Magnetic Or Electrodynamic (e.g., Blowon Or Blowoff) Patents (Class 335/16)
  • Patent number: 7221246
    Abstract: A rotor assembly may include first rotor half, a first spring supported with the first rotor half, a second rotor half, and a second spring supported within the second rotor half, wherein the first rotor half and the second rotor half are adjoined to enclose the first and second springs. A coiled section of each spring may surround a rotor center pin. A contact arm positioned between the springs may include a non-circular opening. A method for assembling such a rotor assembly is further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samir Rajauria, Wolfgang Meyer-Haack, Janakiraman Narayanan, Sanjoy Bhattacharjee, Hemant Anjaria, Praveenkumar Verma
  • Patent number: 7217895
    Abstract: A contact assembly for a circuit breaker includes a fixed contact, a movable contact, and a movable contact arm. The movable contact arm includes a first end carrying the movable contact, a second end, and a pivot portion proximate the second end. A moving arm portion extends from the first end toward the pivot portion. The moving arm portion has a width, an upper edge, a lower edge, and a height defined by the distance between the upper edge and the lower edge. In response to a trip condition, the movable contact separates from the fixed contact and the movable contact arm pivots open at an angular opening velocity. The height of the moving arm portion of the movable contact arm is at least four times the width of the moving arm portion, thus minimizing the moment-of-inertia of the movable contact arm, and increasing the angular opening velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shea, Jeffrey A. Miller, Brian J. Schaltenbrand
  • Patent number: 7189935
    Abstract: A contact arm assembly having a contact arm module is disclosed. The contact arm module includes a set of contact arms, two side plates, a pivot pin, and a set of springs. Each contact arm includes a pivot hole, two contacts, and two spring holders. The two side plates are disposed on an opposing side of the set of contact arms, each side plate having a pivot hole, and first and second support anchors. A first spring support is disposed at the first support anchors of each side plate, and a second spring support is disposed at the second support anchors of each side plate. The pivot pin is disposed through the pivot holes of the set of contact arms and the pivot holes of the two side plates. The set of springs are disposed between one of the first and second spring supports and one of the spring holders of the set of contact arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Girish Hassan, Narayansamy Soundararajan, Yatin Vilas Newase
  • Patent number: 7148775
    Abstract: A contactor assembly for a circuit breaker is disclosed. There is provided a contactor assembly, wherein stationary pins fixed to a rotary shaft and supporting one ends of springs and limit pins contacting the upper surface of the movable contactor and supporting the other ends of the springs are connected by link plates, comprising a movable contactor provided on the upper surface of the movable contactor with groove surfaces having a constant first curvature radius and curve surfaces having a constant second curvature radius larger than the first curvature radius. By this, a contact pressure provided by the springs is constant, and a separating position can be maintained when separating the contactor by an electromagnetic repulsive force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Young Park
  • Patent number: 7148774
    Abstract: A circuit breaker contact assembly includes a line conductor having a folded back fixed contact end, a fixed contact mounted on the contact end, and a movable contact arm having an inner edge and first and second ends. A movable contact is mounted on the first end. The movable contact arm is pivotable about the second end between a closed position in which the inner edge extends adjacent the contact end with the movable contact in contact with the fixed contact to form a reverse current loop, and an open position in which the movable contact is pivoted away from the fixed contact. The contact arm includes a first inner longitudinal member extending along the inner edge and a second outer longitudinal member. The first inner longitudinal member has a higher electrical conductivity than the second outer longitudinal member, which has a higher shear strength and a lower specific density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Shea, Jeffrey A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7145419
    Abstract: A contactor assembly for a circuit breaker comprises a first spring supporting pin, a cam plate, a second spring supporting plate, a link, and a spring. When a movable contactor is rotated without a rotation axis, a fluctuation of a rotation center of the movable contactor is not generated and a current limiting function is fast performed. Also, after contacts are separated from each other, the movable contactor is prevented from returning towards fixed contactors and the separated position is maintained for a predetermined time. An assembly process of the contactor assembly is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Gi Kim
  • Patent number: 7141751
    Abstract: Disclosed is a breaker for providing successive trip mechanism based on PTC current-limiting device, which includes a first switch having first fixed/movable contact points; a second switch having second fixed/movable contact and connected to the first switch in parallel; PTC current-limiting device connected to the first and second switches in parallel or series and allowing a change of current flow direction from the first switch to the second switch at a fault current; a movable arm to which the movable contact points are installed at an interval therebetween and opening/closing the switches by operating the movable contact points; a fixed arm including first and second fixed arm conductors for guiding current flow toward the first fixed contact point in a normal load current mode and guiding current flow toward the second fixed contact point via the PTC current-limiting device in a fault current mode; and a successive trip means for elastically biasing the second switch by operation of the movable arm in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Sung Kang, Yun-Hyuk Kwon, Seok-Hyun Nam, Bang-Wook Lee, Won-Joon Choi
