Clifford R Gaskell

US Patent:

40300617, Jun 14, 1977

Filed:

Apr 14, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/676695

Inventors:

Clifford R. Gaskell - Richfield MN
Stephen E. Houghland - Maplewood MN

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01H 3776
H01H 7120

US Classification:

337409

Abstract:

An electrical wire cutting circuit breaker in which a wire cutting piston within a housing moves from a rest position to a wire cutting position under the impetus of a compression spring. The piston is normally retained in its rest position against the force of the compression spring by a retainer held in the path of the piston by a fusible stop. The retainer is resiliently biased out of the path of the piston so that when the fusible stop melts and flows at a predetermined elevated temperature the retainer will release the piston which is propelled by the compression spring and builds up kinetic energy sufficient to cut an electrical wire.