Magnetically operated circuit breaker

Claim 1

A magnetically operated circuit breaker comprising: an electrically insulating housing including a bottom wall; a circuit breaker structure within the housing and comprising first and second separable contacts operable between open and closed positions; a releasable mechanism in an initial position and movable when released to a tripped position to effect automatic opening of the contacts; the first contact being connected to the releasable mechanism; the second contact being movable between open and closed positions of the first contact when the first contact is in the untripped position of the releasable mechanism; electromagnetic actuating means for moving the second contact between open and closed positions of the first contact when untripped and in response to a control signal generated remotely from the circuit breaker; the first and second contacts being mounted on first and second contact mounting arms, respectively, which arms extend in substantially parallel spaced locations to effect current limiting relationship between the arms; the second contact arm being pivotally mounted for movement; the second contact arm being within the zone of influence of the electromagnetic actuating means; the electromagnetic actuating means comprising a solenoid having a plunger movable against the second contact arm; the electromagnetic actuating means including an operator for moving the second contact arm and comprising a frame, and a carriage movable on the frame and an electromagnetic actuator coupled to the carriage for moving the carriage and the carriage being connected to the second contact arm to effect movement thereof between open and closed positions.