Magnetic Blowout Patents (Class 218/22)
-
Patent number: 6987657Abstract: A device for protection against voltage surges comprises a stationary electrode and a movable electrode arranged facing an arc extinguishing chamber. The movable electrode is driven by a mechanisms, by an electromechanical actuator and/or by an electromagnetic circuit. At rest, the movable electrode is situated at a distance from the stationary electrode. When a voltage surge occurs between the electrodes, an arc arises and extends in the chamber in which it is extinguished. If the arc continues, in particular in the case of a follow current of high energy, the movable electrode is driven to a disconnected position moving away from the stationary electrode, which has the effect of lengthening the arc even more in the chamber to facilitate its extinction and perform disconnection of the circuit. A pair of contacts may be associated in series to the electrodes, one of the contacts being stationary and the other being fixedly secured to the movable electrode. A spark gap can also be associated to the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SASInventors: Eric Domejean, Marc Rival
-
Patent number: 6977568Abstract: A moving contact assembly for a high-current interruption electric power switching apparatus has an inner carrier for the contact fingers that is rigidly held in a withstand position in an outer carrier by a spring biased cam follower pin engaging a cam profile on the inner carrier and configured to positively seat an inner carrier stop against an outer carrier stop on the outer carrier and to rapidly drive the inner carrier to a blow open position in response to a fault. The cam profile has an extended width divided between spaced apart cam profile sections to absorb the high closing and withstand forces. An abutment on the outer carrier resists bowing of the cam follower pin between the cam profile sections. Complementary convex and concave partial cylindrical surfaces on the inner carrier and a gas shield on the moving assembly carrier body maintain an arc gas seal during blow open.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul R. Rakus, Thomas C. Pendrick, John J. Shea, Jeffrey A. Miller, Glen C. Sisson, Michael B. Schulman, Yun-Ko N. Chien
-
Patent number: 6975190Abstract: A contactor device of a repulsion-type circuit breaker includes a first movable contactor with a first movable contact to be driven by an open-close mechanism; a fixed contactor; a second movable contactor having second and third movable contacts; a first contact spring for urging the first movable contactor toward the second movable contactor; and a second contact spring for urging the second movable contactor toward the first movable contactor and the fixed contactor. The first movable contactor, fixed contactor, and second movable contactor are arranged such that when an over-current flows, an electromagnetic repulsive force is generated so that the first and second movable contactors are rotated against the first and second contact springs to open between the first movable contact and the second movable contact and between the fixed contact and the third movable contact before the open-close mechanism opens the first movable contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2004Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akifumi Sato, Koji Asakawa, Mitsuhiro Mitsushige, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Hideto Yamagata
-
Patent number: 6969816Abstract: A switching arrangement for low-voltage circuit breakers with a high nominal current includes movable switching contacts arranged essentially on a moveable contact carrier. It further includes fixed switching contacts and a device for cooling, de-ionizing and extinguishing an electric switching arc. The fixed contact is provided with a pre-contact function over the entire contact width thereof. Moveable contact levers are arranged according to a set pattern in a distributed manner over the entire width of the contact carriers and are provided with or without a pre-contact. A contact lever with a pre-contact and a contact lever without a pre-contact can be provided successively. Similarly, two or more contact levers with a pre-contact and two or more contact levers without a pre-contact can be successively and alternatingly provided in packet-form.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Günter Seidler, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Türkmen
-
Patent number: 6828885Abstract: A circuit-breaker including a an interrupter chamber housing that includes a plastic material and houses an interrupter. The interrupter includes at least one stationary contact member, which, via a busbar is connected to a corresponding connecting terminal and a moveable contact member that is moveable connectable to the stationary contact member. To ensure that heat generated by the busbar is more rapidly released into the switch compartment housing the busbar is imbedded in an outer wall of the interrupter chamber housing and in contact with the housing by a form fit or a force fit.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Moeller GmbHInventors: Guido Dedenbach, Klaus Ochtinger, Carsten Rusteberg, Lutz Thilker
-
Patent number: 6819205Abstract: A low-voltage power circuit breaker includes a current-limiting opening of a mobile switching contact. The force-transmitting connection between the actuating shaft lever and the mobile switching contact or the contact support is provided in the form of a latching device and includes two identical levers, which can pivot in relation to one another around an articulated joint and which are joined to one another by way of the articulated joint that is formed by a joint pin guided through aligned continuous borings provided in concentric parts of the levers. The contact surfaces of the levers have slanted surfaces that serve as a tooth. In the vicinity of the articulated joint, the levers are subjected to the action of an adjustable spring force, which is exerted by a pressure spring and which acts upon the tooth.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Günter Seidler, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Türkmen
