating mechanisms, whether each operating mechanism is in the switch-closed or the switch-open position, whether or not each switch is closed or opened, and in what direction the hand crank must be rotated in order to manually store mechanical energy in each operating mechanism.
The above and other features of the present invention all serve to render the switchgear thereof improved from the standpoints of oonvenienoe of use, reliability and the safety of operating personnel. The present invention represents an improvement over various commonly-assigned U.S.
Patents and Canadian Patent A~plications, all cited hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

~0 The present invention relates to improved high-voltage switchgear of the type which has a switch selectively operable between a closed position and an open position. The switchgear also has a switch-operating mechanism which can assume a switch-closed or a switch-opened condition due to the action of a facility therein which stores a predetermined amount of mechanical energy. The predetermined amount of stored energy is capable, upon the re-lease thereof, of opening or closing the switch. Such switchgear will be referred to herein as being "of the type described".
In co-pending Canadian Patent Application Nb. 374,057, filed March 27, 1981, improved high-voltage switchgear is described which includes a first electrical facility which restores the predetermined amount of energy in the energy storing facility in response to, and after, the release of energy

-2-, previously stored in the energy storing facility. The restored energy iscapable of placing the operating mechanism in the condition opposite that it assumed during the release of the previously stored energy. A first mechanical facility is responsive to selective manual manipulation for re-storing the predetermined amount of energy in the energy storing facility.
The first mechanical facility may be utilized after the release of energy previously stored in the energy storing facility so that the restored energy is capable of placing the operating mechanism in the condition opposi-te that which it assumed during the release of the previously stored energy.
Further in accordance with the aforesaid Application No. 374,057, a second electrical facility releases energy in the energy storing means in response to the condition of a circuit to which the switch is connected. A
second mechanical facility releases the energy stored in the energy storing facility in response to selective manipulation thereof, regardless of the condition of the circuit. Also, a first preventing facility responds to the ongoiny restoration of energy in the energy storing means by either the first electrical facility or the first mechanical facility. The first preventing facility prevents the release of any energy by the second mechanical facility until the predetermined amount of energy is restored. A second preventing facility responds to the ongoing restoration of energy in the energy storing means by the first mechanical facility to achieve two ends. First, the second preventing facility prevents the restoring of energy in the energy storing facility by the first electrical facility. Second, the second preventing facility prevents the release of any energy in the energy storing facility by the second electrical facility. Both preventive steps are effected at least until the predetermined amount of energy is restored.
In accordance with the present invention, switchgear of the type described includes a coupling facility which responds to selective manual manipulation thereof for coupling the operating mechanism to, or decoupling the operating mechanism from, the switch. The coupling facility responds to the deooupling of the operating mechanisms from the l~tj~3~
switch by dissipating any residual ener~y storcd in thc opcrutin~ mcchnni~nl~ toprevent dam~ge to the switch and to th~? oper~ting mec~l~nism by tI,c rc~ lal energy. A fncility responsive to an ongoing attempt to dccouple the oper~tin~
mechanism from the switch locks the switch in its extant pvsition before decoupling is c~mpleted. This latter facility also responds to an ongoing attempt to couple the operating mechanism to the switch for unlocking the switch for movement by the operating mechanism out of its extant position after coupling has been completcd.

DESCXIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIGURE 1 is a perspective, partially broken away, overa]l view of improved high-voltage switchgear according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an electrical schematic of the switchgear depicted in FIGURE l;
PIGURE 3A and 3B are, respectively, side, elevational, partially-sectioned views of switches contained within the switchgear of FIGURE l taken generfllly nlong lines 3A-3A in FIGURE 1 with portions of walls broken away;

FIGURES 4A and 4B are respective, front elevations of the switches of FIGURES 3A and 3B within the switchgear of FIGURE 1 taken generally ~long lines 9A-4A and 4B-4B in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5A is a top, partial plan view of a portion of an operating mechanism is a compartment for the switches of previous FIGURES taken generally along line 5A-5A in FIGURE 5B with portions of walls of the compartment partially broken away;

FIGURE 5B is a partial, partially~ectioned, front elevational view of 30 portions of operating mechanisms for the switches of previous FIGURES taken generally along line 5B-5B in FIGURE 1 with certain walls of FIGURE 1 being removed;

ll(:;URE 6 is n pclspective, exploded vie~ oî a portion of tll( oI~crIltin~r mechanism shown in l IGURF.S 5A and 5B;

FIGURE 6A is a front elevntion of a portion of the operating mechanism 5 of FIGURES 5A and 5B taken generally along lines 6A-6A of FIGURE 7 and with elements in addition to those in FIGURE 6 being depictcd;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational, partially-sectioned view of a portion of the operating mechanism of FIGURES 5A, SB, 6 and 6A taken generally along line 10 7-7 in FIGURE 5B and depicting elements in addition to those shown in FIGURES 6 and 6A;

FIGURE 8 is a front elevation oî the operating mechanism depicted in FIGURE 7 taken along line 8-8 therein;

FIGIJRE 9 is a front e]evation of the operating mechanism of FIGURE 7 tnken along the line 9-9 therein;

FIGURES lOA and lOB are, respectively, a front elevation and a top plan 20 view of an outer spring arbor for the operating mechanism of FIGURE 6;

FIGURES 11A and l1B are, respectively, a side elevation and a front elevation of an inner spring arbor for the operating mechanism of FIGURE 6;

FIGURES 12A and 12B are, respectively, a front elevation and a side, partially-sectioned elevation of an input lever for the operating mechanisms of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 13A and 13B are, respectively, a front elevation and n side, 30 partially sectioned elevation of an output lever for the operating mechanism of FIGURE 6;

I:IGUI~l S 14A nnd 14B arc, rcspcctivcly, n frorlt clevl~tion ~m(3 n side, partially-see~ioned elevation of an output lever for the opcrntin~ mecllanism of FIGURES 5A and 5B;

FIGURE 15 is a side, elevational, partially~ectioned view of a deco~pling mechanism for the switchgear of the present invention taken generfllly along line 15-15 in FIGURE 5B;

FIGURES 16A and 16 are~ respectively, a front elevation and side, lO partially-sectioned elevation of a portion of a decoupling bolt assembly for the decoupling mechanism of FIGURE 15, the former being taken generally along line 16A-16A in FIGURE 15;

FIGURES 17A and 17B, are respectively, a front elevation and a side, 15 partially-sectioned view of a shutter for the decoupling mechanism of FIGURE 15, the former being taken along line 17A-17A therein;

FIGURES 18A and 18B are, respectively, a front, partiully-sectioned view and a top, partially-sectioned view of a portion of the operating mechanism of 20 FIGVRE 7 taken along line 18A-18A therein;

FIGU~E l9A and l9B are, respectively, two possible configurations for a portion of a drive train for the operating mechanism of FIGURE 5B and taken generally along line l9A in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 20 represents a portion of the operating mechanism of FIGURE 7 taken generally along line 20-20 therein;

FIGURE 21 represents a portion of the switchgear of FIGURE 1 and is 30 taken generally along line 21-21 therein;

l~t;~
~ IGURE 22 is n ~eneral e]cc~tricnl schen~ Or n (~ir(~llit ~ ich cff~cts ovcrall control of the oper~tin~ mechanism ~ccordin~ to thc prescnt invcntion; and FIGURE 23 is a view of switchgear accGrding to thc present invention, 5 having the same genera~ perspective as ~IGURE 5r~ but wi~}- thc vnriolls portions of the opcrating mechanIsms depicted in their normnl, accessible locntions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
General - Switchgear 20 (FIGURES 1, 2, 3A and 3B, 4A and 4B) Referring first to ~IGURES 1 and 2, there is shown a general, overall view and electrical schematic view of high-voltage switchgear 20 according to the present invention. The switchgear 20 includes a metal enclosure 22 which is divided into a pair of high-voltage switch compartments 24 an(l 26 and a pair of high--voltage fuse compartments 27 and 28. The enclosure 22 and a roof 29 therefor may 15 take the forms depicted in commonly-assigned U.S. Patents 4,102,475, issued July 25, 1978 and 3,572,062, issuecl March 23, 1971. The compartments 24, 26, 27 and 28 are closnble by doors 30, only one of which for thc fuse compartment 27 is shown.
Viewing the switchgear 20 from a perspective along arrow "P" in FIGURES 1 nnd 2, the switch and fuse compartments 24 and 27 are referred to as the left-hand com-20 partments, while the switch and fuse compartments 26 and 28 are referr~d to as theri~ht-hand compartments.

Each switch compartment 24 and 26 may contain a three-phase, high-voltage switch assembly 32 and 34, while each fuse compartment 27 ancl 28 may 25 contain a three-phase, high-voltage power fuse assembly 36 and 38. Each switch assembly 32 and 34 may include three similar interrupter switches 40, which prefer-ably take the form depicted in commonly-assigned U.S. Pntents 4,169,973, issued October 2, ~979; 3,676,629, issued July 11, 1972, and 3,549,840, issucd I)ecember 22, 1970. Each fuse assembly 36 and 38 may include three similnr fuses 42 which 30 have exhaust control devices 44 thereon and which are associated with integral load-break devices, only generally indicated at 46 in FlGURE 2. The fuses 42 preferably take the form depicted in one or more of the following commonly--.3~

assigncd U.S. Patents: D254,545, issucd 1~1nrch 25! 19~ l,192,!d3~1, i.s~lc~ l\lnr~h 11, 1980; 4,193,053, issued ~arch 11, ] 98~; 4,159,18~, issucd Jun~ 2fi, 1970;
4,158,830, issued June 19, 1979; 4,153,893, issued l~lay 8, ] 979; 4,103,270, i~sued July 25, 1978; 4,075,755, issued February 28, ]978; 4,109,227, issued Augu~st 22, 5 1978; 4,186,3fi5, issued January 29, ]980; 4,123,639, issucd October 31, 1978;
4,045,758, issued August 3, 1977; D254,615 issued April 1, 1 98n; 1~254,668 issued April 8, 1980; D254,614 issued April 1, 1980; D254,487 issued March 18, 1980; and Canadian Patent 1,078,897 issued June 3, 1980. The exhaust control devices 44 preferably take the form depicted in one or more of the following commonly--10 assigned U.S. Patents: 4,001,750, issued January 4, 1977; 3,965,452, issued June 22, 1976; 3,391,368, issued July 2, 1968; 3,965,452, issued June 22, 1976; 3,719,912, issued October 26, 1973; and 3,230,331, issued January 18, 1966. The integral load break devices 46 preferably take the form depicted in Canadian Patent 1,065,929, issued November 6, 1979 or in one or more of the following commonly-assigned l~.S.
15 Patents: D256,355, issued August 12, 1980; D256,354 issued August 12, 1980;
D256,352 issued August 12, 1980; and D256,353 issued August 12, 1980. The individual switches 40 of each switch assembly 32 and 34 are prefernbly gang-operable (i.e., simultaneously) by similar operating mechanisms 48 and 50 contained in separate compartments 51 nnd 52 in the enclosure 22 and closable by doors 53, Z0 only one of which is shown in FIGURE 1. The operating mechanisms 48 and 50 are irnprovernents, according to the present invention, of the general type of mechanisms depicted in the following commonly-assigned U.S. Patents: 3,980,977, issued September 14, 1976; 3,898,420, issued August 5, 1975; 3,563,102, issued ~ebruary 16, 1971; 4,238,657, issued December 9, 1980; 4,237,357, issued December 25 2, 1980; and Canadian Patent Application, Serial No. 326,631, filed May 17, 1979.

As schematically shown in FIGU~E 2, thc switchcs 40 and the fuses 42 may be interconnected by appropriate buses, generally shown at 54, contained within the enclosure 22. As explained more fully below, the switches 40 in the left-30 hand compartment 24 may be manually or automatically opened or closed by theoperating mechanism 48, and the switches 40 in the right-hand compartment 26 may be manually or automatically opened or closed by the operating mechanism l ~t;'3~Z

50. l~he switches 40 in both comp~r~m~llts 2~ nnd 2r. mny b(~ op~n; how(~vcr, if tl)c switches 40 in one compartment are closed, th~ switchcs ~n in t~e othcr cornpnrt-ment must be open. The fuses 42 in both compartments 27 and 28 mny be selectively and individually manually opened or closed.

Still referring to FIGURE 2, the switches 40 of the switch assembly 32 in the left-hand comp~rtment 24 may be electricall~ located bctween a preferred three-pllase voltage source, generally indicated at 55, and the buses 54. The switches 40 of the switch assembly 34 in the right-hnnd compartmcnt 26 may be 10 electrically located between an alternate three-phase voltage source, generally indicated at 56, and the buses 54. Thus, the switches 40 of the assembly 32 are normally closed, connecting the preferred source 55 to the buses 54, and the switches 40 of the assembly 34 are normally open. If the preferred source 55 is lost, the switches 40 of the assembly 32 may be opened and the switches 40 of the 15 assembly 34 closed to connect the alternate source 56 to the buses 54. The fuses 42 in both compartments 27 and 28 may be electrically located between the buses 54 and ele~trical loads~ generally indicated at 58. Thus, the loads 58 may receive electrical power from either source 55 or 56 (but not from both sources at the same time), depending on which switches 40 of which asscmbly 32 or 34 are closed and 20 which fuses 42 are closed. Accordingly, the switchgear 20 mfly be designated as "two way transfer" gear. The integral load-break devices 46 permit the fuses 42 to be individually opened while the loads 58 connected thereto are energized by one of the sources 55 or 56.

Further details of the enclosure 22, the fuse compartments 27 and 28, the fuse assemblies 36 and 38, the fuses 42, the exhnust control deviccs 44 and the load-break devices 46 are not set forth herein, as these items only generally form a part of the present invention.

30 General - Switch Assemblies 32 and 34 Referring now to FIGURES l, 2, 3A and 3B, 4A and 4B, each switch 40 of the asselnblies 32 and 34 includes a switch blade 60. The blades 60 of each 311~

asscmbly 32 and 34 are rcspectively commonly rot(ltat~]c by common insulative strute 62 and 64 into and out of engngement with respective stationarv contflct assernblies 66. The struts 62 and 64, as explained belowt are respectively, selectively rotated by the operating mechanisms 48 and 50. Each strut 62 and 64 5 mounts three conductive blade-mounting members 68 to which the lower ends of the switch blades 60 are respectively mechanically and electrically connected. The members 68 are in continuous, sliding, electrical engagement with respective contact assemblies 70. The contact assemblies 70 and respective electrically interconnected terminals 72 therefor are mounted to an insulator 74 which may be 1 0 a part of an integral voltage sensor (not shown) and insulator described in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent 4,002,976, issued January l1, 1977. Attachable to each terminal 72 is a cable (not shown) which is connectable to one of the sources 54 or 56.

Each stationary contact assembly 66 depends from a support member 76, which in turn depends from an insualtor 78. Each support member 76 is connectable to an appropriate one of the buses 54. Each blade 60 moves into and out of engagement with its stationary contact assembly 66 through a passage (not numbered) formed in an arc-compressing chute 80 (FIGURE l; shown in phantom in 20 ~IGURE 3; not shown in FIGURES 4A and 4B) mounted to the support member 76.
Clockwise rotation of the strut 62 (FIGURES and 3A) closes the switches 40 in the compartment 24 and counterclockwise rotation of the strut 62 opens these switches 40. Counterclockwise rotation of the strut 64 (FIGURE 3B) closes the switches 40 in the compartment 26 and clockwise rotation of the strut 64 opens them.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 4A and 4B, the insulative struts 62 and 64 may be seen to include elongated, skirted, insulative bodies 81 molded from a cycloaliphatic resin or the like. During the molding of the strut bodies 81, there are molded thereinto at either end splined studs 82. The strut 62 is rotatably 30 mounted in the compartment 24 by means of the studs 82. Specifically, the left-hand stud 82 (FIGURE 4A) of the strut 62 is rotatably carried by a bearing assembly 84, which is in tum carried by a generally U-shaped support member 86. The right-hand stud 82 (FIGURE 4B) of the strut fi4 in the comp)lrtlnellt 2fi is carried ~-y n similar bearing assembly 84 and support member 86. The right-hand stud 82 of the strut 62 extends into the compartment 51 which houses the operating mechanisms 48 and is connected to the operating mechanism 48 for rotation thereby in a manner 5 to be described above. The left-hand stud 82 of the strut 64 similarly extends into the compartment 52 for selective rotation by the operating mechanism 50. Both the right-hand stud 82 of the strut 62 and the left-hnnd stud 82 of the strut 64 extend through respective lower side walls 92 and 94 of the compartments 51 and 52. Such studs are supported for rotation by appropriate bearing assemblies 1 0 generally indicated at 96.

The switches 40 in the compartments 24 and 26 are assembled in back-to-back fashion, each assembly 32 and 34 serving as a unitary subassembly of the switchgear 20 and being mountable within the metal enclosure 22.

Referring to FIGURES 4A and 4B, the left-hand switch assembly 32 may be seen to comprise an upper channel member 98 from which depend the insulators 78. The assembly 32 also includes a lower channel member lOn which supports the insulators 74. At the left side of the nssembly 32, the channel members 98 and 100 20 are maintained rigidly apart by a side channel 102. The side channel member 102 may bc attached to the channel members 98 and 10 by welding or the like. Further, the U-shaped support member 86 for the left-hand stud 82 of the strut 62 may be mounted to the side channel member 102 by welding (see also FIGUP~E 1). The assembly 32 also includes a short, right-side channel member 104. The right-hand 25 side of the assembly 32 may be rigidly fixed in the enclosure 22 by welding the short channel member 100 to the outside of the lower side wall 92 defining the compartment 51 for the operating mechanism 48. In FIGURE 4A, there are shown the lower side wall 92, the top wall 105, a front wall 106, an an upper side wall 107 of the compartment 51, it being understood that the compartment 51 is preferably 30 totally enclosed by a number of additionfll wfllls fastened together by welding or the like. It should be noted that the assembly 32, as shown in FIGURE 4A, is depicted as though viewed from a perspective along an arrow "Q" in FIGURE 1.

3 .1~'3112 The assembly 32 is quite similnr to, but is th~ mirror imnge of, thc assembly 32, as shown in FIGURE 4B. In FIGI~RE 4B, the a~sembly 34 is dcpicted as though viewed from a perspective along an arrow "R" in FIGURE 1 and includes an upper channel member 108 and a lower channel member 110 (both respectively 5 similar to the upper channel member 98 and the lower channel member 100), a right-side channel member 112 similar to the left-side channel mernber 102, and a short left-side channel member 114 similar to the short right~ide channel member 104. The compartment 52 includes a front wall 115, a top wall 116, an upper side wall 117, and the lower side wall 194, all similar to their corresponding elements lO 106, 105, 107 and 92, defining the compartment 52 within which is located the operating mechanism 50. FIGURE 3 depicts both in section and in phantom some of the structural elements 98-117 shown in FIGURES 4A and 4Fs. The upper channel member 98 and 108 may be connected as by welding between frame members 118 of the metal enclosure 22 (see FIGURE 3). Further, the lower channel member 100 15 and 110 may be respectively connected between the lower side waUs 92 and 94 of the compartments 51 and 52 and interior side walls 120 of the enclosure 22.

Thus, each assembly 32 and 34 may separately be constructed and assembled as shown in FIGURES 4A and 4B, and following such construction and 20 assembly, appropriately inserted into and mounted within the enclosure 22 as depicted in FIGURES 1, 3A and 3B. Moreover, each assembly 32 and 34, with or without the compartments 51 and 52, may be sold as shown in FIGURES 4A and 4B, apart from the enclosure 22 and the operating mechanisms 48 and 50, for use with the switch assemblies 32 and 34j which may be provided by the purchaser and 25 placed in compartments 51 and 52.

Continuing to refer to FIGURE 1, 3A and 3B, 4A and 4B, after the assemblies 32 and 34 are installed in the enclosure 22, the compartments 51 and 52 for the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 are located side-by-side as shown in 30 FIGURES 1 and 3. In addition to the walls 92, 105, 106 and 107 of the compartment 51, and to the walls 94, 115, 116 and 117 of the compartment 52, the compartments 51 and 52 may be enclosed by respective exterior walls 122 and 124 so that most of .<3112 the mechanisms 48 and 50 are not normally f~cces~siblc. Outwardly extending frames 126 and 128 rim the walls 122 and 124. It is against these frames 126 and 128 that the doors 53 may be closed. Opening the doors 53 exposes vQrious controls and indicators for the operating mechanisms 48 and 50, as described below~ which 5 controls and indicators are on the outside of, or are accessible through the walls 122 and 124.

Operating Mechanisms 48 and 50 Referring first to FIGURE 5A, there is shown a top view of a portion of the 10 operating mechanism 50 within its compartment 52. As depicted, the top walls 105 and 116 may be integral and continuous as may the lower side walls 92 and 94 and the upper side walls 107 and 117. The operating mechanisms 48 and 50 each include similar quick-break/quick-make mechanisms 130 which rapidly open and close the switches 40 by rapidly rotating the switch blades 60. The quick-break/quick-make 15 mechanisms may be supported by brackets 132 and 134, the former be;ng attached to the upper side walls 107 and 117 in any convenient manner. The brackets 134 are attached between the brackets 132 and a main frame 136 for the mechanisms 130.

Referring now to FIGURE 5B, there are generally depicted the operating ~0 mechanisms 48 and 50 taken from generally the same aspect as in FIGURES 3A and 3B, that is, from the aspect of the arrow "P" in FIGURES 1, 4A and 4B with the exterior side wlls 122 and 124 removed. As can be seen, FIGURE 5B represents a view of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 within their respective compartments 51 and 52, the respective upper and lower side walls 107,117 and 92,94 of which are 25 also seen. It should be understood that the majority of the elements depicted in FIGURE 5B are not normally exposed or accessible as shown in that FIGURE, the compartments 51 and 52 being normally closed by the walls 122 and 124 which are appropriately attached to the frames 126 and 128. As viewed in FIGURE 5B, the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 contain numerous similar elements and in the 30 general description relating to FIGURE 5B, the same reference numerals are utilized for corresponding elements of both mechanisms 48 and 50. Specifics of the l~it3~

operating mechflnisms 48 and 50 depicted only g~nerally in ~IGVRE 5B flre shown in detail in FIGURES 6 - 21, to which reference should also be made.

The struts 62 and 64 are rotated by rotatable drive levers 200 connected 5 to the studs 32 in a mQnner described below (see generally FIGURE 1). The drive levers 200 are, in turn, rotated by reciprocation of push-pull rods 202. The push-pull rods 202 are reciprocated by the selective rotation of first output levers 204 which are connected to the push-pull rods 202 in a manner described below. As viewed in FIGURE 5B, counterclockwise rotation of the drive and output levers 200 10 and 204 of the operator 48 and upward movement of the push-pull rod 202 opens the switches 40 in the left-hand compartment 24. Clockwise rotation of these levers 200 and 204 and downward movement of the rod 202 to the, positions shown in FIGURE 5B close the switches 40 in the compartment 24. Clockwise rotation of the output lever 204, downward movement of the rod 202, and counterclockwise 15 rotation of the drive lever 200 of the operating mechanism 50 closes the switches 40 in the right-hand compartment 26. Counterclockwise rotation of the output lèver 204, upward movement of the rod 202 and clockwise rotation ofthe drive lever 200 to the positions in FIGURE 5 open the switches 40 in the compartment 26. The output levers 204 are selectively, rapidly rotated by the rapid release of energy 20 stored in spiral springs 206 of the quick-break/quick-make mechanism 130 for each operator 48 and 50, as more clearly depicted in FIGURES 6, 6A, 6B and 7. It should be noted that FIGURES 6 - 21 depict only one of the operating mechanisms 48, it being understood that the operating mechanism 50 contains similar elements which are similarly interrelated.

Referring to PIGURES 1 and 5A - 13, energy may be stored in cAch spring 206 (FIGURE 6) in one of two ways. First, an imput shaft 208 may be manually rotated by a hand crank 210 coupled directly thereto following insertion through holes 211 formed t}lrough the exterior side walls 122 or 124 of the compartments 51 30 and 52 (see FIGURES 1 and 7). Second, the shaft 208 may be rotated by a motor 212 (FIGURE 1) contained within each compartment 51 and 52. Rote~tion-of the input shaft 208 in either way charges the spring 206 and stores energy therein in a il.tj911'~

manner to be described below. ~7hen thc rnotor 2]2 rotatcs the inpllt ~hflft 208, it does so via a first sprocket 214 (FIGURF. 5B) driven by the motor 212 throngh a gear box. The sprocket 214 is connected to a second sprocket 21G (FIGI~RES 5B and 7) by a chain 218. As described in more detail below, the second sprocket 21fi is 5 selectively coupleable to the input shaft 208. The second sprocket 216 is normally coupled to the input shaft 2D8, being uncoupled therefrom on~y when the hand crank 210 is coupled to thc input shaft 208.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the output lever 204, the spiral spring 206, and 10 the input shaft 208 are all elements of the respective quick-break/quick-make mechanisms 130 of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50. The input shaft 208 com-prises an elongated member 22, a forward poriton 224 of which has a hexagonal cross-section, and a rearward portion 226 of which has a circular cross-section.
The forward portion 224 of the input shaft 208 is engageable, via the holes 211 15 through the exterior side walls 122 and 124 of the compartments 51 and 52 by the hand crank 210. The hexagonal forward portion 224 is also selectively engageablc by a clutch facility 22 associated with the second sprocket 216, as described more ful]y below. The rearward portion of the input shnft 20R i.s journ~lcd for rotntion l-y me~ns of appropriate bearings 228 in a structural support membel 229 which may 20 be mounted, via support plates 230 and the brackets 132 and 134 (FIGURE 5A) to the upper side wall 107 and 117 of the compartments 51 and 52. The support plates 230, which are directly mounted to the brackets 134, and the support member 229 constitute a portion of the main frame 136. A cotter key 232 or the like may prevent the input shaft 208 from being pulled away from the structural support 25 mernber 229.

Referring to FIGURES 6 - 10, freely rotatable about the rearward portion 226 of the input shaft 08, via appropriate bearings 234 surrounding the input shaft 208, is an outer spring arbor 236 (FIGURE 10). The outer spring arbor 236 com-30 prises a cylindrical bushing-like member 238 surrounding the input shaft 208 and an arm 240 which extends generally transversely away from the input shaft 208 and which is attached to the member 238 by welding or the like Indicated Qt 242. The ~l~;t3~1~

arm 240 includcs an integrul tang 2~14 ~nrallcl to th~ input shnft 28 ~hich extcnd~
forwardly (FIGURES 6 and 6~). As viewed in FI~IURES 5B, 6A nnd ~ - 1n~ the spiral spring 206 is a clockwise spiral about the input shaft 208 from its inside to its outside. An outside end 246 of the spring 206 is formed outwardly and transversely 5 to the input shaft 208, as shown in FIGURES fi~ and 10. Thc outside cnd 246 of the spring 206 is attached to the tang 2~4 of the Arm 2~0 by rivets 248 or other appro priate fasteners.

As viewed in FIGURES 5B, 6A and 8 - 10, if the inside end of the spring lO 206 is held and the outer spring arbor 236 is rotated clockwise about the input shaft 208, energy is stored in the spring 206 tending to move the inside of the spring 206 clockwise and the outside end 246 of the spring 206 counterclockwise. Similarly, if the outer spring arbor 236 is held and the inside of the spring 206 is rotated counterclockwise, energy is stored in the spring 206 tending to rotate the inside end 15 of the spring 206 clockwise and the outside end 246 of the spring 206 and the outer arbor 236 counterclockwise.

