GB1384699A - Energy store actuators - Google Patents

Abstract

1384699 Power storing mechanisms ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIES Ltd 29 Nov 1972 [15 Oct 1971] 48114/71 Heading F2S [Also in Division H1] An actuating mechanism, e.g. for a vacuum switch, comprises energy storage means, e.g. a weight or spring 7 for producing rotation of a cam 1, a cam follower 11 coupled to a movable member, e.g. a switch contact and releasable latching means separately engageable with at least two latching surfaces rotatable with the cam so as to arrest and hold the cam in at least two different positions. As shown a handle 21 is turned to wind up the spring 7 and is then restrained. The shaft 10 carrying the cam 1 also carries two latches 2, 3 engageable by roller catches 4 (one shown). Each catch is carried by a bell crank lever 14 pivoted in a bracket 15 resiliently supported by a buffer, e.g. a spring I6, in a fixed frame 9. When the shaft 10 is freed by the release of, say, the latch 3 it turns until the latch 2 is held by its catch 4. Thus for one operation of the handle, the switch may be closed on the release of a latch and reopened on the release of the second latch. The release of these latches may be effected manually or electromagnetically, Fig. 2 (not shown). The spring may be charged by power driven means, e.g. an electric motor. For operating a threephase switch, three cams may be provided on the shaft 10. The or each cam may have more than one lift so that several interrupter operations can take place during one rotation of the shaft.