Claims:We claim:

1. A stored energy operator (SEO) (100) for a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) (150), the SEO (100) fixed on a top surface of the molded case circuit breaker (150), the SEO (100) operable in any one mode including an auto mode, a manual mode and a lock mode, the SEO (100) comprising:
an auto-manual slider (10) operably arranged for changing a state of the SEO (100) from an auto mode to a manual mode and vice versa, the auto manual slider (10) having a long leg (30) on one side thereof, wherein the long leg (30) actuates a micro-switch (2) during the auto mode and over rides the auto mode during the manual mode by simply sliding the auto-manual slider (10) through a top peep towards the requisite mode;
a charged/discharged indication window (20) disposed on a top surface of the SEO (100) for displaying the state of the SEO (100) selected from any one of a charged state and a discharged state;
an ON/OFF indication window (30) disposed on the top surface of the SEO (100) for displaying the state of the MCCB (150) selected from any one of an ON state and an OFF state;
a handle (40) operably arranged for charging the SEO (100) once the auto-manual slider (52) is in the manual mode, wherein the handle (40) is used to switch off the MCCB (150) and bring the SEO (100) in a charged state;
a rack (50) operably arranged at a left end inside the SEO (100),
a pinion (60) operably connected to the rack (50) and mounted over a shaft (52), the pinion (60) having a cam profile (58) configured thereon, wherein the pinion (60) acts as a prime mover of the rack (50) and the cam profile (58) is a rolling cam profile and further wherein, the shaft (52) is connected to a gear system (54) that is driven by a motor (56), thereby ensuring effective flow of power from the motor (56) to the rack (50) via the gear system (54) and the pinion (60);
a state interlock (70) operably arranged for engaging and disengaging with the cam profile (58) at one end thereof, the state interlock (70) having a bend profile (62) configured thereon for engaging and disengaging with the long leg (30) of the auto-manual slider (52), the state interlock (70) further having fixing and constraining points (64) configured thereon, wherein the state interlock (70) acts as a follower to lift off the cam profile (58);
a restoration spring (80) operably connected to the state interlock (70) from one end, wherein the restoration spring (80) is used to bring down the state interlock (70); and
a lock (90) operably arranged for locking the SEO (100), the lock (90) having a locking component (82) configured thereon, wherein the lock (90) ensures that the mode of the SEO (100) is not changed once the MCCB (150) is in the ON condition and the mode of the SEO (100) is changed once electrical supply is switched OFF that means the MCCB (150) is in the OFF state and further wherein. the locking component (82) rotates by 90 degrees whenever the SEO (100) is to be locked.

2. The stored energy operator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the discharged state of the SEO (100) and the ON state of the MCCB (150), the current is flowing through the circuit, the restoration spring (14) is not in an extended position, the rack remains at the left end of the SEO (100), thereby resting a bottom of the state interlock (70) is on an upper lift circle of the cam profile (58), at this point the bend profile (62) of the state interlock (70) comes across/in front of the auto-manual slider (10) and does not allow the auto-manual slider (10) to move towards the manual mode, thus preventing the state change of the SEO (100) from the auto mode.

3. The stored energy operator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bend profile (62) does not allow the lock (90) and correspondingly the locking component (82) to be rotated by 90 degree by coming in way of rotation, thereby ensuring that the SEO (100) is not be locked in the ON state of the MCCB (150) by considering the flow of current in the circuit.

4. The stored energy operator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the charged state of the SEO (100) and the OFF state of the MCCB (150), the rack (50) is moved to a rightwards position and correspondingly the pinion (60) is rotated 180 degree in the same time to bring the upper lift circle of the cam profile (58) towards the top and at this point the restoration spring (14) pulls down the state interlock (70), the bend feature (62) of the state interlock (70) moves downwards, as the cam profile (58) moves from an upper lift position to a lower lift position, so that the bend feature (62) no longer obstructs the auto-manual slider (10) and the locking component (82), thereby allowing the state change of the SEO (100).

5. The stored energy operator (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bend feature (62) does not allow the state of the SEO (100) to be changed from the manual mode to the auto mode by coming in between the auto-manual slider (10) and preventing any kind of motion rightwards towards the auto mode, during the charged state of the SEO (100) and the OFF state of the MCCB (150).

Dated this 31st day of March 2017

Madhavi Vajirakar
(Agent for the applicant)
(IN/PA-2337) , Description:Field of invention:

The present invention relates to operating means for circuit breakers and more particularly, to a stored energy operator for a molded case circuit breaker.

