Circuit breaker with increased current interrupting capacity
US4430631A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1982 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H73/18
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A narrow width, molded case circuit breaker having parallel, oppositely directed current paths in a conductive stationary contact support (8c) and a pivoting movable contact arm (12b) to cause separation of the contacts (10, 16) by repelling electromagnetic forces independently of a manual operating mechanism (6, 22) or a trip mechanism (18, 20, 22, 24, 26). An arc runner (8e) integral with the stationary contact support (8) has a slot communicating with a vent opening (2d) in the case for venting the arc gasses through the arc runner and vent opening. Arc plates (42, 44) are oriented parallel to the arc runner (8e) to reduce resistance to movement of the arc therethrough by means of gas pressure. Insulators (14, 52) are disposed over conductive members comprising the parallel current paths on the opposite side of the contacts from the arc runner to impede any tendency toward arc movement in an undesired direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.