Disconnector device and arrangement for disconnecting a contactor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10347437-B2
Application number	US-201515781411-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2015
Priority date	Dec 4, 2015
Publication date	Jul 9, 2019
Grant date	Jul 9, 2019

Abstract

A disconnector device is provided for disconnecting an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit is switched by a contactor between an open position and a closed position, the disconnector device using the contactor for disconnecting the electric circuit. The disconnector device locks the contactor in the open position, in which open position contacts of the contactor are in a first position disconnecting the electrical circuit. An arrangement including the disconnector device and a contactor is also provided.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A disconnector device for disconnecting an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit is switched by a contactor between an open position and a closed position, wherein the disconnector device uses the contactor for disconnecting the electric circuit, the disconnector device comprising:
first means for mechanically locking the contactor in the open position, in which open position contacts of the contactor are in a first position disconnecting the electrical circuit, and
second means for electrically preventing control circuitry of the contactor to operate, the second means being connected electrically to the control circuitry of the contactor.

2. The disconnector as claimed in claim 1 , including means for preventing the means for locking the contactor in the open position to be fully operated if the contactor cannot assume the open position.

3. The disconnector as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for locking the contactor in the open position includes a second shaft inserted into a housing of the contactor, the second shaft mechanically preventing the contacts of the contactor to assume the closed position.

4. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 1 , including a first shaft arranged to operate:
first means to mechanically lock the contactor in the open position, and
second means to the prevent control circuitry of the contactor to operate.

5. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the first shaft is arranged to operate the first means and the second means in a single movement.

6. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for locking the contactor in open position includes a gear operated by a first shaft, wherein the gear when operated moves a second shaft to a locking position within a housing of the contactor, in which position the contactor is locked in the open position.

7. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the first shaft is prevented from being fully operated if the contactor cannot assume the open position and the second shaft thereby being prevented from assuming the locking position.

8. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the means for locking the contactor in open position includes a switch connected electrically to control circuitry of the contactor, the switch de-energizing the control circuitry of the contactor when operated.

9. An arrangement for disconnecting an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit is switched by a contactor between an open position and a closed position, the disconnector device using the contactor for disconnecting the electric circuit, the arrangement including:
a contactor arranged to switch an electrical circuit between an open position and a closed position, and
a disconnector device as claimed in claim 1 , arranged to disconnect the electric circuit.

10. The disconnector as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the means for locking the contactor in the open position includes a second shaft inserted into a housing of the contactor, the second shaft mechanically preventing the contacts of the contactor to assume the closed position.

11. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 2 , including a first shaft arranged to operate:
first means to mechanically lock the contactor in the open position, and
second means to the prevent control circuitry of the contactor to operate.

12. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the means for locking the contactor in open position includes a gear operated by a first shaft, wherein the gear when operated moves a second shaft to a locking position within a housing of the contactor, in which position the contactor is locked in the open position.

13. The disconnector device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the means for locking the contactor in open position includes a switch connected electrically to control circuitry of the contactor, the switch de-energizing the control circuitry of the contactor when operated.

14. A disconnector device for disconnecting an electrical circuit, wherein the electrical circuit is switched by a contactor between an open position and a closed position, wherein the disconnector device uses the contactor for disconnecting the electric circuit, the disconnector device comprising:
a mechanical device for locking the contactor in the open position, in which open position contacts of the contactor are in a first position disconnecting the electrical circuit, and
an electrical device for preventing control circuitry of the contactor to operate, the electrical device being connected electrically to the control circuitry of the contactor.

Assignees

• Abb Schweiz Ag

Inventors

• Johansson Gunnar
• Angell Markus
• Nilsson Alfred
• Johansson Linnea

Classifications

• H01H71/1054

  Means for avoiding unauthorised release · CPC title

• H01H9/22 Primary

  for interlocking between casing, cover, or protective shutter and mechanism for operating contacts {(explosion-proof cases H01H9/045; built-in fuses and interlocking mechanisms H01H9/104; by automatic release of circuit breakers H01H71/126)} · CPC title

• H01H9/281

  making use of a padlock (H01H9/287 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01H71/56

  actuated by rotatable knob or wheel · CPC title