With Rigid Pivoted Member Carrying The Moving Contact Patents (Class 200/244)
  • Patent number: 11164710
    Abstract: A brush switch with resistors includes a case, a fixed contact point pattern that is fixed to the case, a lever that is supported by the case in an inclinable manner, and a movable contact point brush that is movable by an operation of the lever such that the movable contact point either contacts to or does not contact to the fixed contact point. Wherein the fixed contact point pattern has multiple fixed contact points that are disposed separated from one another in the case, and multiple terminals each of which is connected to the multiple fixed contact points, and the movable contact point brush has multiple contact point spring pieces that separate from or contact with the multiple fixed contact points, respectively, and multiple resistors, which have different resistance values, that are attached to spaces between the multiple contact point spring pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Mik Electronic Corporation
    Inventors: Muneyoshi Miyata, Naoya Nakayama
  • Patent number: 10847333
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact moveable between an open state and a closed state; an armature, wherein movement of the armature from a first position to a second position initiates the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact to move from the closed state to the open state; a first electromagnetic device configured to move the armature from the first position to the second position in response to being energized by a first signal; and a second electromagnetic device configured to move the armature from the first position to the second position in response to being energized by a second signal and in response to generation of the first signal and the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact still being in the closed state. Other circuit breakers and methods of operating circuit breakers are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Siemends Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Thomas Watford
  • Patent number: 10811199
    Abstract: A locking module of an arming system including accumulation device, the module including a lever, second end including a bearing surface, the accumulation device exerting a thrust force on the first end when it is in the armed state; a lock element intended to adopt a first position to oppose the thrust force and a second position to stop opposing the thrust force; the module being characterized in that a shoe fixed to the lever is interposed between the bearing surface and the contact surface when the bearing surface is bearing against the contact surface, the width of the surface of the shoe in contact with the contact surface being greater than the width of the bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Dominique Treffot
  • Patent number: 10580606
    Abstract: A movable contact conductor assembly is provided. The movable contact arm assembly includes an elongated member with a distal tip, a first end, a medial portion, an actuator coupling second component, a primary pivot second component, a secondary pivot second component, a clinch joint second component, a second end, and a proximal tip. During an over-current event the movable contact arm assembly member generates a loop force. A loop force first portion is disposed on a first longitudinal side of the movable contact arm assembly member primary pivot second component, and, a loop force second portion is disposed on a second longitudinal side of the movable contact arm assembly member primary pivot second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Aaron Thomas Kozar, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 10395854
    Abstract: A spring cap for an electrical switching apparatus having a housing, a stationary contact, a movable contact disposed on a moving arm, and a crossbar assembly. The crossbar assembly includes a crossbar, a first contact spring, a second contact spring, and a spring clip. The moving arm is coupled to the crossbar. The spring cap includes a first segment structured disposed between the spring clip and the first contact spring, a second segment disposed between the spring clip and the second contact spring, and a connecting portion connecting the first segment to the second segment. The spring clip is disposed between the moving arm and the contact springs. The spring cap supports the spring clip and evenly distribute bias forces of the contact springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Andrew Lawrence Gottschalk, David Curtis Turner, James P. Sisley, Lisa Ann Buono
  • Patent number: 10395872
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a movable contact assembly for a circuit breaker, which includes a fixed contact, a connector formed to protrude from one side of a terminal connected to a load or a power source, a plurality of movable contacts pivotably installed at the connector through a connector pin and configured to be contactable to or separable from the fixed contact, a side holder pivotably installed at the connector through the connector pin, a catch pivotably installed at the connector, supported on the side holder, and configured to restrict a rebound phenomenon of the plurality of movable contacts when current limiting interruption occurs, and a pressurizing protrusion formed at a lower portion of each of the plurality of movable contacts and configured to push the catch when the current limiting interruption occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-Kyu Seo
  • Patent number: 10283894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to passive restraint devices that are designed to reduce the ability of an operator to gain access to a cable or battery connection before disconnecting the cable from a power supply while simultaneously informing the operator of the inherent dangers present at the cable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Larry W. Salmons
  • Patent number: 10163585
