OPENING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No, 13/366,558, filed February 6, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

The disclosed concept relates generally to electrical switching apparatus and, more particularly, to electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers. The disclosed concept also relates to opening assemblies for electrical switching apparatus .

Background Information

Electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, provide protection for electrical systems from electrical fault conditions such as, for example, current overloads, short circuits, abnormal voltage and other fault conditions.

Typical ly, circuit breakers include an operating mechanism, which opens electrical contact assemblies to interrupt the flow of current through the conductors of an electrical system in response to such fault conditions as detected, for example, by a trip unit. The electrical contact assemblies include stationary electrical contacts and corresponding movable electrical contacts that are separable from Che stationary electrical contacts.

Figures 1 A and 1 B, for example, show a portion of a power air circuit breaker I . The power air circuit breaker 1 uses opening springs 3 {one opening spring 3 is shown in simplified form in Figures 1 and 2) to achieve and maintain full opening gap (e.g., separation of the electrical contacts) during opening and, in some cases, to augment the opening speed to improve interruption, in order to minimize the required closing energy, the minimum possible opening spring force and energy is desired. Each opening spring 3 is attached at its moving end to an arm 5, which is fixed to Che poieshaft 7. This arrangement stretches the spring 3 from open length, Lo (Figure 1 A) to closed length , Lc (Figure I B) as the poieshaft 7 rotates from open ( Figure I A) to closed (Figure IB). The poieshafi 7 is commonly designed to maintain a substantially constant moment arm (see, for example, open moment arm. Mo of Figure 1A and closed .moment arm. Mc of Figure IB).

Achieving and maintaining full opening gap becomes especially difficult after interruption, when debris and shunt behavior cause the opening force requirement to increase. One option is to strengthen, the opening springs. However, strengthening the opening springs without a corresponding increase in closing springs may lead to stalling and incomplete closures. The difficulty of closing against stronger opening springs is more pronounced late in closing, once the moving contacts seat on the stationary contacts and the contact springs become a contributing factor. Increasing the closing springs to overcome sironger opening springs also adds cost, reduces li fe, and increases the requirements of some accessories such as, for example and without limitation, the closing solenoid and the charging motor. The foregoing difficulties become progressively more problematic as additional circuit breaker poles are added.

There is, therefore, room for improvement in electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers, and in opening assemblies therefor,

SUMMARY

These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are directed to an opening assembly for electrical switching apparatus such as, for example and without limitation, circuit breakers. Among other benefits, the opening assembly arranges the opening springs in a manner which produces relatively large po!eshaft torque at full open, to maintain open gap (e.g., separation of the electrical contacts), and substantially zero torque near the closed state, to ease ihe closing.

As one aspect of the disclosed, concept, an opening assembl y is provided for an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing ihe separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a po!eshaft. The opening assembly comprises; a spring link comprising a first portion structured to be pivoiably coupled to the poieshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion, the spring link being movable between an open position and a closed position; and a number of opening springs each including a fixed end structured, to be fixedly coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. When the spring link is disposed in the open position, the number of opening springs are structured to bias the spring link and the poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts. When the spring link is disposed in the closed position, the number of opening springs are structured not to bias the poleshaft.

The spring link may further comprise an intermediate portion extending between the first portion and the second portion. The intermediate portion may have an arcuate shape in order that, when the spring link is disposed in the closed position, the spring link is structure to extend around a portion of the poleshaft.

The poleshaft may include art arm extending outwardly therefrom . The first portion of the spring link, may be structured to be pivotably coupled to the arm. The spring link may be formed from a pair of substantially identical planar members disposed opposite and spaced apart from one another, wherein a portion of the arm of the poleshaft is structured to be disposed between the pair of substantially identical planar members.