Background of the invention:

In a prior art it is generally known, a circuit breaker typically serves two basic purposes first as a switching device for switching On/Off during normal operating conditions for the purpose of operation and maintenance. And second as a protecting device for tripping or isolating by breaking the contacts interrupting the fault current during abnormal conditions such as short-circuit, overload and under voltage. The circuit breaker consists of one or more electric poles, whose number determined by the application as single pole circuit breaker, two-pole circuit breaker, three-pole circuit breaker and four-pole circuit breaker and so on. They are designed for use in switchboards, control panels, and combination starters in separate enclosures for effective single location distribution and control. Also these are housed inside an enclosure to provide safety to users operating the same.

In the most common type of installation, an operating handle is mounted on the panel door has to be rotated to switch the circuit breaker ON and OFF. For high end operations wherein the electric supply needs to be reinstated in a very short span of time ranging in micro seconds, or while swapping ends between two supplies, a stored energy operator (SEO) assembly is mounted on the molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) and used to release energy required to close the contacts of the MCCB and reinstate the supply. The stored energy operator assembly is a combination of mechanisms for accumulating and storing mechanical energy, wherein the energy is used to close the primary contacts of the MCCB. The energy can be input to the SEO assembly manually or by means of a motor. The SEO assembly includes a series of linkages which function to utilize the energy to close the primary contacts. These linkages also function to maintain the closing force upon the primary contacts, while also functioning to allow rapid contact opening when desired.

Also in another U.S. Patent 6192718 it is disclosed that a key lock and locking hasp assembly is used for a stored energy circuit breaker operator assembly. It is provided with an electrical control module for use with a stored energy circuit breaker assembly having a motor for use with a circuit breaker assembly, the circuit breaker assembly providing an electrical signal through electrical contacts for actuating the circuit breaker assembly, the electrical control module comprising: a rectifying circuit, which receives and rectifies said electrical signal so as to provide a rectified electrical signal; a motor switch circuit connected to the motor; and an electrical signal flow maintenance circuit, which is operatively connected to said rectifying circuit, said motor switch circuit and the motor, wherein said electrical signal flow circuit maintenance maintains at least a threshold rectified electrical when the electrical contacts are closed so that said motor switch circuit is on and the motor operates. However, the prior art does not talks about interlocking of the state. No cam based interlocking found in any of the prior art patents and the commercially available products.

Accordingly, there is a need of an improved stored energy operator having a state change interlock for the molded case circuit breaker that overcomes above mentioned drawbacks in the prior art.

Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to improve the safety of the end user and also to create the autonomy of application of the molded case circuit breaker.
Another object of the present invention is to remove state change abuse from the system and to maintain synchronous operation for automatic applications.

Summary of the invention:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a stored energy operator (SEO) for a molded case circuit breaker (MCCB). The SEO is fixed on a top surface of the molded case circuit breaker. The SEO is operable in any one mode including an auto mode, a manual mode and a lock mode. The SEO comprises an auto-manual slider, a charged/discharged indication window, an ON/OFF indication window, a handle, a rack, a pinion, a state interlock, a restoration spring and a lock. The auto-manual slider is operably arranged for changing a state of the SEO from the auto mode to the manual mode and vice versa. The auto manual slider includes a long leg on one side thereof, wherein the long leg actuates a micro-switch during the auto mode and over rides the auto mode during the manual mode by simply sliding the auto manual slider through a top peep towards the requisite mode. The charged/discharged indication window is disposed on a top surface of the SEO for displaying the state of the SEO selected from any one of a charged state and a discharged state. The ON/OFF indication window disposed on the top surface of the SEO for displaying the state of the MCCB selected from any one of an ON state and an OFF state. The handle is operably arranged for charging the SEO once the auto-manual slider is in the manual mode. The handle is used to switch off the MCCB and bring the SEO in the charged state.

The rack is operably arranged at a left end inside the SEO. The pinion is operably connected to the rack and mounted over a shaft. The pinion acts as a prime mover of the rack. The pinion includes a cam profile configured thereon. The cam profile is a rolling cam profile. The shaft is connected to a gear system that is driven by a motor, thereby ensuring effective flow of power from the motor to the rack via the gear system and the pinion. The state interlock is operably arranged for engaging and disengaging with the cam profile at one end thereof. The state interlock has a bend profile configured thereon for engaging and disengaging with the long leg of the auto-manual slider. The state interlock further includes fixing and constraining points configured thereon. The state interlock acts as a follower to lift off the cam profile. The restoration spring is operably connected to the state interlock from one end. The restoration spring is used to bring down the state interlock. The lock is operably arranged for locking the SEO. The lock includes a locking component configured thereon. The lock ensures that the mode of the SEO is not changed once the MCCB is in the ON state and the mode of the SEO is changed once electrical supply is switched OFF that means the MCCB is in the OFF state. The locking component rotates by 90 degrees whenever the SEO is to be locked.