  • Patent number: 7138892
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a circuit interrupter. The exemplary circuit interrupter includes conductive spanner that completes an electrical pathway between first and second electrical conductors. To facilitate a good electrical connection between the conductive spanner and the first and second conductors, the exemplary interrupter includes a biasing mechanism that biases the conductive spanner toward the first and second conductors. However, in the event of a fault condition, for instance, the conductive spanner is displaced away from the first and second conductors by magnetic forces, and the electrical path is interrupted. To facilitate this displacement, the biasing mechanism presents an opposing force to displacement relationship with a negative slope. That is to say, the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism decreases as the distance between the conductive spanner and the first and second electrical conductors increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Benard, Mark A. Clayton
  • Patent number: 7102471
    Abstract: A power breaker includes a switching contact arrangement having a current loop in order to allow a force dependent on the current to act on the contact members. For this purpose, sections, which are arranged parallel to one another and such that they are arched and concentric, are arranged on a stationary current conductor and on a contact lever. Depending on the position of a center of a resultant force, originating from the arched sections, in relation to a pivot bearing of the contact lever, a torque acts on the contact lever causing the switching contact arrangement to open or close. Using largely identical parts, power breakers which have a current-limiting or contact-force-increasing action can thus be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ludvik Godesa
  • Patent number: 7081596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arc-quenching device for circuit breakers having double-break contacts for use in low-voltage distribution systems. Provided around a prechamber (41) is a magnetic shield (91) for the purpose of intensifying the magnetic blowing action on an arc formed between the arc guide rails (51, 61) of the prechamber. In addition, a blowing loop (81) is inserted in the arc-quenching circuit and extends in sections parallel to an arc guide rail (61). Prechamber insulation having a bulge constricting the arc area likewise serves the purpose of optimizing the arc run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Schneider, Siegfried Mayer, Norbert Papok
  • Patent number: 7034642
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Rakus, Thomas C. Pendrick, John J. Shea, Jeffrey A. Miller, Glen C. Sisson, Michael B. Schulman, Yun-Ko N. Chien
  • Patent number: 7026894
    Abstract: An apparatus for interrupting an electrical short circuit current in an electrical distribution system having a plurality of phases is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of separable conduction paths, an operating mechanism in operable communication with the plurality of conduction paths, an electronic trip unit in signal communication with each of the plurality of conduction paths and in operable communication with the operating mechanism, and an electromagnetic trip unit in signal communication with each of the plurality of conduction paths and in operable communication with the operating mechanism. The electromagnetic trip unit is configured to be operably responsive to a first half-cycle waveform of the short circuit current prior to the electronic trip unit being operably responsive to a second multi-cycle waveform of the short circuit current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Tobin, Timothy Gerard Richter, Hemant Mody, Michael Ronzello, Dean A. Robarge
  • Patent number: 7009129
    Abstract: A switching device including housing and a breaker mechanism, the latter consisting of a trip lever, a catch, a displaceable contact arm and a deflection shaft that is fixed to the housing. The aim is to generate a constant contact force. To achieve this, the end of the catch is coupled to the displaceable contact arm by way of a bolt. The bolt is configured to be displaced in a receiving element that is formed by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Winfried Vierling
  • Patent number: 7005594
    Abstract: Disclosed is a movable contactor assembly of a circuit breaker capable of enhancing a current limiting function by maintaining a contact state between a movable contactor and fixed contactors in a closed circuit state, by preventing the separated movable contactor from returning towards the fixed contactors at the time of a current limiting operation, by accelerating a separation operation of the movable contactor from the fixed contactors at the time of a current limiting operation, and by continuously maintaining a separated state of the movable contactor from the fixed contactors until a trip operation is performed by a trip mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Gi Kim
  • Patent number: 6989501
    Abstract: A multipole current limiting circuit breaker comprising an insulating enclosure that contains: a) for each pole, at least one fixed contact and at least one movable contact, which can be mutually coupled/uncoupled upon closure/opening of the circuit breaker; b) actuation means which provide the energy for moving said movable contacts and determines their coupling/uncoupling with the corresponding fixed contacts, said actuation means comprising a rotating actuation bar that is operatively coupled to the movable contacts of the poles; characterized in that said movable contacts have a fork-shaped body having a base element that supports two arms provided with plates for electrical contact with corresponding coupling surfaces of the fixed contact, and in that said fork-like body is connected to the actuation bar by virtue of elastic means accommodated at least partially in a seat formed in the bar, said elastic means being anchored to said bar and being fixed to said base element so as to support the movable con
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Services S.R.L.