-
Patent number: 6798325Abstract: A connector rail includes a full profile which is provided with first bearing surfaces and second bearing surfaces which are used to provide support in the window opening of the rear wall of the housing. The second bearing surfaces are provided with projections for securing continuous current conductors which are aligned in a parallel manner and which are, for instance in the case of low voltage circuit breakers, embodied as male contacts for fixed contacts. Respectively corresponding projections are provided in order to secure the flexible cables to the moveable switching contacts or to secure the fixed switching contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
-
Patent number: 6791440Abstract: An electrically isolating iso bearing for a circuit breaker is provided that comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a body extending therebetween, said inner surface comprising a pair of bosses and a pair of openings, said outer surface comprising at least one boss, said body comprising a pair of rotor protective flaps.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Edward Harmon, Gary Steven Douville, Chanchal Kumar Garg, Linda Yvonne Jacobs, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6777635Abstract: A limiting circuit breaker comprises two separable contacts 68, 70 and a mechanism 12 with energy storage 36 operated by an opening catch 30. The mechanism 12 drives a movable cage 58 between a closed position and an open position to perform opening of the contacts. One of the contacts is movable with respect to the cage 58 in the closed position and can thus take a separated position. A Thomson effect electromechanical actuator 100 is provided to drive the movable contact 68 to the separated position. A latch 80 enables the movable contact to be held in the separated position. In the event of a fault requiring a very high-speed response, separation of the contacts is obtained by means of the Thomson effect actuator and is then confirmed by opening of the mechanism. In other cases, only the mechanism operates to perform opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SASInventors: Pierre Baginski, Grégoire Brun, Jean-Paul Ferrand, Jacques Joubert, Christian Pellegrin, Richard Vacher
-
Patent number: 6777636Abstract: A low-voltage power switch, includes a drive device, fixed by way of a supporting framework and an associated switch shaft, fixed by way of two axially external bearing sub-assemblies, to the switch pole sub-assembly. In order to ensure that the fitting corresponds to a position based on separate examination of the drive device, the bearing arrangement has an additional, axially central bearing sub-assembly. The bearing sub-assembly includes two half-shells which are axially fixed by way of guide surfaces, whereby one is radially supported on the switch pole sub-assembly and the other is radially supported on the supporting framework of the drive device.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Torsten Ahlert, Ludvik Godesa, Marc Liebetruth
-
Publication number: 20040094513Abstract: A switching arrangement for low-voltage circuit breakers with a high nominal current, comprising moveable switching contacts (2,3) arranged essentially on a moveable contact carrier (1), fixed switching contacts and a device for cooling, de-ionizing and extinguishing an electric switching arc (7, 11). The fixed contact is provided with a pre-contact function over the entire contact width thereof. Moveable contact levers (2,3) are arranged according to a set pattern in a distributed manner over the entire width of the contact carriers and are provided with or without a pre-contact (5). A contact lever (2) with a pre-contact (5) and a contact lever (3) without a pre-contact can be provided successively. Similarly, two or more contact levers (2) with a pre-contact (5), and two or more contact levers (3) without a pre-contact can be successively and alternatingly provided in packet-form.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, G?uuml;nter Seidler, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Trkmen
-
Patent number: 6689979Abstract: A switching contact arrangement for a low-voltage power circuit breaker includes a switching contact arrangement with a stationary contact group and a movable contact group which interacts with it. The contact groups include interacting main contacts, as well as interacting intermediate contacts and consumable contacts. Furthermore, both contact groups are equipped with an arcing horn for passing a switching arc to an arc quenching chamber. The consumable contacts are integrated in the arcing horns. Only the main contacts are in the form of contact facings, while the other contact points are formed by the busbars or arcing horns. The switching contact arrangement is of a single design and achieves a longer mechanical and electrical life. Furthermore, particularly short switching times are achieved.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
-
Patent number: 6639168Abstract: A circuit breaker cassette comprises a housing having a fixed contact, and a movable contact on a contact arm. The contact arm is positionable in a closed position and an open position, wherein the contact arm is closed when the movable contact is in contact with said fixed contact. A spring biases the movable contact arm towards the closed position A kinetic energy-absorbing stop is positioned to absorb kinetic energy of the contact arm resulting from magnetic repulsive forces forcing the movable contact and the fixed contact apart during a short circuit condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dean A. Robarge
