U.S. patent number 3,914,722 [Application Number 05/512,174] was granted by the patent office on 1975-10-21 for three phase remote control circuit breaker.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Cutler-Hammer, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edward A. Mallonen.
United States Patent |
3,914,722 |
Mallonen |
October 21, 1975 |
Three phase remote control circuit breaker
Abstract
A three phase electromagnetically operated circuit breaker for
use in a remote control circuit breaker system is disclosed. It
features unitary enclosure and mounting of the stationary and
movable contact mechanisms, the electromagnetic operating
mechanism, the thermally responsive contact trip release mechanism,
and the electronic control for the circuit breaker system. The
contact trip mechanism is responsive to overload currents in one or
more of the phase branches and features novel differential action
ambient temperature compensation afforded by ambient temperature
responsive bimetal members individual to each of the three
phases.
Inventors: |
Mallonen; Edward A. (New
Berlin, WI) |
Assignee: |
Cutler-Hammer, Inc. (Milwaukee,
WI)
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Family
ID: |
27020765 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/512,174 |
Filed: |
October 4, 1974 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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409785 |
Oct 26, 1973 |
3863186 |
Jan 28, 1975 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
335/44;
335/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H
71/46 (20130101); H01H 71/162 (20130101); H01H
2071/467 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01H
71/16 (20060101); H01H 71/12 (20060101); H01H
71/46 (20060101); H01H 009/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;335/44,43,39,40,41,8,9,10,169 ;317/33SC |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
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3706100 |
December 1972 |
Halbeck et al. |
|
Primary Examiner: Broome; Harold
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rather; H. R. Autio; Wm. A.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a division of application Ser. No.
409,785, filed Oct. 26, 1973 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,186 issued
Jan. 28, 1975 and assigned to the assignee of this application.
Claims
I claim:
1. An electrical circuit breaker for remote control operation,
comprising:
a. a plurality of power contact means including pairs of stationary
contacts and associated movable contactors;
b. reciprocably movable means operable to close said contactors to
said stationary contacts and reopen the same;
c. electromagnetic operating means including a pair of spaced apart
coil means and an armature pivotally mounted between and movable
from one to another extreme pivotal positions by selective
energization of said coil means;
d. a lever pivotally mounted on said armature and having connection
adjacent one end with said reciprocably movable means;
e. a pivotally mounted latch catch biased into engagement with said
lever adjacent its other end;
f. a pivotally mounted latch biased into latching relation with
said latch catch to constrain it and said lever against pivotal
movement;
g. bimetal members in circuit with each of said power contact
means;
h. means mounted on said latch and comprising portions engageable
by said bimetal members when the latter warp under the influence of
overload currents to thereby cause pivoting of said latch out of
engagement with said latch catch, and a member having a plurality
of spaced apart arms which are in line with respective ones of said
bimetal members and a corresponding number of ambient temperature
compensator bimetal members secured at corresponding ends to said
latch and at their other ends to the last recited member, said
compensator bimetal members when subjected to heat differentially
tending to pivot said last recited member away from the first
mentioned bimetal members;
i. said latch catch, upon release by said latch, and said lever
both pivoting under the bias imposed on said reciprocably movable
means to release the latter for contact opening movement.
2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said compensator
bimetal members each have intermediate sections of helical
form.
3. The combination according to claim 1 together with a molded
insulating housing in which the components of the circuit breaker
are housed and arranged to function as aforedescribed, said housing
having interior barrier portions which electrically isolate each of
said power contact means from each other, and afford substantial
thermal isolation between any set of main bimetal members and an
associated compensator bimetal member and the other sets of the
same members.
4. The combination according to claim 1 together with an auxiliary
switch having an operator normally biased to an extended position
and wherein said lever has a portion which engages and holds said
switch inoperative in a given position against its bias whenever
said other end of said lever is constrained against pivotal
movement.
5. The combination according to claim 4 together with a second
auxiliary switch having an operator normally biased to an extended
position and wherein said reciprocably movable means includes means
to engage, move and release the operator of said second switch in
accordance with opening and closing operation of said power contact
means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,706,100 and 3,706,916 describe and claim a main
circuit breaker and control system for a type of remote control
circuit breaker that is now coming into increasing use on very
large jet aircraft. The main circuit breakers of these patents, and
other presently available comparable circuit breakers, are capable
of closing, opening and interrupting under overload conditions in
one branch only of the usual three phase, 400 Hz AC power supply
systems found on such aircraft. Thus three such main circuit
breakers with individual current responsive trip mechanisms must be
used in a three phase load circuit to provide complete control. It
would be advantageous to provide a main circuit breaker in a
unitary configuration which is capable of simultaneously closing
and opening all branches of three phase load circuits found on jet
aircraft. Moreover, it is desirable to have a common trip mechanism
responsive to overload currents in one or more phases of the load
circuit to effect automatic opening of such a circuit breaker.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the invention to provide an improved form
of main circuit breaker for use in a remote control circuit breaker
system which is capable of closing and opening a plurality of phase
branches in a multiphase AC load circuit.
Another object is to provide a circuit breaker of the
aforementioned type wherein a single electromagnetic operator is
energizable to simultaneously close and reopen the main contacts in
all phases commutated by the circuit breaker.
Still another object is to provide a circuit breaker of the
aforementioned type with a single contact trip release mechanism
that is responsive to overload conditions in one or more of the
load circuit phases.
A further more specific object is to provide an improved ambient
temperature compensation mechanism for the aforementioned contact
trip release mechanism which is characterized by affording trip
release within substantially equal time periods whether overload
conditions exist in one or all of the load circuit phase
branches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a circuit breaker constructed in
accordance with the invention.
FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation to somewhat larger scale of the
circuit breaker of FIG. 1 showing it with a front cover
removed.
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the circuit breaker with a barrier
member removed, and with portion shown in fragmentary section.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an end view of a portion of a latch trip mechanism used
in the circuit breaker.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of the latch trip mechanism and
auxiliary switch used in the circuit breaker, and
FIG. 7 is an exploded view in perspective of the latch and latch
release mechanism of the circuit breaker.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings the main breaker unit comprises a metal
base 10, preferrably formed from a sheet aluminum stamping, a
molded insulating case 12, and an insulating terminal barrier
member 14. Base 10 is provided with mounting flanges 10.sup.a which
have clearance openings therein to receive mounting screws or
bolts. Case 12 is provided with a removable front cover 12.sup.a
which is secured in place by screws that take down into threaded
inserts 12.sup.b which are molded in place, a rear cover 12.sup.c
covering the upper half of the rear side of case 12 is also secured
in place by screws (not shown) that take down into a pair of
inserts (not shown) like the inserts 12.sup.b. Case 12 is secured
in place on base 10 by an epoxy cement and screws (not shown) that
penetrate openings in the base and take down into threaded openings
in the bottom wall of case.
As best shown in FIG. 1, 2 and 4, six threaded terminals L1, L2, L3
and T1, T2 and T3 extend through the upper surface of the top end
wall 12.sup.d of case 12 and are electrically isolated from each
other by the walls 14.sup.c of barrier 14. Barrier member 14 is
secured to the end wall 12.sup.d by screws 16 which penetrate
clearance openings in one of the walls 14.sup.a and take down into
threaded inserts in end wall 12.sup.d. A generally rectangular
insulating terminal block 18 extends through a clearance opening in
the upper end wall 12.sup.d. Block 18 has a rubber sealing grommet
20 which is adapted to grip wires which penetrate the same with pin
type terminations. While not shown, block 18 may be assumed to have
terminal receptacles which grip the wire pin terminals, a preferred
form for the same being shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,110,093. Block
18 is secured in place by screws 22 which seal within recesses in
the upper surface of end wall 12.sup.d and penetrate through the
latter and take down into a mounting plate including the inner
surface of wall 12.sup.d.
The threaded terminal members L1 to L3 and T1 to T3 extend through
clearance openings in end wall 12.sup.d and penetrate washers 24
and take down into threaded openings in terminal members which will
hereinafter be described. Annular nuts 26 take down on these
terminal members in recesses found in the upper surface of end wall
12.sup.d.
An electromagnetic operating mechanism, best shown in FIGS. 2, 4
and 6 is mounted within case 12 against the inner surface of the
bottom end wall 12.sup.e. The operating mechanism has a magnet
frame comprising a bottom plate 30 formed of an electromagnet iron,
coil core members 32 and 34, preferably formed of a vanadium
permendur metal and control permanent magnets 36 formed of an
Alnico V metal. As best shown in FIG. 4, plate 30 on its bottom
surface seats at the left hand side on a raised boss portion
12.sup.f of case end wall 12.sup.e and at its right hand side on an
insulating spacer 38. Plate 30 is secured in place by screws (not
shown) that seat within recesses in the bottom surface of end wall
12.sup.e of the case, penetrate openings in such end wall and take
into threaded openings in the plate. The cores 32 and 34 are press
fitted into openings in plate 30.
The permanent magnet members 36 as best shown in FIG. 4 are clamped
in a perpendicular relation to the upper surface of plate 30 by a
rectangular member 39 formed of magnet iron. Member 39 is clamped
down against the upper ends of the magnets 36 by a pair of
elongated screws 40 which penetrate openings through plate 30 and
take into threaded openings adjacent the ends of member 39.
Coil assemblies 42 and 44 are mounted about the cores 32 and 34.
Although not shown it may be assumed that each of the coil
assemblies comprises concentrically wound pairs of coils in the
manner and for the purpose shown and described in the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,100. An armature 48 having a
shallow V-shaped form in longitudinal section as viewed in FIG. 4
seats and is pivotally movable on the upper surface of member 39.
Clearance openings are formed through armature 48 in registration
with extended portions of the screws 40 which serve to constrain
armature 48 against any appreciable lateral or longitudinal
movement on member 38.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a lever 50 straddles armature 48
with a central web portion 50a overlying the latter and downwardly
turned ears 50.sup.a and 50.sup.b abutting opposite sides of the
armature. Lever 50 is pivotally mounted to armature 48 on pivot
screws 52 that penetrate clearance openings in the ears 50.sup.a
and take into threaded recesses in opposed sides of armature 48. A
movable contact support assembly comprising a transverse tie plate
54 and spaced apart right angle downwardly depending brackets 56 is
in turn pivotally mounted on the lever 50 by means of pivot pins 58
that penetrate clearance openings in the brackets 56 and ears
50.sup.a and 50.sup.b of lever 50.
As shown in FIG. 4 three movable contact assemblies are mounted on
the tie plate 54 in spaced apart relation. Each such assembly
comprises a guide pin 60, secured in place by upper and lower nuts
62 and 64, a contactor 66 having contact tips 66.sup.a, upper and
lower insulator supports 68 and 70 on which contactor 66 is
supported, biasing spring 72 and an adjusting nut 74. The upper
ends of the guide pins interfit in recesses formed in
insulator-spacers 76. A pair of coiled compression springs 78 are
disposed at their upper ends about cylindrical projections formed
on bosses 80.sup.a integrally formed with a frontwardly projecting
portion from insulating barrier member 80, and are constrained at
their lower ends by upstanding centering nibs formed on the plate
54. The springs 78 serve as return springs to bias the movable
contact assembly downwardly to disengage contacts 66 from the
stationary contacts as will hereinafter be more fully described. As
shown in FIG. 4, downward travel of the movable contact assembly is
limited by engagement of the lower ends of the brackets 56 by
adjustable nuts 82 secured on the threaded shanks of screws 84
secured in the plate 30 of the electromagnetic operator.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a tubular sleeve 86 is secured to
the upstanding back portion 54.sup.a of tie plate 54 and projects
toward the rear cover 12.sup.c of the case. A portion of a
generally L-shaped lever 88 fits within the bore of sleeve 86.
Lever 88 which is formed of wire is pivoted on a pin 90 by looping
it 540.degree. about such pin, and has an integral portion 84.sup.a
which engages an indicator member 92, which is shown in FIG. 1, has
"CLOSED" and "OPEN" indications mounted therein visible through a
transparent window 94 secured to the upper surface of end wall
12.sup.d. When the movable contact assembly is in the contact open
position shown in FIG. 2, lever 88 is pivoted clockwise to render
"OPEN" visible. Conversely when the movable contact assembly is in
the "CLOSED" contact position, lever 88 is pivoted counterclockwise
to cause indicator 92 to move to the position rendering "CLOSED"
visible through window 94.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the terminal members extends through a
washer 98 and the upper limb of a generally U-shaped stationary
contact support member 100. The terminal members L1 to L3 are
brazed to the lower surface of the lower limbs of the members 100.
Screws 102 penetrating clearance openings in cam-stop blocks 104,
spacers 106, and openings in the web interconnecting the upper and
lower limbs of the members 100 take into threaded recesses formed
in the bosses 12.sup.g integrally formed with the top end wall
12.sup.d of the case 12. The cam-stop blocks 104 afford a wedge
brace between the upper and lower limbs of the members 100 to
prevent any appreciable flexing or bending of the lower limbs when
the movable contacts 66.sup.a close against the stationary contacts
100.sup.a.
As shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, the right hand stationary contacts
100.sup.a are associated with left hand stationary contacts
108.sup.a which are brazed to the lower surfaces of the leftwardly
extending tab portions 110.sup.a of bimetal members 110 which are
generally of a U-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 3. Adjacent
to the tab portions 110.sup.a, these members are insulatedly
supported on the lower limbs 112.sup.a of terminal members 112 by
screws 114 and insulating washers (not shown) disposed about the
screws 114, separating the tabs 110.sup.a from contact support
members 108. The right hand arms of bimetal members 110 adjacent
their free ends are brazed to the lower limbs 112.sup.a of terminal
members 112.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, terminal members 112 each have an
upper limb 112.sup.b through which extends the lower end of an
associated one of the terminals T1 to T3 which are secured thereto
by riveting over of ends of the latter. Members 112 also have
integral portions 112.sup.c electrically interconnecting the
portions 112.sup.a and 112.sup.b, and bracket portions 112.sup.d
which abut against the rear side of each of the bosses 12g. Screws
116 which penetrate receiving openings in the portions 112.sup.d
and take into threaded recesses in the bosses 12.sup.g afford
support and anchoring for each of the terminal members within the
case 12.
The aforementioned insulator spacers 76, as best shown in FIG. 2,
have a tongue-and-groove interfit with integrally formed barrier
portions 12.sup.h which depend downwardly from the lower surface of
top end wall 12.sup.d of case 12. The lower surfaces of the
insulator-spacers 76 bear against the upper surfaces of the contact
support members 108, and prevent any appreciable flexure or bending
of the latter when movable contacts 66.sup.a mate with the
stationary contacts 108.sup.a.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 the lever 50 is normally constrained
against any appreciable pivotal movement on armature 48 by a latch
bar 120. Latch bar 120 has a main portion 120.sup.a which joins
downwardly extending ears 120.sup.b at opposite ends thereof.
Aligned openings are provided in the ears 120.sup.a to accommodate
a pivot pin 122 which is journaled in downward turned pivot flanges
124.sup.a of a bracket or yoke 124 that is mounted on the pivot pin
90. Pivot pin 90 is journaled in the spaced apart arms 126.sup.a of
a frame 126 which is mounted on the plate 30 of the armature
assembly.