    Abstract: Systems of automatic transfer switches (ATS) are disclosed herein. One apparatus includes at least two automatic transfer switches coupled together. Each automatic transfer switches has contacts to couple a power source to a load. For each switch, an electromagnetic force biasing the contacts to each other is present if an electrical current flows through the switch. The automatic transfer switches may be on separate cassettes or on a single cassette. The power source of each switch may be the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Wangwei Zhou, Nicholas O. Hanson
  • Patent number: 10026578
    Abstract: A breaker comprises a static contact, a moving contact, and an arc-extinguishing chamber. A contact surface of an electrical contact of the static contact and an electrical contact of the moving contact and a bottom plane of a base form an acute angle that is located in the first quadrant. The moving contact comprises a conducting rod having a projecting portion, and the electrical contact which is welded on an end surface of the projecting portion in a direction facing the electrical contact of the static contact. A bottom arc-ignition grid plate on the bottom of the arc-extinguishing chamber is arranged lower than the electrical contact of the static contact. A top arc-ignition grid plate on the top of the arc-extinguishing chamber is arranged higher than the maximum position of the electrical contact of the moving contact when the moving contact is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: BEIJING PEOPLE'S ELECTRIC PLANT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yin Nan
  • Patent number: 10002736
    Abstract: An interrupter module (10) of a molded case circuit breaker (2) includes two stationary electrical contacts (20), and a blade carrier assembly (100) with a blade assembly (130) and a carrier (160) for the blade assembly. The blade assembly includes two conductive blades (140A, 140B). Each blade includes a movable electrical contact (150A, 150B) for engaging a corresponding stationary electrical contact in a closed position and for disengaging from the corresponding stationary electrical contact in an open position. Each blade has an independent over travel and contact force to maintain contact between the movable electrical contacts and corresponding stationary electrical contacts in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: Cameron L. Woodson
  • Patent number: 9928977
    Abstract: A trip cam is for an operating handle assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of poles. The operating handle assembly has an operating handle partially extending into the housing. The trip cam includes a mounting portion structured to be disposed in the housing, and an operating handle protrusion extending from the mounting portion and being structured to engage the operating handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Gibson
  • Patent number: 9793081
    Abstract: A changeable mechanism includes a contact support, a connecting rod, a connecting shaft, a cantilever, and a changeable component. The contact support has a moving contact therein, and rotates about a shaft. The connecting rod bottom end is connected to the contact support, the connecting rod top end is connected to a cantilever through a connecting shaft. The changeable component is connected to and drives the cantilever through a main shaft, and drives the contact support to rotate through the connecting shaft and connecting rod. Rotation of the contact support makes the moving contact and static contact separate or in contact to realize opening or closing a circuit breaker. The changeable mechanism may switch between a manual operation mechanism and an electrical operation mechanism of a MCB. The changeable component does not dispose the electrical operation mechanism outside the MCB, so that height and volume of the MCB is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignees: Seari Electric Technology Co., LTD., Zhejhiang Ching Electronics Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Jisheng Sun, Zheng Shi, Binhua Pan
  • Patent number: 9786460
    Abstract: A wiring device including a face contact; one or more line contact arms; one or more load contact arms; and a fault detection circuit. The one or more line contact arms having an upper line contact located on a bent portion of the line contact arm, and a lower line contact located on a substantially straight portion of the line contact arm. The one or more load contact arms having a load contact located on a bent portion of the load contact arm. The fault detection circuit that detects a fault condition in said wiring device and generates a fault detection signal when said fault condition is detected, wherein said fault detection signal electrically disconnects the face contact from the upper line contact and the lower line contact from the load contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen Paul Simonin
  • Patent number: 9691559
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes: fixed contact points; and a moving contact assembly. The moving contact assembly includes: a shaft; a moving contact that is held in the shaft; and springs that apply torque to the moving contact. The shaft includes: stopping faces that are formed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the moving contact rotates; and guiding faces that are curved from the stopping faces. The moving contact includes: first surfaces that are formed on the radius of rotation of the moving contact; and sliding surfaces that are located at an angle to the first surfaces and slanted toward the center of rotation with respect to the line of action of a tangential force of torque at the points of contact with the guiding faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 9570255