Also mounted for free rotation about the rearward portion 226 of the input shaft 208 via appropriate bearings 250 (FIGURE 7) is an inner spring arbor 20 252 (FIGURE 11). As best seen in FIGURES 6 and 11, the inner spring arbor 252 comprises two members: 254 and 256. The member 254 is U-shaped, the inter-mediate portion of the U surrounding the rearward portion 226 of the input shaft 208 via a rearward bearing 250. The arms of the U 254 extend forwardly through the spring 206. The member 256 is an arm which surrounds the rearward portion 25 226 of the input shaft 208 via a forward bearing 250 and extends transversely of the input shaft 208. As best shown in FIGURE 11, the U-shaped member 254 is attached to the arm 256 by welding or the like, as shown at 262. Tlle arm terminates in a forwardly extending tang 264 parallel to the input shaft 208. An inside end 266 of the spring 206 is looped around and attached to one arm of the U-30 shaped member 254, as best shown in FIGURES 6A and 11. If one of the arbors 236(or 252) is held while the other arbor 252 (or 236) is rotated about the input shaft 208 so as to store energy in the spiral spring 206, the held arbor 236 (or 252) when relcased tcnds to "fc ll~)w" thc ~otntc~ arbor 252 (or 236) ns tl~c c~orcd encrgy is released from the spring 206.

An input lever 268, as best shown in FIGURES 6, 6A, 7, 8 and 12, com-5 prises a main, generally circular body portion 270 transversly mounted to the input shaft 08 and having a rear~ardly extending tang 272 (FIGURES 6, fiA nnd 12) which extends generally parallel to the input shaft 208. The body portion 272 includes a bushing 273 containing a central hole 274 having a keyway 276. The hole 274 sur-rounds the rearward portion 226 of the input shaft 208 and a key 278 (FIGVRE 7) lO located in the keyway 276 and a keyway 279 in the rearward portion 226 locks the bushing 273 to ~he input shaft 208. Attached to the body 270 by rivets 280 or other appropriate fasteners is a cam member 282 (FIGURES 7 and 12) serving a function described below. The bushing 273 is fixed to the body portion 270 by welding or the like, as shown at 283. Thus, the input lever 268, the cam 282 and the input shnft 15 208 rotate conjointly. Formed through the body portion 270 is an arcuate slot 284 which has ends 284a and 284b, as best shown in FIGURE 12. Formed in the periphery of the main body portion 270 are notches 286 and 288. The notch 286 is located generally on a radius of the body 270 which bisects the slot 284 while the notch 288 is located counterclockwise from the notch 286 by an angle of approx-20 imately 15~. The slot 284 subtends an angle about the hole 274 of approximately180 As explained in more detail below and as shown in FIGURES 6, 6A, 7 and 8, the tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 252 extends forwardly through the slot 284 for a purpose to be described below.

Referring now to FIGURES 6, 6A, 7, 8 and 13, the quick-breaktquick make mechanism 130 incudes a second output lever 294. Thc second output lever 294 comprises a hub 296 which surrounds the rearward portion 26 of the input shaft 208 and is mounted for free rotation thercnbout by appropriate benrings 298.
Attached to the hub 296, as by welding or the like shown at 300, is a generally 30 circular main body portion 302 of the second output lever 294. The main body portion 30 is generally circular, surrounds the output shaft 208 and includes a rearwardly extending tang 304 (FIGURES 6, 6A flnd 13) which runs parallel to and on the outside of the t~ng 272 of the input lever 268. Both of the t~ngs 304 nnd 272 lie in the rotntive path of the tang 244 of the outer spring arbor 236. The main body portion 302 of the second output lever 294 also includes an arcuate slot 306 having ends 306a and 306b; the slot 306 subtends an angle of approximately 180 5 similar to the slot 284. The tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 252 extends for-wardly through the slot 306. Formed in the periphery of the main body portion 302 is a notch 308 which is approximately bisected by a radius of main body portion 302 drawn near the end 206a of the slot 306 and which subtends ~n angle of approx-imately 50. The notch 308 includes ends 308a and 308b and is bisected by a lO diameter of the main body portion 302 which bisects the tang 304. It is to the main body portion 302 of the second output lever 294 that the first output lever 204 is mounted, as more fully described below. The outside of the hub 296 is journaled for rotation in a mounting plate 310 by bearings 312. The mounting plate 310 may be attached to the support plate 230 in any convenient manner (FIGURE 5A).

Referring now to FIGURES 5A - 13, the operation of the quick--break/quick-make mechanism 130 is described. The spiral spring 206 may be wound from either Its inside or its outside to bias the hub a96 for rotation either clockwise or counterclockwise. Referring first to FIGURE 5B, 6A and 8, the mechanism 130 20 is shown nt a time when the spring 206 is disch~rged, that is, has switch operating energy stored therein. When the spring 206 is thus discharged, the tangs 272 and 304 are aligned and are proximate to the tang 244 (they abut the spring end 246), and the slots 284 and 306 are aligned. The hub 296 has rotated in a clockwise direction as the spring 206 discharged. If it is desired to rotate the hub 296 in a 25 counterclockwise direction, the following general sequence of operation is effected. The second output lever 294 is held in the position shown in ~IGI~RES 5B, 6A and 8 and the input shaft 208 is rotated counterclockwise. Rotation of the input shaft counterclockwise rotates the input lever 268 counterclockwise. Rotation of the input lever 268 rotates counterclockwise the main body portion 270 and the slot 30 end 284b. The tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 252 is engaged by the slot end 284b and is similarly rotated counterclockwise. Rotation counterclockwise of the tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 252 rotates the inside end 266 of the spring 206 .'3~

clockwise, which, as described above, storcs encr~y in the sprin~ 20f. is the outside end 246 of the spring 206 is held. The holding of the second output lever 294 holds its tang 304 stationary. The stationary tang 304 prevents the tang 244 of the outer spring arbor 236 and the outside end 246 of the spring 206 from rotating. Thus, the 5 outside end 246 of the spring 206 is held as the inside end 266 is rotated counter-clockwise. As descri~ed earlier, this action stores energy in the spring 206.
Following a predetermined amount of the rotation of the input shaft 208, the input lever 268 is now held. If the second output lever 294 is now released, it rotates counterclockwise to "follow" the previously rotated input lever 268. Counter-lO clockwise rotation of the second input lever 294 rotates the first output lever 204counterclockwise. If the output levers 204 and 294 are elements of the switch operating mechanism 48, the switches 40 of the left-hand assembly 32 are opened by this action. Similarly, if the output levers 204 and 294 are elements of the operating mechanism 50, the switches 40 of the right-hand assembly 34 are opened 15 by this action. Following counterclockwise rotation of the output levers 204 and 294, the spring 206 is again discharged. If it is desired to reverse the condition of the switches 40, the following action t~kes place.

The tangs 272 and 304 are aligned, having previously rotated counter-20 clockwise. The tang 272, it will be remembered, rotated counterclockwise first as the input lever 268 rotated counterclockwise to charge the spiral spring 206. This action occurred while the output lever 294 was held maintaining its tang 304 in a full clockwise position. Subsequently, the output lever 294 was released, causing it to "follow" the input lever 268 as the spring discharged. Furthermore, the slots 284 25 and 306 are also aligned. To recharge the spring 206 for clockwise rotation of the second output lever 294, the output lever 294 is held while the input lever 268 is rotated clockwise by clockwise rotation of the input shaft 208. Clockwise rotation of the input lever 268 has no effect on the tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 252, since the end 284b of the slot 284 is rotated away from such tang 264. However, 30 clockwise rotation of the t~ng 272 of the input lever 268 causes such tang 272 to abut against the outside end 246 of the spring 206, moving that end 246 and the tang 244 of the outer spring arbor 236 clockwise. Since the output lever 294 is held lZ

in its full countcrclockwise po;ition, thc cn(l 3()f) of th~ slot 30~ bcnrs /lgnill~t ~he tang 2~4 of the inner spring arbor 252, thus prcventing the insidc end 20G of the spring 206 from rotating. Thus, this action cnuses the spring 20fi to be wound up and to cause energy to be stored therein by holding the inside end 266 of the spring 5 206 and winding the outside end 246 thereof in a clockwise direction. Ultimately, the input lever 268 reaches its full clockwise position and it is held there until reclosure of the switches 40 is desired. When such closure is desired, the output lever 294 is released, causing it to "follow" the input lever 268 as the spring 20fi discharges. Full clockwise rotation of the seocnd output lever 294 causes thc tang 10 304 to again align with the tang 272 and the slots 306 and 284 to align. Also, such clockwise rotation of the second output lever 294 moves the push-pull rods 202 downwardly to rotate the drive lever 200 either clockwise (operating mechanism 48) or counterclockwise (operating mechanism 50), thus closing the switches 40 of the compnrtments 24 and 26.

The action of the operating mechanism 50 for the switches 40 in the right-hand compartment 26 is the same as that described for the operating mechanism 48. "Mirror" imAge movement of the switches 40 of the right-hand compurtment 26 is achieved by providing different relative connections among the 20 push-pull rod 202, the first output lever 204, and the drive lever 200 in the operating mechanism 50. Thus, clockwise rotation of the output levers 204 and 294 of both mechanisms 48 and 50 closes the switches 40 in both compartments 24 and 26, while counterclockwise rotation of the output levers 294 and 204 of both operating mechanisms 48 and 50 opens the switches 40 in both compartments 24 and 25 26.

Quick-Break/Quick-Make Mechanism - Latches and Controls Referring now to FIGURES 7 - 9, various latches and cootrols for the quick-break/quick-make mechanism 230 of the operating mechnnisms 48 and S0 are 30 shown in detail. It should be remembered that only the operating mechanism 48 is depicted, the elements of the operating mechanism 50 being substantially similar.

The second output lever 294 is held in cither its full clockwise or full ~ounterclockwise position ~gainst rotation while the input lev~r 268 is rotated to charge $he spring 206 by latch assemblies 320 and 322. The latch assembly 320 maintains the second output lever 294 in its full counterclockwise position as the 5 input lever 268 is rotated clockwise, while the latch assembly 322 maintains the second output lever 294 in its full clockwise position while the input lever 268 is rotated counterclockwise.

Referring especially to FIGURE 8, the latch ~ssembly 32 comprises a 10 lever 324 pivoted generally at its center on a pin 326, which is held between the mounting plate 310 and a mounting place 328 fixed to the support plate 230. One end of the lever 324 mounts a roller 332 which is maintained in constant engage-ment with the periphery of the second output lever 294, including the notch 308 therein, by a spring 334 wound about the pin 326. The spring 334 acts between the 15 lever 324 and the mounting plate 310 to constantly bias the lever 324 counter-clockwise. Should the second output lever 294 be rotated sufficiently counter-clockwise to bring the notch 308 thereof under the roller 332, such roller 332 enters the notch 308 due to the action of the spring 334 and engages the end 308a of the notch 308 preventing clockwise rotation of the second output lever 294 until the 20 roller 332 is removed from the notch 308.

The latch assembly 322 includes a lever 36 rotatable generally about its center on a pin 38 fixed between the mounting plates 310 and 328. The lever 336 carries a roller 340 at one end thereof which is maintained in constant engagement 25 with the periphery of the second output lever 294, including the notch 308 therein, by a spring 342 wound around the pin 338. The spring 332 acts between the lever 336 and the mounting plate 310 to constantly bias the lever 336 clockwise. Should the second output lever 294 be rotated sufficiently clockwise (as in FIGU~E 8) so that the notch 308 is positioned beneath the roller 340, such roller 340 enters the 30 notch 308 and engages the end 308b of the notch 308 holding the second output lever 294 against counterclockwise rotation until such roller 340 is removed from the notch 308.

3Liti9~

An armature 344 of a selectively energi:~nb~e solenoid 346, which is mounted as appropriate to the support plate 230, is connected by a link 348 to the lever 324 near the roller 332. Energization of the solenoid 346 pulls the armature 344 thereinto, that is, leftwardly. Such movement of the armature 344 rotates the 5 arm 324 clockwise ag~inst the action of the spring 344, moving the roller 332 away from the first output lever 294. An armature 350 of a solenoid 352 is connected to the lever 336 near the roller 340 by a link 354. Energi7ation of the solenoid 352 pulls the armature 350 thereinto, that is, rightwardly, pulling the roller 340 away from the second output lever 294 by counterclockwise rotation of the lever 336.
10 Thus, if energy has been stored in the spiral spring 206, either by operation of the hand crank 210 or of the motor 212, as described hereinafter, following entry of one of the rollers 332 or 340 into the notch 308 of the seocnd output lever 294, energization of the appropriate solenoid 346 and 352 removes its roller 332 or 340 from such notch 308, permitting the second output lever 294 to "follow" the input 15 lever 268, previous rotation of which stored energy in the spring 206.

The ends of the levers 324 and 336, opposite from the rollers 332 and 340, are connected by pins 356 and 358 to respective links 360 and 362. The links 360 and 362 contain elongated slits 364 and 366 through which the pins 356 and 358 Z0 extend and which permit a certain amount of lost motion movement between the links 360 and 362 and the levers 324 and 336. The ends of the links 360 and 362 remote from the slots 364 and 326 are commonly attached by a pin 368 to an arm 370 carried by, and keyed for movement with, a hexagonal shaft 372. The shaft 372 is carried by and journaled for rotation in the mounting plates 310 and 328 and in a 25 shaft support 373 by appropriate bearings 374 (FIGURE 7). The shaft support 373 is mounted to the mounting plate 310 by posts 375 (FIGURES 5A and 9).

