US3890258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric circuit breaker with series connected interrupting and isolating breaks
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-06-28
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-06-28
Abstract
Abstract An electric circuit breaker comprises an isolating break connected in series with an interrupting break and opening after the interrupting break has opened to interrupt the circuit therethrough. Each break comprises relatively movable contacts, and one of the isolating contacts is mechanically coupled to a movable one of the interrupting contacts. A movable blade member carries the other isolating contact. Opening spring means responsive to the initial portion of a blade-opening stroke drives the interrupting contacts apart and also drives the first isolating contact in follow-up relation to the second isolating contact. The isolating contacts are constructed in such a manner that they provide a current-sensitive coupling between the switch blade and the movable interrupting contact structure that is of such a design that at high currents the switch blade can pull the movable interrupting contact structure with it during the interrupting operation, thus assuring that the movable interrupting contact structure will keep up with the movable blade during this interval.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/02; H01H33/04; H01H33/12; H01H33/121; H01H33/125; H01H33/126; H01H1/00; H01H1/12; H01H1/36; H01H1/38; H01H1/385
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
348 words
An electric circuit breaker comprising: a. a pair of separable interrupting contacts relatively movable between engaged and disengaged positions, b. opening spring means biasing a movable one of said interrupting contacts from an engaged position toward a disengaged position, c. first and second isolating contacts electrically in series with said interrupting contacts and relatively movable between engaged and disengaged positions, said first isolating contact being mechanically coupled to said movable interrupting contact, d. a movable blade member carrying said second isolating contact and providing a path through which closing force is applied to said movable inerrupting contact during circuit-breaker closing, e. means for driving said blade and said second isolating contact through an opening stroke during circuit-breaker opening, f. said opening spring means being responsive to the initial portion of the opening stroke of said blade: (i) to drive said movable interrupting contact out of engagement with the other of said interrupting coNtacts and (ii) to drive said first isolating contact in follow-up relationship to said second isolating contact, g. stop means for blocking further disengaging motion of said movable interrupting contact after said movable interrupting contact has moved through predetermined opening travel and for blocking further follow-up motion of said first isolating contact, thereby causing continued opening travel of said blade to separate said isolating contacts, h. and means for coupling said blade to said movable interrupting contact during the initial portion of said opening stroke so that opening force can then be transmitted from said blade to said movable interrupting contact through said coupling means, i. said coupling means comprising a shoulder on one of said isolating contacts and fingers forming a part of the other of said isolating contacts having portions engaging said shoulder in a manner such as to interfere with relative motion of said isolating contacts in a disengaging direction, j. said finger portions being urged into engagement with said shoulder during circuit-breaker opening with a force varying in magnitude directly with the value of current through said isolating contacts, said force opposing relative motion of said isolating contacts in a disengaging direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
348 words
An electric circuit breaker comprising: a. a pair of separable interrupting contacts relatively movable between engaged and disengaged positions, b. opening spring means biasing a movable one of said interrupting contacts from an engaged position toward a disengaged position, c. first and second isolating contacts electrically in series with said interrupting contacts and relatively movable between engaged and disengaged positions, said first isolating contact being mechanically coupled to said movable interrupting contact, d. a movable blade member carrying said second isolating contact and providing a path through which closing force is applied to said movable inerrupting contact during circuit-breaker closing, e. means for driving said blade and said second isolating contact through an opening stroke during circuit-breaker opening, f. said opening spring means being responsive to the initial portion of the opening stroke of said blade: (i) to drive said movable interrupting contact out of engagement with the other of said interrupting coNtacts and (ii) to drive said first isolating contact in follow-up relationship to said second isolating contact, g. stop means for blocking further disengaging motion of said movable interrupting contact after said movable interrupting contact has moved through predetermined opening travel and for blocking further follow-up motion of said first isolating contact, thereby causing continued opening travel of said blade to separate said isolating contacts, h. and means for coupling said blade to said movable interrupting contact during the initial portion of said opening stroke so that opening force can then be transmitted from said blade to said movable interrupting contact through said coupling means, i. said coupling means comprising a shoulder on one of said isolating contacts and fingers forming a part of the other of said isolating contacts having portions engaging said shoulder in a manner such as to interfere with relative motion of said isolating contacts in a disengaging direction, j. said finger portions being urged into engagement with said shoulder during circuit-breaker opening with a force varying in magnitude directly with the value of current through said isolating contacts, said force opposing relative motion of said isolating contacts in a disengaging direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which said shoulder has working surfaces engaged by said finger portions, each of said working surfaces being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the path along which said disconnect contacts move prior to separation thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 in which: a. said shoulder is of a generally annular configuration surrounding a longitudinal axis located centrally of said annular shoulder, b. said fingers are mounted in generally circular array about said longitudinal axis to form an assembly of generally tubular configuration that tends to contract in diameter in response to the magnetic effect of high currents passing therethrough, thus increasing the force urging said finger portions into engagement with said working surfaces during increased currents.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which: a. said shoulder is of a generally annular configuration surrounding a longitudinal axis located centrally of said annular shoulder, b. said fingers are mounted in generally circular array about said longitudinal axis to form an assembly of generally tubular configuration that tends to contract in diameter in response to the magnetic effect of high currents passing therethrough, thus increasing the force urging said finger portions into engagement with said shoulder during increased currents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 in which the surfaces of said finger portions engaging said working surfaces of said shoulder are each disposed at substantially the same angle as the engaged working surface with respect to the path along which said isolating contacts move prior to separation thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which said stop means is so located that the circuit through said interrupting contacts is normally interrupted at said interrupting contacts before said finger portions begin sliding along said working surfaces during relative disengaging motion of said isolating contacts after said stop means has become effective.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 in which said stop means is so located that the circuit through said interrupting contacts is normally interrupted at said interrupting contacts before said finger portions begin sliding along said working surfaces during relative disengaging motion of said isolating contacts after said stop means has become effective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The circuit breaker of claim 3 in which said stop means is so located that the circuit through said interrupting contacts is normally interrupted at said interrupting contacts before said finger portions begin sliding along said working surfaces during relative disengaging motion of said isolating contacts aFter said stop means has become effective.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2580354A
Cited
US3028466A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |