The present invention provides a vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter includes a vacuum bottle housing having an interior and an exterior, and at least one vacuum bottle positioned within the interior of the vacuum bottle housing. The at least one vacuum bottle includes axially separable contacts within it, including at least one moveable contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes an operating mechanism coupled to the moveable contact including an actuator, a toggle pivotable by the actuator, and a bi-stable link assembly operable with the toggle to reciprocate the moveable contact. The operating mechanism also includes a spring biasing the contacts apart and a stop to hold the contacts closed in a closed position of the interrupter. The vacuum interrupter further includes a seal between the vacuum bottle housing and the operating mechanism sealing the operating mechanism from the interior of the vacuum bottle housing.

An earthing module for a switchgear includes: a cylinder; a piston; a stored energy unit; and at least one photovoltaic cell. The cylinder connects to a part of a switchgear at earth potential. The piston moves within the cylinder from a standby position to a released position along an axis of the cylinder. When in the released position, the piston is in electrical connection with the cylinder. The stored energy unit is located within or associated with the earthing module such that activation of the stored energy unit moves the piston from the standby position to the released position. One or more of the at least one photovoltaic cell activates the stored energy unit based on radiation from an electrical arc of the switchgear impinging upon the one or more of the at least one photovoltaic cell.

The present disclosure relates to a contact point monitoring module for a vacuum circuit breaker and a vacuum circuit breaker comprising the same. The present disclosure provides a vacuum circuit breaker comprising a push rod assembly which is coupled to a movable electrode of a vacuum interrupter and moves the movable electrode up or down to make a movable contact in a contact closed state or a contact open state, wherein the vacuum circuit breaker comprises a linear sensor which is coupled to a lower side of the push rod assembly and senses displacement according to a moving direction of the push rod; and a sensor holder which is installed adjacent to the lower side of the push rod assembly and is coupled to the linear sensor to process a signal transferred from the linear sensor.

An insulating rotary diaphragm for a vacuum interrupter (VI) electrical switch. The insulating diaphragm is designed for use in underground or pad-mounted VI switches where an external lever is rotated by a line worker to manually open the switch. A torsional insulating rod is coupled between a switch actuator and the external lever, and the diaphragm maintains constant contact with the insulating rod and an outer housing when the lever and rod are rotated, thus ensuring adequate isolation between the actuator and the lever. The diaphragm deforms torsionally when the lever and rod are rotated. This configuration allows the actuator to be at medium voltage, eliminates the need for a translational insulating rod between the medium voltage switch components and the lever, and thereby reduces the overall length of the VI switch.

A switch assembly including a vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, an actuator operable to move the movable contact, and a drive rod assembly coupled to the movable contact and the actuator. The drive rod assembly includes a male part and a female part where the male part is inserted into and coupled to the female part. One of the male part or the female part includes a conductor that provides an electrical connection between the male and female parts and one of the male part or the female part includes a locking ring that snap fits into a groove in the other male or female part.

An operating mechanism for operating at least one contact is provided. The operating mechanism includes a base frame and an operating rod that is linearly guided in the base frame for connection with at least one contact. The operating mechanism further includes a contact spring for urging the operating rod to the open position and a rod mechanism having two links, and each link has a first end and a second end. The operating mechanism also includes a cam follower arranged at the middle hinge of the rod mechanism, a cam arranged on a cam shaft, a cam shaft lock for lacking the shaft, and a closing spring. The opening section of the cam is configured such that the cam follower follows the profile of the opening section when the operating rod moves from the closed position towards the open position.

An operating mechanism for opening and closing at least two contacts simultaneously is provided. The operating mechanism includes a base frame and a bridge body having an elongate contact surface with a length and a width. The elongate contact surface is configured to extend in a length direction over and be in contact with operating rods of the at least two contacts. The operating mechanism further includes a first reaction arm extending substantially parallel to the length of the elongate contact surface and a second reaction arm extending parallel to the first reaction arm and at a distance of the first reaction arm in the direction perpendicular to the elongate contact surface. The operating mechanism also includes a rod mechanism of two links and a cam arranged on a shaft.

The present disclosure relates to a motion sensing device for a vacuum circuit breaker and a vacuum circuit breaker comprising same. A motion sensing device for a vacuum circuit breaker, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises: a sensor module, installed adjacent to a main shaft, for sensing an operation state of the main shaft; and a bracket, coupled to the sensor module, for supporting the sensor module.

The invention relates to a universal vacuum interrupter (UVI) (30) for an air disconnect switch (100) comprising a rotatable actuating arm (21) arranged for engagement by a corresponding contact (16), such as a roller, attached to the main blade (12) of an air disconnect switch (100). In particular, the actuating arm (21) comprises two rods (22) extending next to each other and adapted for receiving the corresponding contact (16) of the main blade (12) between them. The two rods (22) are movable to alter the distance between them but are biased together by biasing means (24), e.g. helical springs. As the corresponding contact (16) of a main blade (12) will be in engagement with both rods (22) during disconnection and reconnection of the air disconnect switch (100), arcing is thereby prevented. Preferably, the two rods (22) of the UVI (30) are made of aluminium.

A vacuum circuit breaker includes: a vacuum valve that is insulated and supported inside a grounded tank; a movable-side frame connecting a lower end of a movable-side external conductor to a movable conductor; a stationary-side frame connecting a lower end of a stationary-side external conductor to a stationary conductor; a movable-side insulating support tube that supports the movable-side frame and insulates thereof from the grounded tank; a stationary-side insulating support tube that supports the stationary-side frame and insulates thereof from the grounded tank; a movable-side flange covering a movable-side end of the grounded tank; and a rubber piece on an inner peripheral surface of the movable-side flange. The movable-side insulating support tube is supported, at an end opposite from an end connected to the movable-side frame, by the movable-side flange via the rubber piece and is movable along an axis and a radius of an arc-extinguishing chamber.