US2301746A - Circuit interrupter - Google Patents

Description

No* 10, 1942. 5 PARKER i CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 24, 1940 L Sheets-Sheet l 2755 75 55 5'? 55' ia 55,15 'f5 /3 Nam Ml?, E942. G. s. PARKER 2,301,746

CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i BY ./ y (fwd,

ATTORNEY Nov. l0, 1942.

WITNESSES:

G. S. PARKER CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Ofa/on 5. /Oarre www N0V 10y 1942- G. s. PARKER CIRCUlT INTERRUPTER Filed Jan. 24, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR OrdQnS/CfA/e/ BY WITNESSES:

ATTO 5,1 EY

Patented Nov. l0, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER Gordon S. Parker, Edgewoodg Pa., assigner to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Cmnpany East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania 20 Claims.

My invention relates generally to circuit interrupting devices, and more particularly to circuit nterrupters which are capable of interrupting moderate amounts of electric power, and also of introducing a safe air gap in the circuit.

The copending application oi' H. J. Lineal, Serial No. 203,310, led April 21, 1938, now niatured into Patent No. 2,223,731, issued December 3, 1940, and assigned to the assignee of this in vention, discloses one form of manually operable interrupting device embodying two sets of conn tacts, with one set of contacts being especially constructed and arranged within a movable en closure for establishing and interrupting the cir-v cuit, and one contact of the other set beine` can ried by the enclosure and movable therewith for inserting a relatively large air gap in the circuit. The operating means is arranged to sequentially operate said sets of contacts so that the circuit is always first interrupted and finally made by the current interrupting set of contacts, 'and so that no arcing will occur et the other set of con tacts.

Air break interrupters of this type combine the features of a disconnecting switch and some features of a circuit breaker, and may be employed with a fuse for controllingcircuits such as rural service lines, where the cost of a circuit breaker for interrupting the circuit would be unwarrented.

One object of my invention is to provide an improved interrupting device of the above type with means for automatically opening the circuit in response to the passage therethrough of curn rents greater than a predetermined value.

A device of this type combines all the features of a circuit breaker and disconnecting switch into a single unit, thus materially reducing the expense, and greatly simplifying the protection ci certain types of circuits.

Another object of my invention is to provide a disconnect type interrupting device embodying serially connected current interrupting contacts and disconnecting contacts manually operable sequentially, with automatic means operable in response to overload currents oi a precleterxnineclV magnitude for opening at least the current interrupting contacts to interrupt the circuit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel association of automatic operating means with manual operating means for a circuit interrupter of the type described.

Another object of the invention is the'provision of an air break; circuit interruptor comprising current interruptor contacts connected in series Q"with tire attached. drawings. in

with a pair of disconnecting contacts, and operating mechanism which is manually operableto rst open the current interruptuig contacts and tiren open the disconnecting contacts. and which is automatically operable in response to predetermined overload condition to open the current interrupting contacts alone.

A further object of my invention to provide a circuit interruptor as previously eescribeci in which the current interrupting contacts are opened and closed with a snap action.

Stili another object of my invention is to prom vide e interrupting device as previously p action means for controlling Uerrupting contacts, which means y' or automatically actuaole.

These other objects of ingr invention become more apparent upon consideration o following detailed. description of preferred sediments my niventomp 't conne' 'init l e l. J- i t Figure 1 1s a suie velevenecial View', partly in section ci" switch constructed aoco with invention, the cerner snot elle closed position;

the various parts during an opening o ration the switch immediately after the interrupting means has interrupted the circuit and prior to the swinging of the blade to open position;

Fig. E is a side View. partly insection, switch shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and showing tine switch in the fully open position;

Fig. e a sectional view talren substantially acter idesignates a' channeleliaped metal base on which rieirllj mounted a of spaced porting columns i? and. formed of vitreous insulating material, each or Wliicli llas a'metal cap rigidly secured to its upper enti. The cap oz? tire insulating column llas a binge terw ng material. rigidly ininal member c of conde secured thereto r 'ch iorms a pivot support for a hollow switch member or blade indicated generelly at bi breal' ermnal member i9 ci conducting material. y secured to the cap I3 oi the other .t terminal member is ci the clip type, being provided with a pair of resilient arms 2li which are adapted to receive e entlyy grin a contact member carried on if i member i?.

