US3324264A - Circuit breaker mechanism with improved mounting arrangement for auxiliary features - Google Patents

Description

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IMPROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 24, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 6, 1967 F. E. MYERS 3,324,264

INVENTOR. FEL/X f. MyE/Pf June 6, 1967 F. E. MYERS 3,324,264

I CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IMPROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 24, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 6, E. MYERS CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IMPROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 24, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FEA/X 4E. M75495 June 6, 1967 F. E. MYERS 3,324,264

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IMPROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 24, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 N VEN TOR.

x, $1 & PEA/X 191/ 414??? June 6, 1967 F. E. MYERS 3,

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IMPROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 24, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. FEL /X E. myz/ef June 6, 1967 F. E. MYERS 3,324,254

CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IMPROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Filed Sept. 24, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet E United States Patent CIRCUIT BREAKER MECHANISM WITH IM- PROVED MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR AUXILIARY FEATURES Felix E. Myers, Haddon Heights, Ni, assignor to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadeiphia, Pa, 21 corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Sept. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 490,020 15 Claims. (Cl. 200-116) This invention relates to molded case circuit breakers in general and more particularly to an improved structural arrangement for adding auxiliary features thereto in an extremely simplified and expeditious manner, without costly mechanism changes.

In conventional multi-phase molded case circuit breakers the occurrence of a fault in any one of the phases will be effective to bring about simultaneous opening of all phases. Typically, a single contact operating mechanism is provided for all phases and individual fault responsive means is provided for each phase. All of the fault responsive means are effective to operate a common tripper bar, whose operation causes the operating mechanism to simultaneously open the contacts of all the phases.

It is oftentimes desirable to bring about opening of the circuit breaker poles under conditions other than the existence of an over-current fault condition. For example, it might be desirable to have a shunt trip auxiliary device which will automatically open the circuit breaker unit by the actuation of a push-button, remote from the circuit being sensed. An example of such operation is a machine shop wherein such a remote control push-button will be located in the vicinity of the machine, to permit the operator to automatically interrupt the power input thereto, in the event of an emergency condition.

It is oftentimes also desirable to have an under-voltage type of auxiliary device :which will open the circuit breaker unit if there is an under-voltage condition. Although fault currents might not be generated in any one of the individual phases, the equipment might not be operating in its intended manner, and therefore under such circumstances it is best that the operation of the equipment be halted by a suitable under-voltage trip device.

Another type of auxiliary feature oftentimes required is known as an auxiliary switch. Such a device provides a remote indication of the circuit breaker condition. Such an auxiliary switch typically contains two sets of contacts, with a common mid-connector operatively connected to the associated circuit breaker unit. As the circuit breaker moves between its engaged and disengaged conditions, the mid-connector closes or opens respective contact pairs with such information being transmitted to a remote location.

In the larger frame size breakers, particularly of the multi-phase variety, the addition of such auxiliary features is typically achieved by the location of suitable apparatus directly within the units housing. Such arrange ments are typically shown in my US. Patent No. 3,175,064 entitled, Shunt Trip and Under-Voltage Device, issued Mar. 23, 1965 as well as US. patent application Ser. No. 315,312, filed Oct. 10, 1963 in the name of Carl E. Gryctko, entitled Circuit Breaker Having Isolated Auxiliary Components, both assigned to the assignee of the inst-ant invention, now US. Patent No. 3,243,563. Such auxiliary devices have oftentimes been mounted in the very same compartments as the main current carrying elements of the circuit breaker or the operating mechanism or, as preferably shown in aforementioned US. Patent No. 3,243,563, be positioned in separate compartments designated for the reception of the auxiliary devices, and including simplified means connected to the tie bar or trip bar of the circuit breaker unit.

In the prior art constructions, it has however been the convenitonal practice to secure the auxiliary devices to the base of the housing by screws, bolts or similar conventional fastening means. As circuit breaker constructions have become more and more compact, it has become an increasing problem to provide convenient access to the mounting means for fastening the auxiliary device to the housing base. Further, the utilization of such prior art fastening means have typically required additional mounting brackets, complementary thereto.

