Interrupter spring guide assembly
In accordance with certain embodiments, an improved switching mechanism and related components are provided.
1. An apparatus comprising:
an insulator having a recess;
a spring cup disposed within the recess;
a spring for actuating a vacuum interrupter disposed within the spring cup;
a bushing directly interfacing with the spring and disposed within the recess;
a shoulder bolt intersecting the bushing, the spring, and the spring cup;
the shoulder bolt secured in a shoulder bolt receiving hole in the insulator;
a bushing cover removably secured to the bushing so as to enclose a head of the shoulder bolt within the bushing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:
a removable shed configured to have a top opening and a bottom opening to permit the removable shed to slide onto the insulator.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bushing is configured to slide along an internal surface of the spring cup.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bushing cover is directly coupled to a movable contact.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:
a removable shed configured to have a top opening and a bottom opening to permit the removable shed to slide onto the insulator.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bushing is configured to slide along an internal surface of the spring cup.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:
a bushing cover removably secured to the bushing;
wherein the bushing cover is directly coupled to a movable contact during use.
8. An apparatus for use with a vacuum interrupter having a movable contact for electrical engagement with a non-movable contact, the apparatus comprising:
an insulator having a recess;
a spring cup disposed within the recess;
a spring for actuating the vacuum interrupter disposed within the spring cup;
a bushing disposed within the spring cup and positioned to receive a force from the spring;
wherein during use the bushing is mechanically coupled with the movable contact;
wherein during use the spring is operable to force the bushing toward the non-movable contact as a surface of the movable contact or a surface of the non-movable contact is worn away.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 and further comprising:
a shoulder bolt assembly coupled with the insulator so as maintain the spring in a compressed state.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the movable contact is positioned so as to receive a force via the spring.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 and further comprising:
wherein the insulator and spring are part of a switching mechanism disposed in a housing.
12. A method comprising:
disposing a spring cup within a recess of an insulator;
disposing a spring for actuating a vacuum interrupter within the spring cup;
disposing a bushing within the spring cup in a position to receive a force from the spring;
wherein during use the spring is operable to force the bushing toward the non-movable contact as the surface of the movable contact or non-movable contact is worn away.
13. The method of claim 12 and further comprising:
coupling a shoulder bolt assembly with the insulator so as to maintain the spring in a compressed state.
14. The method of claim 12 and further comprising:
positioning the movable contact so as to receive a force via the spring.
15. The method of claim 12 wherein the insulator and spring are part of a switching mechanism and further comprising:
disposing the switching mechanism in a housing.