outer pro SC/it' tube .JSGll which is secured at one housing b'f meenv The housing terminal by means ci the hinge terminal member.

isthus mouned or swinging moi/'em t 29 carried by i 'ulcting tube e ieri4 inal l5 for oi engagement' with the l" er it, and the 'tube has a 'i the form ci a ci co i on the outer i screws 33.

ly to noted to closed lso provided with ently gripping the asably holding the csltion..

evice 'mounted within ing or interhinge terminal member IB closed position.

e embodiment of the f a stationary tube position. The curved portions Contact member capable of 1. 'when in c', boric ein p sleeves 39. omer wall thereof a P., piurality of teriei aremcunted in ne outer ci the ruler ring *r surface of The screws @eres t5 and er. 1 1 to the also to elece.. ers 41 with si es 45.

has a piu" mountsurface 5i has connected o pair or the screws 5l .A opposite ically conne-c 1 corresp ie inner surfaces of the tube 4|, and to electrically connect the ring contact members 5 5 to their correspending conducting sleeves 5I.

The fixed insulating tube 31 has an annular ring contact member 51 secured to the inner surface thereof adjacent the outer end of the tube by means of the screws 33 which serve to electrically connect the ring contact member 51 with the outer contact member 3| mounted on the outer surface of the protective tube 23. The conducting sleeve 5| of the inner insulating tube 4I adjacent the left-hand end of the tube is electrically connected to the hinge terminal member I5 by means of a exible shunt conductor 59.

The inner insulating tube 4| is axially movable within the fixed tube 31 towards the right to a closed circuit position in which the ring contact members 55 carried by the inner tube engage the cooperating stationary ring contact members l1 and 51 carried by the fixed insulating tube 31 as shown in Fig. 1, to establish an electrical circuit extending from the hinge terminal I5 through the interrupting device within the hollow switch blade I1 to the cuter ring contact member 3l which engages the'break terminal member I3. When the switch is in closed circuit position, the circuit extends from the hinge terminal member l5 through the ilexible shunt conductor 59, the conducting sleeves 5I; the ring contact members 55 and 41, and the conducting sleeves 45 to the ring contact member 51 at the outer end of the tube 23, through the screws 33 and the outer contact ring 3i to the break terminal member I9. The inner insulating tube 4I is also movable axially within the fixed tube 31 towards the left to an open circuit position in which the ring contact members 55 carried by the inner tube II are separated from the cooperating ring contact members 41 and 51 carried by the fixed tube 31 as shown in Fig. 2. The inner insulating tube 4| when in the open circuit position thus provides a plurality of gaps in the circuit between the hingevv terminal member I5 and the contact member II carried by the free end of the hollow switch member I1. The arcs bridging these serially arranged gaps are positioned in intimate contact with the walls of tubes 31 and II, resulting in the evolution of quantities of arc extinguishing gases from the tube walls which gas blows through the arcs to extinguish them. Most of the gases evolved will pass out the open end of the circuit interrupting device. It should be noted that in passing from one arc to a succeeding arc, the hot gases are exposed to intervening walls of tubes 31 and 4I which evolve additional cuantities of unionized gases to cool and deionize these gases before passing through the next succeeding arc.

Each of the ring contact members l1 and l1 carried by the fixed insulating tube 31 has its contact surface bevelled or inclined towards the hinge end of the switch, and the ring contact members 55, carried by the longitudinally movable inner insulating tube 4I, have their contact faces bevelled or inclined toward the free end of the switch. Thus, the oppositely bevelled or inclined surfaces of the ring contact members 5l and 41 'serve to limit outward movement of the inner insulating tube ll and also allow the ring contact members to be engaged with a predetermined contact pressure when the switch is closed.