    Abstract: A trip cam is for an operating handle assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of poles. The operating handle assembly includes an operating handle partially extending into the housing and a cradle member cooperating with the operating handle. The trip cam includes: a mounting portion structured to be disposed in the housing, the mounting portion including a first region, a second region disposed generally opposite the first region, and a third region disposed generally between the first region and the second region; a transfer leg extending from the first region and being structured to cooperate with each of the number of poles; a driving leg extending from the third region and being structured to be driven by the cradle member; and an operating handle protrusion extending from the second region and being structured to engage the operating handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Gibson
  • Patent number: 9478380
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a circuit breaker shock absorber apparatus configured to absorb impact due to blow-off of one or more circuit breaker contact arms. The circuit breaker shock absorber apparatus has a base directly or indirectly coupled to a circuit breaker housing and an absorber body comprising a damping material having a tangent delta at 10% strain and 10 Hz and at room temperature of greater than about 0.45, and a durometer of less than about 60 per ASTM D2240 Type A. Circuit breaker shock absorber assemblies and methods of operating the breaker shock absorber assemblies are provided, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jan Rojko
  • Patent number: 9455098
    Abstract: An electrical circuit switch including: a first movable element configured for being movable by a force applied to the first movable element, the force having a direction parallel to a first axis; and a second movable element including a movable contact and being configured for, by means of the force, moving the movable contact in parallel to a second axis between an open and a closed position, corresponding to the switch opening or closing an electrical circuit. The first axis forms an angle to the second axis and the first movable element and the second movable element are pivotally arranged to each other in a first joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Bjorn Lunden, David Karlen, Arne Trangard, Stefan Lunderius
  • Patent number: 9343256
    Abstract: A trip cam is for an indication assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The electrical switching apparatus includes a housing and a number of poles. Each of the number of poles includes a pair of separable contacts and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The indication assembly includes a cradle member. The trip cam includes: a mounting portion; a transfer leg extending from the mounting portion, the transfer leg being structured to cooperate with each of the number of poles; a driving leg extending from the mounting portion in a first direction, the driving leg being structured to be driven by the cradle member; and a trip indicator leg including a base portion. The base portion extends from the mounting portion in a second direction generally opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey Scott Gibson
  • Patent number: 9330859
    Abstract: A rotor is disclosed for an electric switch. In an embodiment, the rotor includes a rotor housing and a rotatably mounted contact link, which has two movable contacts. In an embodiment, by rotation of the rotor, the two movable contacts are configured to interact with two stationary contacts of an electric switch so as to close or open a circuit. Further, the rotatably mounted contact link is mounted movably in the rotor housing in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the contact link in its closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Pawel Biedunkiewicz, Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Erhard Deylitz
  • Patent number: 9299518
    Abstract: A rotor for an electric switch is disclosed. In an embodiment, the rotor includes a rotor housing and a rotatably mounted contact bridge, which exhibits two movable contacts, wherein, by the rotation of the rotor, the two movable contacts can interact with two fixed contacts of an electric switch for closing or opening a circuit. The rotatably mounted contact bridge in the rotor housing is movably mounted in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the contact bridge in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Pawel Biedunkiewicz, Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Christoph Weber
  • Patent number: 9293271
    Abstract: A switch apparatus includes at least two contact levers, arranged rotatably about a common rotation axis and arranged, at least sectionally, parallel to one another and spaced apart. The contact levers each have two contact lever arms including contact sections for respectively making contact with one fixed mating contact section of a power line element. The two first contact lever arms make contact with a first force transfer element, and the two second contact lever arms make contact with a second force transfer element for applying a spring force. At least one force transfer element has, in touching sections for touching the contact lever arms, a bulge which extends radially outwards, for the uniform transfer of the spring force to the contact lever arms. At least one holding element of the two holding elements may be configured to be movable relative to the power line elements via an articulated bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMEND AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Pawel Biedunkiewicz, Jörg-Uwe Dahl
  • Patent number: 9293275
    Abstract: Provided is a molded case circuit breaker including an upper external box defining a rear space, a lower external box coupled with the upper external box and defining a front space divided from the rear space together with the upper external box, a fixed contact unit provided on one side of the front space and connected to electrically connected to one of a power supply and a load, a movable contact unit installed in the front space to be movable and being in contact with the fixed contact unit or being separated from the fixed contact unit, a switching device installed in the rear space and operating to allow the movable contact unit to be in contact with the fixed contact unit or to be separated from the fixed contact unit, an operation device installed in the front space and the rear space and transferring the movable contact unit according to operation of the switching device, and an electrode shaft installed on one side of the upper external box, corresponding to an outside of the front space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Ho Baek
  • Patent number: 9287061
    Abstract: A rotor is shown for an electromechanical switching device, includes: a rotor housing; two contact bridges having in each case two contact portions; an intermediate element disposed between the two contact bridges and mounted so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; and first spring pins and second spring pins; first spring elements and second spring elements. In an embodiment, the spring pins, the spring elements, and the intermediate element are operationally connected, and at least one of the first and second spring pins is disposed on the intermediate element and/or on the contact bridges such that the spring pin by rotating the rotor is tiltable between the two states in relation to the rotation axis. An embodiment furthermore relates to an electromechanical switching device including the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Pawel Biedunkiewicz, Jörg-Uwe Dahl
  • Patent number: 9281144
    Abstract: A contact apparatus of a circuit breaker is disclosed. The contact apparatus has an outer carrier, an inner carrier, one or more contact fingers pivotally mounted to the inner carrier, a cam lever pivotally mounted to the outer carrier, and a cam and cam profile formed on respective ones of the cam lever and inner carrier. Circuit breakers and electrical contact assemblies having the contact apparatus, and methods of operating the contact apparatus and electrical contact assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: James Edward Ferree
  • Patent number: 9269506
    Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a movable contact arm capable of securing a revolution radius to a closed position of the movable contact arm such that adhesive materials on the shaft due to arc scattering materials can be removed with no installation of additional elements, and a movable contact arm according to the present disclosure may comprise an adhesive material removal portion formed on a lateral surface at which a contact of the movable contact arm is located, and configured to minimize a contact area with adhesive materials so as to remove the adhesive materials due to an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9136067
    Abstract: A contact system for a pole of a low-voltage switchgear includes a rotary contact mounted movably in a rotor housing. The rotary contact includes at least a first rotary contact body having a first and second lever arm. Each of the lever arms include a lever arm end having a contact piece. A first and second fixed contact each cooperate with a respective one of the contact pieces. A first spring acts on the first lever arm and a second spring acts on the second lever arm. Each of the springs have a first support at a first end, a spring body and a second support at a second end. The first supports directly engage the first rotary body and the second supports are disposed at the rotary housing. Each of the spring bodies are disposed on a same side of the first rotary contact body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: EATON INDUSTRIES GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Bausch, Franz Boeder, Uwe Linzenich, Bogdan Zabrocki
  • Patent number: 9087652
    Abstract: An electrical switch including at least one switching unit includes: a contact lever and two parallel plates, between which the contact lever is resiliently retained by way of pins. The contact lever is inserted into an electrically non-conductive housing of the switching unit, wherein at least one of the pins forms a retaining pin, wherein the length of the retaining pin exceeds the distance between the parallel plates and wherein the retaining pin extends through a hole in each of the two plates and is retained by one pin end in a retaining recess in the housing and by the other pin end in an opposite retaining recess in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Jörg-Uwe Dahl
  • Patent number: 8872050
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is disclosed, in particular for low voltages, having a switch shaft and a contact lever rotationally mounted and extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the switch shaft and protruding out of the switch shaft, the shaft carrying a movable contact on a side of the outer contour of the contact piece, and including a recess on the opposite side of the outer contour thereof for suspending a pin having a force applied thereto on both sides of the contact lever by way of one spring each, each applying a torque to the contact lever in the closing direction. The two springs each include a cover element extending along the spring and each disposed between the spring and the arc formed between the contact pieces when the circuit breaker is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Hierl, Siegfried Pirker
  • Patent number: 8648270
    Abstract: An interrupter module for a molded case circuit breaker has a floating antifriction disc between the module casings and the blade carrier which overlays the blade carrier with rim walls of the disc. The rim walls are located at segments of the disc containing the drive pins of the module. If gases from circuit interruption expand the interrupter module sides and force the disc away from the blade carrier, the rim walls remain over the blade carrier and protect the drive pins from contaminants carried by the gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Elena G Kosyanchuk
  • Publication number: 20130299323
