US 12,249,469 B2
Circuit breaker having vacuum interrupters and single-phase control with magnetic actuators and associated method
Patrick R. Fischer-Carne, New Smyrna Beach, FL (US); and Robert L. Hanna, Enterprise, FL (US)
Assigned to JST POWER EQUIPMENT, INC., Lake Mary, FL (US)
Filed by JST POWER EQUIPMENT, INC., Lake Mary, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/652,112.
Prior Publication US 2023/0268151 A1, Aug. 24, 2023
Int. Cl. H01H 33/666 (2006.01); H01H 47/22 (2006.01); H01H 49/00 (2006.01); H01H 50/18 (2006.01); H01H 50/36 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 33/666 (2013.01) [H01H 47/22 (2013.01); H01H 49/00 (2013.01); H01H 50/18 (2013.01); H01H 50/36 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-phase, medium voltage switchgear, comprising:
a switchgear housing having an interior compartment;
a truck mounted for movement within the interior compartment;
first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters mounted within the interior compartment on the truck and extending upward therefrom, each configured to be connected to respective first, second and third single-phase input circuits from a three-phase power distribution grid and to respective first, second and third single-phase outputs connected to a load;
first, second and third magnetic actuators mounted within the truck adjacent and connected to the respective first, second and third single-phase vacuum interrupters, each magnetic actuator configured to receive an interrupt signal and in response, actuate the respective single-phase vacuum interrupter connected thereto into an open circuit condition, wherein each magnetic actuator comprises,
a fixed core,
a plurality of permanent magnets surrounding the fixed core,
a movable core received within the fixed core;
a sensing circuit operatively connected between first, second and third single-phase outputs and the load, said sensing circuit configured to detect one or more single-phase overcurrents or faults on one or more single-phase circuits of the load; and
a controller connected to each of said first, second and third magnetic actuators and sensing circuit, and configured to generate the interrupt signal to a respective magnetic actuator connected to the single-phase vacuum interrupter over which a single-phase overcurrent or fault had been detected and actuate the respective single-phase vacuum interrupter into an open circuit condition.