The operating means for the switch comprises an operating rod 6I adapted to engage the free end of an actuating lever 63. As shown more particularly in Fig; 4, the operating rod 6l has a arc parallel to the arc described by the pin 64 on laterally projecting abutment portion S2 at one end for engaging one side of an integral pin 64v projecting from the back side of the actuatingi lever 63. A pivoted coupling member 66, which preferably is made of any desirable magnetic materia] such, for example, as soft iron, includes a U-shaped portion at the outer end thereof, seated over the operating rod 6| and pivotally connected thereto as by the pivot pin |00. As shown, the. pivoted coupling member 66 over-'lies the operating rod 6I Aand is positioned beneath a trip solenoid 68, which is connected in series in the fieX` ible lead. 59. One leg of the U-shaped -pivoted coupling member 66 has the inner end thereof terminating in an abutment 12 for engagement4H with the other side of the pin 64 on the actuating lever 63. A resilient -bowed spring 1I has one end thereof secured to the operating rod 6I and the other end thereof bearing upon the pivoted coupling member 86 to normally maintain the same in the full line position shown. Actuating lever 63 is rotatably mounted on pivot pi'n 29, and carries an integral pin 65 engaging a slot 51 in a plate 69 secured to insulating tube (i, to be coupled thereto.

Rotation of the actuating lever 63 in a clockwise direction when the switch member l1 is in closed position moves the inner insulating tube 4i axial-ly toward the right to closed circuit position, and counter-clockwise movement of the actuating lever B3 moves the insulating tube 4I axially toward the left to open circuit position, the pin and slot connection between the actuat ing lever 63 and the inner end of the tube 4| providing for straight line motion of the tube 4I. The actuating llever `6-3 is biased in a counter,- clockwisedirection about the pivot shaft 29 by means of a helical spring 'H which encircles the shaft 29, one end of the spring engaging the lever 53 and the other end engaging the hinge terminal member I'5. The counter-clockwise movement ci' the actuating lever 63 is limited by a stop projec' tion 13 formed integral with the housing 25,

As shown in Fig. 6, the operating rod 6I is operated by a rotatable insulator 'I6 which is journailed in a bearing member 18 secured to the channel support 1. and which includes an operating crank 80 which may embody an aperture for the reception of a hook-stick operating member or which may be coupled itc an operating linkage for rotating the insulator 16. The outer end of the rotatable insulator 1B is journalled in 'a coupling member 82 of conducting material which is secured to the hinge tongue l on the insulator S, rand the coupling member includes an outwardly extending terminal portion to which a circuit conductor l84 may be attached. A

The rotatable insulator 1-6 further includes an outer crank portion 86 which is coupled to the operating rod 5-i of the switch by means of faplvoted link member 88. The link 88 is connected to the rod 6l and to the crank 8'6 by universal connections 89 and 9|. The inner end of the operating rod 5l is guide in its movement by a pin lSill integral with the rod 5l which projects from the rear side thereof and rides in an arcuate slot 92 formed in the back side of the housing 25. The slot'92 has an the lever 63 so that 'the abutments 62 and 12 carried by the rod Bi are maintained in contact with the pin 64 during normal opening and closing op erations of the device. The arcuate slot 92 also insures resetting of the abutments S2 and 12 in by the arms 2l of the 'breakterminal I9.

engagement'with 'the pin 65 upon resetting movement of the mechanism The operating rod 6| is guided for movement in a single plane between the side walls of the housing 25 in spite of angularmovement of the crank 86 and the link 88, by means of the side edges of the narrow slot 93 fin the end of the housing 25 and by the pin 9|) engaging in slot 92, the pin 90 being held against lateral displacement by Washers and cotter key SSLcarried by the pin 90 on 'opposite sides of the slotted back wail of the housing (see Fig. 4)

The housing 25 is preferably open on one side, and the open side is closed by a cover plate S1 bolted to the housing so as to permit assembly of the mechanism in the housing.