    Abstract: The present invention provides a means in which contact between contacts in a “double-break (or double-make) contact structure” occurs in two places in the same state as much as possible. A contact structure includes two fixed members (110,112) each of which has a fixed contact (116,118) and a movable member (102) containing a movable contact (106) which contacts or separates from the fixed contact of each of the fixed members. The movable member is in the form of a strip as a whole, its one end is supported so as to allow the above mentioned contact and separation of the movable member, and the other end of the movable member has the movable contact, and the movable member has a narrowed section between its two ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Arata Tanaka, Katsuaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8581131
    Abstract: A modular terminal that has a terminal housing, a busbar composed of two sections, two terminal elements for connecting a conductor to each section of the busbar, and an isolating blade which is pivotally mounted in the terminal housing. The two sections are interconnected in a first position of the isolating blade while being disconnected from each other in a second position of the isolating blade. The ends of the sections of the busbar which face away from the terminal elements are bent in such a way that the end of the first section of the busbar contacts the isolating blade in an upper contact zone while the end of the second section (4) of the busbar contacts the isolating blade in a lower contact zone in the first position of the isolating blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Pollmann
  • Publication number: 20130048481
    Abstract: An electrical switch is disclosed, especially a circuit breaker. In addition, a method for improving such a switch is also disclosed. In order to protect an electrical switch in an especially simple manner from contamination and/or damage by erosion materials, it is proposed to cover a few or all functional parts of the switch at least partly with a protective material, wherein the protective material involves a viscous, temperature-resistant mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Jürgen BIRNER, Walter FELDEN, Bernhard HANNICH, Thomas PNIOK
  • Patent number: 8350168
    Abstract: An interrupter includes at least four pairs of contacts. Each pair of contacts includes a stationary contact positioned to abut a corresponding moveable contact. The moveable contacts are coupled to a rotating member. The rotating member is coupled to a driving member via a biasing member. The driving member is rotated causing all four pairs of contacts to separate and open a circuit quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Salaheddine Faik
  • Patent number: 8198561
    Abstract: A switching mechanism for a switching device is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a contact element which is mounted in a switching shaft segment such that it can rotate and can be switched off automatically in the event of a fault via said switching mechanism, a switching lever for switching the contact element on and off manually; a cocking lever which is mounted in a fixed position such that it can rotate and interacts with a catch; and a toggle lever joint including a coupling lug for connection to the contact element, a pivoting lever and a toggle lever joint shaft. The switching lever can assume at least one switched-on position, a manual switched-off position or automatically unlatched tripped position, or an intermediate switch position which is located between the switched-on position and the tripped position when a contact element is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 8159319
    Abstract: A concept of a double-breaking contact system with a rotating contact arm is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a novel arrangement of fixed conductors that cross over the contact arm is presented. A double-breaking contact system for a low voltage circuit breaker of at least one embodiment includes a double-breaking contact arm extending along a longitudinal axis and being rotatable across a central bearing; a first fixed conductor and a second fixed conductor, each conductor contacting one end of the contact arm, respectively and having first segments below the contact arm, second segments above the contact arm and third segments crossing over the contact arm and connecting the first segments with the corresponding second segments of each conductor; wherein the first segments and/or the second segments are arranged parallel to each other for guiding a current in a parallel direction through the respective first and/or second segments, but reverse to the current in the contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: James Ferree
  • Patent number: 8158898
    Abstract: Disclosed are an elastic pressing unit and a molded case circuit breaker having the same, the molded case circuit breaker including, a plurality of fixed contacts, a plurality of movable contacts disposed to be rotatable between a closing position contacted with the corresponding fixed contacts and a breaking position or trip position separated from the corresponding fixed contacts, a rotation pin disposed to be simultaneously connected to the movable contacts, a mechanical unit connected to the rotation pin so as to allow the movable contacts to be simultaneously rotatable, and an elastic pressing unit configured to apply an elastic force to the rotation pin such that the rotation pin is rotated toward the closing position, whereby component deformation can be prevented, resulting in ensuring operation reliability and stability of the mechanical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Eok Park
  • Patent number: 8110762
    Abstract: A single-pole or multi-pole device for low-voltage systems, in particular a circuit breaker or a disconnector, which comprises: an outer casing containing for each pole at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact that can be coupled to/uncoupled from one another; a rotating element, defined by a shaped body comprising at least one seat for each pole of said switch, said seat being designed to house at least one mobile contact of a corresponding pole; a control mechanism operatively connected to said rotating element for enabling movement thereof; reinforcement elements positioned in said at least one seat of said mobile contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Stefano Besana, Alessio Bergamini
  • Patent number: 8080748
    Abstract: An adjustable carrier assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus such as, for example, a circuit breaker. The adjustable carrier assembly includes a carrier body having a first carrier member and a second carrier member pivotably coupled to the first carrier member. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the carrier body, and a plurality of springs is disposed between the adjustment mechanism and the second carrier member. The springs apply a bias force on the second carrier member, and the adjustment mechanism is adjustable with respect to the carrier body in order to adjust the bias force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Joseph Kapples, David Curtis Turner, Mark Allen McAfee
  • Patent number: 8071898
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular a circuit breaker, is disclosed including a switching shaft for mounting a rotary contact link. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the rotary contact link has at least one groove-shaped longitudinal cutout, arranged within and along the transversely running cutout in relation to the switching shaft. Two grooves, which are arranged radially opposite one another, with in each case a bend or arcuate profile are provided in the cutout of the switching shaft, the respective two ends of the grooves being positioned radially further outward than the respective central region thereof. In each case one groove is connected to the at least one groove-shaped longitudinal cutout via a transverse bolt guided there between. At least one prestressed spring element is provided which pushes the respective transverse bolt radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Justin Bennett, Wolfgang Erven
  • Patent number: 8049126
    Abstract: A line terminal for a circuit breaker includes a body forming two opposing legs and a third leg. The opposing legs are configured to form a passage for receiving a stab from a panel board. The two opposing legs are biased toward each other, and each of the opposing legs has a convex surface facing the passageway for engaging and maintaining alignment of the stab. A fixed contact is attached to the third leg. The fixed contact connects to a moveable contact of a circuit breaker. An arc runner is connected to the third leg and at least partially encloses a perimeter of the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Hai Chen, John D. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 8008587
    Abstract: A spring guide is provided for a carrier assembly of an electrical switching apparatus such as, for example, a circuit breaker. The carrier assembly includes a carrier body, a plurality of movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier body, and a plurality of contact springs. Each of the contact springs is disposed between a portion of the carrier body and a corresponding number of the movable contact arms. Each spring guide includes a guide member disposed between a corresponding one of the contact springs and the corresponding number of movable contact arms to maintains alignment therebetween. The guide member preferably includes a planar portion including a first side, which spans a pair of adjacent movable contact arms, and a second side, which includes a projection. The projection is disposed within the coils of the corresponding one of the contact springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Joseph Kapples, David Curtis Turner, Mark Allen McAfee
  • Patent number: 7989721
    Abstract: A single-pole or multi-pole device for low-voltage systems, in particular a circuit breaker or a disconnector, which comprises: an outer casing containing for each pole at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact that can be coupled to/uncoupled from one another; a rotating element that comprises a shaped body made of insulating material comprising at least one seat for each pole of said switch, said seat being designed to house at least one mobile contact of a corresponding pole; a control mechanism operatively connected to the rotating element for enabling movement thereof; and one or more elements made of ferromagnetic material set in a position corresponding to at least one portion of the inner surface of said at least one seat of the mobile contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Besana, Alessio Bergamini
  • Patent number: 7977592
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a mechanism of a contact system for circuit breakers. More particularly, the invention encompasses a mechanism for a rotary double-break contact system, which enables a direct transfer of torque from stored energy components, such as, springs, to the contact arm in the ON-position (contacts closed) without using intermediate cam surface. The mechanism described in the invention also ensures reliable locking of the contact arm in the blow-off position using stationary means that are integral with or fixed to a crossbar module. This invention enables to achieve significant reduction or even to eliminate friction at certain critical interfaces between the contact mechanism components, thus, reducing or potentially eliminating hysteresis, and improving performance consistency, and also eliminating mechanism performance dependency on wear level and condition of an intermediate cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark I. Shmukler, James Ferree
  • Patent number: 7968813
    Abstract: A control module for selectively switching electrical power from an electrical power source to a load circuit comprises a housing. An electromechanical actuator in the housing has a movable plunger. A fixed contact is fixedly mounted in the housing and is electrically connected to a first electrical terminal. A conductive contact arm in the housing comprises an elongate bar having a turn defining opposite first and second legs. The contact arm is pivotally mounted in the housing proximate the turn and is operatively connected to the plunger to be selectively positioned thereby. The contact arm further comprises a conductor tab proximate the turn. The first leg includes a movable contact for selectively electrically contacting the fixed contact. The second leg includes a user interface operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Timothy McCoy