During the discharged state of the SEO and the ON state of the MCCB, the current is flowing through the circuit; the restoration spring is not in an extended position. The rack remains at the left end of the SEO, thereby resting a bottom of the state interlock is on an upper lift circle of the cam profile, at this point the bend profile of the state interlock comes across/in front of the auto-manual slider and does not allow the auto-manual slider to move towards the manual mode, thus preventing the state change of the SEO from the auto mode. The bend profile of the state interlock does not allow the lock and correspondingly the locking component to be rotated by 90 degree by coming in way of rotation, thereby ensuring that the SEO is not be locked in the ON state of the MCCB by considering the flow of current in the circuit.

During the charged state of the SEO and the OFF state of the MCCB, the rack is moved to a rightwards position and correspondingly the pinion is rotated 180 degree in the same time to bring the upper lift circle of the cam profile towards the top and at this point the restoration spring pulls down the state interlock, the bend feature of the state interlock moves downwards, as the cam profile moves from an upper lift position to a lower lift position, so that the bend feature no longer obstructs the auto manual slider and the locking component, thereby allowing the state change of the SEO. The bend feature does not allow the state of the SEO to be changed from the manual mode to the auto mode by coming in between the auto manual slider and preventing any kind of motion rightwards towards the auto mode, during the charged state of the SEO and the OFF state of the MCCB.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a stored energy operator mounted on a top of a molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the perspective view of the stored energy operator, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a discharged state of the stored energy operator and an ON state of the molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a charged state of the stored energy operator and an OFF state of the molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the discharged state of the stored energy operator and the ON state of the molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows another perspective view of the discharged state of the stored energy operator and the ON state of the molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a lock mode of the stored energy operator, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a sectional view of the charged state of the stored energy operator and the OFF state of the molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 9 shows another perspective view of the charged state of the stored energy operator and the OFF state of the molded case circuit breaker, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments of the invention:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a stored energy operator for a molded case circuit breaker. The present invention generally relates to a cam follower arrangement, used to interlock state change feature of the SEO with the state (ON/OFF) of the MCCB. This invention is used in field operations to ensure tease free operations of the system.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 9, a stored energy operator (100) (hereinafter referred as, “the SEO (100)”) of a molded case circuit breaker (110) (hereinafter referred as, “the MCCB (110)”) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The SEO (100) is generally used in changeover applications leading to switching of electrical supplies between mains and auxiliary. A standalone SEO (100) and the MCCB (150) combination also works in the application of motorized MCCB’s. The invention essentially interlocks the state of the MCCB (150) i.e. ON/OFF with the state of the SEO (100) i.e. AUTO/MANUAL/LOCK. The SEO (100) operates in the three modes including an auto mode, a manual mode and a lock mode. The auto mode ensures the MCCB (150) is operated by means of a motorized drive and the entire system can be operated without human intervention, the manual mode overrides the auto mode and ensures the operations of the system can be conducted manually or with human intervention, the lock mode ensures the overriding of both the modes and renders the system inoperable. The MCCB (150) has ON/OFF states. The ON state is when the electricity is flowing in the circuit and OFF state is the state when electrical supply is cut off. The cam and slider arrangement interlocks these two states of the MCCB and SEO. The interlock ensures that the mode of the SEO i.e. AUTO/LOCK/MANUAL cannot be changed once the MCCB is in the ON state and can only be changed once the electrical supply has been switched OFF. ON state is the dangerous state as high volume of current flows into the system at that point, the mode of the SEO (100) however can be changed irrespective of the condition of the state of the MCCB (150). So, a programmed switch OFF operation can be stalled as the mode of the SEO (100) may be changed to manual or a scheduled switch ON of the supply can be delayed as the mode of the SEO (100) may have been changed to manual. Thus, making the system tamper free and reducing subjective abuse on the system, along with increasing the user safety as any programmed operation stays in the same mode until the electrical supply is not switched OFF.

Figure 1 shows the combination of the SEO (150) mounted on a top of the MCCB (150). A generic application of the SEO (100) is when it is mounted on the top the MCCB (150). The SEO (100) operates the MCCB (150), when a mechanism of the SEO (100) engages with a knob (not shown) of the MCCB (150).

Figure 2 shows all the features available to the customer showing essential operational parameter for the combination. The auto-manual slider (10) operably arranged for changing a state of the SEO (100). The auto manual slider (10) has a long leg on one side. The long leg is used to actuate a micro-switch (16) during the auto mode and over rides it during the manual mode by simply sliding the auto manual slider (10) through a top peep towards the requisite mode. The charged/discharged indication window (20) is disposed on a top surface of the SEO (100). The charged/discharged indication window (20) shows the state of the SEO (100) whether in the charged state or in the discharged state. An ON/OFF indication window (30) is disposed on the top surface of the SEO (100). The ON/OFF indication window (30) shows the state of the MCCB (150) whether in the ON state or in the OFF state. A handle (40) is operably arranged for charging the mechanism of the SEO (100) when the auto manual slider (10) is in manual mode. The handle (40) is used to switch off the MCCB (150) and bring the SEO (100) in the charged state. The lock (90) is used to lock the entire EOM. The lock (90) ensures the state of the SEO (100) cannot be changed and become operable once locked. The lock mode ensures the entire system is switched off and inoperable.

