Patent · US Expired

Trip link latch and interpole link for a circuit breaker

US5214402A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
2References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1991
Grant dateMay 25, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01H2071/046
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Tripping of the poles of a multi-pole breaker requires less force from current sensing actuators, through use of a lost motion linkage including a trip link which unlatches the linkage holding one pole contact set closed before operating the inter-pole tripping elements. Preferably the breaker has a fast forcing arrangement for forcing a movable contact open under short-circuit conditions, faster than the normal contact opening spring can respond. The lost motion linkage is provided by a trip link which first releases a secondary latch to permit contact opening at normal speed, and then operates an inter-pole tripping element. Under short-circuit conditions the trip link engages the movable contact to force it open, between unlatching and engagement of the inter-pole tripping element.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.