If the roller 34 is within the notch 308 of the second output lever 294, as depicted in FIGURE 8, and the shaft 372 is rotated clockwose, this clockwise 30 rotation results in removal of the roller 340 from the notch 308, permitting the second output lever 294 to rotate counterclockwise assuming that the spring 206 has been previously charged. Specifically, clockwise rotation of the arm 370 moves 1 1 ~i'3~1Z

the pin 368 clockwise, pulling the link 362 leftwnrdly. Leftward movement of the link 362 causes the right end of the slot 366 to engage the pin 358, rotating the lever 336 in a counterclockwise direction against the bias of the spring 342.
Counterclockwise rotation of the lever 336, as described previously, removes the 5 roller 340 from the notch 308 of the output lever 294. Such action, of course, also moves the link 354 rightwardly, pushing the armature 350 into the solenoid 352 without the energization thereof. Even though the lever 324 may be incapable of movement during this time--due both to the engagement of its roller 332 with the periphery of the second output lever 294 and the nearly full inward position of the lO armature 344 in the solenoid 346 --clockwise rotation of the shaft 372 as just described may occur because clockwise rotation of the arm 370 and of the pin 368 causes the link 360 to move leftwardly as its slot 364 moves leftwardly relative to the pin 356. Similarly, if the roller 332 is within the notch 308 of the second output lever 294, counterclockwise rotatiob of the shaft 372 removes such roller 332 from 15 the notch 308, permitting the second output lever 294 to "follow" the input lever 268, assuming the spiral spring 206 has been previously charged.

Because of the nature of the high-voltage circuit to which the switchgear - 22 is intended to be connected, It is undesirable that either slow or partial oper-20 ation of the switches 40 occur. As a consequence, it is desired that the spiral spring 206 be fuIiy charged for operation of the switches 40 before the second output lever 294 can be released. Stated differently, if it were possible to release the second output lever 294 as the spiral spring 206 was being charged but before it was fuliy charged, either slow or partial operation of the switches 40 might occur.
25 To prevent such slow or partial operation of the switches 40, there is provided a blocking arm assembly 376.

The blocking arm assembly 376 is a pair of spaced arms carried at their center by, and keyed for movement with, the shaft 372. The blocking arm assembly 30 376 includes a pair of pins 377 and 378 near the opposite ends of the arms thereof.
A blocking shuttle 380 (FlGURES 7 and 8) cooperates with the blocking arm assembly 76 to prevent rotation of the shaft 372 unless the spring 206 has been fully charged and is capable of properly operating the switches 40. Referring to FlGURES 7, 8 and 12, the blocking shuttle 380 includes a cam follower 382 and a blocking link 384. The cam follower 382 comprises a finger-like member 386, a pointed end 388 of which rides against the surface of the cam member 282 carried 5 by the input lever 268. Referring to FIGURE 12, it may be seen that the cam member 282 is generally circular, but contains two peripheral depressions 390 and 3~2. The depressions 390 and 392 are oriented with respect to the input lever 268 so that the pointed end 388 of the cam follower 382 is positioned therewithin only when the input lever 268 has been fulJy rotated--clockwise or counter~lockwise--- 10 to fully charge the spring 206. Thus, if the pointed end 388 of the cam follower 382 is within one of the depressions 390 or 392, the cam follower 382 assumes a lower-most position (FIGURES 7 and 8). Again, this lower-most position is achieved only when the input lever 268 is in its full clockwise or counterclockwise position. In any other position of the input lever 268 as it moves either clockwise or counter-15 clockwise to charge the spring 206, the pointed end 388 of the cam follower 382 is moved to an upper-most position by a portion 394 of the cam 382 between the depressions 390 and 392.

The blocking link 384 of the blocking shuttle 380 comprises an elongated ZO member 396 which may be formed integrally with the member 386 or may be attached thereto, such as by the rivets 398 depicted. The member 396 contains at its lower end an elongated slot 400 which surrounds the bushing 273 of the input lever 268. The slot 400 may slide over the bushing 273 between the cam 282 and a spacer 401 so that the blocking shuttle 380 is freely movable up and down as the 25 cam follower 382 is reciprocated by the cam 282. The upper portion of the member 396 includes an elongated slot 402 which surrounds the shaft 372 between the arms of the blocking arm assembly 376 and permits the blocking shuttle 380 to move freely up and down. This support of the member 396 by means of its slots 400 and 402 maintains the blocking shuttle 380 in a generally vertical orientation. The 30 upper end of the member 396 is so formed as to include a pair of ledges 404 and 406 (FIGVRES 6A and 8). When the pointed end 388 of the cam follower 382 is within one of the depressions 390 or 392 formed in the cam 282, the blocking shuttle 380 it3~

~ssumes its l~wer-most position ~nd the ledges 404 and 40fi are maintained suf~ic-ien~ly beneath the pins 377 and 378 of the blocking arm assembly 376 to permit free rotation of the arm 376 and, thus, free rotation of the shaft 372. ~lowever, should the input lever 268 be rotated in either direction to charge the spring 206, the - 5 pointed end 388 of the cam follower 282 is moved to its upper-most position by the cam portion 394. Such upward movement of the blocking shuttle 380 moves the ledges 404 and 406 into proximity, if not into abutment with, the pins 377 and 378.
The proximity of the ledges 404 and 406 to the pins 377 and 378 prevents the blocking arm ~ssembly 376 from rotating which, accordingly, prevents the shaft 372 lO from rotating. Thus, while the input lever 268 is being rotated to charge the spring 206, the shaft 372 cannot be rotated. This prevents possible improper operation of the switches 40 due to untimely rotation of the shaft 372.

Just as the second output lever 294 must be held by the latch assemblies 15 320 and 322 during rotation for the input lever 268 to properly charge the spring 2~6, so too, the input lever 268 must be held or latched following its rotation to a position which charges the spring 206. l'o this end, there are provided input lever latch assernblies 408 and 410.

Z0 neferring to FIGURES 6A and 8, the input lever latch assembly 408 includes the lever 412 pivotally carried by the pin 326. The lever 412 includes at its right end a latchblock 414, which is kept in constant engagement with the periphery of the input lever 268, including the notch 388, by the spring 416 and 418. The spring 416 is wound about the pin 326 and acts between the lever 412 and the 25 mounting plate 328. The spring 418 is connected between a spacer post 420 between the mounting plates 310 and 328 an the leve 412. Both springs 416 and 418 bias the lever 412 in A clockwise direction so that the latchblock 414 constantly engages the periphery of the input lever 268, as described above. The input lever latch assembly 410 includes a lever 422 pivotally mounted on the pin 338. The left 30 end of the lever 422 carries a latchblock 424 which is held in constant engagement with the periphery of the input lever 268, including the notch 286 formed therein, by a pair of springs 426 and 428. The spring 426 is wound about the pin 338 and is connccted t,etween the lever 422 and the mounting plnte 328, whi]c the spring 428 is col-nected L)etween a spucer post 43n b~tween the mounting plntes 310 and 328.
Both springs 426 and 428 tend to bias the lever 422 in a counterclockwise direction so that the above-described constnnt engagement between the latchblock 424 and 5 the periphcry of the input lever 268 is maintflined.

The second output lever 294 carries a pair of kickers 432 and 434. The kickers 432 an 434 so positioned and located as to remove a respective latchblock 414 or 424 from its respective notch 288 or 286 in the input lever 268 following lO complete rotation of the second output lever 294. This removal of the latchblocks 414 and 424 from their notches 288 and 286 permits rotation of the input lever 268 following discharge of the spring 206 by rotation of the second output lever 294.

A partial cycle of operation of the apparatus depicted in FlGURE 8 will 15 now be described with additional reference to FIGURES 6 and 6A. In IiIGURE 8, the spring 206 is discharged and the tangs 304 and 272 of the second output lever 294 and the input lever 268, respectively, are aligned (in abutment with the end 246 of the spring 206 and the tang 244 of the outer spring arbur 236) as are the slots 284 and 306. The switches 40 of the switch assembly are closed. In order to charge the 20 spring 206 for a subsequent opening of the switch assembly 32, the input shaft 208 must be rotated counterclockwise either manually, as described below, or by the motor 212, in a manner to be described below. Assuming that the input shaft 208 rotates counterclockwise, the input lever 268 rotates counterclockwise. Counter-clockwise rotation of the input lever 268 moves the end 284b of its slot 284 against 25 the tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 252. The tang 264 rotates counterclockwise away from the end 206b of the slot 306 in the second output lever 294.
Simultaneously therewith, due to the action of the spring 342, the roller 340 engages the end 308b of the slot 308 in the second output lever 294; this prevents the second output lever 394, the outer spring arbor 236 and the outside end 246 of 30 the spring 206 from rotating. Thus, continued counterclockwise rotation of the input lever 268 winds up the spring 206 to store energy therein and such action continues until the latchblock 424 enters the notch 286 in the input lever 268 due to '3~

the action of the springs 426 nnd 428. ~suming that the input shaft 208 now ceases rotating, the input lever 268 is held in its full counterclockwise position by the latchblock 424 and the second output lever 294 is heid in its full clockwise position by the roller 340. During the time that the spring 206 wns bcing chargcd, 5 the shaft 372 was rendered unrotatable, as described previously, by the blocking shuttle 380. Once the input lever 268 reaches the position wherc the latchblock 424 enters the notch 286, however, the shaft 372 can again be rotated. Accordingly, the spring 206 may now be discharged either by clockwise rotation of the shaft 372 or by energization of the solenoid 352, either of which removes the roller 340 from 10 the notch 308. Removal of the roller 340 from the notch 308 permits the second output lever 294 to "follow" the input lever 268, that is, to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. This rotation of the sccond output levcr 294 discharges the spring 206 and, as described generally above, moves the push-pull rods 202 upwardly to open the switches 40. As the second output lever 294 completes its counter-15 clockwise rotation, the kicker 434 removes the latch block 424 from the notch 286so that the input lever 268 may be subsequently rotated in a clockwise direction to recharge the spring 206. Also, upon complete counterclockwise rotation of the second output lever 294, the roller 332 enters the notch 308 under tlle action of the spring 334. Such roller 332 will thus hold the second output lever 294 during a 20 subsequent restoration of energy to the spiral spring 206.

If the spring 206 is now recharged, the input shaft 208 is rotated in a clockwise direction. The second output lever 294 cannot rotate because the roller 332 has entered the notch 308. Accordingly, the tang 264 of the inner spring arbor 25 252 and the inside spring end 266 cannot rotate, as the tang 264 abuts the end 306b of the slot 306 in the held second output lever 294. The input lever 268 is free to rotate clockwise because the kicker 434 has removed the latch block 424 from the notch 286. As the input lever 268 rotates clockwise, its tang 272 bears against the outside spring end 246 and the tang 244 of the outer spring arbor 236, rotating both 30 in a clockwise direction to again wind up the spiral spring 206. This rotation of the input lever 268 continues until the latch block 414 enters the notch 288, at which point the input lever 268 is held if the input shaft 208 ceases rotation. Following 3~

this rechnrging of ~his spring 2~6, the roller 332 may be removed from the notch 308 either by counterclockwise rot~tion of the shaft 372 or energization of the solenoid 346 to permit the second output lever 294 to rotate clockwise. Should this occur, all of the elements again assume the position shown in FIGURE 8. During 5 clockwise rotation of the second output lever 294, the switches 40 are closed due to downward reciprocation of the push-pull rods 202.

~ otor cutoff switches 436 and 438 are respectively mounted to the support plates 230. The left-hand motor cutoff switch 436 is a conventional micro-lO switch containing an exterior operating memeber 440. The operating member 440is positioned and oriented so as to be abutted by a cam-like member 442 attached to, or formed integrally with, the lever 412 of the input lever latch assembly 408.
The engagement between the cam-like member 442 and the operating member 440 can occur only when the latch block 414 has fully entered the notch 288 in the input 15 lever 268. In any other position of the latch block 414, the cam-like member 442 does not contact the operating memeber 440. The contacts (FIGURE 22) of the microswitch 436 are normally closed and they are opened by contact between the cam-like member 442 and the operating member 440. The motor cutoff switch 438 similarly has an opersting member 444 positioned and oriented so as to be 20 contacted by a cam-like member 446 on the end of the lever 422 opposite frorn the latch block 424. If, and only if, the latch block 424 enters the notch 286 in the input lever 268, do the normally closed contacts of the switch 438 open. As described more fully below with respect to the control circuit schematic of FIGURE 22, the opening of either switch 436 or 438 opens the energizing circuit of 25 the motor 212, causing such motor 212 to cease rotating the input shaft 208. As should be clear, when either switch 436 or 438 has its normally closed contacts opened, one of the latch blocks 414 or 424 has entered one of the notches 288 or 286 of the input lever 268 indicating that such input lever 268 has rotated fully, either clockwise or counterclockwise to fully charge the spring 206.

Also, as described more completely below with reference to FIGURE 22, the energizing circuit of the motor 212 also includes a pair of latch responsive 1~ ~i!311~ 1 switches 448 and 450, respectively (FIGURES 5B ~nd 9). The switches 448 and 450 are standard microswitches and each contain a pair of normalIy open and a pair of normally closed contacts for a purpose to be described subsequently. Switch oper-ating levers 452 and 454 are pivotally mounted ne~r their center by pEns 456 and 5 458 affixed to extensions 459 of the mounting plate 310. The levers 452 and 454 are also pivotally mounted by pins 460 and 462 to the armature 344 and 350 which may be the same pins mounting the links 348 and 354 thereto, of the respective solenoids 346 and 352, respectively. Springs 464 and 466 acting between the pins 360 and 362, respectively, and the mounting plate extensions 459 bias the lever 452 lO clockwise and the lever 454 counterclockwise. The ends of the levers 452 and 454 opposite the pins 360 and 362 are formed to have cam-like contours 468 and 470.
As best shown in FIGURE 9, if one of the armatures 344 or 350, for example, the armature 344, is pulled fully into its solenoid 346 or if the respective roller 332 is out of the notch 308 for any reason, the respective lever 452 or 454, here the lever 15 452, is rotated against the bias of its respective spring 464, maintaining the cam end 468 of the lever 452 out of engagement with an operating member 472 for the switch 448, thus leaving the switch contacts (not shown; see EIGURE 22) in their normal condition. If, however, one of the armatures 344 or 350, such as the armature 350, is pulled out of its respective solenoid 352 or if the roller 340 is in 20 the notch 308, the lever 454 is rotated in the direction of the bias of the spring 466 to position the cam end 470 in contact with a switch operating member 474 for the switch 450. This reverses the condition of the contacts (see FIGURE 22) of the switch 450. Conversely, if the roller 332 is in the notch 308, the contacts of the switch 448 have their condition reversed. Similarly, if the roller 340 is not in the 25 notch 308, its contacts remain in their normal condition.

