Michael W Little

US Patent:

60159596, Jan 18, 2000

Filed:

Oct 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/183464

Inventors:

Robert Michael Slepian - Murrysville PA
William Christopher Farrow - Germantown WI
Michael Thomas Little - Cedarburg WI
H. Richard Beck - Corapolis PA
William George Eberts - Moontownship PA
David Curtis Turner - Imperial PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 500

US Classification:

200400

Abstract:

Molded case electric power switches such as circuit breakers, disconnects and transfer switches have an energy storage spring which rotates a cam assembly to close and initiate opening of the switch contacts. The cam assembly includes a drive cam with a cam lobe which engages a drive cam follower on the moving contact assembly. Due to space limitations, the cam assembly is positioned so that the drive cam follower initially moves toward the cam assembly during closing. To accommodate for this, the cam lobe has a generally radial leading edge to prevent binding of the drive cam follower. A single latch mechanism latches the cam assembly in a spring charged position and in a closed position. A Y-shaped latch member has one leg which is engaged by a latch, a second leg which engages stops on the drive cam at the charged position and the closed position, and a third leg which sequentially engages the stops to reset the latch mechanism. The cam assembly, a charging mechanism including a rachet wheel and handle, the latch mechanism and the energy storage spring are all mounted between and supported by a pair of side plates.