US3663905A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact bridge system for circuit breaker
Assignee: ITE Imperial Corp
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Filing: 1971-05-20
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1991-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker bridging contact is constructed as a U-shaped member having L-shaped arms to more efficiently utilize electrodynamic forces to achieve current limiting action. Upon circuit opening parallel arcs re drawn between the bridging contacts and the spaced stationary contacts. The currents flowing in these arcs are in directions opposite to current flowing in those portions of the bridging contact arms that are parallel to the arcs and relatively close thereto, so that electrodynamic forces tend to drive the arcs away from the separating contacts. Speed of contact separation is improved by having the web of the bridging contact in close proximity and parallel to a rigidly held conductor section through which current flows in a direction opposite to that of current flowing through the bridging contact web.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank W Kussy
- 👤 Gustave E Heberlein Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H77/00; H01H77/02; H01H77/10; H01H77/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A circuit interrupter including first and second stationary contacts and a bridging contact means operable to electrically connect said contacts; said bridging contact means including a connecting section and first and second arms at opposite ends of said connecting section; said first and said second arms having respective first and second contact portions at one end thereof engageable with the first and second stationary contacts, respectively; a first conductor connected to said first contact and extending away from said bridging contact means; a second conductor connected to said second contact and including a rigidly held section extending generally parallel to said connecting section in close proximity thereto; said sections arranged so that currents flow therethrough in opposite directions thereby generating magnetic fields which interact and generate a force acting between said sections to separate said bridging contact means from said stationary contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A circuit interrupter including first and second stationary contacts and a bridging contact means operable to electrically connect said contacts; said bridging contact means including a connecting section and first and second arms at opposite ends of said connecting section; said first and said second arms having respective first and second contact portions at one end thereof engageable with the first and second stationary contacts, respectively; a first conductor connected to said first contact and extending away from said bridging contact means; a second conductor connected to said second contact and including a rigidly held section extending generally parallel to said connecting section in close proximity thereto; said sections arranged so that currents flow therethrough in opposite directions thereby generating magnetic fields which interact and generate a force acting between said sections to separate said bridging contact means from said stationary contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 1 in which the arms are generally L-shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 1 in which the stationary contacts project forward of the front surfaces of said conductors and rear surfaces of the contact portions engage forward surfaces of the stationary contacts; said contact portions projecting rearward of the portions of said arms in the vicinity of said contact portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 3 in which the connecting section is rearward of said contact portions and the rigidly held section of the second conductor is rearward of said connecting section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 4 also including arm means; said bridging contact means mounted to said arm means at one end thereof; pivot means at the other end of said arm means and about which the latter is pivoted to operate said contact portions into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 5 in which the arms extend from said connecting section in a direction away from said pivot means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 1 also including arm means; said bridging contact means mounted to said arm means at one end thereof; pivot means at the other end of said arm means and about which the latter is pivoteD to operate said contact portions into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts; said arms extending from said connecting section in a direction away from said pivot means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 7 in which the arms are generally L-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 8 in which said arms are generally parallel to the plane in which said arm means is pivoted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 9 in which the stationary contacts are positioned on opposite sides of the plane in which the arm means in pivoted; said connecting section extending through said plane at right angles thereto.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
A circuit interrupter as set forth in claim 1 in which the arm means at said one end thereof comprises an insulating means having a notch; an insulating barrier positioned between said stationary contacts in the plane of movement of said arm means and extending into said notch whereby said insulating means and said barrier cooperate to provide a relatively long arc over the distance between said stationary contacts.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |