Circuit interrupter with break-away walking beam access

Details Circuit interrupter with break-away walking beam access Circuit interrupter with break-away walking beam access

1999-08-30

2001-05-08

Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2832)

Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr

Electromagnetically actuated switches

With housing or support means

C200S293000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06229419

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circuit interrupters generally and, more specifically, to those kinds of circuit interrupters to which a walking beam is connected.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Molded case circuit breakers and interrupters are well known in the art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,408 issued Mar. 5, 1985, to Mrenna et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,760 issued Jun. 8, 1999 to Malingowski et al., each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference.
It is sometimes desirable or necessary to precisely tie the closing of the contacts of one circuit interrupter with the opening of the contacts of another. Mechanisms, such as what is referred to as a walking beam, have been used in order to accomplish this goal.
A walking beam is typically connected between an initially “ON” circuit interrupter and an initially “OFF” circuit interrupter. One end of the walking beam is positioned in proximity to the operating mechanism of the initially “ON” circuit interrupter, and the other end of the walking beam is positioned so as to prevent the operating mechanism of the initially “OFF” circuit interrupter from allowing the contacts of that interrupter to close. A closing operation is then typically performed on the initially “OFF” circuit breaker whereby the operating mechanism is advantageously placed on the brink of closing the contacts (but cannot due to the walking beam). Thereafter, if the contacts of the initially “ON” circuit breaker are opened due to, for example, a tripping operation, then movement of the walking beam resulting therefrom enables the contacts of the initially “OFF” circuit breaker to quickly close.
Prior art circuit interrupters that may be used in connection with such a walking beam application are typically required to be manufactured with an opening or the like in the interrupter's housing in order to provide access for the walking beam for interfacing with the operating mechanism. Because of the possibility of entry of foreign items into such an opening, such interrupters are not suitable in situations where a walking beam application will not be implemented.
In view of the above, it would be advantageous if a circuit interrupter could be easily adapted for use with a walking beam only if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a circuit interrupter that meets all of the above-identified needs.
In accordance with the present invention, a circuit interrupter is provided which includes separable main contacts, an operating mechanism interconnected with the separable main contacts, and a housing in which the separable main contacts and the operating mechanism are disposed. The housing includes a base having a bottom including a break-away region into which a tool may be inserted for breaking off the region for providing internal access to the operating mechanism.
This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in connection with the attached drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3806768 (1974-04-01), Gryctko et al.
patent: 4277664 (1981-07-01), Maier et al.
patent: 4286130 (1981-08-01), Troebel
patent: 5184100 (1993-02-01), Oyama et al.
patent: 5488338 (1996-01-01), Seymour et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Circuit interrupter with break-away walking beam access 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 interrupter with break-away walking beam access, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Circuit interrupter with break-away walking beam access will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2439350