Recloser battery assembly

Abstract

A circuit interrupting device for use with a electrical power distribution system includes a housing containing a circuit interrupting mechanism. A battery tube is positioned in the housing. A battery assembly is configured to be inserted into the battery tube. The battery assembly includes a battery assembly body having a first end and a second end. A battery is positioned in the battery assembly body. The battery assembly is configured such that both a positive contact and a negative contact are exposed from the second end of the battery assembly body. In some embodiments, the battery assembly includes a keyed portion mates with the battery tube to ensure alignment of the battery assembly in the battery tube.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A circuit interrupting device for use with a power distribution system, comprising:
 a housing containing a circuit interrupting mechanism;   a battery tube coupled to the housing; and   a battery assembly configured to be inserted into the battery tube, the battery assembly comprising,
 a battery assembly body having a first end and a second end, 
 a battery positioned in the battery assembly body, 
 a positive contact electrically connected to the battery and exposed from the second end of the battery assembly body, and 
 a negative contact electrically connected to the battery and exposed from the second end of the battery assembly body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery assembly includes a first keyed portion that is configured to mate with a second keyed portion of the battery tube. 
     
     
         3 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 2 , wherein the battery assembly body has a substantially cylindrical configuration and the keyed portion includes a flattened section at the second end of the battery assembly body. 
     
     
         4 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 2 , wherein the keyed portion includes a projection extending along at least a portion of the battery assembly body, wherein the projection has a cross-sectional shape different from a major outer surface of the battery assembly body. 
     
     
         5 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery assembly body has a substantially cylindrical configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery tube includes a projection extending from a rear wall into the tube and the battery assembly includes an opening configured to receive the projection. 
     
     
         7 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 1 , wherein a contact casing is connected to the second end of the battery assembly body. 
     
     
         8 . A circuit interrupting device for use with a power distribution system, comprising:
 a housing containing a circuit interrupting device;   a battery tube coupled to the housing, the battery tube having a first mating feature, a first positive contact, and a first negative contact; and   a battery assembly configured to be inserted into the battery tube, the battery assembly including a second mating feature configured to mate with the first mating feature, a second positive contact, and a second negative contact,   wherein the first and second mating features ensure a proper alignment of the battery assembly in the battery tube, and   wherein the proper alignment facilitates the electrical connection between the first and second positive contacts and electrically connect the first and second negative contacts.   
     
     
         9 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 8 , wherein the first mating feature includes a first keyed portion and the second mating feature includes a second keyed portion. 
     
     
         10 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 9 , wherein the battery tube includes a third mating feature, and wherein the battery assembly includes a fourth mating feature. 
     
     
         11 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 10 , wherein the third mating feature includes a projection and the fourth mating feature includes an opening configured to receive the projection. 
     
     
         12 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 8 , wherein the battery assembly includes a battery assembly body, a cap connected to a first end of the battery assembly body, and a contact casing connected to a second end of the battery assembly body. 
     
     
         13 . A circuit interrupting device for use with a power distribution system, comprising:
 a housing containing a circuit interrupting mechanism;   a battery tube coupled to the housing; and   a battery assembly configured to be inserted into the battery tube, the battery assembly comprising,
 a battery assembly body having a first end, a second end, and a body keyed portion, 
 a battery positioned in the battery assembly body, 
 a cap connected to the first end of the battery assembly body, 
 a contact casing connected to the second end of the battery assembly body and having a casing keyed portion aligned with the body keyed portion, 
 a positive contact electrically connected to the battery and at least partially positioned in the contact casing, and 
 a negative contact electrically connected to the battery and at least partially positioned in the contact casing. 
   
     
     
         14 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 13 , wherein the battery assembly body includes a shaft that extends through the cap and wherein a retainer is connected to shaft external to the cap in order to connect the cap to the battery assembly body. 
     
     
         15 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 13 , wherein the contact casing includes a detent to connect the contact casing to the battery assembly body. 
     
     
         16 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 13 , wherein the casing keyed portion mates with a keyed portion of the battery tube. 
     
     
         17 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 13 , wherein the contact casing includes a positive terminal opening and a negative terminal opening. 
     
     
         18 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one battery includes a battery cell positioned in an outer casing having first end facing the cap and a second end facing the contact casing, and wherein a lead extends from the first end of the battery casing to the second end of the battery casing. 
     
     
         19 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 18 , wherein a groove is formed in the battery assembly body to receive the lead. 
     
     
         20 . The circuit interrupting device of  claim 13 , wherein the battery assembly body includes a projection extending along at least a portion of the battery assembly body, wherein the projection has a cross-sectional shape different from a major outer surface of the battery assembly body.