Arcing contact arrangement

Details Arcing contact arrangement Arcing contact arrangement

1999-09-16

2001-05-15

Scott, J. R. (Department: 2832)

High-voltage switches with arc preventing or extinguishing devic

Arc preventing or extinguishing devices

Contact structure

C200S237000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06232570

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to rotary circuit breakers and, more particularly, to an improved arcing contact arrangement for rotary breakers.
Rotary-type circuit breakers are known. A common problem encountered with such devices is the contact wear resulting from the arcing generated when the contacts are separated (tripped) under power. The intense temperature generated between contacts from the arcing results in erosion of the contact faces, which it is particularly problematic with respect to the movable contact which is necessarily less durable due to weight constraints imposed to allow the rotary bridge to rotate quickly. The movable contacts generally erode much more than the stationary contacts, necessitating replacement of the circuit breaker. There is therefore a need for a rotary-type circuit breaker which will greatly reduce the wear on the physical contact surfaces of the contacts and more particularly the movable contacts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention a rotary double-break circuit breaker comprises a case defining a circuit breaker enclosure with a rotatable contact bridge mounted therein having opposite movable contacts, with improved wear features, which is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. A pair of stationary contacts cooperate with the movable contacts, and a conductor is operatively connected to each of the stationary contacts for current input thereto. Each of the movable contacts includes a heel portion and a toe portion, the heel portion contacting one of the stationary contacts and the toe portion spaced from the stationary contact when the contact bridge is in closed position, the movable contact being angled relative to the stationary contact such that upon the contact bridge rotating to disengage the movable contacts from the stationary contacts, an electric arc formed between the movable contact and the stationary contact runs to the toe portion of the movable contact thereby protecting the heel portion from substantial damage.
The present invention provides a substantial improvement over those devices found in the prior art. For example, because the arc is run off the toe portion (at the expense thereof) of the movable contact, the heel portion of the movable contact is left generally undamaged, thus increasing the usable life span of the circuit breaker and reducing the increase in temperature resulting from the erosion. Furthermore, because the movement of the arc into the arc chute is enhanced, the interruption performance of the circuit breaker is improved and lower post-short-circuit temperature rise is achieved. Finally, the enhancement of the movement of the arc into the arc chute will greatly reduce the chances for burning of the rotor. It is thus seen that the present invention provides a substantial improvement over those circuit breakers found in the prior art.


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