Square D Company

Jeffrey M Kaufman

Chad Raymond Mittelstadt

Cameron L Woodson

Willard J Rezac

Duane Lee Turner

Thomas C Leach

Greg Ghere

Robert J Clark

Terry Dean Repstien

Steven C Wilgenbusch

Kenneth L Winter

James A Heise

Jeremy D Dorn

A latching mechanism for a movable member mounted for movement between first and second positions. The latching mechanism includes a primary latching mechanism mounted for movement between a latched position where the primary latching mechanism engages the movable member to allow the movable member to move between the first and second positions, and an unlatched position where the movable member is disengaged for movement to the second position. A secondary latching element engages the first latching mechanism to hold the primary latching mechanism in the latched position, the secondary latching element being movable to move the primary latching mechanism to the unlatched position while remaining in engagement with the primary latching mechanism.

Circuit breaker latching mechanism

An arrangement in an electrical switching device for protection against electrical arcs comprises a tripping mechanism, a stationary contact carrier, a movable contact carrier, an exhaust vent, an arc runner, and an arc extinguishing barrier. The stationary contact carrier has a stationary contact mounted thereon, and the movable contact carrier has a movable contact mounted thereon. In response to an overcurrent condition, the tripping mechanism causes the movable contact carrier to rotate from a closed position to an open position, thereby generating an electrical arc. In the closed position the movable contact abuts the stationary contact, and in the open position the movable contact is separated from the stationary contact. The arc extinguishing barrier is composed of an outgassing material and is located between the stationary contact and a portion of the tripping mechanism. The stationary contact is located generally between the portion of the tripping mechanism and the arc runner such that the arc runner draws the electrical arc away from the portion of the tripping mechanism. The exhaust vent is located generally in line with the initial direction of movement of the movable contact when the movable contact carrier begins rotating from the closed position to the open position.

Circuit breaker arrangement for protection against electrical arcs

A conducting spring is provided for exerting a biasing force against a test button to open a circuit interrupter test circuit. The spring includes a one-piece, elongated cantilever having a first and second end. The cantilever is formed from an electrically conducting material. One of the cantilever ends is adapted to directly secure to a first terminal of the test circuit. The other cantilever end is adapted to directly and reversibly contact a second terminal of the test circuit. The spring also includes means for resiliently flexing the second end of the cantilever in relation to the first end. The flexing means is integrally formed with the cantilever. Also provided is a ground fault circuit interrupter and a ground fault circuit module for protecting a circuit interrupter with a push-to-test feature.

Conducting spring for a circuit interrupter test circuit

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Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Jeffrey M Kaufman