-
Publication number: 20030155330Abstract: A transfer switch that includes output contacts, primary input contacts, secondary input contacts and a switch stack. The switch stack alternately connects the output contacts to the primary input contacts and the secondary input contacts via at least one conductive path. The transfer switch further includes at least one flux barrier that is at least partially positioned near the conductive path to minimize magnetic interaction with the conductive path as current travels through the switch stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: Onan CorporationInventors: Loren L. Rademacher, Larry H. Smith, Joseph T. Miller
-
Patent number: 6590172Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided wherein the circuit breaker comprises a contact arm movable between a closed position, an open position and a blown open position wherein the contact arm is disposed in the circuit breaker. A bumper disposed to contact the contact arm when the contact arm is in the blown open position. In addition, a stop member disposed to be in contact with a linkage assembly so as to create a gap between the bumper and the contact arm when the contact arm is disposed in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Hemant Kumar Mody
-
Publication number: 20030106876Abstract: A connector rail includes a full profile which is provided with first bearing surfaces and second bearing surfaces which are used to provide support in the window opening of the rear wall of the housing. The second bearing surfaces are provided with projections for securing continuous current conductors which are aligned in a parallel manner and which are, for instance in the case of low voltage circuit breakers, embodied as male contacts for fixed contacts. Respectively corresponding projections are provided in order to secure the flexible cables to the moveable switching contacts or to secure the fixed switching contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
-
Patent number: 6573815Abstract: The circuit breaker includes a stationary contact member having a stationary contact, a movable contact member having at one end a movable contact contacting and separating from the stationary contact and having at the other end a rotational center, a case surrounding the stationary contact and the movable contact and defining a pressure accumulating space at one side of an arc generation position at which an electric arc is generated for temporarily storing a pressurized gas pressurized by the arc generated between the stationary and the movable contact upon a current interruption, and an exhaust port disposed at the other end of the arc generation position in the case so that the pressurized gas stored within the accumulation space upon the current interruption is exhausted by passing between the stationary contact and the movable contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuru Tsukima, Takao Mitsuhashi, Masahiro Fushimi, Shinji Yamagata
-
Patent number: 6570116Abstract: A blade assembly for use in a circuit breaker, the blade assembly comprising a plurality of blades, including one or more pairs of adjacent side-by-side blades having coplanar contact surfaces and coplanar bearing surfaces, at least one set of blade springs, each having one end in operative contact with the bearing surface of each of a pair of adjacent side-by-side blades, the at least one set of blade springs comprising at least one compression spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Square D CompanyInventors: Aymon A. Maulandi, Timothy R. Faber, Laurent Aureyre, Cameron L. Woodson
-
Patent number: 6570117Abstract: An air-insulated high-voltage disconnector includes a pivoting arm which pivots at one end about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the axis of the arm and turns about its axis. The free end of the arm carries a contact member referred to as the hammer cooperating, in the closed position of the disconnector, with a jaw including a jaw support to which are fixed two facing rows of contact fingers. The contact fingers are tubular and open at both ends.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: AlstomInventors: Daniel Demissy, Anh-Dung Huynh, Richard Marchand
-
Patent number: 6542057Abstract: A pressure sensitive trip mechanism for actuating a circuit breaker operating mechanism to trip a circuit breaker includes a trip lever and a trip bar. The trip lever is rotatable about a first pivot. The trip bar is positioned proximate the trip lever. The trip bar is arranged to rotate about a second pivot in response to a predetermined level of pressurized gas created by separation of the pair of electrical contacts, thereby urging the trip lever to unlatch the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The pressure sensitive trip mechanism provides for very fast tripping of the circuit breaker in the event of a short circuit condition or an overcurrent fault condition within any one on the circuit breaker poles. In a multi-pole circuit breaker, the present invention provides for protection against single-phasing.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary Douville, Palani Doma
-
Publication number: 20030034331Abstract: A single-pole circuit interrupter is provided that includes a sealed housing containing a pressurized gas, relatively movable contacts and an operating mechanism for operating the relatively movable contacts. The operating mechanism is responsive to a low-speed rotational charging input and includes energy storage means capable of being charged and storing operating energy and charging means responsive to the low-speed rotational charging input for charging said energy storage means. Thus, the only seal to the environment for the overall single-pole circuit interrupter is at the single low-speed charging input. The operating mechanism includes linear stored energy devices arranged so as to generally define one or more planes or arrays and a latch arrangement that is disposed intermediate the stored energy devices and operating in a direction substantially perpendicular to the one or more planes or arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Henry W. Kowalyshen, Andrew C. Shum
-
Patent number: 6507256Abstract: An auxiliary magnetic trip system for a circuit breaker, the auxiliary magnetic trip system includes a strap configured to conduct a first level of electrical current and a second level of electrical current; a u-shape collar with a first pole face, the u-shape collar disposed around the strap; a trip lever rotatably mounted on an axis; and a holdback system releasably coupled to the trip lever, wherein the holdback system prevents movement of the trip lever at the first level of electrical current and releases the trip lever at the second level of electrical current.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roger N. Castonguay, David Arnold
-
Patent number: 6480082Abstract: A circuit breaker having a safe construction, where no electrically charged portions are exposed in an accessory installation area or anywhere outside a main circuit case even if a cover of the circuit breaker is opened in a live condition. In order to achieve above object, the circuit breaker of this invention includes the main circuit case made of an insulating material, and an opening-closing trip mechanism disposed outside of the main circuit case and electrically insulated from the main circuit. According to this invention, a circuit breaker capable of eliminating the risk of an electric shock, thereby providing the excellent safety can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1997Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuya Aihara, Terumi Shimano, Eietsu Sato, Yukihide Yamada, Koichi Yokoyama, Toru Ohshima, Hidetaka Fujita, Toshihiro Sekiguchi
-
Patent number: 6441709Abstract: The current-limiting mechanism is provided in particular in order to protect electromechanical contactors from being welded by a short-circuit load. In a first step, the current-limiting mechanism closes a bridging contact of a first bridging current path in order to reduce the current load on the contactor. In a second step, its bridging function is taken over by a switching arc and by a second bridging current path, In the further course of the disconnection process, the switching arc commutates from the bridging contact onto associated running rails or arc runners and runs into an arcing chamber of the current-limiting mechanism. As a result, the short-circuit is interrupted.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Fritz Pohl
-
Patent number: 6429759Abstract: A contact arrangement for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The movable and the stationary contacts within the breaker are each split and angled such that one contact forms a female V cross sectional shape and the other forms a mating male V cross sectional shape. Together, these contacts split the current in a manner which reduces the popping force.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Schlitz, Shridhar Nath
-
Patent number: 6426688Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact arm is used within a plurality of single pole modules ganged together to form a single multi-pole circuit breaker. To provide for use in quiescent conditions having high ampere ratings, low ampere rated rotary contact arm assemblies are combined in parallel to form a higher rated single pole module, which are then ganged together to form a single multi-pole circuit breaker having a high quiescent ampere rating.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1999Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Francesco DeVizzi, Stefan Kranz
-
Patent number: 6417474Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a load terminal and a line terminal; a pair of main contacts; a separable pair of arcing contacts; and a moving conductor assembly having a contact carrier mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position to open and close the separable pairs of contacts. The circuit breaker further includes an arc chute and an arc runner electrically connected to a stationary arcing contact and extending toward the arc chute to provide a path for an arc struck between the separable pair of arcing contacts as the separable pair of arcing contacts open with movement of the moving conductor assembly from the closed position. The arc runner has a longitudinal elongated raised ridge generally laterally centered.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Paul Richard Rakus, Perry Robert Gibson
-
Patent number: 6414255Abstract: A switch device for switching an electrical connection between two connection parts is disclosed. Conventional switch devices comprise a contact lever having a switch contact, the flow of current taking place by way of the contact lever when the switch device is closed. To achieve a rapid switching process, a low mass inertia of the contact lever is required. However, this generally leads to a lower current capacity. By arranging the lever-side switch contact on a separate electrical connection device, it becomes possible to separate the function of current conduction from the function of contact guidance. Since the contact lever therefore no longer performs any current-conducting function, it may be optimized in mechanical respects exclusively.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christian Alfons Thamm, Claus-Peter Schulze, Gerd Jodehl
