Non-linear spring for circuit interrupters
US5359161A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 8, 1993 |
| Grant date | Oct 25, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 8, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H1/225
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides a spring exerting a non-linear force between a contact carrier and a contact blade in a circuit interrupter. The inventive spring includes at least one elongated cantilever. The length of the cantilever has the shape of an arch made with a non-uniform angle and is formed from an elastic material. The cantilever is supported at one end against the carrier with the length of the cantilever positioned parallel to the carrier and the opposite end of the cantilever abutting the contact blade so that the carrier supports more of the length of the cantilever as the displacement between the carrier and the contact blade decreases. The invention also includes a method of operating a circuit interrupter by non-uniformly increasing the force exerted against a movable contact as it engages a stationary contact to complete a circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.