As best shown in FIG. 7, latch bar 120 has an arm 120.sup.c which
is bifurcated adjacent its free end. A cylindrical pin 120.sup.d
transversely straddles the bifurcated ends of the arm 120.sup.c so
that it can roll therein about its longitudinal axis. A latch arm
128.sup.a of a latch member 128 engages on a shoulder 128.sup.b
with the pin 120.sup.d, and the arms 120.sup.c on its lower surface
bear against the upper surface of the lever 50. A spring 130 formed
out of flat spring metal stock has spaced apart lower limbs that
bear against the lower surface of lever 50 adjacent the left hand
end thereof as viewed in FIG. 4, and an upper limb that bears
against the lower surface of the portion 120.sup.a of the latch bar
120.
The latch 128 has spaced depending ears 128.sup.a which are
journaled on pivot pin 90 between the aformentioned pivot mounting
flanges of the yoke 124. A torsion spring 132 which is anchored at
one end of the interconnecting bight portion 124.sup.b of yoke 124
is coiled about pivot pin 90 and is anchored at its other end to
latch 128. Latch 128 as viewed on FIG. 4 is biased by spring 132
for clockwise rotation on pin 90 to engage its shoulder 128.sup.c
with the pin 120.sup.d on latch bar 120. Latch bar 120 is thus held
latched and prevents the left hand end of lever 50 from upward
movement.
The yoke 124 is limited against appreciable clockwise pivotal
movement by a limit screw 123 that is threaded in a right angle
bracket portion 126.sup.c depending from a bight portion 126.sup.b
which interconnects the arms 126.sup.a of frame 126. A spring
member 125 formed of flat spring metal stock straddles the bight
126.sup.b of frame 126 and has a reversely curved portion 126.sup.a
that bears against the lower surface of the bight 124.sup.b to hold
the latter in engagement with the end of stop screw 123. As will
hereinafter be more fully explained, adjustment of screw 123
determines the point at which latch bar 120 disengages from latch
128 for a given amount of thermal deflection of the center one of
the bimetal members 110.
A tie bar 134 is secured to the upper surface of latch 128 and has
three spaced apart fingers 134.sup.a depending from a longitudinal
portion 134.sup.b. Three compensator bimetal members 136 are
riveted to bar 134 at corresponding ends in spaced apart relation,
and have helically coiled intermediate sections 136.sup.a. At their
other corresponding ends the members are riveted to a lever 138
which has three spaced apart arms 138.sup.a which overlie the
fingers 134.sup.a of the bracket 134. Insulator tabs 140 are
riveted on the upper surface of the arms 138.sup.a adjacent the
free ends thereof. Each of the tabs 140 has a portion 140.sup.a
angling upwardly toward and underlying the lower surface of
respective ones of the bimetal members 110. As will hereinafter be
more fully explained the tabs 140 are engaged by one or more of the
bimetal members 110 under current overload conditions to cause
counterclockwise pivoting of lever 138, the bracket 134 and latch
128.
As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, two mechanically operated switches
142 and 144 are mounted on a bracket plate 146 which is secured to
plate 30 of the electromagnetic operating assembly. Switch 142 has
an external operating plunger 142.sup.a which is normally held
inwardly by an arm 50.sup.b of lever 50 to open the switch
contacts. Switch 144 has an operating plunger 144.sup.a that is
engageable on its end with a tab 56.sup.a secured on the left hand
bracket 56 as viewed in FIG. 2. Switch 142 is held in contact open
position whenever the left hand end of lever 50 is secured in
latched down position by latch bar 120 and latch 128. This switch
serves as the "OLT" or overload trip switch whose purpose and
function is more fully described in copending application Ser. No.
396,733, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,676 issued Nov. 5, 1974 and
assigned to the assignee of this application. Switch 144 may have a
single set or dual set of contacts as desired. One of the sets is
closed whenever the main contacts are closed, and the other set of
which is closed when the main circuit breaker contacts are open.