    Inventor: Osvaldo Carrara
  • Patent number: 6987657
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Eric Domejean, Marc Rival
  • Patent number: 6985059
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a crank for coupling a rotary arm breaker mechanism to the cradle. The crank has a protrusion which cooperates with a handle yoke to restrict movement of the operating handle when the contacts of the circuit breaker are welded. The crank protrusion is arranged such that it does not interfere with the handle under normal operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ananthram Subramanian, Ronald Ciarcia, Narender Macha, Luis Brignoni, Paul Douglas Lafferty
  • Patent number: 6977568
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Rakus, Thomas C. Pendrick, John J. Shea, Jeffrey A. Miller, Glen C. Sisson, Michael B. Schulman, Yun-Ko N. Chien
  • Patent number: 6975190
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric FA Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akifumi Sato, Koji Asakawa, Mitsuhiro Mitsushige, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Hideto Yamagata
  • Patent number: 6970059
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing having first and second openings, with stationary and movable separable contacts disposed therein. An operating mechanism is disposed in the housing, is coupled to the separable contacts and is structured to move those contacts between open and closed positions. A trip mechanism is disposed in the housing and cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A slot motor assembly is disposed about the separable contacts and has upper and lower slot motor portions. The upper slot motor portion is disposed above the movable contact and the lower slot motor portion is disposed below the stationary contact. The upper slot motor portion includes a rigid, laminated steel member having a general U-shape, with a bight portion, and first and second legs. The first and second legs engage the housing at the respective first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert W. Mueller, Thomas A. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 6969816
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Günter Seidler, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Türkmen
  • Patent number: 6952149
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing, an operating mechanism, and a cassette. The cassette includes a separable current path having a movable contact arm, two arc receptors each disposed for receiving an electrical arc in response to a short circuit overcurrent condition, and two slot motors each disposed proximate the movable contact arm for magnetically driving the movable contact arm to a blown open position in response to a short circuit overcurrent condition. The slot motors each have two side legs opposing each other and defining a space therebetween for receiving the movable contact arm, each side leg having a magnetic core and an insulative layer and being biased toward the interior of the side walls of the cassette, wherein each side leg is restrained from being magnetically attracted toward the movable contact arm during a short circuit condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Ciarcia, Ananthram Subramanian, Macha Narender, Luis Brignoni, Samuel Kim
  • Patent number: 6924445
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker, comprising: at least one first fixed contact, which is electrically connected to a terminal for connection to an electric circuit; a rotating moving contact, which comprises a central body from which at least one first arm protrudes, an active surface being provided at the end of the first arm, the active surface being associable/separable with respect to the fixed contact by means of a rotation of the moving contact; a rotating contact supporting shaft, which is functionally connected to an actuation mechanism of the circuit breaker and is provided with a seat that accommodates the central body of the moving contact so that the first arm protrudes externally from the seat, at least one first spring being furthermore arranged in the contact supporting shaft and being functionally coupled to the moving contact and suitable to ensure, when the circuit breaker is closed, an adequate contact pressure between the active surface and the first fixed contact; its particularity consists
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicola Bresciani, Roberto Rota Martir
  • Patent number: 6924720
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a movable contact, a fixed contact, a switching device, a switching operation handle, and an over-current tripping device. The switching device has a switching lever connected to the handle, a toggle linkage having an upper link and a lower link for connecting to the movable contact, a tripping mechanism for activating the toggle linkage in response to over-current, and an operation spring tightly stretched between the switching lever and the toggle linkage. A locking member is provided in the switching device for interconnecting the toggle linkage and the switching lever and for restricting a movement range of the switching lever according to an operational position of the toggle linkage. When main-circuit contact points are stuck, the locking member restricts the movement of the switching lever and prevents the handle from moving to the OFF position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Miura, Mitsuhiro Mitsushige, Koji Asakawa, Yasuhiro Takahashi, Hideto Yamagata
  • Patent number: 6879227
    Abstract: A switching contact includes a rocker-type leaf spring as a contact force spring in order to produce the contact force required for a contact lever A drag bearing thereof is disposed between the point of rotation of the contact lever on a contact carrier and a contact-making end piece of the contact lever. Preferably, the drag bearing is formed by a bend of the contact force spring and a sliding surface disposed on the contact carrier. The drag bearing of the contact force spring can be displaced without a fixed link along the sliding surface according to the tension of the contact force spring. If the switching contract arrangement has several contact levers (multiple contact arrangement) all of the associated contact force springs can be combined to form a one-piece leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Türkmen
  • Patent number: 6870112
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker, comprising: a rotating contact supporting shaft, is provided with a seat that accommodates the central body of a moving contact so that the first arm protrudes externally from the seat, at least one first spring and one second spring being furthermore arranged in the contact supporting shaft and being suitable to ensure, when the circuit breaker is closed, an adequate contact pressure between the active surface and the fixed contact; the particularity of the circuit breaker consisting of the fact that a first pivot is fixed to the contact supporting shaft and is coupled to a hole formed in the central body, engagement means and at least one second pivot being furthermore arranged on the shaft on mutually opposite sides with respect to the first pivot, the second pivot being movable with respect to the shaft and to the moving contact, the first and second springs being furthermore anchored to the second pivot and to the engagement means and being arranged along two opposite sides
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Nicola Bresciani, Roberto Rota Martir
  • Patent number: 6864765
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts mounted in the housing; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. An overcurrent assembly is responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts and actuates the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A bonnet forms a U-shape which surrounds the separable contacts and which cools and splits an arc when the operating mechanism trips open the separable contacts. A first bonnet piece forms a first leg of the bonnet, and a second bonnet piece forms a second leg and a base of the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Louis Wellner, Paul Jason Rollmann, Thomas Michael Hall, Peter Lee Nerstrom, Michael Frederick Walz, Peter Klaus Moldovan
  • Patent number: 6838962
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wire lug arc vent barrier for protecting a wire lug in a molded case circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker having a housing with a terminal for a load connection and a terminal for a line connection. The wire lug/arc vent barrier comprises a body having a first end including a tang, a second end including an elongated finger and a middle portion between the first end and the second end defining a concave space, with an opening at each of the middle portion, wherein the body is mounted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy and Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Leone, Steve D. Still
  • Patent number: 6828885
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Moeller GmbH
    Inventors: Guido Dedenbach, Klaus Ochtinger, Carsten Rusteberg, Lutz Thilker
  • Patent number: 6819205
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Günter Seidler, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Türkmen
  • Publication number: 20040183631
    Abstract: A switching terminal (1) applied to a detecting equipment includes a carrier strip (10), a movable terminal (13) and a stationary terminal (12) respectively extending from a common edge of the carrier strip; Each of the movable terminal and the stationary terminal has a retaining portion (122, 132), a base section (121, 131) and a contact section (123, 133) connecting to the base, The base section 132 of movable terminal defines a cutout (1324) on an edge thereof adjacent to the stationary terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Chun Ta Lee, Zhi Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 6791440
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Edward Harmon, Gary Steven Douville, Chanchal Kumar Garg, Linda Yvonne Jacobs, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040155735
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes at least two stationary contact devices, at least two movable contact devices and at least one drive device. The at least one drive device is operatively connected to the at least two moving contact devices. The contact-making between at least one stationary contact device and at least one moving contact device and the contact-making between at least one further stationary contact device and at least one further moving contact device each take place at different times during the connection process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Joerg-Uwe Dahl, Michael Kruschke, Andreas Kaeding, Marc Liebetruth, Detlev Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6747533
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for a circuit breaker air-core coil includes a unitary body having a generally U-shaped body. The body has at least one retaining form structured to fit over a fastener head. When installed in a typical power air circuit breaker, the air-core coil disposed in the mounting bracket is located above the circuit breakers's load conductor fasteners. These fasteners, and therefore the air-core coil, are located outside of the space in the circuit breaker occupied by a current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Richard Rakus, Thomas Clements Pendrick
  • Publication number: 20040085167
    Abstract: A subminiature circuit breaker is equipped with an arc fault auxiliary switch actuated by the arc fault trip motor through an indicator actuator that also deploys a pop-up arc fault indicator. An additional auxiliary switch actuated by the drive link on the toggle mechanism provides an indication of the open/closed state of the circuit breaker separable contacts. Both the arc fault auxiliary switch and the contact state auxiliary switch are mounted on the outside of the subminiature circuit breaker housing and are operated by an operating member and a pivoted member, respectively, extending through openings in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: James M. McCormick, Michael F. Walz, Peter L. Nerstrom, Thomas M. Hall, Paul J. Rollmann, Edward L. Wellner
  • Publication number: 20040066257
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching contact, wherein a rocker-type leaf spring is used as a contact force spring (8) in order to produce the contact force required for a contact lever (2), the drag bearing (10) thereof being disposed between the point of rotation (11) of the contact lever (2) on a contact carrier (1) and a contact-making end piece (18) of the contact lever (2). Preferably, the drag bearing (10) is formed by a bend of the contact force spring (8) and a sliding surface (19) disposed on the contact carrier (1). The drag bearing (10) of the contact force spring (8) can be displaced without a fixed link along the sliding surface (19) according to the tension of the contact force spring (8). If the switching contact arrangement has several contact levers (multiple contact arrangement) all of the associated contact force springs can be combined to form a one-piece leaf spring (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Turkmen
  • Patent number: 6717089
    Abstract: An electric pole for a low-voltage power circuit breaker, comprising: a fixed contact and a movable contact which can be mutually coupled/uncoupled; at least two conducting elements, suitable to electrically connect the movable contact to a power supply grid, the conducting elements being arranged so that the electric currents flowing through them are equally orientated; means for mechanically supporting and actuating the movable contact; and at least one insulating element which is interposed between the conducting elements and is suitable to contrast, by friction with the conducting elements, electrodynamic repulsion forces that are generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact during opening in short-circuit operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lucio Azzola, Eligio Zanchi
  • Patent number: 6689979
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bach, Detlev Schmidt, Michael Sebekow, Guenter Seidler-Stahl, Ingo Thiede, Sezai Tuerkmen
  • Publication number: 20030201853
    Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a pair of separable contacts arranged in an opening volume. A plurality of flat de-ionization fins are arranged inside an arc extinguishing chamber opening out onto the opening volume. The chamber is bounded by two opposite side walls, a rear wall located away from the opening volume, a bottom wall and a top wall. Each fin has a free attack edge exposed to the arc. The free edges of the fins laterally bound a longitudinal gulley extending in a heightwise direction from the bottom electrode to the top wall, and longitudinally from a first longitudinal end opening out onto the opening volume at a second longitudinal end tapering to form a stack near to the rear wall, passing via a narrow intermediate portion. A bottom longitudinal electrode partially covers the bottom wall and extends longitudinally facing the gulley at least from the second contact up to the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELEC. INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Richard Charles, Stephane Dye, Luc Moreau
  • Patent number: 6639168
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dean A. Robarge
  • Patent number: 6590172
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Hemant Kumar Mody
  • Patent number: 6590173
    Abstract: A current-interrupting section of a molded case circuit breaker includes fixed contact shoes and a rotary bridge-type contact shoe held in a contact shoe holder. A pair of pressure springs is assembled in the contact shoe holder to press the rotary contact shoe to the fixed contact shoes. The pressure spring is torsion coil springs and have U-shaped offset arm portion drawn out from the center of the coil. A pair of the torsion coil springs is arranged above and under the rotary contact shoe. Furthermore, legs of the torsion coil springs at ends are hooked to sidewalls of the contact shoe holder. The offset arm portions at the center of the torsion coil springs engage the rotary contact shoe at positions symmetrical with respect to the rotational center of the rotary contact shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoshi Uchida, Fumiyoshi Kawahara, Syuichi Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20030117246