The operation of the device is briefly as follows. To open the circuit the rotatable insulator 16 is rotated in a direction to move the operating rod 6i toward the left, as viewed in Figs, 1 and 7. During the 4First portion ofthe movement of the operating rod El, the actuating lever B3 is rotated in a 'counter-clockwise direction about the pivot shaft 2S to effect movement of the. inner insulating tube 4i towards the left to open cirm cuit position. During this mofvement, the hollow switch member i1 remains inclosed position due to the fact that its free end is'j'resilientiy gripped The movement of the inner insulating tube 4| to open circuit posi-tion causes the ring contact members 55 carried thereby to separate from the cooperl ating ring contact members 41 and 5i 'carried by ing their separation are restricted in the narrow the fixed insulating tube 3l. VThe separation oi' the ring contact members introduces a plurality of air gaps in the circuit between the hinge ter-u minal i5 and the contact member 3i at the free end of the switch member which engages the break terminal member i9. The plurality of arcs drawn between the ring contact members durm annular space between the fixed insulating tube 31 and the movable insulating tube 4i where they are quickly extinguished in the manner re ferred to above. The circuit between the terminets' of 'the switch thus completely rupted 'by the interrupting within the bei low switch member i'i while the switch member remains in closed position. This position of the parts is illustrated in Fig. 2. At this point, the actuating lever S3 engages the stop projection 13 .acarried by the housing 25 `so'that continued movement of the operating rod 6l towards the left swings the switch member i1 in a counter clockwise direction about the pivot shaft 29 to a substantially vertical open position as shown in Fig. 3. The switch member l1 in the open posin tion provides a large air gap between the terminals i5 and i9 of the switch which is capable of withstanding high ','oltagea- To close the circuit, the operating rod 6i is moved tos/arm the right by rotation ci the insulator 1E, and since the actuating lever E3 is maintained in engagement with the stop projec tion 13 by means of the biasing spring 1|, this movement ci the operating rod 6i swings the switch member il in a clockwise direction about the pivot shaft 29 to closed position, in which the contact member 3i on the free end of the switch member engages the resilient arms 2i on the break terminal member i9. During this swinging movement of the switch member il to closed position, the spring li maintains the actuating lever 53 in engagementwith the stop projection 13 to maintain the circuit interrupting means circo within the switch member in open circuit position. Continued movement of the operating rod towards the right after the switch member has been rotated to closed position as far as it if go, rotates the actuating lever E3 in a clockection about the pivot shaft 29 'to eect axial movement of the inner insulating tube 4l towards the to closed circuit position, causing the ring Contact members 55 carried by the tube .ti to move into engagement with the cooperating ring contact members il and 5T carried by the tired insuia 'ng tube 3i. This movement of the ring con t members into engageestablishes the circuit between the termithe switch.

The throw of the operating ovide the required contact essure between the ring contact members when the switch is in the fully closed position.

Upon the occurrence oi" predetermined overload currents through the circuit inwhich the switch is connected, the solenoid 5 fill become suiliciently energized to attract the pivoted coug c ove it upwardly to the dotted line portion shown Figs. i and 'Z to thus ts wit engagenleni r To reset o: :n auto iat' i. rotate 'the the operating ro subs` where abutment- E2 c cour member abutment l2 it b the opter following manner to move recto votaiiy i, it is necessary meantime, 1

" with a snap action.

ing 25 for limited pivotal movement within an' arcuate or segmental groove or recess 99 provided in the housing wall so that opposite walls 99 and IUI of the recess 98 act to limit pivotal movement of lever 95. The end of the movable actuating lever 96 to which the spring 94 is connected is provided with an integral pin I 02 received in the slot 91 provided in theplate 69 secured to the left-hand inner end of the insulating tube 4i.

