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Vacuum circuit breaker    
United States Patent4587390   
Link to this pagehttp://www.wikipatents.com/4587390.html
Inventor(s)Gray; Keith I. (Napa, CA)
AbstractA vacuum circuit breaker comprises an interrupter for each phase of a three phase electrical system. Each interrupter includes a cylindrical housing for containing circuit breaker contacts. The axes of the housings are vertically disposed and are arranged to define an equilateral triangle. Projecting radially outward from each housing in fixed relation thereto is a rigid fixed contact bus bar connection link and a rigid movable contact bus bar connection link. Ends of the fixed contact bus bar connection links are disposed in a parallel relation in a horizontal plane. Ends of the movable contact bus bar connection links are disposed in a parallel relation in a horizontal plane. Associated pairs of fixed and movable contact bus bar connection links for each interrupter are disposed in vertical alignment. At least the outboard cylindrical housings for the interrupters are adjustably rotatable about their respective axes for setting the distance between parallel ends of successive horizontally aligned bus bar connection links to adjust for a predetermined primary voltage of the electrical system.
   














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Drawing from US Patent 4587390
Vacuum circuit breaker - US Patent 4587390 Drawing
Vacuum circuit breaker
Inventor     Gray; Keith I. (Napa, CA)
Owner/Assignee     Golden Gate Switchboard Co. (Napa, CA)
Patent assignment
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Publication Date     May 6, 1986
Application Number     06/689,328
PAIR File History     Application Data   Transaction History
Image File Wrapper   Patent Term   Fees
Litigation
Filing Date     January 7, 1985
US Classification     200/400 218/84
Int'l Classification     H01H 033/66 H01H 033/42
Examiner     Marcus; Stephen
Assistant Examiner     Luebke; Renee S.
Attorney/Law Firm     Wiseman; Jack M.
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Priority Data    
USPTO Field of Search     200/153 SC 200/144 B 200/148 F
Patent Tags     vacuum circuit breaker
   
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Sakuma
218/138
Feb,1984

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Ohshita
218/120
Dec,1983

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Kishi
218/44
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Date
361/620
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Bialkowski
218/120
Dec,1981

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4095676
Howe

Jun,1978

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Alan G. McGuffie (Pittsburgh, PA)
200/400
Sep,1972

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Swanke
388/821
Dec,1971

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Valbona
396/465
May,1971

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I claim:

1. A circuit breaker with a panel for a multiple phase electrical system comprising:

(a) an interrupter for each phase of the electrical system, each of said interrupters comprising a housing, means for releasably securing at least one of said housings to said panel, a fixed circuit breaker contact disposed in said housing, and a movable circuit breaker contact disposed in said housing, at least one of said housings being adjustably rotatable relative to said panel when released from securement to said panel;

(b) a rigid fixed connecting link attached to each of said housings for rotation with its associated housing and connected to the fixed contact within its associated housing for establishing an electrical connection therewith, said fixed connecting links being spaced apart; and

(c) a rigid movable connecting link attached to each of said housings for rotation with its associated housing and connected to the movable contact within its associated housing for establishing an electrical connection therewith, said movable connecting links being spaced apart,

(d) at least one of said rotatable housings, when released from securement to said panel, being adjustably rotatable for selecting the extent of spacing between fixed connecting links and for selecting the extent of spacing between movable connecting links.

2. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1 and comprising an operating mechanism connected to said movable contacts for actuating said movable circuit breaker contacts simultaneously.

3. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 2 wherein said operating mechanism comprises an actuating rod connected to each of said movable circuit breaker contacts for actuating said movable circuit breaker contacts simultaneously.

4. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3 wherein said operating mechanism comprises an opening spring and a closing spring, said springs being charged to store energy for actuating said actuating rods.

5. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 4 wherein said operating mechanism comprises a yoke at times actuated by said closing spring and at other times actuated by said opening spring for actuating said actuating rods simultaneously.

6. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 5 wherein said yoke is supported by a shaft for rectilinear movement, means responsive to the discharge of said closing spring for moving said yoke in one direction along said shaft for actuating said actuating rods simultaneously for closing said circuit breaker contacts simultaneously, said opening spring being mounted on said shaft in abutment with said yoke for being charged by said yoke moving in said one direction, the discharge of said opening spring moves said yoke in an opposite direction along said shaft for actuating said actuating rods simultaneously for opening said circuit breaker contacts simultaneously.

7. A circuit breaker with a panel for a three phase electrical system comprising:

A. an interrupter for each of the phases of an electrical system, each of said interrupters comprising:

a. a cylindrical housing having an axis,

b. a fixed contact disposed in said housing,

c. a movalbe contact disposed in said housing, said movable contact being aligned with and confronting said fixed contact in the axial direction, and

d. means for releasably securing a plurality of said housings to said panel;

B. said axes of said housings being disposed in parallel relation, said axes of said housings being triangularly arranged;

C. a rigid fixed connecting link attached at one end thereof to each of said housings for rotation with the associated housing and connected to the fixed contact within its associated housing for establishing an electrical connection therewith, each of said fixed connecting links having a free end at the other end thereof, the free ends of said fixed connecting links being disposed spaced apart in parallel relation in a common plane; and

D. a rigid movable connecting link attached at one end thereof to each of said housings for rotation with the associated housing and connected to the movable contact therein for establishing an electrical connection therewith, each of said movable connecting links having a free end at the other end thereof, the free ends of said movable connecting links being disposed spaced apart in parallel relation in a common plane,

E. said housings connected to outwardly disposed fixed connecting links of said fixed connecting links and connected to outwardly disposed movable connecting links of said movable connecting links being rotatably adjustable about their respective axes, when released from securement to said panel, for selecting the extent of spacing between parallel ends of successive fixed connecting links and for selecting the extent of spacing between parallel ends of successive movable connecting links.

8. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 wherein said axes of said housings are arranged to define an equilateral triangle.

9. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 wherein each of said fixed connecting links and each of said movable connecting links project radially outward form their associated housings.

10. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 wherein associated fixed contact links and movable contact links are axially aligned.

11. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 10 wherein said axes of said housings are arranged to define an equilateral triangle.

12. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 and comprising an operating mechanism connected to said movable contacts for actuating said movable circuit breaker contacts simultaneously.

13. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 12 wherein said operating mechanism comprises an actuating rod connected to each of said movable circuit breaker contacts for actuating said movable circuit breaker contacts simultaneously.

14. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 13 wherein said operating mechanism comprises an opening spring and a closing spring, said springs being charged to store energy for actuating said actuating rods.

15. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 14 wherein said operating mechanism comprises a yoke at times actuated by said closing spring and at other times actuated by said opening spring for actuating said actuating rods simultaneously.

16. A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 15 wherein said yoke is supported by a shaft for rectilinear movement, means responsive to the discharge of said closing spring for moving said yoke in one direction along said shaft for actuating said actuating rods simultaneously for closing said circuit breaker contacts simultaneously, said opening spring being mounted on said shaft in abutment with said yoke for being charged by said yoke moving in said one direction, the discharge of said opening spring moves said yoke in an opposite direction along said shaft for actuating said actuating rods simultaneously for opening said circuit breaker contacts simultaneously.

17. An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising:

(a) a plurality of interrupter actuating rods;

(b) a yoke engaging said actuating rods for moving said actuating rods simultaneously;

(c) a shaft supporting said yoke for axial movement therealong;

(d) a closing spring arranged to be charged;

(e) means responsive to the discharge of said closing spring for moving said yoke in one direction along said shaft to move said actuating rods simultaneously in one direction; and

(f) an opening spring mounted on said shaft, said opening spring being charged by said yoke moving in said one direction along said shaft, the discharge of said opening spring moves said yoke in an opposite direction along said shaft for moving said actuating rods in an opposite direction.

18. An operating mechanism as claimed in claim 17 wherein said yoke includes a hub with an opening therethrough for receiving said shaft to be supported thereby for axial movement therealong.
 Description Submit all comments and votes
 


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a circuit breaker, and more particularly to a circuit breaker for a three phase electrical system.

In the publication entitled An Analysis And Report On Stored Energy Mechanisms by Stanley E. Zocholl, I-T-E Circuit Breaker Publication, 2803-1A, there is disclosed a spring charging system for a circuit breaker.

The patent to McGuffie, U.S. Pat. No. 3,689,721, issued on Sept. 5, 1972, for Circuit Breaker Including Ratchet And Pawl Spring Charging Means And Ratchet Teeth Damage Preventing Means, discloses a circuit breaker in which a pawl advances a ratchet wheel. The pawl is mounted for free rotation on a drive shaft. For charging a closing spring, a driving connection between the ratchet wheel and the drive shaft is established to rotate the drive shaft as the ratchet wheel is rotated by the pawl.

