Square D Company

Christopher K Goble

Gary W Scott

Joel L Miller

John M Winter

David R Pearson

Teresa I Hood

Ramon O Torres-Isea

A blade suspension assembly for a circuit breaker comprises a pivot pin, a torsion spring, an elongated blade, and a blade carrier. The torsion spring includes a lateral middle section, a pair of end legs disposed on opposite sides of the middle section, and a lateral hole extending therethrough. The blade includes an electrical contact mounted thereto, a lower bearing surface, and a lateral circular aperture. The blade carrier includes first and second pairs of bearing surfaces. To assemble the blade suspension assembly, the torsion spring is placed over the blade with the lateral middle section abutting the lower bearing surface of the blade, with the end legs disposed on opposite sides of the blade, and with the lateral hole in the torsion spring disposed in line with the circular aperture in the blade. Next, the pivot pin is inserted through the lateral hole in the torsion spring and through the circular aperture in the blade. The combination of the blade, the torsion spring, and the pivot pin is then inserted into the blade carrier with the pair of end legs abutting respective ones of the first pair of bearing surfaces and opposite ends of the pivot pin abutting respective ones of the second pair of bearing surfaces.

Blade suspension assemlby for a circuit breaker

A contact blade assembly for a circuit breaker comprises a blade carrier, an elongated blade, and a toggle spring. The blade carrier includes a blade pivot and a first spring pivot. The elongated blade has an electrical contact mounted thereto and includes a second spring pivot. The blade is rotatably mounted to the blade pivot of the blade carrier for rotation between a closed position and an open position. The toggle spring is connected to the first spring pivot at one end and to the second spring pivot at the other end. The first spring pivot, the second spring pivot, and the blade pivot are arranged such that a toggle condition associated with the rotation of the blade relative to the blade carrier corresponds to the blade pivot being located in line and between the first and second spring pivots. The toggle spring biases the blade away from the toggle condition in a first direction while the blade is disposed in the closed position. The toggle spring biases the blade away from the toggle condition in a second direction opposite the first direction while the blade is disposed in the open position.

Contact blade assembly for a circuit breaker

A blow-off terminal includes a flat conductive tang, a flat conductive input section, and a flat conductive output section. The input section includes a pair of generally parallel U-shaped strips. Each of the pair of strips includes first and second end portions and a center portion bridging the first and second end portions. The first and second end portions and the center portion of each of the pair of strips are generally co-planar, and the tang and the output section are generally co-planar. The output section is elongated and includes first and second ends, the first end being disposed closer to the tang than the second end. The first end portions of the strips are connected perpendicular to opposite sides of the tang, and the second end portions are connected perpendicular to opposite sides of the second end of the output section. A stationary contact is mounted to the surface of the output section.

Blow-off terminal for a circuit breaker

A bimetallic thermal release element (34) for use in a thermally actuated tripping mechanism, and in particular used in electrical circuit breakers (10) wherein the load current is passed through the bimetallic element has a self-aligning floating latch member (141) configured to engage the release member and to disengage therefrom when the bimetallic element bows a sufficient amount at a given temperature or current. The bimetallic element is preferably an elongated member supported at its ends (128, 130) by side members (28, 42). An increased sensitivity is imparted to the bimetallic element by mounting the side members for rotation to accommodate the bowing.

Circuit breaker with self-aligning thermal trip

A current interrupter in which a first movable, insulating, gear carries a contact blade. The blade extends out from this movable gear and forms a contact which makes and breaks with a stationary contact upon movement of the gear. A second insulating gear has a set of teeth which engage the teeth on the first gear. The second gear has a cavity into which the extended contact fits. Movement of the first gear in a direction to break the contact, causes the engaged teeth to drive the extended contact into the cavity, thereby insulating the movable contact from the stationary contact. The interlocking gear teeth create a tortuous path for the arc and provide a large over surface distance for dielectric strength.

Arc suppressing current interrupter

A three-condition constantly illuminated status indicator is provided in a circuit breaker to provide three luminesce displays indicating that the breaker is in the on, off or tripped condition. Associated electrical circuitry employs diode-steered capacitive charging elements for selective, common or simultaneous energization of a three-color light emitting diode display without acting as a bypass around the circuit breaker, thus eliminating shock hazard. Selective energization of the light emitting elements is achieved by auxiliary switching means operable to a plurality of switching conditions according to switching conditions of the circuit breaker. The capacitors serve as an impedance to current for the light emitting diodes, eliminating the need for ballasting resistors, resulting in a cooler operating, lower power consumption unit.

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Marion, IA, United States of America

Christopher K Goble