  • Publication number: 20110139593
    Abstract: The invention describes an electrical switch comprising: at least two connection terminals (T1, T2),—a fixed electrical contact (3) electrically connected to one (T2) of the two connection terminals (T1, T2),—a pivoting and electrically conductive switching member (2), comprising at least one mobile electrical contact (4), suitable for oscillating between two preset positions, in one of which the mobile electrical contact (4) is in abutment against the fixed electrical contact (3),—a supporting fulcrum (1) for the pivoting switching member (2), the supporting fulcrum (1) being electrically conductive and electrically connected to the other of the two connection terminals (T1). The supporting fulcrum (1) further includes mechanical coupling means (5) suitable for constraining the pivoting switching member (2) to the supporting fulcrum (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: BTICINO S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Bertagna
  • Patent number: 7935902
    Abstract: A contact arm assembly including a plurality of substantially parallel plates having a space between each of the plurality of substantially parallel plates and a plurality of finger assemblies, at least one of the plurality of finger assemblies being pivotally attached to the plurality of substantially parallel plates and being located in the space between each of the plurality of substantially parallel plates, each of the plurality of finger assemblies having a body and an arc runner, the arc runner being locked against the body in at least two locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yatin Vilas Newase, Janakiraman Narayanan, Pankaj Agrawal, Soundararajan Narayanasamy, Mahesh Jaywant Rane
  • Publication number: 20100258415
    Abstract: A spring guide is provided for a carrier assembly of an electrical switching apparatus such as, for example, a circuit breaker. The carrier assembly includes a carrier body, a plurality of movable contact arms pivotably coupled to the carrier body, and a plurality of contact springs. Each of the contact springs is disposed between a portion of the carrier body and a corresponding number of the movable contact arms. Each spring guide includes a guide member disposed between a corresponding one of the contact springs and the corresponding number of movable contact arms to maintains alignment therebetween. The guide member preferably includes a planar portion including a first side, which spans a pair of adjacent movable contact arms, and a second side, which includes a projection. The projection is disposed within the coils of the corresponding one of the contact springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Lawrence Joseph Kapples, David Curtis Turner, Mark Allen McAfee
  • Publication number: 20100258416
    Abstract: An adjustable carrier assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus such as, for example, a circuit breaker. The adjustable carrier assembly includes a carrier body having a first carrier member and a second carrier member pivotably coupled to the first carrier member. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the carrier body, and a plurality of springs is disposed between the adjustment mechanism and the second carrier member. The springs apply a bias force on the second carrier member, and the adjustment mechanism is adjustable with respect to the carrier body in order to adjust the bias force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: LAWRENCE JOSEPH KAPPLES, DAVID CURTIS TURNER, MARK ALLEN MCAFEE
  • Patent number: 7800007
    Abstract: A circuit breaker subassembly is disclosed. The subassembly includes a base, an operating mechanism, a one-piece non-conductive rotor disposed within the base, and a plurality of sets of contact arms supported by the rotor. The rotor is disposed in operable connection with the operating mechanism and includes a rotational degree of freedom relative to the base with portions of the rotor disposed between each set of the plurality of sets of contact arms to define separation portions. The operating mechanism includes a frame disposed within the base, a cradle in pivotal connection with the frame, an upper link in pivotal connection with the cradle, and a lower link having a first end and a second end, the first end in pivotal connection with the upper link and the second end in pivotal connection with the rotor at the separation portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Narayansamy Soundararajan, Girish Hassan Mruthunjaya, Yatin Vilas Newase
  • Patent number: 7777601
    Abstract: A movable contacting device in a circuit breaker comprises: a crossbar linked with the opening/closing mechanism and carried so as to pivot cooperatively with the opening/closing mechanism; a movable contact arm engaged, so as to cooperational with the crossbar, with a shaft fitted into a mutually opposing recesses in the crossbar; and a movable contact arm support fixed to the case accomodating the opening/closing mechanism and having mutually opposing through-holes through which the shaft is passed; and the movable contact being configured so that the movable contact slides between surfaces of movable contact arm support having the mutually opposing through-holes; and the construction of a single-pole portion of the movable contact arm is constituted by arranging in parallel two movable contact arm members each having a movable contact at one end, and in a shaft-supporting portion at the other end, an elastic member is sandwiched between the two movable contact arm members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kakisako, Hitoshi Ito, Kozo Maeta, Masanori Kawamura, Shigeki Koumoto