Figure 3 shows the SEO (100) without a top cover (not numbered) and a left support plate (not numbered). A rack (50) is operably arranged at a left end inside the SEO (100) that is also a discharged position of the SEO (100). In this position the SEO (100) is discharged and the MCCB (150) is in switched ON position. A pinion (60) operably connected to the rack (50). The pinion (60) is the prime mover of the rack (50). The pinion (60) is mounted over a shaft (52). The shaft (52) is connected to a gear system (54) that is driven by a motor (56). So the effective flow of power is from the motor (56) to the rack via the gear system (54) and the pinion (60). The pinion (60) includes a cam profile (58) configured thereon. The cam profile (58) is a rolling cam profile. A state interlock (70) is operably arranged for engaging and disengaging with the cam profile (58) at one end thereof. The state interlock (70) acts as a follower to lift off the cam profile (58). The state interlock (70) includes a bend profile (62) configured thereon for engaging and disengaging with the long leg (30) of the auto-manual slider (10). Figure 3 shows the discharged/ON state of the MCCB, the MCCB, during this condition, the current is flowing through the circuit, the state is a dangerous one and state change of SEO is not preferred in this state.

Figure 4 shows the charged/OFF state of the combination of the SEO (100) and the MCCB (150). In this position, the rack (50) is moved to the rightwards position and correspondingly the pinion (60) is rotated 180 degree in the same time to bring the upper end circle of the cam profile (58) towards the top. The state interlock (70) acts like a follower to the lift off the cam profile (58).

Figure 5 shows the state interlock (70) engaged with the bottom of the lift profile of the cam profile (58) on the pinion (60). The rack (50) is in the discharged position and the MCCB (150) is ON. A restoration spring (80) is operably connected to the state interlock (70) from one end. The restoration spring (80) is used to bring down the state interlock is also not in the extended position. The figure 5 further reveals fixing and constraining points (15) of the state interlock (70) configured thereon. The bottom of the state interlock is resting on the upper lift circle of the cam profile (58). At this point, the bend feature (62) of the state interlock (70) comes across the auto manual slider (10) and does not allow the state of the SEO (100) to be changed.

Figure 6 is a three dimensional representation where the feature (62) comes in front of the auto-manual slider (10) and does not allow the auto-manual slider (10) to move leftward or towards the manual mode, thus preventing the state change of the system from the auto mode.

Figure 7 shows a lock mode of the stored energy operator, in accordance with the present invention. The bend profile (62) of the state interlock (70) does not allow the state to be changed from the manual mode to the auto mode by coming in between the auto-manual slider (10) and preventing any kind of motion rightwards towards the auto mode. In addition, the figure 7 also shows a locking component (82) attached to the lock (90). The locking component (82) rotates by 90 degrees whenever the system is supposed to be locked. The bend profile (62) does not all the lock (90) and correspondingly the component (82) to be rotated by 90 degree by coming in the way of rotation and thus ensuring that the SEO (100) cannot be locked in the ON state which is a dangerous state considering the flow of current in the circuit.

Figure 8 shows the charged state of the SEO (100) and the OFF state of the MCCB (150). This state is less dangerous and preferred for state change, the pinion (60) is rotated by 180 degree and the rack (50) is moved towards the right end of the mechanism of the SEO (100). At this point the base feature of the state interlock (70) comes down when the restoration spring (80) pulls the state interlock (70) down, after the cam profile (58) moves from the upper lift position to the lower lift position because of the rotation of the pinion (60) by 180 degrees. This finally moves the state interlock (70) downwards, which now no longer obstructs the auto-manual slider (10) or the locking component (82).

Figure 9 further depicts the planar difference between the feature (62) and the auto-manual slider (10) and the locking component (82). This planar difference caused because of lower life circle of the cam profile (58) and the pulling down by the restoration spring (80). At this state, the MCCB (150) is OFF and is a safe state so essentially, the state can be changed from the auto mode to the manual mode and vice versa from the auto-manual slider (10) and at the same time the lock (90) can be used to lock the entire setup as the locking component (82) is also free to rotate.

Advantages of the invention:

1. The benefit of this invention is to improve the safety of the end user and also to create the autonomy of application.
2. The system removes state change abuse from the system and helps in maintaining synchronous operation for automatic applications.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.