IP Library Granted Patent US 11,600,459
Granted Patent B2
US 11,600,459 · App. 17/346,799 · Granted Mar 7, 2023

Single bottle interrupter

Inventor: David A. Rhein (Birmingham, AL)
Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
H01H33/666H01H33/66207H01H2033/6623
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,600,459
App. No.
17/346,799
Granted
Mar 7, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bi-stable mechanism for a vacuum interrupter. The bi-stable mechanism includes an actuator; and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving a moveable contact. Wherein a bellows assembly is positioned above a vacuum bottle and coupled to a housing. The bellows assembly includes an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring, a spring plate, a contact spring, and a bellows. The bellows assembly reciprocates the moveable contact to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other.

Claims (21)

1. A bi-stable mechanism for a vacuum interrupter, the bi-stable mechanism comprising:

an actuator; and

a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving a moveable contact;

wherein a bellows assembly is positioned above a vacuum bottle and coupled to a housing, the bellows assembly including an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring, a spring plate, a contact spring, and a bellows, the bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other.

2. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the vacuum interrupter interrupts a voltage of at least approximately 69 kV.

3. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the housing is comprised of a polymer epoxy.

4. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein current flows through the contacts in the closed position.

5. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein a flow of current through the contacts is stopped when the contacts are apart from each other.

6. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a conductive operating arm.

7. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the actuator includes a pair of bumpers.

8. The bi-stable mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the cam is a pair of pivotably connected links.

9. A bellows assembly positioned above a vacuum bottle and coupled to a housing of a vacuum interrupter, the bellows assembly comprising:

an outer cylindrical shell surrounding an opening spring;

a spring plate;

a contact spring; and

a bellows;

wherein the bellows assembly reciprocates a moveable contact to prevent arcing between a pair of contacts and biasing the pair of contacts apart from each other.

10. The bellows assembly of claim 9 , wherein the vacuum interrupter interrupts a voltage of at least approximately 69 kV.

11. The bellows assembly of claim 9 , wherein the housing is comprised of a polymer epoxy.

12. The bellows assembly of claim 9 , wherein current flows through the contacts in the closed position.

13. The bellows assembly of claim 9 , wherein a flow of current through the contacts is stopped when the contacts are apart from each other.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2023
From: RHEIN, DAVID A.
To: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 062574/0741 →