Returning for a moment to the shaft 372, such shaft 372 and the connected arm 370 have a normal position, as shown in FIGURES 5B, 8 and 9, and are always returned to this position after clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of 30 the shaft 372 by a spring biasing mechanism 476. Referring to FIGURES 7 and 18, the spring biasing mechanism 476 comprises a pair of arms 478 mounted by, and keyed to one end of, the shaft 372. The arms 478 are maintained apart by means of 3~Z

a spacer 480 through which and through the oppositc ends of thc arms 478 pn~ses a pin 482. One or more springs 484 is loosely wound around the shaft 372 and opposed ends of the spring 484 pass on opposite sides of the pin 482 and are positioned on opposide sides of a stationary pin 486 fixed to the mounting plate 382. As can be 5 seen, if the shaft 272 is rotated out of its normal position in either direction, one spring end remains abutted against the stationary pin 486, while the other spring end is carried away therefrom by the pin 482. The movement apart of the spring ends stores energy in the spring 484 which tends to bias the shaft 72 back to its normal position.

Char~in~ the Sprin~
As noted earlier, the spring 206 may be charged either by the motor 212 or by the use of the hand crank 210.

There will be first described charging of the spring 206 by the motor 212. As noted earlier, the second sprocket 216 is rotated by the first sprocket 214 via the chain 218. The motor 212 is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise (see ~ICJUnE 22) and, thus, the second sprocket 216 may rotate in either direction.
Referring to FIGI~RE 7, the second sprocket 216 is welded or otherwise attached to 20 an input hub 500. The input hub 500 is freely rotatable on a bushing 502, fixed to the input shaft 208, via bearings 504. The right end of the hub 500 carries a clutch plate 508 having a hexagonal hole 510 formed therethrough. The hexagonal hole 510 is engageable by the hexagonal periphery 512 of a clutch member 514. The clutch member 514 has a hexagonal hole 516 formed therethrough for engagement 25 with the hexagonal periphery of the input shaft 208. The clutch member 514 may be slid longitudinally along the input shaft 208. A spring 518, positioned with a chamber 520 defined by the input hub 500, the bushing 502 and the input shaft 208, acts between the bushing 502 and the clutch member 514 to normally position such member 514 so that its hexagonal periphery 512 engages the hexagonal hole 510 in 30 the clutch plate 508 and its hexagonal hole 516 engages the hexagonal input shaft 208. A retainer plate 522 mounted to the hub 500 prevents the clutch member 514 from coming off the end of the inputs haft 208.

311~

Thus, in its normal position, the clutch member 514, under the action of the spring 518, receives torque applied to the second sprocket 216 by the chain 218 to rotate the input shaft 2080 Torque applied to the second sprocket 216 is applied therefrom to the input hub 500 and from there to the clutch plate 508 and the clutch member 514, both of which apply such torque to the input shaft 208.

The hand crank 210 includes a hexagonal socket 524 formed in a body portion 526. If it is desired to rotate the input shaft 208 and charge the spring 206 with the hand crank 210, the body portion is inserted through the hole 211 formed 10 through the side walls 122 and 124 of the compartments 51 and 52 through a central hole 528 in the retainer plate 522, and is pushed into the chamber 520. Such move-ment of the body 526 of the hand crank 210 causes it to abut the clutch member 514, moving it back against the action of the spring 518 until its hexagonal periphery 512 is moved out of engagement with the hexagonal hole 510 in the clutch lS plate 508. Ultimately, the hexagonal socket 524 in the body 526 engages the hexa-gonal forward portion 224 of the input shaft 208. Pollowing this, the hand crank208 may be rotated in either direction to charge the spiral spring 206. Note that while the shaft 208 is being rotated by the hand crank 210, the motor 212 cannotrotate the shaft 208 because of the disengagement between the clutch member 514 20 and the clutch plate 508.

This, in the description thus far, there has been described high-voltage switchgear 20, the switches 40 of each assembly 32 and 34 of which can be operated by energy stored in the springs 206 of the respective operating mechanisms 48 and 25 50. I~nergy may be stored in each spring 206 either manually or through the oper-ation of its motor 212. Further, once stored, such energy may be released to operate the switches 40 either electrically via the solenoids 346 and 352 or manually via rotation of the shaft 372.

30 Drive Train As noted previously, rotation of the second output lever 294 rotates the first output lever 204. It is to the first output lever 204 that the push-pull rod 202 i~;9llZ
is connected. The second output lever 294 includes the hub 296, as previously described. Referring to FIGURES 7 and 19, the forward end of the hub 296 may be externally splined, as at 546. The splines 546 are designed to mate with matching splines 548 formed in the walls of a hole 549 through the first output lever 204.
The output lever 204 is mounted to the hub 296 by appropriately matin~ the splines 548 with the splines 546 and then fastening the lever 204 and 294 together with screws 550 or the like. As noted earlier, although the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 are similar, the normal orientation of the first output levers 204 thereof with respect to the second output levers 294 thereof are s]ightly different. The splines 546 and 548 permit the first output lever 204 of each operating mechanism 48 and50 to be appropriately angularly adjusted with respect to its respective second output lever, as described more fully below.

The second output lever 204 contains a hole 551 formed therethrough near its lower end. An upper linkage clevis 552 is pivotally attached to the first output lever 204 by a headed pin 554, which passes through both the clevis 552 and the hole 551. The pin 554 may be held in place by an appropriate cotter key or the like. The clevis 552 ~s attached to the push-pull rod 202 by mating an upper threaded portion of the push-pull rod 2n2 and threads formed interiorly of an axial hole in the clevis 552. The relative orientation of the push-pull rod 202 and the clevis 552 may bemaintained by a nut 556, or the like, threaded onto the upper portion of the push-pull rod 202. A lower threaded portion of the push-pull rod 202 is threaded into an interiorly threaded hole of a lower linkage clevis 558. Again, the push-pull rod 202 and the clevis 558 may be held In a desired orientation by an appropriate nut orother fastener 560. The lower linkage clevis 558 is pivotally attached to the drive lever 200 by means of a headed pin 562 (FIGURE 15) passing through the lower linkage clevis 558 and the drive lever 200. Again, the pin 562 may be held in place by a cotter key or the like. As best shown in PIGURES 5B, the lower linkage clevis 558 of the operating mechanism 48 is attached to the right side of the drive lever 200, while the lower linkage clevis 558 of the operating mechanism 50 is attached to the left side of its drive lever 200; the drive levers 200 are mirror images of each other. Further, in the full counterclockwise position of each hub 296, the first i ~i~i9il2 output lever 204 of the operating mechanism 48 is nttachcd to its hub 296 in a more counterclockwise orientation than is the first output lever 204 of the mechanism 50. This attachment of the lower linkage clevises 558 to their drive levers 200, ns well as the relative positions of the respective first output Icvers 204 with respect 5 to their hubs 296, are so related that the above-described operation of the switches 40 in each compartment 24 and 26 is achieved. Specifically, as noted earlier, the switches 40 of both compartments 24 and 26 are closed by the clockwise rotation of the output levers 204 and 294 and are opened by counterclockwise rotation of these output levers 204 and 294. However, closure of the switches 40 in the left-hand lO compartment 24 is achieved by clockwise rotation of the drive lever 200, whereas closure of the switches 40 in the right-hand compartment 26 is achieved by counterclockwise rotation of the drive lever 200. Similarly, opening of the switches 40 of the left-hand compartment 24 is achieved by counterclockwise rotation of the drive lever 200, whereas opening of the switches 40 in the right-hand compartment 15 26 is achieved by clockwise rotation of the drive lever 200. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art that other arrangements which do not depart from the general arrangement herein described can easily be achieved.

Referring to FIGURES i4-17, the drive lever 200 is attached by welding 20 or the like to a hollow stub shaft 564 having a passageway 566 therethrough. The passageway 566 surrounds the exterior of an elongated strut-driving shaft 568 which may comprise two parts 568a and 568b attached together as by pressing or the like. Appropriate bearings 570 between the stub shaft 564 and the outside of the strut-driving shaft 568 permit the stJb shaft 564 and the strut-driving shaft 568 to 25 freely rotate independently of each other. A lower-most portion 572 of the drive lever 200 has a dimple 574 formed therein as by pressing or the like (FIGURES 14 and 15). Formed centrally through the dimple is a conically tapered hole 576. A
coupling bolt 578 ~FIGURE 16), having a tapered rounded conical head 580 contains a threaded portion 582 held in a threaded hole 584 formed through a downwardly 30 depending arm 586 on the strut driving shaft 568. The coupling bolt 578 may be screwed into the hole 584 so that the conical head 580 is firmly maintained within the hole 576 of the drive lever 200. The strut-driving shaft 568 contains an interior l ~Lti.~3~

chamber 588, one end of which is splined as at 590. The splines 590 mate with the right and left splined studs 82 on the insulative struts 62 of the left and right switch assemblies 32 and 34, respectively. The bearing assemblies 96 (FIGURES 4A, 4B
and 15) support the stud-driving shaft part 568b for rotation in the lower side walls 92 and 94 of the compartments 51 and 52. To ensure that the splined studs 82 do not pull free from the splines 590, or vice versa, the chamber 588 defines a shoulder 592 against which a washer 594 is pulled when a headed bolt 596 is threaded into an appropriate threaded hole in the splined stud 82.

When the coupling bolt 578 is in its normal position depicted in FIGURE
15, the drive lever 200 is coupled to the strut-driving shaft 568 so that the lever 200, the stud shaft 564 and the strut-driving shaft 568 rotate conjointly. Such conjoint rotation effects rotation of the splined stud 82 of the insulative strut 62 causing rotation of the switch blades 60 of the switches 40, as previously described. If, however, as decribed below, the coupling bolt 578 is rotated so that its head 580 is backed out of the hole 576 in the drive lever 200, rotation of the drive lever 200 merely rotates the stub shaft 564, but does not rotate the strut-driving shaft 568 nor the insulative strut 62. The purpose of the coupling bolt 578 is to selectivley permit the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 to be "exercised" for test, maintenance adjustment, or the like, purposes without affecting the condition of the switches 40 normally operated by such operating mechanisms 48 and 50.

Referring to FIGURES 5B and 14, each drive lever 200 comprises a plate-like member 600 containing a generally central hole 602 for receiving the stub shaft 564. On either side of the hole 602 are a pair of assymmetric arms 604 and 606 which contain lobes 608 and 610 thereon. One arm 606 contains a hole 622 there-through for receipt therein of the pin 562 which connects the lower linkage clevis 558 to the drive lever 200. The conically tapered hole 576 which receives the conical head 580 of the coupling bolt 578 is geneally located on a diameter of the hole 602 which bisects the arms 604 and 606. Surrounding the hole 576 is the dimple 574. The drive leve~ 200 of FIGURE 14 is used in the operating mechanism 3~

~8. l~le dri~e ~cver 2D0 Or the m~cil~lni~m 50 i~ thc mirl or irn~c of the one ~epicted in FIGI~RE 14, as shou~n in F~GURE 5B.

Each operating mechanism 48 and 50 inc]udes a pair of shocl; absorbers - 5 620 and 622. The shock absorber 620 intercepts the rotative p~th of tl,e ]obe ~08 as the drive lever 200 rotates while the shock absorber 622 inlercepts the rotative path of the lobe 610. The shock absorbers 620 and 622 may ~enera]l~ comprise a stack of resilient members 624 which receive the impsct of the ]obes 608 and 610 ns the drive lever 200 rapidly rotates to rotate the insu]ative strut 62. The shock lO sbsorbers have the capability of receiving kinetic energy from ~he rapid]y moving drive levers 200 and dissipating that energy so that other elements of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 are not violently jarred or vibrated to the detriment thereof. The quick-break/quick-make mechanisms 130 may also include shock-absorbing bumpers or stops 625 and 626, as shown in FIGllRE 9. The bumpers 625 15 and 626 are mounted to the back s;de of the mounting plate 310 and may include resilient members, shown generally at 627 in FIGURE 9, which intercept the rotative path of the tang 304 of the second output lever 294 to the same end as the shock absorbers 620 and 622.

Z0 The relative position and orientation among the lobes 608 and 610, the holes 576, 602 and 612, and the shock absorbers 620 and 622 is such that, at best shown in FIGURE 5B, when the swi.ches 40 are in the closed position, the push-pull rod 202 forms an over-center toggle with respect to the centers of rotation of the output lever 204 snd the drive lever 200. As can be seen by observing the operating 25 mechanism 48 in FIGI~RE SB, the major axis 528 of the push-pull rod 202 betueen the hole 612 (whereat the lower clevis 558 is connected) and the hole 551 (whereat the upper clevis 552 is connected)lies lightly to the left of an imaginary line 529 draun between the center of rotation of the first drive lever 204 and the hole 612.
Since the levers 200 and 204 can rotate no further in the counterclockwise direction 30 (due to the shock absorbers 622 and bumpers 625), this relationship between the axis 628 and the line 629 is an over-center toggle, ~vhereby the su1itch blades 60 of the switches 40 in the left-hand compartment 24 are locked In their closed position.

:l..l t;.~

~`h~ s~ cl,~s 40 in the right-h~lnd coml~nrtln~nt 26 ar~ similnr]y lo(~k(d in t~ loscd position.
I

Decoupling Feature - FIGURES 1, 15, and 16 Attached to the end of the strut-driving shaft 5fi8 remote from the splines 590 is an indicator plate 630, as e~p]ained more fully later. The indicator plate 630 rotates with the strut-drivin~ shaft 568.