My invention avoids these prior art problems by suitably dimensioning the axiliary device, such that it snugly enters the base compartment and is closely confined therein for securably maintaining such device in its designated location That is, the auxiliary device of the instant invention may merely be dropped into the compartment set aside therefor without the need for separate fastening means, as had been typically required in the prior art.

In accordance with preferred embodiments of my invention, which may be of the shunt trip or auxiliary switch variety, the housing base internal compartment includes a pair of parallel disposed side walls, an end wall, a rear wall, and positioning ribs or recesses. The dimensions of the auxiliary device are predeterminedly selected, such that it similarly includes a pair of side walls having a spacing approximating that of the internal compartment side walls, such that the respective side walls closely confront and the end of the auxiliary device similarly confronts the compartment end wall. Also, the auxiliary device includes portions which register with the compartment recesses or ribs for tightly maintaining the auxiliary device in its desired location. Further, the auxiliary device may also include an upwardly extending resilient means for abutting the circuit breaker cover and downwardly urging the auxiliary device in firm seated engagement with the rear wall of its compartment.

As will hereinafter be explained in detail, suitable connections and extensions are provided on the circuit breaker tie bar and common trip bar for operation in conjunction with the auxiliary components, as well as operation of the circuit breaker unit by the actuation of the auxiliary shunt device.

Accordingly, a primary object of the instant invention is to provide a novel construction for auxiliary features within a circuit breaker unit, which does not require costly or special mechanism changes, and may be mounted to the circuit breaker base in an extremely expeditious manner.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide auxiliary trip devices for a circuit breaker unit, which may be mounted within the circuit breaker housing without the need for separate fastening means or associated brackets.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide auxiliary features for operation in conjunction with a circuit breaker mechanism, which auxiliary features include devices dimensioned to snugly enter the compartment of the circuit breaker unit, and are confinedly retained therein.

An additional object of the instant invention is to provide such a novel auxiliary device of the shunt trip variety.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide such a novel auxiliary device of the auxiliary switch variety.

These as well as further objects of the instant invention willbecome readily apparent after reading the following description of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a circuit breaker mechanism, having auxiliary devices constructed in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention, and with the cover removed to reveal details thereof.

FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken along the lines 2-2, 33, and 4-4, respectively, of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the respective arrows.

FIGURE 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of both a shunt trip and auxiliary switch device constructed in accordance with the instant invention, and in particular showing the manner in which the auxiliary devices enter their respective compartments.

FIGURE 6 and 6a are side elevation and plan views respectively of a somewhat modified form of auxiliary switch assembly constructed in accordance with the novel concepts of the instant invention.

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view showing another modification of an auxiliary switch device in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention.

Referring initially to FIGURES 1-5, circuit breaker 10 includes a molded housing formed of base section 11 and removable cover 12, held in place by fasteners 13. Base 11 is provided with end parallel side walls 14 and 15, as well as internal partitions 16-19 which ex- .tend parallel to side walls 14, 15 so as to define five parallel discrete compartments within the base 11. In a similar manner cover 12 is provided with side walls and partitions which appear as forward extensions of side walls 14, 15 and partitions 16-19.

As shown in the circuit breaker frame selected for illustrating the inventive concepts of the instant invention, the outer compartments and the center compartment each has the current carrying elements and the automatic trip elements for a single phase of circuit breaker 10. In the ensuing discussion, corresponding elements of the various phase conductive paths and mechanism will be designated by the A, B and C suffixes, respectively. One of the other compartments has a contact operating mechanism 20 and the remaining compartment has a plurality of auxiliary devices which constitute the subject matter of the instant invention.

A transversely extending common trip bar and tie bar project through all five compartments for purposes to be hereinafter described. It should naturally be understood that this particular circuit breaker assembly utilizing the auxiliary devices of the instant invention is for illustrative purposes only and such devices may be used in conjunction with numerous other types and sizes of circuit breaker units.

Contact operating mechanism 20 may be any one of trip free mechanisms well known in the art. Reference is however made to FIGURE 2, in particular, and the description thereof which follows for a cursory explanation of operating mechanism 20.