-
Patent number: 6403909Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes first and second rotary contact assemblies mountable to a base member, a circuit breaker operating mechanism mounted to the first rotary contact assembly, and a trip bar in mechanical communication with the first rotary contact assembly and the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The rotary contact assemblies each include rotors rotatable about axes therethrough and movable contact arms pivotally mounted within the rotors. The circuit breaker operating mechanism serves to position the rotors to separate movable contacts thereon from fixed contacts. A trip override device includes spring links operably connected via springs to each of the rotors of the rotary contact assemblies and the trip bar. The trip bar comprises trip levers protruding radially therefrom and being in mechanical communication with the rotary contact assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Randall Green, Roger Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Girish Hassan
-
Patent number: 6403901Abstract: A contact system having a two-armed contact arm equipped at its opposite ends with contact pieces that can be brought into and out of contact with corresponding contact pieces of stationary busbars. The contact arm is mounted rotatably on a central bearing axis using an elongated hole, the two lever arms being acted upon by contact force springs that brace with one end against a switching shaft or a switching shaft segment. To provide a uniform contact pressure in the presence of differing wear of the contact pieces, the elongated hole extends in a direction that differs substantially from the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the contact arm and substantially from the longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal action direction of the contact force springs extends neither perpendicular to the longitudinal axis nor perpendicular to the extension direction of the elongated hole.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Moeller GmbHInventors: Franz Boeder, Guido Dedenbach
-
Patent number: 6400245Abstract: A draw out interlock mechanism comprises a draw out trip arm pivotally attached in a draw out circuit breaker and an interlock activating assembly attached to a the draw out circuit breaker. The draw out trip arm comprises a first extension on a first end and a second extension on a second end. The first extension is positioned to interact with a trip latch of the operating mechanism. The interlock activating assembly comprises an extended arm and a camming arm, which are pivotally attached to a pin supported by a mounting bracket attached to the draw out circuit breaker. The extended arm extends through an aperture in the draw out circuit breaker with an end thereof proximate to the second extension of the draw out trip arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Girish Hassan, Dave S. Christensen
-
Patent number: 6400243Abstract: A contact shoe device for a circuit breaker is formed of a case, at least one pair of fixed contact shoes disposed in the case, at least one movable contact shoe disposed in the case for bridging the pair of the fixed contact shoes, and at least one pair of contact springs cooperating with the movable contact shoe. The contact springs urge the movable contact shoe to the pair of the fixed contact shoes to close an electric path between the pair of the fixed contact shoes. The movable contact shoe is separated from the pair of the fixed contact shoes against the contact springs when the electric path is open.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Oyama, Koji Asakawa, Naoshi Uchida
-
Patent number: 6396369Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact assembly employs a rotor assembly to operate the moveable contact arms. Separate pivots are provided to the rotor assembly and the moveable contact arms to ensure that the contacts close prior to complete rotation of the rotor assembly. The additional rotation force provided by the rotor assembly then translates into lateral displacement of the moveable contacts relative to the fixed contacts, resulting in contact wiping function. An alternate embodiment utilizes a common pivot for both the rotor assembly and the moveable contact arms, while providing post closure motion by means of a fixed contact compression spring.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1999Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Schlitz, Gary Douville, Thomas O'Keeffe, Stephen Wuest
-
Patent number: 6392512Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) including a stationary line bus assembly (47). The stationary line bus assembly (47)comprises a bus body (124) supported by support legs (132) with the bus body (124) having a first longitudinal end portion (125) and a second longitudinal end portion (126), with each end portion terminating at a common end portion (127). The second end portion (126) includes a stationary contact bus (46) in a spaced relationship from the first end portion (125). A line terminal (18) is mounted on the first longitudinal end portion (125) and a contact (44) is attached to the second longitudinal end portion (126). In one embodiment, a bus support (130) is attached to the bus body (124) in the space between the first end portion (125) and the second end portion (126) and separated from the support legs (132) of the bus body (124) by an insulating barrier (134). The stationary bus support (130) can have several configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.Inventors: James Edward Ferree, Neal B. Reeves, Bernard DiMarco
-
