Circuit breaker having double break mechanism
US5680081A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1994 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H71/128
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit breaker includes a first section and a second section with independently operating pairs of contact assemblies in each respective section. In the first section, at least one of the contact assemblies is constructed and arranged to interrupt the current by moving from a normally closed position to a blown-open position and latching with the contact assemblies separated. The second section has a biasing extension spring for biasing the contact assemblies of the second section so as to permit interruption of the current in response to a blow-open force, which causes the contacts to separate only momentarily and then return to a normally closed position. The first and second pairs of contact assemblies separate substantially simultaneously in response to the blow-open force, and only the first section reacts to lower-level over-current conditions. In addition to the contact assemblies, the second section of the circuit breaker is designed to operate using only a spring which is "Z-axis" mountable. Other aspects of the invention include one-piece tripping actuator, a screw retainer assembly for securing the line or load terminal, a bimetal arrangement involving an improved cal…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.