Electricity: circuit makers and breakers – Interlocking – Drawout-type switchgear
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-05-08
Friedhofer, Michael (Department: 2832)
Electricity: circuit makers and breakers
Interlocking
Drawout-type switchgear
C200S318000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229106
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a circuit breaker draw-withdraw apparatus for use with a circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker so as to be connected to or be disconnected from a plug-in base.
Conventionally, a plug-in base for a circuit breaker is mounted on a panel board or other base structure and is wired to circuitry on the base structure. A circuit breaker is installed in the plug-in base by inserting stabs protruding from the circuit breaker into jaws fixed to the plug-in base. The jaw/stab connection provides the primary electrical connection between the circuit breaker and the plug-in base. This connection may also mechanically retain the circuit breaker in the plug-in base.
Withdraw mechanisms have been developed for mechanically drawing a circuit breaker into a plug-in base and withdrawing the circuit breaker from the plug-in base. An example of such a withdraw mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,949 to Green et al. The withdraw mechanism described in Green et al. is operated by rotating a screw linkage using a drive tool inserted into the front of the withdraw mechanism which draws the circuit breaker into or withdraws the circuit breaker from the plug-in base. This type of mechanism is advantageous since a circuit breaker unit having a high amperage rating is heavy and thus is difficult for a technician to position properly in the plug-in base by hand. In addition, the jaws in a high amp plug-in base may require a high insertion force, making it difficult or impossible for a technician to apply sufficient force to fully insert the stabs into the jaws.
A circuit breaker withdraw mechanism typically includes a component attached to the plug-in base and a component attached to the circuit breaker. Installation of the withdraw mechanism may take place in the field, in a supplier warehouse or at the circuit breaker production plant. Accordingly, there is a need to ensure that attachment of the withdraw mechanism be simple and fool-proof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to fulfill the need referred to above. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this objective is achieved by providing a circuit breaker movement structure for use with a circuit breaker to move the circuit breaker to be connected with or be disconnected from a circuit breaker connecting apparatus. The movement structure comprises a draw bracket assembly constructed and arranged to be mounted to the circuit breaker connecting apparatus. A guide assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted to the circuit breaker. The draw bracket assembly includes drive structure constructed and arranged to be actuated to engage the guide assembly and cause the circuit breaker to move with respect to the circuit breaker connecting apparatus. The draw bracket assembly includes a movable structure coupled thereto so as to be moved in a linear manner between first, second, and third positions while maintaining the movable structure in one of the positions. The movable structure is constructed and arranged such that:
in the first position, the movable structure permits the circuit breaker to be initially connected with or be disconnected from the circuit breaker connecting apparatus, and prevents actuation of the drive structure,
in the second position, the movable structure prevents the circuit breaker to be connected with or be disconnected from the circuit breaker connecting apparatus, and prevents actuation of the drive structure, and
in the third position, the moveable structure permits the circuit breaker to be connected with or be disconnected from the circuit breaker connecting apparatus but prevents the circuit breaker from being completely disengaged with respect to the draw bracket assembly, and the movable structure permits actuation of the drive structure.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of controlling operation of a circuit breaker movement structure is provided.
Other objects, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and the functions of the related elements of the structure, the combination of parts and economics of manufacture will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4914549 (1990-04-01), Leone et al.
patent: 5036427 (1991-07-01), Krom et al.
patent: 5278722 (1994-01-01), Peruso
patent: 5337210 (1994-08-01), Ishikawa et al.
patent: 5837949 (1998-11-01), Green et al.
patent: 6031192 (2000-02-01), Liebetruth
patent: 6066814 (2000-05-01), Smith et al.
Blessitt James H.
Green Russell B.
Robbins W. Dale
Friedhofer Michael
Siemens Energy & Automation Inc.
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