Abstract: An operating mechanism controls and trips a separable contact structure arranged in a protected circuit. The mechanism includes a frame, a drive member pivotally coupled to the frame, a spring pivotally connecting the drive member to a drive connector, an upper link pivotally seated on the drive connector, a lower link member pivotally coupled to the drive connector, a crank member pivotally coupled to the lower link member for interfacing the separable contact structure, and a cradle member pivotally secured to the frame and pivotally securing the upper link. The cradle member is configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, which is displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit such as a trip condition. The mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position. Spacers are operatively positioned between movable members, and protrusions are operatively formed on the enclosure of the contact structure.

Abstract: An operating mechanism controls and trips a separable contact structure arranged in a protected circuit. The mechanism includes a frame, a drive member pivotally coupled to the frame, a spring pivotally connecting the drive member to a drive connector, an upper link pivotally seated on the drive connector, a lower link member pivotally coupled to the drive connector, a crank member pivotally coupled to the lower link member for interfacing the separable contact structure, and a cradle member pivotally secured to the frame and pivotally securing the upper link. The cradle member is configured for being releasably engaged by a latch assembly, which is displaced upon occurrence of a predetermined condition in the circuit such as a trip condition. The mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position, and an on position. Spacers are operatively positioned between movable members, and protrusions are operatively formed on the enclosure of the contact structure.

Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism for separating a pair of electrical contacts within an electrical circuit breaker includes a lower link operatively connected to one of the electrical contacts. An upper link includes first and second legs extending from a central portion. The first leg is pivotally secured to the lower link, and the second leg includes a cam surface formed thereon. A roller is in intimate contact with the cam surface, and the cam surface is configured such that movement of the upper link relative to the roller causes the upper link to pivot about the central portion. Pivoting of the upper link about the central portion moves the lower link causing the second contact to move away from the first contact. A mechanism spring is configured to provide a force for separating the electrical contacts when the operating mechanism is tripped. A toggle handle includes a void disposed therein, and an end of the spring is secured to the operating handle within the void.

Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism for separating a pair of electrical contacts within an electrical circuit breaker includes a lower link operatively connected to one of the electrical contacts. An upper link includes first and second legs extending from a central portion. The first leg is pivotally secured to the lower link, and the second leg includes a cam surface formed thereon. A roller is in intimate contact with the cam surface, and the cam surface is configured such that movement of the upper link relative to the roller causes the upper link to pivot about the central portion. Pivoting of the upper link about the central portion moves the lower link causing the second contact to move away from the first contact. An operating spring is configured to provide a force for separating the electrical contacts when the operating mechanism is tripped. An operating handle includes a void disposed therein, and an end of the spring is secured to the operating handle within the void.

Abstract: An auxiliary magnetic trip unit for a circuit breaker arranged on the load strap of an industrial-rated circuit breaker to interrupt circuit current upon occurrence of a high-level short circuit fault. The magnetic trip unit employs a magnet yoke, an armature, a trip lever for interacting with a latching mechanism of a circuit breaker operating mechanism, and a lever arranged to restrain the armature from moving toward the magnet yoke and to release the armature in response to a predetermined level of pressurized gas. Thus providing an auxiliary magnetic trip unit for use with circuit breakers for selective short circuit overcurrent protection in an electrical distribution system with circuit breakers connected in series.

Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact assembly employs a common pivot between the rotor assembly and the rotary contact arm. A pair of off-center expansion springs directly engage the rotor at one end and engage the rotary contact arm via a linkage arrangement at an opposite end thereof.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm accessory interacts with the circuit breaker closing system to allow automatic resetting of the bell alarm module upon resetting of the circuit breaker operating mechanism. A lockout slide extends between the bell alarm module support and the bell alarm reset slide to automatically reset the bell alarm module prior to closing of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker assembly using auxiliary switches to perform indication and control functions. The circuit breaker assembly having at least one pole comprising a stationary and a moveable contact where the moveable contact is connected to a moveable contact arm which is activated by a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism is affixed to an operating handle. A trip device, housed in a mid-cover of the molded case, separates the stationary and moveable contacts when a fault is sensed. The mid-cover comprises at least one auxiliary switch compartment, where a single auxiliary switch compartment is capable of housing multiple compatible auxiliary switches.