Operating mechanism 20 includes a cradle 21 pivotally mounted at pin 22 to mechanism frame 23. Screws 36 received by base inserts 37 fixedly secure mechanism frame 23 to base 11. An overcenter toggle linkage assembly, including links 26, 27, are joined at the knee pin 28 and connect cradle 21 to arm 33 at opposed pins 29 and 32, respectively. Clamping member 34 connects arm 33 to the transversely extending tie bar 30 at a point remote from pivot pin 32. One end of the pair of operating springs 38 is connected to plate 39 pivotally mounted to toggle knee 28. The other end of spring pair 38 is mounted to a web extension 24, which receives operating handle 40. Handle 40 extends through cover aperture 41 to permit manual operation of the circuit breaker unit.

Latch tip 42 at the left end of cradle 21, as shown in FIGURE 2, is engaged by intermediate latch member 43, which is pivotally mounted to frame 23 at pin 44. Torsion spring 45 mounted to pin 44 biases intermediate latch member 43 in a clockwise direction, such that it engages extension 46 of common trip bar actuating extension 47, so as to bias common trip bar 25 in a counterclockwise direction. Calibration of the operating mechanism is provided by an adjusting screw 48 which extends through a leg of extension 47 to engage frame cross member 49 and thereby limit the counter-clockwise movement and establish the latching position of trip bar 25.

With trip bar 25 in its most counter-clockwise position, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, latch tip 47a of extension 47 is positioned as to block counter-clockwise movement of intermediate latch member 43. However, when trip bar 25 is rotated slightly clockwise from the position illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, latch tip 47a is aligned with aperture 43a of latch member 43 so that latch member 43 is no longer restrained against counter-clockwise movement. With member 43 pivoted counter-clockwise from its position in FIGURE 2, upward movement of latch tip 42 is no longer blocked and under the urging of operating springs 48 upper toggle link pivot 29 will move to the right of the line of action of springs 38, so that the toggle knee 28 will move to the left with respect to FIGURE 2. Thus, toggles 26, 27 will collapse, moving pin 32 upwardly and thereby rotating tie bar 30 in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The current carrying elements of all three phases A, B and C are identical, so that only the elements of phase A will be described. In conjunction therewith, particular reference is now made to FIGURE 3.

With the circuit breaker closed, the current path through phase A is as follows: Wire grip 51A, terminal strip 52A, stationary contact 53A, movable contact 54A, movable contact arm 55A, flexible braid 56A, L-shaped strap 57A, trip member frame 58A and terminal 59A.

Clamping member 60A fixedly secures member 61A to tie bar 30, with pin 62A pivotally mounting contact arm 55A to member 61A. Extension 61A of member 61A projects into notch 55 to limit the pivotal movement of arm 55A. Compression spring 63 furnishes the pressure to establish good electrical contact between cooperating contacts 53A and 54A by bearing against arm 55A and member 61A. e

As fully described in US. Patent No, 3,180,953, automatic trip unit 70A is provided with a delay tripping means in the form of a bimetal 71A fixedly secured at its lower end to one of the legs of member 58A. The upyer end of bimetal 71A is free to deflect to the right with respect to FIGURE 3, and when sufficiently deflected engages portion 72A of trip bar extension 72A, so as to rotate trip bar 25 in clockwise direction with respect to FIGURE 3. This serves to cause automatic tripping of circuit breaker 10.

Automatic trip unit 70A is also provided, in the conventional manner, with an instantaneous trip means in the form of magnet member 58A and pivoted armature 73A. When the current through member 58A is of a sufficient magnitude, the upper end of armature 73A moves to the left against the biasing force of leaf spring 74A and engages leg 72A of trip bar extension 72A, so as to similarly rotate trip bar 25 in the clockwise, or tripping direction.

In a manner well known in the art, contact arms 55B and 55C are similarly mounted to transversely extending tie bar 30 in the same manner previously described for the connection of contact arm 55A. Similarly, common trip bar extensions 72B and 72C (FIG. 1) for their respective phases, are provided so as to be engagea-ble by the moving elements of their automatic tripping of all the phases of circuit breaker 10 should a fault occur in any of the individual phases.