While not limited thereto the contacts of switch 144 are
advantageous for use in electrical indicating circuits to indicate
the operating condition of the circuit breaker at a remote
location.
Two molded epoxy cases 150 and 152 are mounted in case 12 as best
shown in FIG. 2. These cases may be assumed to contain molded in
situ, descrete components of the electronic control system shown
and described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,676.
Certain wire leads therefrom connect with the coil pairs 42 and 44
on each of the cores 32 and 34 of the electromagnetic operator, and
contacts of the OLT switch 144. Reference should be made to that
patent for a complete description of how that electronic control
responds to operation of a remote pilot circuit breaker to provide
corresponding energization of the coils on cores 32 and 34 to close
and open the movable contact 66.sup.a to stationary contact pairs
100.sup.a and 102.sup.a, and to overload trip open of these main
contacts and closing of contacts of switch 142.
The operating positon of the circuit breaker as shown in FIGS. 2
and 4 is the contact open position wherein all three sets of
movable contacts 66.sup.a are out-of-engagement with their
associated pairs of stationary contact 100.sup.a and 108.sup.a. It
will be observed that the armature 48 is sealed against the core 34
of the electromagnetic operator, and that the tab 56.sup.a is
holding the plunger 144.sup.a of switch 144 inward of the switch
housing; in this position of the breaker all three line terminals
L1 to L3 are electrically disconnected from their associated line
terminals. The coil pairs of both the electromagnetic operators 42
and 44 may be assumed to be deenergized. Armature 48 is
magnetically latched to the core 33 by the influence of the
permanent magnet members 36, in the manner described in the
aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,100.
Now let it be assumed that the main operating coil on core 32 is
energized. As viewed in FIG. 4, armature 48 will then pivot
counterclockwise on the screws 40 and seal against the upper end of
core 32. In so pivoting the right hand end of armature 48 moves
upwardly and effects corresponding upward movement of the brackets
56, tie bar 54 and the movable contact assemblies mounted on bar
54. Consequently the movable contacts 66.sup.a all close into
engagement with their respective associated pairs of stationary
contacts 100.sup.a and 108.sup.a to thereby complete electrical
connections between the line terminals L1 to L3 and the load
terminals T1 to T3. The coils associated with core 32 will
automatically be deenergized after a timed interval as described in
the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,676. Armature 48 will then
have its left hand end magnetically latched to the core 32 by the
action of permanent magnet members 36 as hereinbefore
described.
When it is desired to re-open the contacts at all three poles, the
core 34 would then have its main coil of the coil pair energized to
cause clockwise pivotal movements of armature 48 on the ends of the
posts 40. This results in downward movement of brackets 56 and the
bar 54 to effect corresponding downward movement of the movable
contact assemblies and disengagement of contacts 66.sup.a from
their associated stationary contacts 100.sup.a and 108.sup.a.
Let it be assumed that terminals L1 to L3 are connected to
respective conductors of a three phase, 208 volt, AC supply, that
terminals T1 to T3 are connected to an electrical load, that the
movable contacts are closed to their associated stationary contacts
and that the left hand end of armature 48 is latched as
aforedescribed to the upper end of core 32. Now assume, that an
overlaod condition occurs, and that heavy current is drawn through
one or more of the branches.
This current will of course flow through the bimetal member 110
associated with these terminals, and will cause the latter to warp
downwardly adjacent its U-shaped end.
In warping downwardly a member 110 will engage the portion
140.sup.a of the tab 140 mounted on the arm 138.sup.a of lever 138.
This will cause lever 138, tie bar 134, and latch 128 to pivot
counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 4. Latch 128 will ultimately be
disengaged from the pin 120.sup.d of latch bar 120. Latch bar 120
is then free to correspondingly pivot counterclockwise on pin 120
under the bias of the spring 130.
