Visible disconnect switch interlock assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9490084-B2
Application number	US-201414540338-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 13, 2014
Priority date	Nov 13, 2014
Publication date	Nov 8, 2016
Grant date	Nov 8, 2016

Abstract

A visible disconnect switch (VDS) interlock assembly is provided. The VDS interlock assembly is movable between a CBA, first lockout position, wherein a CBA second contact assembly cannot move when a VDS second contact assembly is in a first position, and a VDS, second lockout position, wherein a VDS second contact assembly cannot move when the CBA second contact assembly is in a second position. Further, the VDS interlock assembly is placed in an open position in between where the CBA, first lockout position and the VDS, second lockout position; from the open position the VDS interlock assembly may be moved into one of the CBA, first lockout position or the VDS, second lockout position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A Visible Disconnect Switch (VDS) interlock assembly for a VDS circuit breaker assembly (CBA), said VDS circuit breaker assembly including a circuit breaker assembly and a visible disconnect switch, said circuit breaker assembly including a fixed, first contact assembly, a movable, second contact assembly, an operating mechanism, an electric control system, and a mechanical control system, said operating mechanism operatively coupled to said second contact assembly, said second contact assembly moveable between a first position, wherein a second contact assembly contact member is spaced from, and not in electrical communication with, said first contact assembly, and a second position, wherein said second contact assembly contact member is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said first contact assembly, said CBA electric control system structured to actuate said operating mechanism, said CBA mechanical control system including an actuating assembly and an interlock assembly, said CBA mechanical control system actuating assembly structured to actuate said operating mechanism, said CBA mechanical control system interlock assembly structured to selectively prevent operation of said CBA mechanical control system actuating assembly wherein said CBA mechanical control system interlock assembly moves between a first configuration, wherein said mechanical control system actuating assembly is free to actuate said operating mechanism, and a second configuration, wherein said mechanical control system actuating assembly is not free to actuate said operating mechanism, said visible disconnect switch including a contact assembly and an activating assembly, said VDS contact assembly including a fixed, first contact assembly and a movable, second contact assembly, said VDS contact assembly second contact assembly movable between a first position, wherein said VDS contact assembly second contact assembly is spaced from, and not in electrical communication with, said VDS contact assembly first contact assembly, and a second position, wherein said VDS contact assembly second contact assembly is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, said VDS contact assembly first contact assembly, said VDS activating assembly operatively coupled to and structured to move said VDS contact assembly second contact assembly between its said first and second position, said VDS activating assembly structured to move between a first position corresponding to the VDS contact assembly contact arm first position, and, a second position corresponding to the VDS contact assembly contact arm second position, said VDS interlock assembly comprising:
a contact interface assembly, said contact interface assembly coupled to said CBA second contact assembly whereby said contact interface assembly moves with said CBA second contact assembly between a first position and a second position;
an interlock cam assembly, said interlock cam assembly operatively coupled to said VDS activating assembly, said interlock cam assembly structured to move between a first configuration, wherein said VDS activating assembly is free to move between its first and second positions, and a second configuration, wherein said VDS activating assembly is not free to move between its first and second positions;
a mechanical control system interlock interface assembly, said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly operatively coupled to said CBA mechanical control system interlock assembly, said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly structured to move between a first position, wherein said CBA mechanical control system interlock assembly is in its first configuration, and a second position, wherein said CBA mechanical control system interlock assembly is in its second configuration;
an interlock drive assembly including an elongated, first drive member;
said interlock drive assembly first drive member operatively coupled to said interlock cam assembly;
said interlock drive assembly first drive member operatively coupled to said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly;
said interlock drive assembly first drive member movable between a CBA, first lockout position, wherein said interlock cam assembly is in its first configuration and said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly is in its second position, an open position, wherein said interlock cam assembly is in its first configuration and said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly is in its first position, and a VDS, second lockout position, wherein said interlock cam assembly is in its second configuration and said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly is in its first position.

2. The VDS interlock assembly of claim 1 wherein said interlock drive assembly first drive member translates between said first, open, and second positions.

3. The VDS interlock assembly of claim 1 wherein:
said interlock drive assembly first drive member includes an elongated body with a first end, a support portion and a second end;
said interlock drive assembly first drive member body support portion disposed adjacent said contact interface assembly;
said interlock drive assembly includes a first displacement device;
said interlock drive assembly first displacement device coupled to said interlock drive assembly first drive member body support portion; and
said contact interface assembly operatively coupled to said interlock drive assembly first displacement device.

4. The VDS interlock assembly of claim 3 wherein:
said interlock drive assembly first drive member body second end disposed adjacent said CBA mechanical control system interlock assembly;
wherein said interlock drive assembly includes a second displacement device;
said interlock drive assembly second displacement device coupled to said interlock drive assembly first drive member body second end.

5. The VDS interlock assembly of claim 4 wherein:
said contact interface assembly includes a roller;
said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly includes a roller and a linkage assembly;
said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly linkage assembly moving along an axis of motion between a first position and a second position;
said interlock drive assembly first displacement device is a first wedge including an engagement surface;
said first wedge engagement surface is disposed at an angle relative to said CBA second contact assembly axis of motion;
wherein said contact interface assembly roller engages said first wedge engagement surface as said interlock drive assembly first drive member moves between said open position and said second lockout position;
said interlock drive assembly second displacement device is a second wedge including an engagement surface;
said second wedge engagement surface is disposed at an angle relative to said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly linkage assembly axis of motion; and
wherein said mechanical control system interlock interface assembly roller engages said second wedge engagement surface as said interlock drive assembly first drive member moves between said first lockout position and said open position.

6. The VDS interlock assembly of claim 1 wherein said VDS activating assembly includes a rotating drive shaft, and wherein:
said interlock cam assembly includes a frame member, a first cam member and a second cam member;
said interlock cam assembly first cam member fixed to said VDS activating assembly rotating drive shaft, said interlock cam assembly first cam member moveable between a first position, an open position, and a blocking, second position;
said interlock cam assembly second cam member rotatably coupled to said interlock cam assembly f

Assignees

• Eaton Corp

Inventors

• Ashtekar Koustubh Dnyandeo
• Benke James Jeffery
• Jenkins Zachary R

Classifications

• H01H33/6661

  Combination with other type of switch, e.g. for load break switches (H01H33/143, H01H33/6662 take precedence) · CPC title

• H01H31/28

  with angularly-movable contact · CPC title

• H01H31/10 Primary

  for interlocking two or more switches · CPC title

• H01H2235/01

  Spiral spring · CPC title

• H01H71/1009

  Interconnected mechanisms (H01H71/1045 takes precedence; operated by excess current and other electrical conditions H01H83/20) · CPC title