As clearly shown in FIGURES l and 4 and in the exploded view of FIGURE 5, the volume between phases B and C, defined by the upstanding side walls of partitions 16 and 17, end walls 118 and 119, rear wall 80, and the top wall of the cover 12, define a discrete compartment 101 for reception of the auxiliary devices, comprising the shunt trip unit and auxiliary switch assembly 110. In

accordance with the novel concepts of the instant invention, these auxiliary devices are suitably dimensioned to snugly enter the compartment 101 and be closely confined therein, so as to be firmly seated and maintained in the auxiliary device compartment, without the utilization of additional fastening means.

Reference is first made to the construction of the shunt trip auxiliary device 90. The entire assembly is interconnected to and carried by magnetic yoke member 92 and bracket member 94. Members 92 and 94 are suitably interconnected to each other as by welding. Referring particularly to FIGURES 1 and 5, it is to be noted that the opposed upstanding side walls 91, 93 of yoke member 92 and bracket member 94 have a spacing approximating that of internal side Walls 16, 17 of the auxiliary receiving compartment, so as to closely confront these sidewalls and provide a closely confined fit therebetween. Similarly, rear surface 97 of members 92, 94 are eoplanarly disposed and closely confront compartment endwall 119. The bottom leg of bracket member 94 includes a downwardly projecting stamped extension 195'which registers with and enters recess 195 of the compartment rear wall 80, for operably positioning shunt trip assembly 90 in the designated portion of the housing compartment. The upper end 95 of retainer bracket 94 resiliently abuts against the top wall of compartment 101 defined by cover 12 of the circuit breaker, thereby urging the shunt trip assembly 90 downward, towards the rear wall 80 of circuit breaker base 11.

The trip unit energizing coil 98 is wound about a core plate 100, which passes through suitable openings in the arms of magnetic yoke member 92 and is staked thereto at 102. A cooperating armature 96 is pivoted to extension 105 of the yoke member, and biased away from the cooperating pole face of the core plate 100 by spring member 104. The initial armature gap separation is adjusted by calibration screw member 106, which abuts the upper end of the armature. The calibration setting is maintained by nut 108 along the shank of screw 106. The leads 107, 109 for energizing coil 98 pass through apertures 85 provided within recessed portion 84 of the circuit breaker base. When the coil 98 is energized, armature 96 is attracted to the pole face of core plate 100. This causes armature 96 to pivot clockwise about 105 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) such that the upper end of armature 96 moves to the right and in engagement with common trip bar extension 72-AX. This causes a clockwise movement of trip bar 25, thereby tripping all the poles of circuit breaker 10.

It should be further recognized that the shunt trip assembly 90 may be converted to an under-voltage device, merely by undergoing a minor modification thereof. That is, the relationship between the armature position and the trip bar extension 72-AX is varied such that they engage to cause clockwise rotation of tripper bar 25 upon deactivation of the electro-magnetic structure, with the attraction of the armature towards the pole face corresponding to the normal condition of the device.

Referring now to the auxiliary switch assembly 110, a particular embodiment is shown having two single pole double throw switches 130, 132 of the miniature variety and having push-button actuators 131, 133, respectively. It should, however, be understood that only one such switch may be used, or more than two switches may be used having other contact pole ararngements depending upon the requirements of the particular application and available space within the circuit breaker housing. Switches 130, 132 are mounted to side plates 112, 114 by a plurality of rivets 116. The lateral spacing between side plates 112, 114 approximates that between compartment side walls 16, 17 so as to provide a closely confronting confined relationship therebetween. Also, forwardly projecting portions 190, 191 of the side support 112, 114, respectively, enter slotted openings 192, 193 Within compartment side walls 16, 17. The rear wall of the side supports 112, 114 is disposed immediately adjacent compartment rear wall 118, and forward wall 197 of the side supports 112, 114 is similarly positioned adjacent upwardly extending housing ribs 196. A spacer member 121 may also be added in a notched region 123 of the side walls so as to further provide a snug fit of the auxiliary switch assembly 110 within its respective compartment.