The patent to Howe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,676, issued on June 20, 1978, for Stored Energy Operator For Breakers, discloses a circuit breaker comprising a spring actuated mechanism. A closing spring in the spring actuated mechanism is compressed. The release of the compressed closing spring causes the closing of circuit breaker contacts. A ratchet wheel is mounted on a cam shaft for free rotation. The ratchet wheel is coupled to the cam shaft during the compression of the closing spring and is decoupled from the cam shaft when the closing spring is released for the closing of the circuit breaker contacts.

English Electric Corporation of Port Chester, N.Y., has manufactured and sold Vacuum Switchgear, Type VMX. The VMX vacuum switchgear comprises a circuit breaker with three vacuum interrupters arranged to define a triangular configuration. There is an interrupter for each phase of the electrical system. The interrupters are actuated by an operating mechanism. A central lifting rod raises the closing mechanisms for the three interrupters simultaneously to provide concurrent closing of circuit breaker contacts.

General Electric Company has manufactured and sold a POWER/VAC Vacuum Circuit Breaker With ML-17 Mechanism in which primary connections are made by horizontal bars and disconnect fingers, which are electrically and mechanically connected to the vacuum interrupters. The operating mechanism provides vertical motion at each interrupter to move the lower contact of the interrupter from an open position to a closed position and back to the open position. The operating mechanism is of the stored-energy type and uses a motor to charge a closing spring. The closing spring is used to close the contacts of the circuit breaker.

Westinghouse Electric Corporation has manufactured and sold a VAC-CLAD METAL-CLAD SWITCHGEAR in which vacuum interrupters are vertically disposed and primary connections are mechanically and electrically established with the contacts within the interrupters through horizontally disposed bars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A circuit breaker in which there is an interrupter for each phase of the electrical system. The axes of the housings of the interrupters are vertically disposed and are arranged to define an equilateral triangle. Electrical connections to the contacts contained within the interrupters are made by bus bar connecting links. Ends of the fixed contact bus bar connecting links are disposed in parallel relation in a horizontal plane. Ends of movable contact bus bar connecting links are disposed in parallel relation in a horizontal plane. At least two of the interrupter housings are adjustably rotatable about their respective axes for setting the distance between parallel ends of successive horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links to adjust for the magnitude of the primary voltage of the electrical system.

By virtue of the present invention, a circuit breaker is provided in which the interrupters occupy less space to achieve a more compact assembly and the distance between successive horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links is set by adjustably rotatable interrupter housing to accommodate the application of the electrical system requirements, such as the magnitude of the primary voltage. By adjustably setting the distance between successive horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links in accordance with the primary voltage, flashover propensity between successive horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links is reduced and excessive electromagnetic forces between successive horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links is minimized, while maintaining minimum space between bus bar connecting links.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a vacuum circuit breaker embodying the present invention with a side wall removed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vacuum circuit breaker shown in FIG. 1 with a top wall removed.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the vacuum circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vacuum circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1-3, with the outboard interrupter housings angularly displaced.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section view partially in elevation of an operating mechanism employed in the vacuum circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1-3 taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical elevation view of the operating mechanism shown in FIG. 5 partially in section taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section view partially in elevation of an interrupter and the operating mechanism embodied in the vacuum circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1-3 taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 5 and illustrated with a portion of the bus bar connecting linkage.

FIG. 8 is a vertical elevation view partially in section of the operating mechanism shown in FIG. 5 taken along lines 8--8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic fragmentary perspective view of the operating mechanism shown in FIGS. 5-8.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the vacuum circuit breaker shown in FIGS. 1-3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 10 is a circuit breaker 20 embodying the present invention. The circuit breaker 20 comprises interrupters 30-32 (FIGS. 2 and 10) for establishing and interrupting a primary circuit and for insulating the circuits from one another and ground. There is an interrupter for each phase of the electrical system in which the circuit breaker 20 is installed. In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical system in which the circuit breaker 20 is installed is a three phase system. Projecting from the interrupters 30-32 is a bus bar connecting linkage 40, which establishes electrical connections between the circuit breaker contacts contained within the interrupters 30-32 and bus bars of a primary circuit through primary electrical connection sockets and plugs 45 (FIG. 3). The interrupters 30-32 are actuated for the opening and closing of the breaker contacts therein through an operating mechanism 50 for the interruption or establishing of a primary circuit.

