The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 19, 2002
Filed:
Oct. 12, 2000
Stephen Albert Mrenna, Beaver, PA (US);
Edward Ethber Lias, Jr., Aliquippa, PA (US);
Michael Joseph Erb, Fombell, PA (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
A bypass conductor is provided for use in a miniature type circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the bypass conductor can include an elongated flat strap positioned in a circuit breaker housing. A first end of the bypass conductor is positioned to be adjacent to a contact arm in an open circuit position of the circuit breaker to receive current flow, especially high transient current flow. A second end of the bypass conductor is electrically coupled and/or mechanically connected to a load terminal of the circuit breaker to provide a path for current between the first and second ends. In this manner, the bypass conductor provides an alternate path for electrical current through the circuit breaker. The bi-metallic components and other sensitive elements within the circuit breaker can therefore resist the loss of useful life and other adverse operational effects caused by a high transient current event.