Abstract: A trip actuator (66) includes a trip spring (106) to bias the trip arm (104) in a clockwise direction about trip arm pivot (120). In the latched and ready to operate state, the clockwise moment about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by force “F” opposes the counterclockwise moment created about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by the horizontal component “fx” of force “f”, to hold the latch (110) in the upright position against the force of the trip arm (104). When a trip (triggering) signal is provided to the flux shifter (102), the flux shifter (102) releases the plunger (130). With the force “F” removed, the trip arm (104) will drive the latch pin (134), causing the latch (110) to rotate counterclockwise about the latch pivot (132). As the latch (110) and trip arm (104) rotate, the latch pin (134) slides off the latch surface (126), fully releasing the trip arm (104) and allowing the trip paddle (96) to move the secondary latch tab (50).

Abstract: An accessory for use within a circuit breaker is provided. The accessory includes an actuator having a movable member, a trip member and a link between the movable member and the trip member. The trip member is configured by including a seat portion that allows for a set gap between the link and the movable member.

Abstract: A supplemental magnetic trip unit is arranged on the load strap of an industrial-rated circuit breaker to interrupt circuit current upon occurrence of a short circuit fault. The trip unit employs a U-shaped magnet and a hinged armature that articulates the circuit breaker operating mechanism latch to allow the circuit breaker contacts to become separated upon the urgence of the powerful circuit breaker operating mechanism springs.

Abstract: Compliant assembly (110) includes a reset drive (112) mechanically cooperating with a plunger link (120) having a slide interface latch (130) via an intermediate plunger reset spring (142), plunger link (120) also being proximate to plunger (84) to both accept strikage from or become in mechanical cooperation with plunger (84) and to reset plunger (84) from the protruded position to the retracted position. Further, in the detailed embodiment, reset drive (112) also mechanically cooperates with slide link (132) via an intermediate slide reset spring (60), slide link (132) also being proximate slide (86) to reset slide (86) from the unlatched or released position (after, for example, a trip event causes plunger (84) to protrude into contact with plunger link (120) thereby releasing slide interface latch (130) from slide latch seat (90) of slide (86)) to the latched or set position.

Abstract: A circuit breaker having a crank for coupling a switching mechanism to the contact pole structure is presented. The crank has a pair of cam surfaces which cooperate with a blocking lever to restrict movement of the operating handle when the contacts of the circuit breaker are welded. The blocking lever is arranged such that it does not interfere with the handle under normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A circuit breaker contact position indicator assembly includes an indicator lever that interacts with the circuit breaker contact carrier through a indicator lever bell crank and a contact arm bell crank to provide true ON and OFF indication of the circuit breaker contacts.

Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact assembly employs a common pivot between the rotor assembly and the rotary contact arm. A pair of off-center expansion springs directly engage the rotor at one end and engage the rotary contact arm via a linkage arrangement at an opposite end thereof.

Abstract: A circuit breaker including a housing having a window, a line terminal and a load terminal, and a circuit trip assembly. The circuit trip assembly includes a rotatable cradle, a moveable armature latch and a pivotable trip support including a trip indicator. Upon the occurrence of a tripping condition in the circuit breaker, the trip indicator moves from a first position where it is not visible through the window to a second position where it is visible through the window.

Abstract: A circuit breaker operating handle charging torque compensating module includes an operating handle lever connecting between the operating handle and a support frame by means of an extension spring to maintain a uniform force exerted by the operating handle extension spring.

Abstract: A rotary contact circuit breaker employs a crank to couple a switching mechanism to the rotary contact pole structure. The use of a crank allows for the mechanism and pole structure the individually optimized without effecting the performance of the other. In particular the crank allows for a mechanism that is able to achieve maximum torque delivery to the pole structure.

Abstract: An air circuit breaker ratcheting mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing springs charging gear is prevented from reverse rotation during the closing springs charging operation. Upon completion of the charging operation, the ratchet and pawl become disengaged from the charging gear to allow the closing springs to respond to a manual closing button depression. A holding prop within the ratcheting mechanism interacts with a roller bearing on the charging shaft to prevent reverse rotation of the charging shaft under the bias provided by the charged closing springs.

Abstract: The circuit breaker is characterized by separable contacts operable between a closed and an open position a contact arm having a latching surface and a latch arranged to engage the latching surface when the contacts are blown-open under short-circuit conditions. The arrangement of the latch allows for a positive lock under high magnitude short circuit levels while minimizing the force required by a mechanism to unlock the arm.