The interrupters 30-32 are identical in construction and in operation. Hence, only the interrupter 30 (FIG. 7) will be described in detail. The interrupter 30 comprises a cylindrical housing or tower 55 made of suitable rigid insulating material, such as a molded epoxy resin. The axes of the cylindrical housings of the interrupters 30-32 are vertically disposed and are arranged to define an equilateral triangle (FIGS. 1, 2 and 10). In this manner, the circuit breaker 20 is compact and occupies a minimum space.

The cylindrical housing 55 is releasably secured to a top panel 56 (FIG. 7) of the operating mechanism 50 by suitable means, such as nuts and bolts 57. The removal of the nuts and bolts 57 enables the cylindrical housing 55 to be adjustably rotated about its vertical axis. After adjustably rotating the cylindrical housing 55, the cylindrical housing 55 is releasably secured to the panel 56 by the action of the nuts and bolts 57 in a fixed adjusted angular position.

Disposed within the cylindrical housing 55 at the upper section thereof is a fixed interrupter or circuit breaker contact 60 (shown in dotted line in FIG. 7). A terminal post 61 is mechanically and electrically connected to the fixed contact 60 to support the same and to establish an electrical connection therewith. The terminal post 61 fits through a hole in both the upper and lower bus links 40, the outboard side of which has a slot extending from the back edge and running into the hole. A bracket 62 is secured to the cylindrical housing 55 by nuts and bolts. The bracket envelopes the bus links 40 up to the center of the terminal post 61. A bolt 65 runs between the outside edges of the bracket 62 and through the center of the two bus links 40, when the bolt and nut 66 are tightened. The bus links 40 are clamped onto the terminal post 61 and are held rigidly to the bracket 62. The bus links 40 are in turn secured to the cylindrical housing 55 by nuts and bolts. A spacer 63 is further clamped to the bus links by bolt 64.

Confronting the fixed contact 60 in vertical or axial alignment therewith is a movable interrupter or circuit breaker contact 70 (shown in dotted line in FIG. 7). Suitable ceramic envelopes 60a and 70a house the contacts 60 and 70, respectively, to provide a vacuum in a manner well-known in the art. A terminal post 71 is mechanically and electrically connected to the movable contact 70. The terminal post 71 has a threaded stud located at its lowest end to which is fitted an operating rod 73 made of a suitable insulating material. Screwed into the operating rod 73 at its lowest end is a metal stud 75 which runs through an operating arm 131 of the operating mechanism 50. Secured to stud 75 is a nut and locknut 77 which holds a contact pressure spring 198 against an operating arm 131. Also secured to stud 75 is a nut and locknut 78. When the circuit breaker is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, the operating arm 131 is in its highest position with contacts 60 and 70 in contact. The contacts 60 and 70 are held in the contact condition by the compression of spring 198. There is also a gap between nut 78 and the operating arm 131. In the open position, the operating arm 131 has moved downward, nut 78 is in contact with the operating arm 131 and contacts 60 and 70 are separated. Attached to the contact 70 are bellows 72 which are also attached to the end plate of ceramic envelope 70a, thereby maintaining a vacuum within the envelope. A spring 76 is located between the ceramic envelope end plate and a contact block 80, which acts to negate the force the bellows 72 exert.

For establishing an electrical connection with the movable contact 70, two contact blocks 80 are employed. The terminal post 71 fits through a hole in each contact block 80, on one side of which is a slot extending from the back face into the hole. Passing between the two blocks 80 is a nut and bolt 82. When the nut and bolt 82 are tightened, the blocks 80 are securely clamped to the terminal post 71. Also mounted between the contact blocks 80 is a flexible connector 95, which is made of a number of thin copper strips. When the nut and bolt 81 are tightened, the flexible connector 95 is clamped between contact blocks 80. A mounting bracket 96 is secured to the cylindrical housing 55 and the outboard end of the flexible connector 95 is secured to the bracket 96. When the movable contact 70 is operated in the up and down directions, the outer end of flexible connector 95 remains stationary, while the end connected to the contact blocks 80 moves with the movable contact 70. This action is permitted by the relatively easy flexure of the copper strips in the flexible connector 95.

