Donald A Link

US Patent:

52785319, Jan 11, 1994

Filed:

Aug 6, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/927022

Inventors:

Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI
Peter J. Theisen - West Bend WI
Edward L. Wellner - Colgate WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 902

US Classification:

335202

Abstract:

Molded case circuit breaker having collapsible toggle linkage with rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within open rectangular slots in upper link, bifurcated movable contact fingers loosely guided for pivotal movement about fixed pin to break contact welds, helical compression springs biasing bifurcations against faces of a stationary connector, trapezoidal cross section shaft biasing shaft against a fixed corner of clamping strap and frame, increasing clamping force and increasing tool clearance, operating handle which changes pivot point moving to RESET position, reducing lateral force component of operating springs for reliable return of handle to OFF position, dual stops for movable contact fingers to spread impact forces along fingers, greater contact separation in poles not containing operating mechanism, slot motor laminations providing metal reinforcement to separate arc chamber housing which is cooperatively interlocked with base to distribute structural strength, terminal cover with arc vent extension angled downwardly, extended lug cover with second arc vent extension interlocked to terminal cover and arc chamber housing for no-fastener securement, trip unit armature pivoted in crested surface of molded pocket and connected to trip bar by wire bail for space-efficient location of parts, and accessory devices supported on and secured to trip unit housing have throw-away pin locking operator lever in correct position during installation.

US Patent:

44700270, Sep 4, 1984

Filed:

Jul 16, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/399086

Inventors:

Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
John A. Swessel - Milwaukee WI
Peter J. Theisen - West Bend WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7702

US Classification:

335 16

Abstract:

A contact structure (40, 44; 62, 63) is arranged to provide oppositely directed parallel current paths within a closed loop magnetic flux amplifier (46) to be directly separable under high overload current conditions, the flux amplifier (46) functioning to arrest the movable contact (62, 63) momentum. Manufacturing economies are realized by subassembling the stationary contact structure (40, 42, 44) and flux amplifier (46) and subsequently trapping one end (42a) of that assembly within the base (4a) and securing the other end with a single screw (68). The movable contact arm (62) comprises a plurality of blanked laminations assembled to provide improved contact (63) mounting and bearing (62d) surfaces. The molded case sidewalls are strengthened in the contact separation area by offsetting the parting line (PL) between cover (6) and base (4) closer to the bottom of base (4) and overlapping the thinner base sidewalls with thicker cover sidewalls at the offset (4e, 6e).

US Patent:

53191692, Jun 7, 1994

Filed:

Jul 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/098997

Inventors:

Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI
Edward L. Wellner - Colgate WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 2304

US Classification:

200401

Abstract:

A molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism including a collapsible toggle linkage, an operating handle and a movable frame. The collapsible toggle linkage includes a rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within an open rectangular slot in an upper link of the linkage. The operating handle pivots about a first pivot point when moving between ON, OFF and TRIPPED positions. The operating handle pivots about a second pivot point when moving to a RESET position thereby reducing the lateral force component of the operating springs of the operating mechanism for reliable return of the handle to the OFF position. Also, bifurcated movable contact fingers are provided for pivotal movement about a fixed pin to break contact welds and a trapezoidal cross section shaft interconnects the movable contact fingers.

US Patent:

53027884, Apr 12, 1994

Filed:

Jul 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/098992

Inventors:

Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI
Edward L. Wellner - Colgate WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 2300

US Classification:

200401

Abstract:

Molded case circuit breaker having collapsible toggle linkage with rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within open rectangular slots in upper link, bifurcated movable contact fingers loosely guided for pivotal movement about fixed pin to break contact welds, helical compression springs biasing bifurcations against faces of a stationary connector, trapezoidal cross section shaft biasing shaft against a fixed corner of clamping strap and frame, increasing clamping force and increasing tool clearance, operating handle which changes pivot point moving to RESET position, reducing lateral force component of operating springs for reliable return of handle to OFF position, dual stops for movable contact fingers to spread impact forces along fingers, greater contact separation in poles not containing operating mechanism, slot motor laminations providing metal reinforcement to separate arc chamber housing which is cooperatively interlocked with base to distribute structural strength, terminal cover with arc vent extension angled downwardly, extended lug cover with second arc vent extension interlocked to terminal cover and arc chamber housing for no-fastener securement, trip unit armature pivoted in crested surface of molded pocket and connected to trip bar by wire bail for space-efficient location of parts, and accessory devices supported on and secured to trip unit housing have throw-away pin locking.

US Patent:

56083670, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Nov 30, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/565764

Inventors:

Walter M. Zoller - Milwaukee WI
David S. Hunter - Milwaukee WI
Edward L. Wellner - Colgate WI
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI
Peter J. Theisen - West Bend WI
Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 6702

US Classification:

335132

Abstract:

In a molded case circuit breaker with an interchangeable thermalmagnetic trip unit, the C-shaped heater transformer core is permanently held in place in the casing by a load bus strap with the gap in the core facing the trip unit. When the interchangeable trip unit is inserted into the molded casing, a magnetically permeable member mounted in the trip unit is aligned in the gap in the heater transformer core. The bimetal of the trip unit is fixed at one end to an electrically conductive sleeve surrounding the magnetically permeable member and forming the secondary of the heater transformer. The length of the magnetically permeable member is selected to establish the current conditions at which the bimetal trips the circuit breaker. The bus strap has an off-set section forming a first shoulder against which one wall of the housing of the interchangeable trip unit seats, and a second shoulder against which a pole piece backed by the heater transformer core seats to fix a gap between the pole piece and the armature in the interchangeable trip unit providing the instantaneous magnetic trip function.

US Patent:

44465033, May 1, 1984

Filed:

Jan 11, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/338798

Inventors:

Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
John A. Swessel - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H02B 102

US Classification:

361346

Abstract:

A Z-shaped bracket (42) is secured to a circuit breaker panel (2) by a fastener (44) to project forwardly along a plug-in main circuit breaker (30) and overlie the forward surface of the main breaker to prevent removal of the main breaker (30) without first removing the bracket (42). The bracket and its function are made plainly evident by placement and indicia.

US Patent:

54883377, Jan 30, 1996

Filed:

Aug 5, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/102190

Inventors:

Dean A. Hubbard - Sussex WI
Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
David S. Hunter - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

H01H 6702

US Classification:

335202

Abstract:

A molded insulator has a bottom wall, opposed sidewalls, and a transverse end wall extending between the sidewalls but spaced from the end of the bottom wall to define an opening in the bottom. A distribution lug is inserted from an open end of the insulator against the end wall, and under projections on inner surfaces of the sidewalls to trap the insulator against the end wall, and under projections on inner surfaces of the sidewalls to trap the insulator against up and down movement. The lug is attached to a circuit breaker terminal at the opening in the bottom to trap the end wall between the lug and the circuit breaker, blocking withdrawal of the insulator. A depending rib provides distal end support, while lateral ribs abut edges of barriers in the breaker housing to maintain the assembly properly aligned for electrical spacing.

US Patent:

53130332, May 17, 1994

Filed:

Jul 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/098995

Inventors:

Donald A. Link - Hubertus WI
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 500
H01H 2300

US Classification:

200401

Abstract:

A molded case circuit breaker having an operating mechanism including a collapsible toggle linkage, an operating handle and a movable frame. The collapsible toggle linkage includes a rectangular cross section knee pin non-rotatably held within an open rectangular slot in an upper link of the linkage. The operating handle pivots about a first pivot point when moving between ON, OFF and TRIPPED positions. The operating handle pivots about a second pivot point when moving to a RESET position thereby reducing the lateral force component of the operating springs of the operating mechanism for reliable return of the handle to the OFF position. Also, bifurcated movable contact fingers are provided for pivotal movement about a fixed pin to break contact welds and a trapezoidal cross section shaft interconnects the movable contact fingers.