Patent ID: 8222548
Filing Date: 2012-07-17
Classification: H01H,H02J,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. An interlock mechanism for use in an automatic transfer switch having first and second breakers switches with corresponding first and second breaker switch handles, comprising: an interlock member movably mounted adjacent to the first and second breaker switches, in cooperating arrangement with the first and second breaker switch handles, for preventing both first and second breaker switch handles from being in their respective ON positions simultaneously, so that upon movement of one of the first and second breaker switch handles to its ON position, causes the one of the first and second breaker switch handles contacts the interlock member, and causes it to move, and bear against the other of the first and second breaker switch handles to move the other of the first and second breaker switch handles to its OFF position; and an actuator, moveably mounted adjacent to the first and second breaker switches, in driven connection to a prime mover, and in cooperating arrangement with the first and second breaker switch handles, for selectively pushing one of the first and second breaker switch handles away from its OFF position, toward its ON position, so that the breaker switch handles are operably interposed between the interlock member and the actuator, the interlock member and the actuator being cooperatively configured to enable both of the first and second breaker switch handles to be in their respective OFF positions, but to preclude both of the first and second breaker switch handles from being in their respective ON positions simultaneously, the interlock member and the actuator being further cooperatively configured so as to ensure that when the actuator is being driven to move a breaker switch handle for one of the first and second breakers from its OFF position to its ON position, the breaker switch handle for the other of the first and second breakers will be moved by the interlock member from its ON position to its OFF position, before the breaker switch handle of the one of the first and second breakers attains its ON position.