The vacuum interrupter 30 may be of the type manufactured by Westinghouse Electric Corporation as Model WL-34103. The vacuum interrupter 30 may also be of the type manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Company as Model 10B12H.

Projecting radially outward from the interrupter housing 55 and electrically connected to the fixed contact 60 through the terminal post 61 is a fixed bus bar connecting link 90 of the bus bar connecting linkage 40 (FIGS. 2, 7 and 10). The fixed bus bar connecting link 90 includes a proximal section 90a and a distal section 90b. The sections 90a and 90b are secured to one another by nuts and bolts for initial angular adjustment relative to one another. The proximal section 90a of the link 90 is secured to the cylindrical housing 55 by nuts and bolts.

Projecting radially outward from the interrupter housing 55 and electrically connected to the movable contact 70 through the terminal post 71 and the band 80 is a movable bus bar connecting link 95 of the bus bar connecting linkage 40 (FIGS. 7 and 10). The movable bus bar connecting link 95 includes a proximal section 95a and a distal section 95b. The sections 95a and 95b are secured to one another by nuts and bolts for initial angular adjustment relative to one another. A bracket 96 is attached to the interrupter housing 55 and is fixed to the proximal end 95a of the movable bus bar connecting link 95. The bus bar connecting links 90 and 95 are vertically aligned.

From the foregoing, it is to be observed that the rotation of the interrupter housing 55 about its axis will impart therewith rotatable movement to the bus bar connecting links 90 and 95. Thus, angular movement of the housing 55 will result in a comparable rotatable movement to the bus bar connecting links 90 and 95.

In a similar manner, a fixed bus bar connecting link 100 (FIGS. 2 and 10) of the linkage 40 projects radially from a cylindrical housing 101 of the interrupter 31 and is electrically connected to a terminal post of a fixed contact thereof. The terminal post and the fixed contact for the interrupters 31 are similar to the terminal post and fixed contact described for the interrupter 30. The fixed bus bar connection link 100 is secured to the cylindrical housing 101 by nuts and bolts for rotation with the rotatable movement of the cylindrical housing 101. Likewise, a movable bus bar connecting link 105 of the linkage 40 projects radially from the cylindrical housing 101 of the interrupter 31 and is electrically connected to the terminal post of the movable contact thereof. The terminal post and the movable contact for the interrupters 31 are similar to the terminal post and movable contact described for the interrupter 30. The movable bus bar connecting link 105 is secured to the cylindrical housing 101 through a bracket 106. Thus, rotation of the cylindrical housing 101 imparts rotation to the movable bus bar connecting link 105.

The bus bar connecting links 100 and 105 are disposed in vertical alignment. The fixed bus bar connecting link 100 includes a proximal end 100a and a distal end 100b. The proximal end 100a and the distal end 100b are secured to one another at an adjusted angle through nuts and bolts. Similarly, the movable bus bar connecting link 105 includes a proximal end 105a and a distal end 105b. The proximal end 105a and the distal end 105b are secured to one another at an adjusted angle through nuts and bolts.

The distal end 100b of the fixed bus bar connecting link 100 is disposed in parallel relation with the fixed bus bar connecting link 90 and in a common horizontal plane. The distal end 105b of the movable bus bar connecting link 105 is disposed in parallel relation with the distal end 95b of the movable bus bar connecting link 95 and in horizontal alignment therewith.

In a like manner, a fixed bar connecting link 110 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 10) of the linkage 40 projects radially from a cylindrical housing 111 of the interrupter 32 and is electrically connected to a terminal post of a fixed contact thereof. The terminal post and fixed contact for the interrupter 32 are similar to the terminal post and fixed contact described for the interrupter 30.

The fixed bus bar connecting link 110 is secured to the cylindrical housing 111 by nuts and bolts for rotation with the rotatable movement of the cylindrical housing 111. Similarly, a movable bus bar connecting link 115 of the linkage 40 projects radially from the cylindrical housing 111 of the interrupter 32 and is electrically connected to the terminal post of the movable contact thereof. The terminal post and movable contact for the interrupter 32 are similar to the terminal post and movable contact described for the interrupter 30. The movable bus bar connecting link 115 is secured to the cylindrical housing 111 through a bracket 116. Thus, rotation of the cylindrical housing 111 imparts rotation to the movable bus bar connecting link 115.

The bus bar connecting links 110 and 115 are disposed in vertical alignment. The fixed bus bar connecting link 110 includes a proximal end 110a and a distal end 110b. The proximal end 110a and the distal end 110b are secured to one another at an adjusted angle through nuts and bolts. Similarly, the movable bus bar connecting link 115 includes a proximal end 115a and a distal end 115b. The proximal end 115a and the distal end 115b are secured to one another at an adjusted angle through nuts and bolts.

The distal end 110b of the fixed bus bar connecting link 110 is disposed in parallel relation with the distal end 90b of the fixed bus bar connecting link 90 and in horizontal alignment therewith. The distal end 115b of the movable bus bar connecting 1ink 115 is disposed in parallel relation with the distal end 95b of the movable bus bar connecting link 95 and in the same horizontal plane.

To minimize flashover propensity between successive, horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links and to minimize electromagnetic interaction between successive, horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links while maintaining compactness and minimum use of space for the bus bar connecting linkage 40, it is desired to adjust the space between parallel sections of successive, horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links for optimum distance. Toward this end, the nuts and bolts attaching the cylindrical housings 101 and 111 of the interrupters 31 and 32, respectively, to the top panel 56 of the operating mechanism 50 are removed to enable the rotation of cylindrical housings 101 and 111 about their respective axes. The rotation of the cylindrical housing 101 imparts rotation to the links 100 and 105. The rotation of the cylindrical housing 111 imparts rotation to the links 110 and 115.

In a 15KV vacuum circuit breaker for a three phase electrical system with 8.67KV between successive, horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links and a current flow of up to 36KA, a 30 degree angle was employed for the outboard interrupters 31 and 32, respectively, between the center line of the associated proximal sections and a plane passing through the axis of the associated cylindrical housing and parallel to the center line of the associated distal sections (FIG. 2). In the exemplary embodiment, the distance between successive, horizontally aligned distal ends of the bus bar connecting links was ten inches. The distal ends of the bus bar connecting links for the outboard interrupters 31 and 32 were adjusted to be set parallel to the bus bar connecting links 90 and 95 for the interrupter 30.

In a 5KV vacuum circuit breaker for a three phase electrical system with 2.75KV between successive, horizontally aligned bus bar connecting links and a current flow of up to 36KA, a 17 1/2 degree angle was employed for the outboard interrupters 31 and 32, respectively, between the center line of the associated proximal sections and a plane passing through the axis of the associated cylindrical housing and parallel to the center line of the associated distal section (FIG. 4). In the exemplary embodiment, the distance between successive, horizontally aligned distal ends of the bus bar connecting links was eight inches. The distal ends of the bus bar connecting links for the outboard interrupters 31 and 32 were adjusted to be set parallel to the bus bar connecting links 90 and 95 for the interrupter 30.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangement greater flexibility and versatility in the manufacture of vacuum circuit breakers are achieved without sacrificing compactness. Various rated vacuum circuit breakers can be assembled without duplicity of similar operating components for greater manufacturing economy.

The distal ends of the bus bar connecting links of the linkage 40 are connected respectively to primary electrical connection sockets and plugs 45 for establishing electrical connections with the bus bars of the primary circuit in a well-known and conventional manner.

Illustrated in FIGS. 5-9 is the operating mechanism 50, which comprises a suitable housing 125, such as a steel housing. The housing 125 comprises the top panel 56 (FIGS. 6-8) and suitably spaced and bent integral side panels 126 and 129 with a bolted end plate 130.

Disposed within the housing 125 is a stored-energy closing spring 130 (FIGS. 5 and 6) that is initially charged and subsequently discharged for closing simultaneously a three arm yoke 131 (FIGS. 5-8) for closing the interrupter or circuit breaker contacts of the interrupters 30-32 simultaneously by lifting simultaneously the interrupter actuating rods or lifting rods 73. The interrupter contacts 60 and 70 for the interrupter 30 are shown in FIG. 7 and the lifting rod 73 for the interrupter 30 is also shown in FIG. 7. The interrupter contacts and the lifting rods 73 for the interrupters 31 and 32 are similar to the lifting rod 73 shown for the interrupter 30 and are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8.

For charging the closing spring 130, a closing spring lever 133 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 9) is axially disposed relative to the closing spring 130. One end of the closing spring 130 is secured into an anchor plate 135a, in the center of which is located a nut. Bolt 134 passes through the end plate of a tubular extension 135 in the housing 125 and