As noted previously, the coupling bolt 578 is rotatable into and out of the lO hole 576 formed through the dimple 574 at the lower-most portion 572 of the drive lever 200. Referring to FIGURE 16, the end of the coupling bolt 578 remote from the conical head 580 carries a cap 632 which surrounds the coupling bolt 578 and is attached thereto in any convenient fashion. The cap 632 surrounds a portion of the coupling bolt 578 which contains the open end of a blind bore 634 having a l 5 rectangular cross section. The blind bore 634 contains a plunger fi3fi which is freely slidable within the bore 634. A spring 638 biases the plunger 636 outwardly against a pin 640 transversely slidable in the bore 634. 1he pin 640 includes a central aperture 641, engageable by a tapered cam surface 642 of the plunger 636 nnd a pointed end 643. The pointed end 643 protrudes outside of the coupling bolt 578 and 20 the cap 632. A lock stud 644 attached by screws 645 or the like to the arm 586 of the strut-driving shaft 568 has a passageway 646 surrounding the coupling bolt 578 and the cap 632. The periphery of the passageway 646 is generally hexagonal or has six hexagonally~,paced depressions 647 tllerein. The spring fi38 causes the cam surface 642 on the plunger 636 to bias the pointed end 643 of the pin 640 outwardly 25 against the periphery of the passageway 646. Thus, unless the plunger 636 is moved back and held in the bore 634 against the spring 638, the coupling bolt 578 can, at most, freely turn 60 or the angle between the depressions 647, before the pointed end 643 enters one of the depressions 647, locking the coupling bolt 578 against further rotation. Accordingly, the locking bolt 578 can be freely rotated into or out 30 of the passageway 646 only if a square or rectangular cross-section tool is inserted into the rectangular cross-section blind bore 634 sufficiently far to engage the walls thereof nnd to hold the plunger fi3fi in so tllnt th~? p;Il r)10 is not pu~hl?d into the depressions 647 (see FIGURE 16B).

The indicator plate 630 contains two holes 648 and 649, the former of 5 which gives access to the chamber 588 (for insertion of the headed bolt 596, for example) and the latter of which gives access to the blind bore 634 of the coupling bolt 578 (for rotating the coupling bolt 578). The indicator plate 630 contains a portion 650 extending longitudinally away from the strut-driving shaft 568 and nn upstanding portion 651 generally parallel to, but forward of, the main portion of the lO strut-driving shaft 568.
.
Referring to ~IGURES 1 and 15 and 16, a compartment 652 is defined between the indicator plate 630 and the exterior wall 122 or 124 of the com-partments 51 or 52. The decoupling bolt 578 is accessible through this 15 compartment 652, as explained below. Such access permits a square cross-section Allen-wrench-type tool 653 to be inserted into the blind bore 634 for depressing the , plunger 636 and rotating the coupling bolt 578. The tool 653 may mount a collar 654 frcely rotatable thereon and held in position by spaced pins fi55. The user of the tool 653 may hold the tool 653 between the fingers of one llnnd, while the tool 20 fi53 is rotated with the other hand to rotate the coupling bolt 578. , ~, The coupling bolt 578 is movable toward or away from the drive lever 200 by rotation of the tool fi53, as described above. If the tool is rotated counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIGURES 1, SB or 16A, the coupling bolt 578 is moved away 25 from the drive lever 200 as it and the cap 632 move out of the passageway 646 of the lock stud 644 and the conical head 580 withdraws from the tapered hole 578.
- As the coupling bolt 57B moves away from the drive lever 200, it moves toward a shutter 656 located in the compartment 652 (PIGURES 15-17).

The shutter 656 comprises a metallic member 647 bent centrally at a 90 angle to define a back plate 658 and a bottom plate 660 extends outwardly away therefrom. Side plates 662 are connected to either end of the bottom plate 660.

.

llti~

The ba~k plate 658 has A pair of holes 664 and 6fi6 formed th~rethrough. The holes 664 and 666 may be surrounded by guide bushings 6fi8 and 670 which arc mounted to the back of the back plate 658 and which are formed to at least partially encircle the holes 664 and 666. The side plates 662 contain aligned holes 672 through which 5 passes a shaft 674 which is mounted between a U~haped structural member 676 mounted to the wall 122 or 124 in the compartment 652. The side plates fi62 mount studs 678, and tension springs 679 are connected between the studs 678 and the studs 680 on the structural member 676 to maintain the shutter 656 in the normal position depicted in FIGURES 15 and 17. The shutter 656 may be rotated on the lO shaft 674, moving the bottom plate 660 downwardly and the back plate 658 for-wardly. The holes 664 and 666 are sufficiently large for insertion of the tool 653 therethrough. Moreover, the holes 664 or 666 are located so that one of the holes 664 or 666 aligns with the blind bore 634 in the coupling bolt 578 when the drive lever 200 s in one of its extreme positions, as determined by the shoclc absorbers 15 620 or 622. The diameter of the guide bushings 668 and 670 is such that sufficient withdrawal of the coupling bolt 578 by the tool 653 causes the cap 632 to engage the bushings ff68 or 670. As shown in FIGURE 15, such engagement between the cap 632 and the bushings 668 or 670 occurs well before the conical head 580 of the coupling bolt 578 is fully withdrawn from the hole 576 in the drive lever 200.

~ ollowing initial engagement between the cap 62 and the bushings 668 or 670 as the coupling bolt 578 is rotated counterclockwise by the tool 653, continued withdrawal of the coupling bolt 578 moves the bushings 668 or 670 to rotate the shutter 656 so that the bottom plate 660 rotates downwardly and the back plate 658 25 rotates forwardly. When one hole 664 or 866 is aligned with the blind bore 634 of the coupling bolt 578, the other hole 666 or 664 is covered from behind by the indicator plate 630.

Whichever hole 664 or 666 is aligned with the blind bore 634 in the 30 coupling bolt 578, such hole 664 or 666 is reached via the compartment 652 which is bounded by the shutter 656 and the U-shaped member 676. The compartment 652 is entered through an opening 682 formed through the exterior side walls 122 and 124 '31:12 for the opcrP~ting mcchanisms 48 and 50. The opening 682 is normally closcd by a cover 686 which is hinged to the walls 122 and 124 in any convenient manner to uncover the opening 682 and expose the compartment 652. The cover 686 may be normally held in its closed position by a fastener 688 which selectively engAges the 5 wall 122 or 124. The cover 686 mounts a projecting tab 690 which, when the cover 686 closes the opening 682, extends into the compartment 652 beneath the bottom plate 660 and holds down the operating member 692 of a standard microswitch 694 beneath the compartment 652. Opening of the cover 686 moves the tab 690 out of engagement with the operating member 692 to reverse the condition of contacts lO thereof for a purpose to be described below.

;
If the cover 686 is opened and the coupling bolt 578 is withdrawn sufficiently to bring the cap 632 into contact with one of the guide bushings 680 or 670, the rotation of the shutter 656 positi~ons the bottom plate 660 thereof in the 15 path of the tab 690, should a subsequent attempt be made to reclose the cover fi86 without recoupling the drive lever 200 to the strut-driving shaft 568. Thus, the inability to close the cover 686 whlle the drive lever 200 and the strut-driving shaft 568 remain uncoupled provldes Q visual indication to maintenance or operating personnel that the operating mechanism 48 or 50 is incapable of operating the 20 switches 40. An electrical indication of this fact may also be derived from the inability of the tab 690 to engage the operating member 692 of the microswitch 694.

Between the back plate 658 of the shutter 656 and the forward portion of 25 the lock stud 644 is a lock plate 696 mounted to the lower side wall 92 of the com-partment 51. The lock plate 696 contains a pair of holes 700 and 702 aligned with the holes 664 and 666 in the back plate 658 of the shutter 656 and into which the guide bushings 668 and 670 extend. As the coupling bolt 578 is withdrawn from the drive lever 200, the cap 632 thereon first passes through one of the holes 700 or 702 30 before engaging one of the guîde bushings 668 or 670. The entry of the cap 632 into one of the holes 700 or 702 occurs well prior to full disengagement of the conical head 580 of the coupling screw 578 from the conical hole 576 in the drive lever 3~

200. Entry of the cap 632 into one of thc holes 700 or 702 moves one of thc ~lide bushings 668 or 670 out thereof and locks the strut-driving shaft 568 in its extant position, thus preventing movement of the insulative strut 62 and of the switch blades 60 during and after the time that the drive lever 200 is being uncoupled from the strut~riving shaft 568. As the cap 632 enters one of the holes 700 or 702, the ~
conical head 580 is withdrawn from the hole 576 in the drive lever 200. Should i there be any energy stored in the operating mechanisms 48 or sO due to tension or compression of various elements thereof, such as push-pu~ rods 202, some slight degree of rotation of the drive lever 200 with respect to the conical head 58D may lO occur. This slight amount of relative rotation does not affect one position of the insulative strut 62 between the entry of the cap 632 into one of the holes 700 and 702. Were the lower-most portion 572 of the drive shaft 200 planar, prolonged frictional drag between the surface of the drive lever 200 and the head 580 of the coupling bolt 578 might damage, bend, or jam the bolt 578 or other elements of the 15 coupling structure thus far described. The rounded surface of the conical head 580 and the dimple 574 are intended to avoid such deleterious effects. Specifically, because the surface of the dimple 574 is small, frictional drag thereby on the head 580 can occur only for a small amount of any rotation of the drive lever 200. This and the rounded shape of the conical had 580 are intended to decrease the duration ~0 and degree of frictional engagement between the head 580 and the drive lever 200.

Referring to FIGURE 5B, if convenient, the shock absorbers 620 and 622, and various portions of the decoupling mechanism, including the shutter 656 and its associated elements, may be assembled in a single convenient subassembly 704.

Indication and Control- FIGURE 23 The various elements of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 thus far described are normally enclosed behind the exterior side walls 122 and 124. Visible and accessible from the outside of the walls 122 and 124 after the doors 53 are 30 opened are manual trip levers 712 with an appropriate legend 714 near thereto. The trip levers 712 are mounted to the shafts 372 via holes 715 through the walls 122 and 124. The legends 714 may instruct that upward or counterclockwise rotation of -41)-each rnanuAl trip lever 712 will clo~e the ~v:itche~ 40 (if thc spring~ 20G nre chargcd to closed), whereas downward or clockwise rotntion thereof will opCn the switches 40 again, if the spring 206 are charged. Immediately bene~th the mfmuAl trip l~vers 712 are windows 716~ in a manner to be described shortly, are visible legends 7l8 5 and 720 informing of both the position of the operating mechanisms 48 ~nd 50, and the condition thereof. Specifically, one legend 718 may inform whether its oper-ating mechanism 48 or 50 is in the "switch-closed" or "switch-open" position, while the other legend 720 mfly inform whether the spring 206 is charged (and capable of affeeting the eondition of the switehes 40) or uncharged (and incapable of affecting lO the condition of the switches 40). Immediately below each window 716 are the holes 211 through the walls 122 and 124 through whieh there may be inserted the hand erank 2l0, as above. Adjaeent the holes 211 may be legends 722 informing that eounterelockwise rotation of the hand crank 210 charges the spring 206 to open the switches 40 and that e]oekwise rotation of the erank 210 charges the spring 206 15 to elose the switches 40.

Beneath eaeh hole 211 is a window 724 through whieh may be observed legends 726. The legends 726 may inform whether the switehes 40 are open or elosed. Immediately beneath eaeh window 724 is the cover 686 diseussed above, 20 whieh may be held in its normàl elosed position by the threaded fastener 688. ~s will be recalled, it is behind the cover 686 that the holes 664 and 666 are excessible for insertion of the tool 653 thereinto to decouple the operating meehanisms 48 and 50 from their respeetive switehes 40.

The legends 726 visible through the window 724 are loeated on the portion 651 of the indieator plate 630. That is to say, as eaeh strut-driving shaft 568 rotates, its indieator plate 630 rotates therewith, positioning either the "switeh-open" or "switeh-elosed" legend 726 behind the window 724. Should the strut--driving shaft 568 be deeoupled from the drive lever 200 by means of the eoupling 30 bolt 578, as described previously, not only does the coupling bolt 578 loek the insulative strut 62 in whatever position it oeeupies at the time of sueh deeoupling, but also, the legend 726 visible through the window 724 remains unehanged even :`

1, llt~

thought follo~ing sllch dccollpling tlle oper~ing mcch~lnisms ~R nnd '0 nrc exercised.

Referring again to FIGURES 7 and 8, the shaft 372 is supported for 5 rotation in the mounting plates 310 and 328 and in the shaft support 373. Sur-rounding the shaft 372 and independently rotatab]e therefrom is an elongated tube 732 which is journaled for rotation on a bearing 734 mounted about the shaft 72 and on the bearing 374 in the shaft support 373. The forward end of the tube 732 carries an indicator plate 736 which bears the legends 718 which indicate the 10 position--switch-open or switch-closed--of its mechanism 48 or 50.

Attached to the rearward end of the tube 732 is a spring-mounting member 738 which rotates with the tube 732 Carried by, and depending from the mounting member 738 is an elongated, wound spring 740 which acts as a shock 15 absorbing lever, as described more fully below. One end of the spring 740 is attached to the mounting member 78 in any convenient manner, such as by a screw 741, while the other end of the spring is attached to a pin 742 carried at the lower end of a spring guide 744. The spring guide 744 is rotatable independently of the tube 732 by means of a bearing 746 surrounding the tube 732. Attached to the Z output hub 296 by the screws 550 which are run through the first output lever 204 and a collar 748 surrounding the hub 296 is an indicator driver 749. The indicator driver 749 comprises a plate-like member 750 having a pair of opposecl extending arms 752 and 754 (FIGURES 7, 19A and l9B). The indicator driver 749 and the arms 752 and 754 thus rotate with the output levers 204 and 294.

