BIMETAL AND MAGNETIC ARMATURE PROVIDING AN ARC SPLATTER RESISTANT OFFSET THEREBETWEEN, AND CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING THE SAME

摘要

A trip mechanism includes a bimetal having a first side and an opposite second side, a magnetic yoke disposed proximate the first side of the bimetal, and a magnetic armature pivotally connected to the bimetal and disposed proximate the opposite second side thereof. The armature has a first side with a surface, an opposite second side, and an opening extending from the first side to the opposite second side of the magnetic armature. The opening has a latch surface structured to engage the latch surface of an operating mechanism. The first side of the magnetic armature is structured to engage the opposite second side of the bimetal. At least one of the bimetal and the magnetic armature is structured to provide an offset between the bimetal and the surface of the first side of the magnetic armature at the opening of the magnetic armature.

主权项

1. A circuit breaker comprising:
separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism comprising a latch surface; and a trip mechanism cooperating with said operating mechanism to trip open said separable contacts, said trip mechanism comprising:
a bimetal having a first side and an opposite second side,a magnetic yoke disposed proximate the first side of said bimetal, anda magnetic armature pivotally connected to said bimetal and disposed proximate the opposite second side thereof, said magnetic armature having a first side with a surface, an opposite second side, an opening extending from the first side of said magnetic armature to the opposite second side of said magnetic armature, said opening having a latch surface engaging the latch surface of said operating mechanism when said separable contacts are closed or not tripped open,wherein during magnetic interruption of current flowing through said separable contacts, the first side of said magnetic armature engages the opposite second side of said bimetal, andwherein at least one of said bimetal and said magnetic armature is structured to provide an offset between said bimetal and the surface of the first side of said magnetic armature at the opening of said magnetic armature.