An electrical switching device, such as a high-speed switching device, has a damper and latching assembly. The assembly is configured to dampen the movement of a moving contact of the switching device as the moving contact translates from its closed position to its open position. The assembly also is configured to restrain the moving contact in its open position. The assembly stores at least some of the energy associated with the damping process, and uses the stored energy to assist in the release of the moving contact during the subsequent re-closing of the switching device.

An automatic transfer switch includes a first conduction bar selectively coupled with a first power source and a load conduction bar; a second conduction bar selectively coupled with a second power source and the load conduction bar; a first blade assembly electrically coupled to the first conduction bar; and a second blade assembly electrically coupled to the second conduction bar. The first blade assembly is electrically coupled to a first source conduction bar in a closed position, and a first electromagnetic force induced by a first current flowing through the first blade assembly and the first conduction bar repulses the first blade assembly. The second blade assembly is electrically coupled to a second source conduction bar in a closed position, and a second electromagnetic force induced by a second current flowing through the second blade assembly and the second conduction bar repulses the second blade assembly.

A switch system includes a mechanical switch for switching electrical currents, the mechanical switch operating in one of a closed state and an open state; the system further including an actuator configured to change the state of the mechanical switch, wherein the actuator comprises a Thomson-coil system including a Thomson coil, and wherein the mechanical switch and the Thomson coil are electrically connected in series.

An actuator, which is a part of a combination that includes a pair of circuit interrupters, advantageously employs a plurality of Thomson coils that are electrically connected in parallel and that interact with a corresponding set of Thomson plates of a rotatable armature in order to perform useful work in a rapid fashion. In one embodiment, the useful work is to commutate current from one circuit interrupter to the other.

A switch system includes a mechanical switch for electrical currents. The mechanical switch operates in a conductive state and in a non-conductive state. A first actuator is configured to change the state of the mechanical switch, wherein an actuation of the first actuator is based on a Thomson coil system. A second actuator is also configured to change the state of the mechanical switch and includes a loaded spring system locked by a latch system. Each of the first and second actuators is configured to change the state of the mechanical switch depending on a property of an electrical current passing through the mechanical switch.

A circuit breaker includes a pole unit with a first and second electrodes. A linkage also extends from the pole unit. A linear actuator is operably connected to the pole unit. A Thomson coil or other high-speed actuator is also operably connected to the linkage. When the circuit breaker is closed, no gap is provided between them. To open the electrodes, the high-speed actuator first acts on the linkage by moving the linkage at a speed that is greater than a speed by which the linear actuator can move the linkage. The linear actuator can then actuate and increase a distance between the electrodes. A gap is provided between the pole unit and at least one of the actuators when the breaker is closed. This gap is reduced or eliminated when the breaker is open.

An electrical switching device, such as a high-speed switching device, has a damper and latching assembly. The assembly is configured to dampen the movement of a moving contact of the switching device as the moving contact translates from its closed position to its open position. The assembly also is configured to restrain the moving contact in its open position. The assembly stores at least some of the energy associated with the damping process, and uses the stored energy to assist in the release of the moving contact during the subsequent re-closing of the switching device.

An induction-controlled switch having a vacuum bulb comprising a vacuum chamber and a switch comprising first and second electrodes. The first switch comprising first and second electrodes and further having a first actuator slidably mounted in a first direction and rigidly attached to the first electrode. The first actuator comprising a first armature. A second actuator comprising a second armature. A first control member comprising a first coil configured to simultaneously generate a switching current in the first armature and a current in the second armature via the first coil, so as to separate or bring into contact the first and second electrodes and so as to move the first and second actuators in opposite ways along the first direction.

Disclosed is a fast switch device including: a reactor that moves to an open position where the switch is opened and a close position where the switch is closed; an open coil portion that drives the reactor to the open position by virtue of an eddy current component; a close coil portion that drives the reactor the close position by virtue of an eddy current component; and a controller that performs control such that an electric current is applied to the close coil portion oppositely to a direction of an electric current flowing through the open coil portion in order to brake the reactor during an open operation for driving the reactor to the open position, and an electric current is applied to the open coil portion oppositely to a direction of an electric current flowing through the close coil portion.

An electromagnetic repulsion actuator for a circuit breaker is provided. The actuator can include a housing; a first fixed electrode having therein an operating space open at both sides; a pair of movable electrodes capable of reciprocally moving and being electrically connected to the first fixed electrode; second fixed electrodes selectively contacting the pair of movable electrodes to be electrically connected thereto, thereby transferring power supplied from a first side to a second side; and actuating coils selectively moving the movable electrodes in a direction of being separated from the second fixed electrodes by generating electromagnetic force from induced current. In the present invention as above, the structure of a circuit breaker is simplified and moving speeds of the movable electrodes are increased since the movable electrodes move by using induced current generated by a close coil and open coils to perform an open operation.