A commutating circuit breaker that works by progressively inserting increasing resistance into a circuit. This is done via physical motion of a shuttle that is linked into the circuit by at least one set of sliding electrical contacts on the shuttle (“shuttle electrodes”) that connect the power through the moving shuttle to a sequence of different resistive paths with increasing resistance; the motion of the shuttle can be either linear or rotary. A feature of the commutating circuit breaker is that at no point are the shuttle electrodes separated from the matching stationary stator electrodes so as to generate a powerful arc, which minimizes damage to the electrodes. Instead, the current is commutated from one resistive path to the next with small enough changes in resistance at each step that arcing can be suppressed. The variable resistance can either be within the moving shuttle, or the shuttle can comprise a commutating shuttle that moves the current over a series of stationary resistors. In either case, a “soft” opening of the circuit can be accomplished, with low switching transients, provided that the maximum step change of resistance is limited until the current is nearly extinguished. Commutating circuit breakers work equally well for DC or AC power.

A disconnect switch assembly includes first and second disconnect switches with each of the first and second disconnect switch including a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, and a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact. Each of the movable main contacts is coupled to a (common) first actuator. A second actuator is coupled to the housing of the first disconnect switch and a third actuator is coupled to the housing of the second disconnect switch. The first actuator is configured to concurrently apply first and second motive forces (in opposing but in-line directions) to the movable contacts of the first and second disconnect switches. The second and third actuators are configured to apply a motive force to the housings that is in a direction opposing a respective motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contacts.

A circuit breaker includes a compact pole unit with an encapsulated body having ring(s) and conducting terminals that each extend from the encapsulated body. The body includes a vacuum interrupter and a coupler assembly that may be integrated into the pole unit. The coupler assembly includes a contact spring positioned an end of the compact pole unit, as well as a plunger that may be biased by the contact spring. The circuit breaker also includes an actuator positioned at the end of the pole unit that is opposite the coupler assembly. The circuit breaker also may include a second actuator that is will be connected to the contact spring of the coupler assembly via the plunger, and if so the breaker may be operated via either actuator.

A disconnect switch assembly includes first and second disconnect switches with each of the first and second disconnect switch including a housing, a fixed main contact in the housing, and a movable main contact in the housing in cooperating alignment with the fixed main contact. Each of the movable main contacts is coupled to a (common) first actuator. A second actuator is coupled to the housing of the first disconnect switch and a third actuator is coupled to the housing of the second disconnect switch. The first actuator is configured to concurrently apply first and second motive forces (in opposing but in-line directions) to the movable contacts of the first and second disconnect switches. The second and third actuators are configured to apply a motive force to the housings that is in a direction opposing a respective motive force applied by the first actuator to the movable main contacts.

An assembly for preloading a cable rotary-pendulum kinematic system is provided. The assembly includes a rotational body of a cable rotary-pendulum kinematic system. The rotational body is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof and is immovable in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes at least one gas spring surrounding the rotational body and which may be compressed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes primary cables, which force-lockingly connect the rotational body to the gas spring in such a way that a rotational motion of the rotational body causes compression of the gas spring, whereby the assembly is preloaded.

An assembly for preloading a cable rotary-pendulum kinematic system is provided. The assembly includes a rotational body of a cable rotary-pendulum kinematic system. The rotational body is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis thereof and is immovable in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes at least one gas spring surrounding the rotational body and which may be compressed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes primary cables, which force-lockingly connect the rotational body to the gas spring in such a way that a rotational motion of the rotational body causes compression of the gas spring, whereby the assembly is preloaded.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a current protection device with a mutual reactor including a first winding and a second winding. The current protection device is a subcomponent of a previously developed fault current limiter. The current protection device protects the superconductor from potential damage. The current protection device may include a coil electrically connected in series with the first winding or the second winding, an actuator mechanically coupled at an output of the coil, and an electrical interrupter electrically connected to the first and second windings, wherein the actuator is communicatively coupled with the electrical interrupter to actuate a moveable contact of a set of breaker contacts of the electrical interrupter. In some embodiments, the first and second windings are arranged in parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the coil is electrically coupled to an output of the first winding or the second winding.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a current protection device with a mutual reactor including a first winding and a second winding. The current protection device is a subcomponent of a previously developed fault current limiter. The current protection device protects the superconductor from potential damage. The current protection device may include a coil electrically connected in series with the first winding or the second winding, an actuator mechanically coupled at an output of the coil, and an electrical interrupter electrically connected to the first and second windings, wherein the actuator is communicatively coupled with the electrical interrupter to actuate a moveable contact of a set of breaker contacts of the electrical interrupter. In some embodiments, the first and second windings are arranged in parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the coil is electrically coupled to an output of the first winding or the second winding.

A medium voltage circuit switch or breaker includes: at least one movable contact; a fixed contact; and a mechanical or magnetical drive system, which moves the at least one movable contact to a closed or opened position by a movement of a rod and/or a lever. The mechanical or magnetical drive system is linked to a switching generating signal. The mechanical or magnetical drive system includes at least one pyrotechnical actuator or gas generator. The pyrotechnical actuator or the gas generator is linkable to the switching generating signal of the mechanical or magnetical drive system.

A medium voltage circuit switch or breaker includes: at least one movable contact; a fixed contact; and a mechanical or magnetical drive system, which moves the at least one movable contact to a closed or opened position by a movement of a rod and/or a lever. The mechanical or magnetical drive system is linked to a switching generating signal. The mechanical or magnetical drive system includes at least one pyrotechnical actuator or gas generator. The pyrotechnical actuator or the gas generator is linkable to the switching generating signal of the mechanical or magnetical drive system.