As another aspect of the disclosed concept, an electrical switching apparatus comprises: a housing; separable contacts enclosed by the housing; an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, the operating mechanism including a pole shaft; and an opening assembly comprising: a spring link comprising a first portion pivotabl coupled to the poleshaft, and a second portion disposed generally opposite of the first portion, the spring link being movable between an open position and a closed position, and a number of opening springs each including a fixed end fixedly coupled to the housing, and a movable end coupled to the second portion of the spring link. When the spring link is disposed in the open position, the number of opening spri ngs bias the spring l ink and the poleshaft to maintain full separation of the separable contacts. When, the spring link is disposed in the closed position, the number of opening springs do not to bias the poleshaft. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understatin of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 A and 1 B are side elevation views of portions of a known circuit breaker and opening assembly therefor, with. Figure i A corresponding to the circuit breaker being open and Figure I S corresponding to the circuit breaker being closed;

Figure 2 is a side elevation vie of a circuit breaker and opening assembly therefor, in accordance with an embodiment of t be disclosed concept;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the opening assembly of Figure 2, shown as positioned when the circuit breaker is open;

Figure 4 is the enlarged view of Figure 3, modified to show the opening assembly when the circuit breaker is closed;

Figure 5 is a isometric view of a portion of the opening assembly of

Figure 4; and

Figures 6A and 6B are side elevation views of portions of the circuit breaker and opening assembly therefor, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept, with Figure 6A corresponding to the circuit breaker being open and Figure 6B corresponding to the circuit breaker being closed,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, clockwise, counterclockwise and derivatives thereof relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are

"coupled" together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts.

As employed herein, the term "number" shall mean one or an integer greater than one (he., a plurality). Figure 2 shows an opening assembly 100 for an electrical switching apparatus such as, for example and without limitation, a circuit breaker 200. The circuit breaker 200 includes a housing 202, separable contacts 204 (shown in simplified form in Figure 2) enclosed by the housing 202, and an operating

mechanism 206 (shown in simplified form in Figure 2) for opening and closing the separable contacts 204. The operating mechanism 206 includes a poleshaft 208 (best shown in the isometric view of Figure 5).

The opening mechanism 100 includes a spring link 102 having a first portion 104 structured to be pivotably coupled to the poleshaft 208, and a second portion 1.06 disposed generally opposite the first portion 1.04. The spring link 102 is movable between an open position (Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6 A) and a closed position (Figures 4 and 68). The opening assembly 100 further includes a number of opening springs 1 10 each including a fixed end 1. 1.2 fixedly coupled to the circuit breaker housing 202, and a movable end 1 14 coupled to the second portion 106 of the aforementioned spring link 102.

In view of the foregoing structure, when the spring link 1 2 is disposed in the open position, shown, in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6A, the opening spring(s) 1 1 is/are structured to bias the spring link 102 and the poleshaft 208 (e.g., counterclockwise from the perspective of Figure 2) to maintain full separation of the separable coniacis 204 (Figure 2). In other words, the disclosed concept arranges the opening springs 1 10 and their attachment to the poleshaft 208, via the spring link 102, in a manner to produce relatively large poleshaft torque at full open (e.g., without limitation, to maintain open gap between the separable contacts 204 (Figure 2». Additionally, when the spring link 1 2 is disposed in the closed position of Figures 4 and 6.B, the opening spring(s) 1 10 is/are structured not to bias the poleshaft 208, In other words, substantially zero torque is applied by the opening spring(s) 1. 1.0 in the closed, state, thereby reducing the required closing energy and. associated stress on circuit breaker components, furthermore, the reduced requirements for closing springs allows for a reduction in closing energ or increased closing margins. Reduced closing energy advantageously reduces ihe requirements, on accessories (e.g. , without limitation, spring release; motor operator) and increases lifespan, increased closing margins accommodate changes and circuii breaker performance after interruption, without ihe need for increased closing speeds and/or reduced contact springs. The specific mansier in which the disclosed opening assembly 100 achieves these benefits will be described in greater detail herembelow.