Publication number: 20020046940Abstract: A mechanism for the rapid closure of electrical contacts on modular electrical apparatuses, particularly circuit-breakers is disclosed. The mechanism includes at least one movable electrical contact, which cooperates with at least one fixed electrical contact. The movable electrical contacts pivot with respect to a contact support. The movable electrical contacts are maintained in a rest position through at least one spring. The contact support is capable of rotary movement to alternatively position the movable electrical contacts in and out of electrical contact with the fixed electrical contact. The contact support is moved by a control lever, which may be manually actuated, acting through a toggle system, which imparts opposing rotary movements to the control lever and the movable electrical contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Didier Bruckert, Francis Diebold, Olivier Duez, Thierry Sitz
-
Patent number: 6373014Abstract: A current limiting device includes first and second contact members, each contact member having, at a first end, contacts defining a contact pair; a contacting pressure is applied to said contact pair; and a cylindrical insulator cylindrically surrounding the contacts when the contacts are closed. The device is arranged such that at least one of the first and second contact members is rotatably supported at a second end. Also, an electrical path is defined through which currents flow in substantial opposition to the first and second contact members and in opposite directions to each other. The first ends of the first and second contact members are positioned within the space defined by the cylindrical insulator in the closed contact state. The contact of at least one of the rotatably supported contact members is positioned outside of the space defined by the cylindrical insulator when the contacts are open.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takao Mitsuhashi, Mitsuru Tsukima, Mitsugu Takahashi, Masahiro Fushimi, Kazunori Fukuya, Shiro Murata, Shinji Yamagata
-
Patent number: 6331687Abstract: A current interrupter (4) includes a current interrupting device (4) having at least one movable contact (71); an actuator (8) coupled to the movable contact (71) of the current interrupter (4); a feedback sensor (14) for monitoring movement of the actuator (8); and a control system (12) coupled to the feedback sensor (14) so as to receive information from the feedback sensor (14) concerning the movement of the actuator (8) and for controlling movement of the actuator (8) based on the information. The interrupter (4) further includes a memory (202) for storing a desired motion profile of the actuator (8); and a microprocessor (202) for comparing the movement of the actuator (8) with the desired motion profile and controlling movement of the actuator (8) based also on a comparison of the movement of the actuator (8) with the desired motion profile.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 18, 2001Assignee: Cooper Industries Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Dunk, Garrett P. McCormick, John F. Baranowski
-
Patent number: 6326868Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact arm is used within a plurality of single pole circuit breakers ganged together to form a single multi-pole circuit breaker. To provide uniform contact wear among the associated circuit breaker contacts, the rotor carrying the rotary contact arm pivot is slotted to automatically position the rotary contact arm to allow for changes in the contact geometry while maintaining constant contact compressive forces. The individual circuit breakers connect with the central operation mechanism by means of a single pin.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1998Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stefan Kranz, Francesco DeVizzi, Rolf-Dieter Bauer
-
Publication number: 20010030173Abstract: Contact arc-quenching system (CAQS) of power switchgear (PSG) for application in contactors, current non-limiting automatic switches, contactor-automatic switches (air, vacuum or filled with gas, e.g., SF6.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2001Publication date: October 18, 2001Inventor: Eduard Ulanovsky
-
Publication number: 20010027959Abstract: An operating mechanism for a circuit breaker is provided. The operating mechanism includes a holder assembly being positioned to receive a portion of an operating handle of the circuit breaker. The holder assembly is capable of movement between a first position and a second position wherein the first position corresponds to a closed position of the circuit breaker and the second position corresponds to an open position of the circuit breaker. The operating mechanism further includes a drive plate being movably mounted to a support structure of the operating mechanism. The drive plate is coupled to the holder assembly. The operating mechanism also includes an energy storage mechanism for assuming a plurality of states, each state having a prescribed amount of energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2001Publication date: October 11, 2001Inventors: Janakiraman Narayanan, Mahesh Jaywant Rane, ShachiDevi Tumkur Krishnamurthy, Biranchi Narayana Sahu, Dantuluri Varma, Ramalingam Prem Anand, Tirumani Govinda Phaneendra, Satish Sahoo
-
Patent number: 6281459Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a housing, separable main contacts within the housing, and an operating mechanism within the housing and interconnected with the contacts. An arc extinguisher assembly is disposed within the housing. Also provided within the housing is a slot motor assembly having a cavity region within which the contacts are substantially located. The slot motor assembly electro-magnetically interacts with current flowing between the contacts, and includes magnetic plates positioned in a slot motor housing. The slot motor housing has a tendency to move an arc existing between the contacts toward the arc extinguisher assembly. The slot motor assembly also includes an insulation member positioned within the cavity region and between the magnetic plates and the slot motor housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William David Munsch, Richard Paul Malingowski, Craig Allen Rodgers, Ronald William Brand, Jr., Lois Ann Gill
-
Patent number: 6281458Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
-
Publication number: 20010011650Abstract: The current-limiting mechanism is provided in particular in order to protect electromechanical contactors from being welded by a short-circuit load. In a first step, the current-limiting mechanism closes a bridging contact of a first bridging current path in order to reduce the current load on the contactor. In a second step, its bridging function is taken over by a switching arc and by a second bridging current path, In the further course of the disconnection process, the switching arc commutates from the bridging contact onto associated running rails or arc runners and runs into an arcing chamber of the current-limiting mechanism. As a result, the short-circuit is interrupted.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2001Publication date: August 9, 2001Inventor: Fritz Pohl
-
Publication number: 20010011651Abstract: A contact shoe device for a circuit breaker is formed of a case, at least one pair of fixed contact shoes disposed in the case, at least one movable contact shoe disposed in the case for bridging the pair of the fixed contact shoes, and at least one pair of contact springs cooperating with the movable contact shoe. The contact springs urge the movable contact shoe to the pair of the fixed contact shoes to close an electric path between the pair of the fixed contact shoes. The movable contact shoe is separated from the pair of the fixed contact shoes against the contact springs when the electric path is open.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2001Publication date: August 9, 2001Inventors: Jun Oyama, Koji Asakawa, Naoshi Uchida
-
Patent number: 6271493Abstract: A high voltage disconnector comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact to the latter to produce an electrical connection between a first conductor and a second conductor, the movable contact and the fixed contact forming, when they are in contact with one another, a connector that is at an angle with respect to the first and/or second conductor, such that when the contacts are in contact with one another during operation a Lorentz force prevails which pulls the fixed and movable contacts apart and is transverse to the first or second conductor. The movable contact and the fixed contact are provided with locking devices which, when the contacts are in contact with one another, engage in one another and act in a direction parallel to the Lorentz force which is pulling the fixed and movable contacts apart and is transverse to the first or second contact.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Elin Holec High Voltage B.V.Inventor: Ijsbrand Paulus Johannes Maria Ponsioen
-
Patent number: 6262642Abstract: A rotary contact arrangement for circuit breakers of the type including a pair of contact springs arranged on each side of a rotary contact arm, as the contact springs interconnect between the rotors and the contact arm via a pair of U-shaped levers. The provision of the U-shaped levers provides uniform contact pressure between both pairs of fixed and moveable contacts to prevent contact erosion.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Rolf-Dieter Bauer
-
Patent number: 6259048Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Randall L. Greenberg, Dean A. Robarge, Dave S. Christensen
-
Patent number: 6242707Abstract: A current limiting device for protecting electrical circuits has a case and a pair of separable electrodes disposed within the case. Each electrode has a plurality of openings with an ablative member abutting the openings at an outer surface of the electrode. A spring is disposed between each ablative member and the case for urging the electrodes together. When the electrical current exceeds a predetermined setpoint the electrodes separate and an arc is created between the electrodes. The arc heats the ablative member causing expulsion of gasses which further increase the gap resistance and cool the arc to thereby quenching the arc. In a second embodiment of the current limiting device, one of the electrodes is a fixed electrode. The ablative member is disposed about a surface of the moveable electrode with a plurality of legs passing through a plurality of openings of the moveable electrode and in contact with an inner surface of the fixed electrode.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: June 5, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Hemant K. Mody, Anil R. Duggal
-
Patent number: 6239398Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dennis J. Doughty, Julian Monzon, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
-
Patent number: 6232856Abstract: A ferromagnetic structure for use in a circuit interruption mechanism, the, ferromagnetic structure has a first ferromagnetic layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, a second ferromagnetic layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one ferromagnetic layer being positioned within the first and second ferromagnetic layers and having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one recess in the lower surfaces of the ferromagnetic layers; and at least one protrusion in the upper surfaces of the ferromagnetic layers, the protrusions are received into the recesses.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George Boucher, Marshall B. Hart