Inertial short-circuit and seismic hook

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10892114-B2
Application number	US-201916249795-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 16, 2019
Priority date	Jan 16, 2019
Publication date	Jan 12, 2021
Grant date	Jan 12, 2021

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure can include an inertial short-circuit and seismic hook for an electrical equipment disconnect switch.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A circuit disconnect apparatus comprising:
a catch device mounted to a first conductor of a circuit, wherein the catch device is connected to the first conductor such that the catch device moves from a first position to a second position along a predetermined first path for a speed of movement below a limiting speed, and that the catch device moves, during a seismic event or an unexpected short circuit event, along a predetermined second path for a speed of movement above the limiting speed;
wherein when moving along the predetermined second path, the catch device engages a stop device, thereby preventing the circuit disconnect apparatus from disconnecting.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catch device comprises a first mass guided along the predetermined first path, comprising a curved path, by a guiding force, and when an inertial force of the catch device moving along the curved path exceeds a guiding force, the catch device deviates from the curved path and follows the predetermined second path.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the guiding force comprises at least one of the following: gravity, and a spring force.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the catch device comprises a movable blade plate and a pin, and the stop device comprises a hook portion of a C-shaped plate comprising an L-shaped body with a lip.

5. A method for using a circuit disconnect apparatus comprising:
manipulating a catch device mounted to a first conductor of a circuit, wherein the catch device is connected to the first conductor, from a first position to a second position along a predetermined first path for a speed of movement below a limiting speed;
manipulating the catch device along a predetermined second path for a speed of movement above the limiting speed, wherein the speed of movement above the limiting speed is caused by a seismic event or an unexpected short circuit event; and
when moving along the predetermined second path, engaging a stop device by the catch device, thereby preventing the circuit disconnect apparatus from disconnecting.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the catch device comprises a first mass guided along the predetermined first path, comprising a curved path, by a guiding force, and the method further comprises:
when an inertial force of the catch device moving along the curved path exceeds a guiding force, deviating from the curved path, wherein the catch device follows the predetermined second path.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the guiding force comprises at least one of the following: gravity, and a spring force.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the catch device comprises a C-shaped plate and a pin, and the stop device comprises a hook portion of a C-shaped plate comprising an L-shaped body with a lip.

9. A circuit disconnect apparatus comprising:
a movable blade plate mounted to a first conductor of a circuit, wherein the movable blade plate comprises a pin mounted to a portion of the movable blade plate;
a pivot bar mounted in a stationary position to a second conductor of the circuit; and
a C-shaped plate mounted to the pivot bar, wherein the C-shaped plate rotates about an axis with respect to the pivot bar, the C-shaped plate comprising an elongated portion connected to a hook portion with an opening between the elongated portion and the hook portion;
wherein when the apparatus is in a closed position, the movable blade plate moves adjacent the C-shape plate, wherein the pin moves within the opening of the C-shaped plate, and the pin is in contact with the C-shaped plate;
wherein when an intended disconnect operation is initiated for the apparatus, the movable blade plate is retracted away from the C-shaped plate, wherein the pin moves along the elongated portion until the pin disengages contact with the C-shaped plate and is no longer within the opening of the C-shaped plate; and
wherein when an unexpected disconnect event occurs, and the apparatus is in the closed position, the pin is retained within the opening of the C-shaped plate and the pin remains in contact with either the elongated portion or the hook portion of the C-shaped plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the hook portion comprises an L-shaped body with a lip at an end portion of the L-shaped body, wherein when the pin moves along the L-shaped body and engages the lip, the pin is maintained in contact with the lip of the C-shaped plate.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the elongated portion comprises an outward projection at an end portion of the hook portion wherein during the disconnect operation, the pin moves along the elongated portion and along the outward projection until the pin is no longer in contact with the elongated portion of the C-shaped plate.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein when closing the apparatus, the pin of the movable blade plate engages the C-shaped plate and the C-shaped plate rotates about the axis with respect to the pivot bar as the pin is in contact with the elongated portion or the hook portion of the C-shaped plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein when the disconnect operation is initiated for the apparatus, or when an unexpected disconnect event occurs, and the apparatus is in a closed position, the C-shaped plate rotates about the axis with respect to the pivot bar as the pin is in contact with the elongated portion or the hook portion of the C-shaped plate.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein when a disconnect operation is initiated for the apparatus, and the apparatus is in a closed position, the C-shaped plate rotates about the axis with respect to the pivot bar as the pin is in contact with the elongated portion of the hook until it reaches a curve in the elongated portion and then moves across the opening to the hook shape of the C-shaped plate.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the disconnect operation is initiated when the movable blade plate exceeds a predefined speed.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein when the pin moves along the L-shaped body and engages the lip, the pin is maintained in contact with the lip of the C-shaped plate.

Assignees

• General Electric Technology Gmbh

Inventors

• Kechroud Riyad
• Rollier Clement
• Babin Pascal

Classifications

• H01H3/54 Primary

  Mechanisms for coupling or uncoupling operating parts, driving mechanisms, or contacts · CPC title

• H01H1/36

  by sliding · CPC title

• H01H1/44

  with resilient mounting · CPC title

• H01H31/026

  Movable parts and contacts mounted thereon · CPC title

• H01H31/023 Primary

  Base and stationary contacts mounted thereon · CPC title