Continuing to refer to Figure 2, and also to Figures 3-6B, the spring link 102 of the disclosed opening assembly 100 further includes an intermediate portion 120, which extends between the first and second portions 104,106 and preferably has an arcuate shape. Such arcuate shape enables the spring link 102 to extend around a portion of the circuit breaker poieshait 208 when the spring link 1 2 is disposed in a closed position, shown in Figures 4 and 6B. As best shown in the isometric view of Figure 5, the poieshait 208 preferably includes an arm 210, which extends outwardly from the poleshaft 208. The first portion 104 of the spring link 102 is structured to he pivotably coupled to the arm 21 , n the example shown and described herein, the spring link 1 2 is formed from a pair of substantially identical planar members 130, 132, which are disposed opposite and spaced apart from one another. Accordingly, a portion of the arm 210 of the poleshaft 208 is disposed between the pair of substantially identical planar members 130,132, as shown. The poleshaft 208 further includes a pivot pin 220, which pivotabl couples the spring link 102 to the poleshaft arm 21 .

Continuing to refer to Figure 5, the spring link 1 2 of the opening assembly 100 further includes a projection 14 extending laterally ou wardly from the second portion 106 of the spring link 102. In the example of Figure 5, the projec tion is a pin 140, which extends laterally outwardly from the first side 1 2 of the spring link 102, in a first direction, and laterally outwardly from the second side 144 of the spring link 1.02, in a second direction opposite the first direction. As partially shown in the example of Figure 5, more than one opening spring may be employed, without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept . For example, a first opening spring 1. 10 includes a movable end 114 coupled to the pin 140 on the first, side 142 of the spring link 02, and a second opening spring 1 0' includes a movable end 1 14', which is coupled to the pin 140 on the second side 144 of the spring link 102. It will, however, be appreciated that any known or suitable alternative number, type and/or configuration of spring links (e.g. , 1 2} and/or opening springs (e.g., without limitation 1 10,1 10') could be employed. For economy of disclosure and ease of illustration, only one opening assembly 300 and spring link 102 therefor, is described in detail herein.

As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the housing 202 of the example circuit breaker 200 includes a side plate 230 and at least one protrusion 240, which extends outwardly from the side plate 230, as shown. The fixed end 1.10 of each of the number of opening springs (e.g., 1 10) is fixedly coupled to a corresponding one of the at least one protrusions 240.

As shown in Figure 4 and 6B, in operation, when the spring link 102 is disposed in a closed position, the first portion 104 and the second portion 106 are generally disposed on opposite sides of the poleshaft 208, as shown. It will be appreciated thai this results in the pivot pin 220, the poleshaft 208, and the opening spri»g($) 110 being substantially aligned, as shown with reference, for example and without limitation, to the longitudinal axis 300. As shown, opening spring(s) 110, pin 140, poleshaft 208, pivot pin 220, and protrusion 240 are generally all aligned with. axis 300. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that such alignment correspondingly results in substantially zero moment arm (see, for example, moment arm Me ^:::: 0 in Figure 6B). in other words, substantially zero torque is applied by the opening spring(s) 1 10 to the spring link 1 2 or poleshaft 208, in the closed position, thereby reducing requirements for the closing springs and allowing a reduction in closing energy, as well as increased closing margins, as previously discussed hereinabove.

It will also be appreciated that the spring link 1 2 design of the disclosed opening assembly 100 achieves a moment a m. Mo, as desired, when the spring link 102 is disposed in (he open position of Figure 6 A. As shown by comparing Figure 6A to Figure 6B, it will be appreciated thai the opening spring length Lo, when the spring link 102 is in the open position of Figure 6A„ is relatively similar to the closed spring length Lc„ when the spring link 102 is disposed in the closed position of Figure 6B, This, in combination with the aforementioned closing moment arm, Me being substantially zero (see Figure 6B)„ have profound beneficial effects on the circuit breaker's operation. For example, the disclosed opening assembly 100 consumes less than 40 percent of the energy of conventional closing spring designs. Furthermore, the opening assembly 100 is capable of producing about 20 percent more poieshafl torque at MI open and still consuming less of about half of the energy of conventional designs.

Accordingly, among other benefits, the disclosed o ening assembly 100 provides a unique spring link 102 and opening spring 1 10 arrangement, which effectively functions to produce desired poieshafi torque at full open (e.g.. without limitation, to maintain open gap between, separable contacts 204 (Figure 2)) and substantially zero torque in the closed state, thereby reducing the required closing energy and associated stress.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the ail thai various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which, is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.