US4733032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric circuit breaker arc chute composition
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1987-06-01
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Granted: 1988-03-22
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Expires: 2007-06-01
Abstract
Abstract A current limiting circuit breaker having a pair of separable contacts closely spaced for electrodynamic repulsion upon the occurrence of a short circuit overload condition utilizes an arc chute to cool and extinguish the arc that occurs when the contacts become separated. The arc chute contains a plurality of metal arc plates supported by side plates which also assist in cooling and extinguishing the arc. The side plates are formed from a two-layer configuration wherein the first layer has excellent arc extinguishing properties while the second layer has good mechanical support strength. The side plates are oriented such that the first layers face the contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 Franco P. Pardini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/30; H01H9/34; H01H9/302; H01H9/36; H01H9/362
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A current limiting circuit breaker comprising: a molded plastic case and cover; a pair of separable contacts arranged at the ends of a corresponding pair of contact carriers within said case; an operating mechanism connected with one of said contact carriers for moving one of said contacts between open and closed positions; and an arc chute facing said contacts and receiving an arc which forms when said contacts are separated while current flows through said contacts, said arc chute including a plurality of metal arc plates supported by a pair of opposing side supports, each of said side supports comprising a first layer of woven cloth fibers impregnated with a plastic resin arranged on a second layer of woven glass fibers impregnated with said plastic resin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A current limiting circuit breaker comprising: a molded plastic case and cover; a pair of separable contacts arranged at the ends of a corresponding pair of contact carriers within said case; an operating mechanism connected with one of said contact carriers for moving one of said contacts between open and closed positions; and an arc chute facing said contacts and receiving an arc which forms when said contacts are separated while current flows through said contacts, said arc chute including a plurality of metal arc plates supported by a pair of opposing side supports, each of said side supports comprising a first layer of woven cloth fibers impregnated with a plastic resin arranged on a second layer of woven glass fibers impregnated with said plastic resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said resin comprises the combination of melamine with formaldehyde.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said cloth comprises linen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 2 wherein said melamine comprises C 3 N 6 H 6 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said first and second layers are laminated together by heating and pressing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said opposing side supports are oriented such that said first layer of one of said side supports apposedly faces said first layer of the other of said side supports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 further including an apertured back support, each of said side supports being attached to said back support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein each of said side supports includes a hooked projection on a top surface, said hooked projection engaging a top edge of said back support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said first and second layers are color-coded.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The current limiting circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said first layer is provided with a different color from said second layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
An arc chute comprising: a pair of opposing side supports attached to a perforated back support; a plurality of metallic arc plates extending between said side supports; each of said side supports comprising a first layer of woven cloth fibers impregnated with a plastic resin arranged on a second layer of woven glass fibers impregnated with said plastic resin; whereby said first layer on one of said side supports faces said first layer on the other of said side supports.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
An arc chute comprising: a pair of opposing side supports attached to a perforated back support; a plurality of metallic arc plates extending between said side supports; each of said side supports comprising a first layer of woven cloth fibers impregnated with a plastic resin arranged on a second layer of woven glass fibers impregnated with said plastic resin; whereby said first layer on one of said side supports faces said first layer on the other of said side supports.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arc chute of claim 11 wherein said first and second layers are laminated together by heating and pressing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arc chute of claim 11 wherein said plastic resin comprises the combination of melamine with formaldehyde.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arc chute of claim 13 wherein said melamine comprises C 3 N 6 H 6 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arc chute of claim 11 wherein each of said side supports includes a hooked projection on a top surface engaging a corresponding top edge on said back support.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The arc chute of claim 11 wherein each of said metallic arc plates include a pair of tabs engaging complementary slots formed within each of said side supports.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-22 | 1991-09-21 | 1992-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-22 | 1995-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-09-21 | 2000-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |