Eric E Morrison

US Patent:

6480079, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/132559

Inventors:

William J. Bentley - North Attleboro MA
Eric W. Morrison - Pawtucket RI
Christian V. Pellon - Norton MA
Nicholas V. Pellon - Norton MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01H 332

US Classification:

335 6, 335191, 200401

Abstract:

An electric circuit breaker ( ) has a toggle mechanism ( ) having two movable over center joints ( ) connected between a push-button ( ) and a movable contact mechanism ( ). When the push-button is depressed a first link rotates bringing the first movable over center joint ( ) across a center position represented by a first imaginary straight line ( ) to a stop surface ( ). A spring member ( ) provides a bias which acts on the second movable over center joint ( ) normally maintaining the second movable joint against the stop surface so that with the two movable over center joints biased against the stop surface the movable contact mechanism is moved to a closed contact position when the push-button is depressed. An overload responsive member transfers motion to the second movable over center joint ( ) upon the occurrence of a selected overload and moves the second over center joint across a center position represented by a second imaginary straight line ( ) allowing the contacts opening spring ( ) to move the movable contact mechanism to the open contacts position providing a trip free operation. The circuit breaker can be formed for a single phase or it can be formed for multiphase operation in which additional ganged phases have no toggle mechanism but do have separate ambient temperature compensated trip arms and overload responsive members which operate through the single toggle mechanism.