The operation of this embodiment of my invention is much the same as that described in connection with the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, differing therefrom only in the opening and closing movements of the contacts Within the switch member I1. For example, in the opening movement of these contacts, as the operating rod 6l is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 8, the movable switch member 4| temporarily remains stationary, held in position by the spring 94 for a substantial length of movement of the operating rod, and until the line of action of the Overcenter spring 94 crosses over the pivot of the actuating lever 96, whereupon the spring 94 acts to instantaneously move the inner insulating tube 4l and its associated contacts to the left to an open position. The reverse of this operation takes place when the switch operating rod 6I is moved to the right. In other words, the contacts within the switch member I1 remain open until the line of action of the overcenter spring 94 crosses to the right of the pivot axis of the lever 96, whereupon the contacts Within the switch member I1 are closed with a snap action. This snap action movement of the switch contacts also occurs when the switch is opened automatically upon the passage through the device or' overload currents of a sufllcient magnitude to energize the solenoid G8 sufficiently to attract the pivoted release member 66. In this event, when .the release member 66 is moved upwardly by the solenoid E8, the spring 'H then operates to move the operating lever 63 to the left to thereby again open the contacts within the switch blade I1 The spring 1|, of course, is of suiiicient strength to operate the snap-acting parts comprising the overcenter spring 94 and the movable spring supporting lever 96.

It should further be noted that the switch contacts within the switch member I1 in both embodiments of my invention, are maintained in a closed position against the bias of coil spring 1| by means of the toggle formed by the connections to the rotating insulator 86.

Having described preferred embodiments of my invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is to be understood that various changes and modincations may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed without departing from the broad spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, desire that my invention be interpretas broadly as possible, and that it be limited only as required by the prior art.

I claim as my invention'.

i. In a circuit interrupting device, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one of which is mounted on a movable contact support for movement therewith intoand out of engagement with its cooperating contact, current interrupting contact-s carried by said movable support and connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, an operating mechanism for sequentially operating said contacts in a circuit opening operation to iirst open said interrupting contacts and to thereafter open said disconnecting contacts, and

means operable to automatically open said current interrupting contacts in response to currents above a predetermined value.

2. In a circuit interrupting device, a-pair oi disconnecting contacts, one of which is mounted on a movablek contact support for movement therewith .into and out of engagement with its cooperating contact, current interrupting contacts carried by said movable support and connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, means for sequentially operating said contacts in both a circuit closing and a circuit opening opating said snap-acting means and said movable' support to sequentially operate said current interrupting contacts and said disconnecting contact, and means for causing automatic operation of said snap-acting 'means to open said current interrupting contacts in response to the passage through the device of currents above a predetermined value.

4. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing device mounted for bodily movement, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one of said disconnecting contacts being movable with said arc extinguishing device into and out of engagement with the other oi said disconnecting contacts, said arc extinguishing device having a pair of arc1 establishing contacts connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating means for both of said pairs oi contacts, operable to open said arc establishing contacts while said disconnesting contacts remain engaged, and thereafter to move said arc extinguishing device to open the circuit at said disconnecting contacts, and means operable to cause said operating means to automatically open said arc establishing contacts in response to passage through the interrupter of currents above a predetermined magnitude.

5. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing device mounted for bodily movement, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one of said disconnecting contacts being movable with said arc extinguishing device into andv out of engagement with the other of said disconnecting contacts, said arc extinguishing device having a pair of arc establishing contacts connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating means for both of said pairs of contacts, operable to open said arc establishing contacts while said disconnecting contacts remain engaged, and thereafter to move said arc extinguishing device to open the circuit at said disconnecting contacts. and operable lto move said arc extinguishing means to close said disconnecting contacts while said arc establishing contacts remain open and to therealter close said arc establishing contacts to close the circuit, and means operable to cause said` operating means to automatically open said arc establishing contacts in response to passage through the interrupter of currents above a pre- 6. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing device mounted for bodily movement, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one oi said disconnecting contacts being movable with said arc extinguishing device into and out of engagement-- with the other of said disconnecting contacts, said arc extinguishing device having a pair of arc establishing contacts connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating means for both of said pairs of contacts, and operable in its opening movement to sequentially open said arc establishing contactsv and said disconnectingcontacts,v and operable in its closing movement to sequentially close said disconnecting contacts and said arc establishing contacts, and means for independently opening said arc establishing contacts.`

7. In an interrupter, a pair of spaced terminals, a hollow switch member for bridging said terminals, said bridging member having a contact thereon engageable with one of said terminals, circuit interrupter means in said hollow switch member connected to the other terminal and said contact and operable to establish and interrupt a circuit between said terminals when said switch member is in bridging position, operating means operable in one continuous movement to rst open said interrupting contacts and then swing said switch member to open position, and means operable in response to predetermined conditions to cause said mechanism to automati- 'cally open said interrupting contacts.

9. In a circuit interrupter, contact means biased to an open position with respect to cooperating contact means, an operating member movable in opposite directions for opening andv closing said contact means, and including a movable abutment normally engageable with a part associated with said contact means in the closing movement of said operating member to close said contact means, said abutment being movable in response to the passage through the interrupter of currents above a predetermined magnitude, out of engagement withsaid contact kmeans to permit the same to move to open position, and said operating member further includdetermined magnitude.

ing a ilxed abutment engageable with said part *in the opening movement thereof to open said contact means.

10. In a circuit interrupter, disconnecting contacts one of which is mounted on a movable contact support for movement into and out oi' engagement with another of ,said disconnecting lcontacts, separable contact means on said supwith said contact means in the closing movement of said operating member to close said contact means, and being movablein response to the passage through the interrupter of currents above a predetermined magnitude, out of engagement with said part to permit said contact means to move to open position, and said support including means positioned to be engaged by a portion.. ot said operating means after said contact means have been opened, whereby said support may be actuated thereafter to open said disconnecting contacts.

1l. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing device mounted for bodily movement, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one of said disconnecting contacts being movable with said arc extinguishing device into and out of engagement with the other of said disconnecting contacts, said arc extinguishing device having a pair of arc establishing contacts connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, and operating means for both of said pairs of contacts, operable in its opening movement to sequentially open said arc establishing contacts and said disconnecting contacts and in its closing movement to sequentially close said disconnecting contacts and arc establishing contacts, means to independently open said arc establishing contacts, means normally biasing said operating means toward opening movement, and said operating means inincluding locking means for maintaining said contacts closed.

l2. In a circuit interrupting device, a movably mounted tubular arc extinguishing device, a pair of disconnecting contacts one of which is movable with said arc extinguishing device into and out of engagement with the other of said disconnecting contacts, arc establishing contacts within said arc extinguishing device and connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating means for sequentially operating said contacts and including means operable in response to the passage therethrough of currents above a predetermined magnitude to open at least said arc establishing contacts.

13. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing device mounted for bodily movement, a pair oi. disconnecting contacts, one of said disconnecting contacts being movable with said arc extinguishing device into and out or engagement with the other of said disconnecting contacts, said arc extinguishing device having a pair oi rc establishing contacts connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating means for both oi said pairs oi contacts, and operable in its opening movement to sequentially open said arc establishing contacts and said disconnecting contacts,`and operable in its closing movement to sequentially close said disconnecting contacts and said arc establishing contacts, and current responsive means for opening said arc establishing contacts independently of said disconnecting contacts, whereby said arc establishing contacts may be opened by said current responsive means while said disconnecting contacts are closed.

14. In a circuit interrupter, an arc extinguishing device mounted for bodily movement, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one of said disconnecting contacts being movable with said arc extinguishing device into aid out oi engagement with the other of said disconnecting contacts, said arc extinguishing device having a pair oi arc establishing contacts connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating means for both of said pairs of contacts, and operable in its opening movement to sequentially open said arc estaband operable in its closing movement to sequentially close said disconnecting contactsl and said arc establishing contacts, said operating' means including a releasable connection to said arc establishing contacts, current responsive means operable to release said connection and permit said arc establishing contacts -to openwithout opening said disconnecting contacts, yand said connection being capable of being re-established by movement o! said operating means without opening said disconnecting contacts.

15. In a circuit interrupter, a pair of disconnecting contacts, one of which is mounted on a movable supportl for movement therewith into and out of engagement with the other of said disconnecting contacts, circuit interrupting contacts carried by said movable support and connected in series with said disconnecting contacts, operating mechanism comprising means operable to open said interrupting contacts at high speed and to close said interrupting contacts, said means being biased at all times to open said interrupter contacts, means for opening and closing said disconnecting'contacts, said last-mentioned neans being operable during an opening operation to nrst cause said interrupting contact means to open said interrupting contacts while said disconnecting contacts remain engaged and to then open said disconnecting contacts, and effective when in closed position to maintain both of said contacts closed, a releasable connection between said interrupting contact operating means and said disconnecting'contact operating means, and

current responsive means operable upon overload f to release said interrupting contact operating means from said disconnecting contact operating means to cause opening oi' said interrupting contacts while said disconnecting contacts remainv closed, and said disconnecting contact operating means being operable to reset said releasable con- ?ecttion without opening said disconnecting conac s.

16. In a circuit interrupting device, insulating support means, a pair of disconnecting contacts mounted on said support means, one o! said contacts being mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the other to insert a large visible air gap in the circuit when in open position, current interrupting contacts also mounted on said support means and arranged in series circuit relation with said disconnecting contacts, an operating mechanism for sequentially operating said contacts in a. circuit opening operation to rst open said interrupting contacts and to thereafter open said disconnecting contacts, and means operable to automatically open said current interrupting contacts in response to currents above a predetermined value.

17. In a circuit interrupting device, insulating support means, a pair of disconnecting contacts mounted on said support means. one of said contacts being mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the other to insert a large visible air gap in the circuit when in open position, current interrupting contacts also mounted on said support means and arranged in series circuit relation with saiddisconnecting contacts. means for sequentiatly operating said contacts in both a circuit closing and a circuit opening opera- 18. In a circuit interrupting device, insulating support means, a pair of disconnecting contacts mounted on said support means, one of said contacts being mounted for movement into-and out of engagement with the other to insert a. large visible air gap in the circuit when in open position, current interrupting contacts also mounted on said support means and arranged in series circuit relation with said disconnecting contacts, snap-acting means for operating said current interrupting contacts, means for sequentially operating said snap-acting means and said movable support to sequentially operate said current interrupting contacts and said disconnecting contact, and means for causing automatic operation or said snap-acting means to open said current interrupting contacts in response to the passage through the device of currents above a predetermined value.

l9 ln a circuit interrupting device, insulating support means, a pair of disconnecting contacts mounted on said support means, one of said contacts being mounted for movement into and out of engagement with the other to insert a large.

visible air gap in the circuit when in open position, current interrupting contacts also mounted .on said support means and arranged in series circuit relation with said disconnecting contacts. common operating means for said disconnecting and interrupting contacts, and operable in its opening movement to sequentially open-said aro lestablishing contacts and said disconnecting contacts, and operable in its closing 'movement to setacts.

20. In a circuit interrupting device, insulating support means, a pair oi' disconnecting contacts mounted on said support means, one of said contacts being mounted for Vmovement into and out of engagement with the other to insert a large visible air gap in the circuit when in open position, current interrupting contacts also mounted on'said support means and arranged in series circuit relation with said disconnecting contacts, common operating means for said disconnecting and interrupting contacts, and operable in its opening movement to sequentially open said arc establishing contacts and said disconnecting contacts. and operable in its closing movement to sequentially close said disconnecting contacts and said arc establishing contacts, and current responsive means for opening said arc establishing contacts independently of said disconnecting contacts, whereby said arc establishing contacts may be opened by said current responsive means while said disconnecting contacts are closed.

LGORDON' S. PARKER.

DISHCLAIMER 2,31,746.Gordo 'Sl Parker, Edgewood, Pa.. CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER. Patent dated. November 10, l111342. lDisltzimer filed February l2, 1945, by they i assignee, Westinghouse'Eectr'icv ('Manufaturing ompan `Hereby entersv this dsclaimerLto claims 1, 2, 8, 4,' 12, 16,. |1,7,'and 18 in said spcication.

rociaz Gazeta Mann 13, 1946.1

.DICYLAIMER dated,A November 10, 1942. rDisc aimer filed 'February 12, 1945,' the assignee, Westinghouse'EZectr'ic rMamL aturng Company.

`Huereby entersl this disclaimento'clai'ms' 1, 2, 3, 4;v 12, 16Q -1,7,fand 18 n said spcification.

rom @am March 1s, 1.945.]-

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