As latch bar 120 pivots counterclockwise it moves out of engagement
with the upper surface of lever 50 adjacent the left hand of the
latter. lever 50 is then freed to pivot clockwise on armature 50,
and does so under the bias imparted by the return springs 78 of the
movable contact mechanism, and the latter mechanism moves
downwardly to open all the main contacts. Lever 50 in so pivoting
after release by latch bar 120 releases the pressure exerted on
plunger 142.sup.a of switch 142 and thus allows the latter switch
to close its contacts which perform a function in connection with
the electronic control system described in the U.S. Pat. No.
3,846,676. By action of such electronic control system, the main
coil of coil pair 44 is energized to return armature 48 to the
position depicted in FIG. 4. When armature 48 so moves, lever 50 is
correspondingly moved and its left hand end is again engaged on its
upper surface by the arm 120.sup.c of the latch bar.
If the bimetal members 110 have cooled sufficiently, they will have
moved out of disengagement from the tabs 140.sup.a and consequently
the latch shoulder 128.sup.b of the latch can then engage with the
pin 120.sup.d of the latch bar under the bias of the torsion spring
132. With the left hand end of lever 50 re-latched, the movable
contact operating assembly can again be operated to close and
reopen the circuit breaker contacts as hereinbefore described.
The assembly comprising the bar 132, the three compensator bimetal
members 136, and the torsion lever 138 provides ambient temperature
compensation for the main bimetal members 110. This assembly is an
important and novel feature of the present invention as it insures
approximately the same latch trip time whether one, two or all
three phase paths through the main contacts of the circuit breaker
are carrying overload currents.
When one phase path only is carrying appreciable overload current
ambient heating will be generally confined in the area of the
compensated member 136 associated therewith, and any deflecting
force tending to move torsion lever 138 counterclockwise (as viewed
in FIG. 4) will be resisted by the other two compensating members.
Then when the main bimetal member 110 of the overload phase engages
its associated tab 140 the assembly will have to be mechanically
moved a certain distance D to effect disengagement of the shoulder
128.sup.b with the pin 120.sup.d.
Now assume a condition when all three phase branches are
overloaded. The torsion lever 138 will be moved clockwise away from
the bimetal members 110 a greater distance as all compensation
members 136 are then flexing. Consequently the members 100 will
have a greater distance of free air bending before engaging their
respective tabs 140, but after engagement therewith, the distance
D1 of required movement of the aforementioned assembly to effect
latch trip will be decreased approximately to one-third that of the
distance D. It will be appreciated that under these conditions the
force exerted by three bimetal members 110 will be approximately
three times that exerted by a single such member. Moreover, under
two and three phase overload conditions the assembly comprising bar
134, compensation bimetal members 136 and torsion lever 138 will be
proportionately stiffer and thus flex less following engagement by
the main bimetal members 110.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the total distance of
movement of any or all of the bimetal members 110 required to
effect latch tripping remains essentially the same for one, two or
three phase overload conditions, and that the compensator members
136 and torsion lever 138, in effect, provide a differential travel
mechanism.
As aforementioned the compensator bimetal members 136 have portions
136.sup.a which are of a helically wound form. In other words,
these sections 136.sup.a correspond to sections of a helically
coiled bimetal member formed of flat stock helically wound about a
cylindrical form with a constant pitch angle. It has been found
that this form for the sections 136.sup.a permits a 50% reduction
in the amount of bimetal required to obtain the same degree of
angular deflection under heating as compared to the same sections
being made in U-shaped form with parallel arms.
Calibration of the trip point for latch 128 is accomplished by
subjecting the center pole of the circuit breaker through terminals
L2 and T3 to a predetermined, simulated current, and then adjusting
screw 123 so that latch 128 trips free from pin 120.sup.d within a
given time interval following initiation of such current flow. To
calibrate the trip time of the other poles, they are subjected to
the same simulated current and then members mechanically bent at
their junction with terminals 108 so that they will effect latch
tripping within the same specified time interval.
* * * * *