    Abstract: The power switch has a current flow path (7) with two supply terminals (1, 2) and a double breaking contact arrangement. The contact arrangement includes two series connected contact systems (10, 15), in which the current flow path extends in two sections guided parallel to one another. Said sections are formed by an arc (21, 22) during a switching operation. The contact parts (11, 12) of both contact systems are connected to one another and to both supply terminals (1, 2) in such a way that the current in both sections has the same direction. As a result, both arcs (21, 22) attract each other and displacement of the arcs relative to one another is prevented. Both arcs run synchronously into the arc extinction chamber (28, 29) with great reliability and are extinguished therein practically at the same time. The power switch is characterized by high cutout capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Tudor Baiatu, Elio Iacovino, Manfred Stania, Willy Schwarz, Werner Balsiger
  • Patent number: 6573815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuru Tsukima, Takao Mitsuhashi, Masahiro Fushimi, Shinji Yamagata
  • Patent number: 6570116
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Aymon A. Maulandi, Timothy R. Faber, Laurent Aureyre, Cameron L. Woodson
  • Patent number: 6563406
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a plurality of poles that are connected with one another in parallel, and additionally includes a mutual connection connecting the poles with one another to isolate the trip units associated with the poles from any imbalance in the current flowing through the poles. Each pole includes a first conductor structured to be connected with a power source, a second conductor structured to be connected with an electrical load, and a pair of separable contacts that disconnectably connect the first conductor with the second conductor. The trip unit of each pole is configured to measure the current flowing through a given point of the second conductor, and the mutual connection connects the second conductors together at a connection point, the connection point of each second conductor being between the separable contacts and the given point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: William Ellsworth Beatty, Roger Eugene Walker
  • Patent number: 6563407
    Abstract: A pivot joint for a movable contact arm assembly and a circuit breaker having an operating mechanism coupled to a line terminal, a trip mechanism and a load terminal with the load terminal coupled to a pivot mounting member. The pivot joint comprises a recess in a first sidewall of the contact arm with the recess co-axial with a mounting hole in the contact arm. A second recess is provided in a second sidewall of the contact arm with the second recess co-axial with the second mounting hole in the contact arm. The first and second recesses are co-axial with each other. A shaped washer, configured to fit in each of the first and second recesses is provided and maintained in position by a mounting axle configured to engage each shaped washer, each mounting hole and the pivot mounting member. The contact arm is then free to pivot about the mounting axle. A spring, with the spring configured to engage both ends of the mounting axle urge the contact arm against each shaped washer thereby completing the pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney C. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20030052758
    Abstract: A circuit breaker for interrupting the flow of current upon the detection of excess current or temperature is provided that has a current conducting blade mounted on a blade cross bar, which has a blade biasing spring for urging the blade to a first pivotal position on the blade cross bar during the open, closed, and tripped operation of the breaker, and for latching the blade in a second pivotal position on the blade cross bar upon the occurrence of a blown-open action of the breaker. The spring is a torsion spring that is coiled around a spring mounting pin, having a first end leg extending outwardly and formed into a hook anchored in a hook accommodating opening, and having a second end leg extending outwardly and cantilevered in contact with a spring follower pin. The second end of this leg is bent away from the spring follower pin to reduce the spring force exerted between the blade cross bar and the blade upon the occurrence of a blow-open action of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Rodney Raabe, Jason Colsch, Laurent L. Previeux
  • Patent number: 6518865
    Abstract: An electric switching device for fast closing of a high current in a power network comprising a first electrode (1), a second electrode (2), a movable contact element (3) closing said first and second electrodes, and an operating device. The operating device comprises a helically wound first coil (6) secured to the first electrode. The movable contact element comprises a flange (4) making contact with the coil. A current pulse flowing through the coil forms a repulsive force between the coil and the flange, said repulsive force throwing the movable contact element to the second electrode and completing the closing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: ABB T&D Technology LTD et al.
    Inventors: Falah Al-Hosini, Stefan Valdemarsson, Lars Jonsson, Jan-Anders Nygren, Per Larsson
  • Patent number: 6507256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, David Arnold