Circuit breaker switch

Details Circuit breaker switch Circuit breaker switch

2002-01-22

2004-03-30

Vortman, Anatoly (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrothermally or thermally actuated switches

Electrothermally actuated switches

With bimetallic elements

C337S037000, C337S036000, C337S056000, C337S066000, C337S091000, C200S339000, C200S341000, C200S553000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06714116

ABSTRACT:

The invention generally relates to the field of circuit breakers, and particularly relates to the field of re-settable circuit breaker switches that may be economically and efficiently produced.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Circuit breaker switches generally include a reactive element (for example a bimetallic conductive material) that is in the path of the current passing through the breaker when the switch is in the on position. The reactive element responds to an excess current or voltage charge by changing a property of the reactive element such as its shape, and thereby disrupting the path of the current through the breaker.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,460 discloses a switch that includes a thermal triggering element that cooperates with other portions of the circuit in providing overcurrent protection, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,847,638; and 5,892,426 disclose switches that specifically include a bimetallic element that changes shape to provide circuit protection against excess current. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,371 discloses a circuit breaking switch that includes an alloy blade
170
that changes its curvature responsive an current overload condition.
Convention circuit breaker switches, however, typically require numerous small parts that must be assembled accurately, and sometimes require minor adjustments via set screws etc. to function optimally. For example, the breaking switch disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,371 includes an adjusting screw that may be rotated to adjust the arch of a spring blade.
There is a need for a circuit breaker switch that is relatively inexpensive to produce yet operates efficiently.
There is further a need for a circuit breaker switch that provides an indication that the breaker has tripped.
There is further a need for a c circuit breaker switch that may be easily re-set.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A circuit breaker switch is disclosed, including a rocker, an actuator, and a dielectric separator element. The rocker is positionable between a first on position and a second off position. The actuator element is coupled to the rocker such that it causes a first electrically conductive contact portion to move into contact with a second electrically conductive contact portion when the rocker is in the on position. The dielectric separator element is urged between the first and second electrically conductive contact portions in the event of excess current being passed between the first and second electrically conductive contact portions.
In various embodiments, the switch further includes a trip indicator that is coupled to the dielectric separator element such that the trip indicator provides a visual indication that excess current has been passed between the first and second electrically conductive contact portions. In further embodiments, the switch may be reset by depressing the trip indicator.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2362850 (1944-11-01), Platz
patent: 2636958 (1953-04-01), Dorfman et al.
patent: 2911503 (1959-11-01), Garbers
patent: 3617971 (1971-11-01), Ellenberger
patent: 3629764 (1971-12-01), Frey et al.
patent: 4048607 (1977-09-01), Smorzaniuk
patent: 4068203 (1978-01-01), Unger
patent: 4123737 (1978-10-01), Hoagland, Jr.
patent: 4258349 (1981-03-01), Flory
patent: 4345233 (1982-08-01), Matthies
patent: 4363016 (1982-12-01), Unger
patent: 4379278 (1983-04-01), Kuczynski et al.
patent: 4510479 (1985-04-01), Merchant
patent: 4528538 (1985-07-01), Andersen
patent: 4570142 (1986-02-01), Ineichen et al.
patent: 4814739 (1989-03-01), Moldovan
patent: 4833439 (1989-05-01), Bowden et al.
patent: 4862131 (1989-08-01), Oster et al.
patent: 4868535 (1989-09-01), Janniere et al.
patent: 4922219 (1990-05-01), Bakhaus et al.
patent: 4931762 (1990-06-01), Fierro
patent: 4937548 (1990-06-01), Sdunek
patent: 5004994 (1991-04-01), Korczynski et al.
patent: 5021761 (1991-06-01), Stack et al.
patent: 5089799 (1992-02-01), Sorenson
patent: 5101186 (1992-03-01), Durum
patent: 5223813 (1993-06-01), Cambreleng et al.
patent: 5453725 (1995-09-01), You et al.
patent: 5491460 (1996-02-01), Krasser et al.
patent: 5519561 (1996-05-01), Mrenna et al.
patent: 5539371 (1996-07-01), Yu
patent: 5541569 (1996-07-01), Jang
patent: 5694106 (1997-12-01), Wang
patent: 5742219 (1998-04-01), Moalem et al.
patent: 5783986 (1998-07-01), Huang
patent: 5786742 (1998-07-01), Yin
patent: 5828284 (1998-10-01), Huang
patent: 5847638 (1998-12-01), Sorenson
patent: 5889457 (1999-03-01), Hsu et al.
patent: 5892426 (1999-04-01), Huang
patent: 5898355 (1999-04-01), Yu
patent: 5918361 (1999-07-01), Moalem et al.
patent: 5936505 (1999-08-01), Yu
patent: 6377158 (2002-04-01), Yu

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Circuit breaker switch does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Circuit breaker switch, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Circuit breaker switch will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3193095