Because of the robustness of the spring 206, rotation of the output lever 204 and 294 and, therefore, of the indicator driver 749 is quite rapid and involves high energy. The pin 742 lies in the path of rotation of thc arms 752 Hnd 754. Upon release of the high energy in the spring 206 in a rapid fashion, one of the arms 752 30 or 754 will rapidly impact with high energy on the pin 742. Such high impact moves the pin 742 either rightwardly or leftwardly at high velocity and at the time time both rotates the spring guide 744 freely above the tube 732 and deflects the spring 3~

740 either rightwardly or leftwardly. Rapid deflection of the .spring 740 stores energy therein which, as it "straightens" the spring 740, rot~tcs the tube 732 and the indicator plate 736 either rightwardly or leftwardly to position on the appro-priate legend 718--"switch operator in switch-closed position" or "switch operator 5 in switch-open position"--behind the window 716. The use of the spring 740 acting as a lever permits the indicator plate 736 and the tube 732 to be simply constructed in non-robust fashion because the spring 740 dissipates the high impact energies involved with the movement of the indicator driver 749. Thus, the appropriate legend 718 is visible through the window 716, depending on whether the output 10 levers 204 and 294 are in a position corresponding to that which they assume when the switches 40 are opened or closed and the operator 48 or 50 is coupled to the strut 62 or 64. Note that the legends 718 do not necessarily indicate the position of the switches 40, because, as it should be remembered, the operating mechanisms 48 or 50 may be decoupled from their respective switches 40. By matching the legends 15 718 to the legend 726 visible through the window 724, the operating mechanism 48 and 50 and the switches 40 may be conveniently recoupled following both decoupling thereof and exercising of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50.

Referring to ~IGURES 7 and 20, an indicator plate 756 behind the plate 20 736 surrounds the tube 732 for independent rotation thereform. Connecting the indicator plate 756 to an idler 758 also surrounding, and independently rotatable from, the tube 732 are a pair of rigid elongated pins 760. The indicator plate 76, therefore, rotates with the idler 758 via the pins 760. The lower end of the idler 758 carries a pin 762. The pin 762 lies in the rotative path of arms 764 and 766 25 carried by a plate-like body member 768 of an indicator driver 770. The indicator driver 770 is attached in any convenient fashion to the input shaft 208, such as by attachment with screws to the rear of the bushing 502. As the input shaft 208 rotates, one or the other of the arms 764 or 766 abuts the pin 762 and rotates the idler 758 either clockwise or counterclockwise. Such rotation of the idler 758 30 rotates the indicator plate 756 therewith to position an appropriate one of the legends 720 for observation through the window 716. The legends 720 inform of the condition -- charged or uncharged -- of the spring 206 which, of course, is Z

d~pendent upon rotation of the input sh~ft 208 and on whctller the output ]~vers 204 and 294 have been rotated to operate thc switches 40. Becnuse the specd of movc-ment of the input shaft 208 is much slower than that of the output levers 2û4 and 294, the indicator driver 770 moves much slower than the indicator driver 749 and 5 an arrangement such as that involving the use of the spring 740 as a shock absorbing member is unnecessary.

Referring to FIGURE 9, the indicator plate 736 is a sector-shaped member having a window 772 formed therethrough. Immediately beneath the 10 window 772, the indicator plate 736 has a downward extension 774. To the left of the window 772, the plate 736 carries a legend 718a to the effect that "the operator is in the switch-closed position." Beneath the window 772 on the extensions 774, the indicator plate 736 carries a legend 718b to the effect that "the operator is in the switch-open position." The indicator plate 756 is also sector-shaped and con-15 tains two legends 720a to the effect that "the spring 208 (or the operator 48 or 50)is charged" and two legends 720b to the effect that "the spring 206 (or the operator 48 or 50) iq discharged." One of the legends 720a and one of the legends 720b are carried by the plate 756 so that they may be observed through the window 772 in the plate 736 and the window 7i6. The other legends 720a and 720b are located in 20 reverse manner near the outer periphery of the plate 756 behind the plate taken by the extension 774.

Thus, there are available for viewing through the window 716 various combinations of the legends 718 and 720. For example, an observer may be 25 informed that the output levers 204 and 294 are in the switch-closed position and that the spring 206 is charged. This informs that the energy of the spring 206 may be released to open the switches 40. If, on the other hand, there is observable through the window 716 legends 718 and 720 which inform that the output lever 204 and 294 are in the switch-closed position, but that the spring 206 is discharged, an 30 observer is informed that some action must be taken to charge the spring 206 before the switches 40 can be opened. Similar combinations of the legends 718 and ~1

- 4 4 -1.

720 are a~ailablc to inform thn~ the Out~l~t lcvcrs 20~ and 29~ are in th~ switch-closed position nnd thflt the spring 206 is either charged or di~ch~rged.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 7, 21 and 23, mounted and keyed to the shaft is

5 an elongated g~ide block 776. Mounted to the inside of the WRIls 122 and 124 behind the holes 211 are movable slides 778 carried a tab 780. Springs 782 are connected between the tabs 780 and the walls 122 and 124 to maintain the slides 778 in a normal upward position. Each slide 778 also includes an elongated slot 784 therethrough. The slot 784 is sufficiently long so that when the slide 778 is held in lO its normal upward position by the spring 782, both the holes 715 through the walls 122 and 124 for connection of the manual trip levers 712 to the shafts 372 and the windows 716 are unobstructed. However, the holes 211 for the hand crank 210 are blocked by the lower portion of the slide 778 when such is in the full upward position. Each slide 778 also includes mounting slots 788 in which ride head headed 15 pins 780 affixed to the walls 122 an 124. Should it be desired to engage the hand crank 210 with the input shaft 208, the arm 792 must be pressed downwardly to move the slot 784 downwardly until the hole 211 for the hand crank 210 is uncovered. At this point, (1~ a narrowed portion 795 of thc slot 794 engages both sides of the guide block 776 preventing the shaft 372 from rotating and (2) the hand 2U crank 210 may be engaged with the input shaft 208 to charge the spring 206, as described above. As soon as the hand crank 210 is removed from the hole 211, the spring 782 returns the slide 778 to its normal position.

A portiun of each tab 780 serves as a cam 796. Each cam 796 is designed 25 to operate the operating member 798 of a microswitch 800 mounted to the inside of the wall 122 or 124. Thus, when the slide 778 is moved downwardly to permit insertion of the hand crank 210 through the hole 211 therefor, the normal state of the contacts of the microswitch 800 is reversed due to contact between the cam 796 and the operating member 798. The function of the microswitch 800 is 30 described below.

1, is~

Autonlatic ODcrrltion Referring now to I IGUR~ 22, therc i~. shown a g~n~rulized ~chematic circuit for automaticully operating the switchgenr 20 of thc prescnt invcntioll. It is to be understood that other circuit arrangements may be devised by those slcilled in the art and that the schematic of FI(~URE 2 is exemplary only. The description of 5 FIGURE 22 is given in combinatiorl with further consideration of FIGURES 8, 15, and 21.

As described previously, each operator 48 and 50 contains a motor 212;
only the motor 212 for the operator 48 and the circuit therefor are described here.
l O Each motor 212 is of the type which is operable to rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the direction of the current taken therethrough.
For purposes of the present discussion, it will be assumed that the motor 212 rotates in a counterclockwise direction to rotate the first and second sprockets 214 and 215 in a counterclockwise direction when a downward current, as shown in 15 FIGURE 22, flows through the motor 212. Similarly, when an upward current flows through the motor 212, the first and second sprockets 214 and 216 are rotated in a clockwise direction.

The rnotor 212 is connected to a first branch circuit 802 and through a 20 contact pair 800a to a second branch circuit 804. l`he contact pair 800a is controlled by the microswitch 800 and, às noted earlier, the condition thereof depends upon the position of the slide 778 which permits or prevents both insertion of the hand crank 210 to manually charge the spring 206 and operation of the manual trip lever 712 to release energy from the spring 206. For the time being, it 25 wlll be assumed that the slide 778 is in its upward position and that the contact pair 800a is closed.

To the left of the connection of the motor 212 to the first branch circuit 802 are two series contact pairs 448a and 438a. The contact pair 448a is contained 30 within the microswitch 448 and is closed when the roller 332 is not within the notch 308 of the second output lever 294, but is open when the roller 332 is within the 311~

notch 308. The contact pair 438a is within the microswitch 438 and is closed At all times, except when the latch block 424 is within the notch 286 of the input Icver 268. A COntRCt pair 448b is to the right of the connection of the motor 212 to the first branch circuit 802. The contact pair 448b is within the microswitch 448 and is 5 closed when the roller 332 is within the notch 308 and is open at all other times.

The second circuit branch 804 contains two series contact pairs 450b and 436a to the left of the connection of the motor 212 to the second circuit branch 804 and a pair of contacts 450a to the right thereof. The contact pair 450b is within 10 the microswitch 450 Rnd is closed whenever the roller 340 is not within the notch 308 of the second output lever 294, but is open whenever such roller 340 is within the notch 308. The contact pair 436a is within the microswitch 436 and is open only when the roller 340 is within the notch 308, being open at all other times.

The left sides of the first and second circuit branches 802 and 804 are conneced to a conductor 806. The right sides of the circuit branches 802 and 804 are connected to a conductor 808. Assuming that a potential difference exits between the conductors 806 and 808, the following operation of the motor 212 takes place.

When the quick-breaktquick-make mechanism 130 is in the condition depicted in FIGURE 8, the switches 40 operated thereby are closed, as previously described, and the spring 206 is uncharged. The latch block 414 is not in the notch 288 because of the action of the kicker 432 and, accordingly, the contact pair 436a 25 is closed. The roller 332 is not in the notch 308 and, as a consequence, the contact pair 448a is closed, while the contact pair 448b is open. The latch block 424 is not in the notch 286 and, as a consequence, the contact pair 438a is closed. The roller 340 is located within the notch 308 and, accordingly, the contact pair 450a is closed, while the contact pair 450b is open. Because the contact pairs 448a, 438a - 30 and 450a are closed, current flows down through the motor 212 and, as discussed previously, the motor 212 rotates the first and second sprockets 214 and 216 in a counterclockwise direction. Counterclockwise rotation of the second sprocket 216 3~l2 rotates the input shaft 208 in a co~mterclockwixe direction to charge thc spring 206. Current continues to flow down through the motor 212 as the spring 206 is charged until the lfltch block 424 enters the notch 286, at which point the contact pair 438a opens and the current nOw through the motor 212 ceases. The spring 206 5 is now fully charged to subsequently open the switches 40 operated by the operating mechanism 48.

Subsequent removal of the roller 340 from the notch 308 permits the output levers 204 and 294 to rotate counterclockwise as the spring 20fi discharges, opening the switches 40. Removal of the roller 340 from the notch 308 results in the contact pair 450a opening and the contact pair 450b closing. No current flows in the motor 212 at this time, however, because although the contact pairs 450b and 436a are closed, the contact pair 448b remains open. As the output levers 204 and 294 move to their full counterclockwise position, the roller 332 enters the notch 308 causing the contacts 448b to close and the contacts 448a to open. Further, the counterclockwise rotation of the secoild output lever 294 removes the latch block 424 from the notch 286 through the act~on of the kicker 434. This effects closure of the contact pair 438a. Because the contact pairs 450a, 436a, and 448b are all closed, current flows upwardly through the motor 212. As described previously, the upward now of current through the motor 212 causes the motor to rotate the first and second sprockets 214 and 216 in a clockwise direction, rotating the input shaft 208 clockwise to charge the spring 206 for a subsequent closing operating of the switches 40 operated by the operating mechanism 48. The upward flow of current through the motor 212 continues Imtil the latch block 414 enters the notch 288, opening the contact pair 436a and stopping the flow of current through the motor 212, at which point the spring 216 is fully charged. Should the roller 332 be sub-sequently removed from the notch 308, permitting discharge of the spring 206 and reclosure of the switches 40 operated by the mechanism 48, the contact pair 448b opens and the contact pair 448a closes, but current does not yet flow through the motor 212 because the contact pair 450a does not close until the roller 340 again enters the notch 308, at which time current again flows downwardly through the motor 212 to recharge the spring 206.

The opcration of the contnct pairs ass~ciated with the operator 50 and its motor 212 is not here described as it ~s similar to that just described for the contact pairs associated with the motor 212 of the operating mechan~sm 48.

In series of the motor 212 with the operating mechanism 48 may be the contact pair 800a. This contact pair 800a is associated with the microswitch 800, the condition of which is controlled by the position of the slide 778. Specifically, with the slide 778 in its normal upward position, the hole 211 for the hand crank 210 is blocked, the manual trip lever 712 is operable, and the contact pair 800a is closed. Wih the contact pair 800a closed, the motor 212 may operate to charge the spring 206 for opening or closing the switches 4û, as described immediately above.
If, however, the slide 778 is moved downwardly to expose the hole 211, preparatory to insertion of the hand crank 210, then the contact pair 800a opens. Opening ofthe contct pair 800a prevents the motor 212 from becomeing energized, regardlessof the state of the other contact pairs associated with the motor 212, thus pre-venting rotation of the second sprocket 216 from interfering with manual charging of the spring 206 by the hand crank 210.

The conductors 806 and 808, across which a potential difference is applied, may be connected to output conductors 810 and 812 of a power supply 814. The power supply 814 may be energized by, or form a portion of, voltage sensors 815 contained within the insulators 74, the insulator-voltage-sensor 74-815 being of the type described in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent 4,002,976. As described in that patent, the integrated insulator-voltage-sensor 74-815 may provide, on an electrical output thereof, signals which are proportional to the voltages on the phases of the preferred source 55, which signals may provide power for other circuit elements, such as via the power supply 814 and may be utilized by sensing or logic devices in making decisions concerning the need to change the condition of the switches 40. Such decision-making circuits, connected to the output of the voltage sensors 815 eontained within the insulators 74, may include a voltage unbalance detector 816 of the type described and claimed in commonly-assigned Canadian Patent Application, Serial No. 338,501, filed October 26, 1979.

li~i911~Z
, The output of the voItage unbalance detector 816, as well as the outputs of the voltage sensors 815 contained within the insulators 74, may all be fed to a logic and decision-making circuit 818, which, based on information received concerning the status of the phase conductors of the preferred source 55 and of the alternate 5 source 56, selectively energizes the solenoids 346 and 352 of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50. For example, the logic and decision-making circuit 818 may receive information that one or more phaso conductors of the preferred source 55 has no voltage (or an improper voltage) thereon. As a consequence, a décision needs to be made whether or not opening of the switches 40 associated with the lO preferred source 55 and closure of the switches 40 associated with the alternate source 56 needs to be effected. The circuit 818, having determined that something untowsrd is occurring at the preferred source 55, may also e~amine the status of the alternate source 56. If the alternate source 56 is capable of energizing the loads 58 connected to the switchgear 20, the switches 40 associated with the pre-15 ferred source SS may be opened by the operating mechanism 48 (by energization ofthe solenoid 352 therein) and the switches 40 associated with the alternate source 56 may be closed (by the energization of the solenoid 346) by the operating mechanism 50. If, on the other hand, the preferred source 56 is incapnble, for any reason, of energizing the loads 58, ehe circuit 818 may make a decision to merely 20 open the switches 40 associated with the preferred source 55 and to permit the switches 40 associated with alternate source 56 to remain open. Various other decisions and combinations thereof, of course, can bq made by the circuit 818, as should be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The mlcroswitches 800 also preferably have two second pairs of normally closed contacts 800b in series with the solenoids 346 and 352 of the mechanisms 48 and 50. When the slide 778 is pulled down to enable manual charging of the spring 206 by the crank 211, these contacts 800b open to prevent operation of the solenoids 346 and 352 until the slide 778 is moved up by the spring 782. In this way, removal of the rollers 332 or 334 from the notch 308 in the second output lever 294 by the solenoids 340 and 352 is prevented. -!
_50 ;~

<~lZ

A contact p~ir 964a of the micros\~itch 60~ is depicted in phantom both in association with the motors 212 of the o~)crating mechanisms 48 and SO, and with the circuit 818. The reason for showing the contact pair 694a in both locations follows. The contact pair 694a msy be normal~y closed, being open only when the 5 cover 686 is opened to gain access to the coup]ing bo~t 578. As depicted in FIGUP.E
22, one exemplary use of the normal]y closed contact pair 694a is to effect de-energization oi the motor 212 upon opening the cover 686 by association with the mo.or 212 similar to that involved with the contact pair ~OOa. It may nlso be desired to associate the contact pair 694a with the circuit 818 to permit the circuit lO 818 to make decision based on the open or c]osed state of the contflct pair 694a or to otherwise cause the circuit 818 to give an indication, visual or otherwise, that the cover 686 is open and that the operating mechanisms 48 or 50 may not be coupled to their res?ective switches 40. Further, the contact pairs 694a and 800a msy, when open, totally prevent automatic operation, for e~ample, by disabling the 15 circuit 818, the solenoids 346, and the motor 212.

Conclu si on ln the high-voltage switchgear 20 of the present inventions, the switches 40 thereof sre operable both autanatically in response to the condition of the pre-20 ferred source 55 and the alternate source 56 and manua~ly by selective operation ofthe manual trip lever 712. Further, the springs 206 of the operating mechanisms 48 and 50, the re]ease of energy from ~hich effects operation of the switches 40, may be either automatically charged following operation of the switches 40, as dictated by the circuit 818, or may be manuaDy charged as desired by appropriate 25 manipulation of the hand crank 210. A]so, the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 may be decoupled from their switches 40, which are locked in position lhereby, to permit such the mechanisms 48 and 50 to be exercised, tested or maintained without affecting the conditions of the switches 40. The switchgear 20 a]so may selectively prevent the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 from being operated by the 30 manual trip lever 712 when the hand crank 210 is used to charge the spring 206, and also, prevent the motor 212 from attempting to charge the spring 206 when the hand crank 210 is used. Additionally, when the cover 686 is opened, preparatory to :

decoup]ing the op~rAtinv mechanisms 4S and 50 from the sv itchcs 40, various conseo~ences may ensue, such as the prevention of operation of the moSor 212 or the giving of a ~isual or other indication that the operating mechanisms 484 and 50 may not be coupled to their respective switches 40. Moreover, the various legends 5 714, 718, 720, 722 and 726 completely inform operation personnel of the condtions of both the operating mechanisms 48 and 50 and of the switches 40 associated therev~ith. This information permits such operating personnel to determine whPt action, if any, is necessary regarding operation of the switchgear 20.

Additional features of the switchgear 20 include:
(1) Construction of the switch assemblies 32 and 34 as integral, back-to-back units separate from the enclosure 22 and including the integral compart-ments 51 and 52 for the operating mechanisms 48 and 50;

lS (2, Isolation of the compartments S1 and 52 (at low voltage) frorn the switch compsrtments 24 and 26 (at high voltage) by th integral construction set forth in (1), above, including the various walls 92, 94, 105, 106, 107, llS, llfi, and 117 of the compartments 51 and 52;

(3) Operating mechanisms 48 and 5 which use common, inter-changeab]e parts and the quick-break/quick-make mechrmisms 130 of which exhibit the same "handedness" in operating their switches 40 in mirror-irnage fashion, the latter being achieved by a slight difference in the connection of the mechanisms 13~ to the drive levers 200;

(4) A single manual trip lever 712 for each mechanism 48 and 50 by which the switches 40 can be opened or closed, depending on the direction of rotation of the levers 712;

(S) Physical prevention of the operation of the trip levers 712 while the springs 206 are being charged either by the motors 212 (due to the action of the cam 282, the blocking arm assembly 376 and the blocking shuttle 380) or manually s;'~

by the crank 210 (due to the action of the guidc b~ock 776 nnd tllc slide 77~, flS well as of the elements 282, 376 and 380);

(6) The location of the legends 718 and 720 near thc mnnual trip lever 5 712, the shaft 372 for which provides the support for the elements which operate the indicator plates 736 and 479 bearing such legends 718 and 720;

(7) The inablity of operation of the latch assemblies 320 and 322 to interfere with or affect the operation or position of the manual trip levers 72, and 10 vice versa, due to the action of the levers 324 and 336 and of the slots 364 and 366 therein;

(8) The de-energization of the motors 212 by the same latch assemblies 408 and 410 which hold the input lever 268 after the spring 206 are 15 charged by rotation thereof as the motors 212 are energized;

(9) The ability to decouple the mechanisms 48 and S0 from their switches 40, yet to keep associated with the high-speed, high-energy moving parts thereof (e.g., the drive levers 200) the shock absorbers 620 and 622 which permit 20 the mechanisms 48 and 50 to be "exercised" with dissipation of the high-energy such that damage thereto is obviated;

(10) The ability to decouple the mechanisms 48 and 50 from their switches 40 while both simultaneously locking the switches 40 in their extant 25 positions and permitting energy stored in the mechanisms 48 and 50 to be released without damage thereto;

(11) Prevention of recoupling the mechanisms 48 and 50 to their switches 40 while uncomplementary positions obtain due to the necessary relation-30 ship between the coupling bolt 578 (which may be in one of two rotative positions ofthe strut-driving shaft 568) and the single hole 576 in the drive lever 200; and 1 1.t~311~

(12) Physical, visual evidence provided by the inability to close the cover 686 that the mechanisms 48 and 50 are uncoupled from their switches 40 dueto the actions of the shutter 656 and the tab 690.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are simply illustrative of the principles of this invention, yet fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

-- 5 ~ --

Claims (14)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:-

1. Improved high-voltage switchgear of the type having a switch selectively operable between a closed position and an open position and a switch-operating mechanism which can assume a switch-closed or a switch-open condition due to the action of means therein for storing a predetermined amount of mechanical energy capable, upon release thereof, of closing or opening the switch, wherein the improvement comprises:
first means responsive to selective manual manipulation thereof for coupling the operating mechanism to or decoupling the operating mech-anism from the switch whether or not energy is stored in the energy storing means and regardless of the condition of the operating mechanism;
second means responsive to the decoupling of the operating mechanism from the switch for dissipating energy stored in the operating mechanism and for preventing damage to the switch and the operating mech-anism by such dissipated energy; and third means (a) responsive to an ongoing attempt to decouple the operating mechanism from the switch for locking the switch in its extant position before decoupling is completed and (b) responsive to an ongoing attempt to couple the operating mechanism to the switch for unlocking the switch for movement by the operating mechanism out of its extant position after coupling is completed.

2. The switchgear of Claim 1, which further comprises:
indicating means responsive to the onset of an attempt to decouple the operating mechanism from the switch for giving a sensible indication that such decoupling has been attempted or effected.

3. The switchgear of Claim 1 wherein:
the first means comprises a first rotatable shaft connected to the switch;
a hollow second shaft mounted about a portion of the first shaft, the shafts being independently, generally coaxially rotatable;
a drive lever fixed to the outside of the second shaft;
means for rotating the drive lever in response to the release of energy from the storing means; and a coupling member carried by the first shaft and selectively manually movable between a first location, whereat it engages the first shaft and the drive lever, and a second location, whereat it engages the first shaft and is disengaged from the drive lever, the release of energy from the storing means while the coupling member is in its first location operating the switch, the release of energy from the storing means while the coupling member is in its second location rotating the second shaft and the drive lever but not affecting the switch or the rotative position of the first shaft.

4. The switchgear of Claim 3, wherein:
the third means comprises a stationary lock plate means (a) engaged by the coupling member as it begins to move to, but well before it reaches, its second location for locking the coupling member and the first shaft against rotation before the coupling member is disconnected from the drive lever, and (b) disengaged by the coupling member just before it completes movement to its first location for unlocking the coupling member and the first shaft for rotation after the coupling member is connected to the drive lever.

5. The switchgear of Claim 4, wherein:
the second means comprises:
a hole in the drive lever, the coupling member being in the hole in its first location; and a dimple in the drive lever surrounding the hole, the dimple having a limited surface area, rotation of the drive lever as the coupling moves toward its second location permitting frictional drag between the coupling member and the drive lever to occur only for the time the coupling member is in engagement with the surface area of the dimple.

6. The switchgear of Claim 5, wherein:
the second means further comprises a rounded head on the coupling member for entry into the hole in the drive lever, the roundness of the head reducing the degree of frictional drag between it and the dimple.

7. The switchgear of Claim 2, wherein:
the first means comprises a first rotatable shaft connected to the switch;
a hollow second shaft mounted about a portion of the first shaft, the shafts being independently, generally coaxially rotatable;
a drive lever fixed to the outside of second shaft;
means for rotating the drive lever in response to the release of energy from the storing means; and a tool-engageable coupling member carried by the first shaft and selectively movable by manipulation of a tool engaged therewith between a first location, whereat it engages the first shaft and the drive lever, and a second location, whereat it engages the first shaft and is disengaged from the drive lever, the release of energy from the storing means while the coupling member is in its first location operating the switch, the release of energy from the storing means while the coupling member is in its second location not affecting the switch; and the indicating means comprises an openable cover, which in a closed position prevents engagement of the coupling member by the tool; and means for preventing closure of the cover when the coupling member is out of its first location whether or not the tool is engaging the coupling member.

8. The switchgear of Claim 3, which further comprises;
an indicator plate transversely carried by the first shaft for rotation therewith; and indicia on the plate which when moved to an observable location inform whether the switch is open or closed depending on the rotative position of the first shaft.

9. The switchgear of Claim 7, wherein:
the preventing means comprises:
a tab on the cover for movement therewith; and a rockable member having a first normal position out of which it is moved by the onset of movement of the coupling member out of its first and toward its second location, the rockable member intercepting the path of movement of the tab when the rotatable member is not in its first position, so that interference between the tab and the rockable member prevents the cover from closing.

10. The switchgear of Claim 3, which further comprises:
shock-absorbing stop means for receiving the impact of the drive lever as the operating mechanism and the drive lever assume the switch-open and switch-closed conditions.

11. The switchgear of Claim 10, wherein:
the shock-absorbing stop means and the first, second and third means are elements of an integral subassembly.

12. The switchgear of Claim 5, wherein:
the coupling member comprises a two-headed bolt, a central portion of which is threaded;
an arm carried by the first shaft and having a threaded hole therein which receives the central portion of the bolt; and a pair of holes in the stationary lock plate means, the holes being respectively aligned with the hole in the drive lever depending on whether the drive lever is in the switch-open or the switch-closed position;

one head of the bolt engaging the hole in the drive lever and the other head of the bolt not engaging either hole in the lock plate when the coupling member is in its first location, the one bolt head not engaging the drive lever hole and the other bolt head engaging the lock plate hole which is aligned with the drive lever hole when the coupling member is in its second location.

13. The switchgear of Claim 7, which further comprises:
means for preventing movement of the coupling member between its locations unless the tool is engaged therewith.

14. The switchgear of Claim 2, wherein:
the first means comprises a first rotatable shaft connected to the switch;
a hollow second shaft mounted about a portion of the first shaft, the shafts being independently, generally coaxially rotatable;
a drive lever fixed to the outside of the second shaft;
means for rotating the drive lever in response to the release of energy from the storing means; and a coupling member carried by the first shaft and selectively manually movable between a first location, whereat it engages the first shaft and the drive lever, and a second location, whereat it engages the first shaft and is disengaged from the drive lever, the release of energy from the storing means while the coupling member is in its first location operating the switch, the release of energy from the storing means while the coupling member is in its second location rotating the second shaft and the drive lever but not affecting the switch or the rotative position of the first shaft.