An actuating arrangement comprising members 140 and operatively interconnect the auxiliary switches 130, 132 to the circuit breaker tie bar 30. More specifically, the actuating means includes a first member 140, having a generally C-shaped section 142 dimensioned to resiliently snap'fit about the tie :bar 30 and extending portion 144 which will travel in a path to abut downwardly turned portion 122 of the cooperating actuating member 120. The condition of FIGURE 4- corresponds to FIGURE 3, wherein the circuit breaker contacts are in the engaged condition, and tie bar 30 is at its clockwise extreme. Downwardly turned portion 122 is positioned to translate against actuating button 131 of auxiliary switch when the actuating member 120 is moved to the left as shown. Actuating member 120 includes another extension 124 which similarly translates against actuating button of auxiliary switch 132. The external circuit connections 81 to the auxiliary switches 130, 13 2 pass through base openings 83. When the circuit breaker contacts are moved to the disengaged condition, either by manual operation or the operation of one of the phase trip units, the tie bar 30' will be pivoted counter-clockwise such that the upper end 144 of actuating member moves to the left, thereby permitting actuating member 120 to move to the left, so that its downwardly turned extensions 122, 124 allow the operating members 131, 133 of the auxiliary switches 130, 132 to move outward, to the left, thereby providing a remote indication of circuit breaker operation. Adjustment of switch operation may be simply made by bending of actuator portion 144.

Reference is now made to FIGURES 6 and 6a which show a somewhat modified form of an auxiliary switch assembly constructed in accordance with the novel teachings of the instant invention and wherein corresponding parts are indicated by the same numerical designation. Each of the auxiliary switch members 130, 132 has a spring member 160 connected thereto. Spring member 160 includes an actuating portion 164- which will engage their respective switch actuator buttons 131, 133, and upwardly extending resilient portion 163 which engages the cover portion 12 of the circuit breaker housing. Actuator portion 164 is located within transversely extending compartment slots 171, with there being a further retaining ear 175 located within spaced housing compartment slots 173 for locating the auxiliary switch within the circuit breaker base compartment 101. Actuation of the auxiliary switches 130, 132, responsive to circuit breaker movement is obtained by a generally L-shaped actuator member pivoted at 152 to one of the auxilary switch mounting openings. Actuator 150 contains a portion 153 which will be engaged by tie bar 30 upon rotation thereof, such that the upper end 155 will be moved to the right, as shown in FIGURE 6, thereby moving sliding member 170 to the right, so as to move spring portions 164 to the right, and bring about engagement with switch actuator buttons 131, 133.

FIGURE 7 shows a further modification of the general type of auxiliary switch assembly shown in FIGURES 6 and 6a, but wherein the actuator member 150" is direct ly fastened to retainer spring as by welds 157. Actuator member 150' includes a portion 153 which will be engaged by tie bar 30 upon rotation thereof, as well as an opposed portion 155' which will move portion 164 of the retainer spring in a direction which actuates auxiliary switch button 131 upon operation of the circuit breaker unit. A slidable member, such as shown in FIGURE 6, may be added to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7 to provide operation of a plurality of such auxiliary switch devices.

It is therefore seen that the instant invention provides an improved structural arrangement for auxiliary devices used in conjunction with circuit breaker mechanisms, which auxiliary devices may be added to the circuit breaker base, without the need for conventional screws, bolts or similar fastening means. 7

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows.

1. A circuit breaker including a housing:

said housing including an internal volume having at least one internal compartment, including upstanding side walls, an end wall and a rear wall;

said circuit breaker having at least one current conducting mechanism, for carrying a single phase current, said current conducting mechanism including a pair of cooperating contacts and an overcurrent responsive trip unit responsive to a predetermined fault condition of its respective phase;

a main operating means operatively connected to said contacts for moving said contacts into and out of engagement;

means mounting said current conducting mechanism and main operating means within regions of said internal housing volume external of said one internal compartment;

an auxiliary operating means being inserted in said one internal compartment;

said auxiliary operating means responsive to a condition other than a single phase overcurrent;

mechanical linkage means interconnecting said main and auxiliary operating 'means, whereby operation of a predetermined one of said operating means causes operation of the other of said operating means;

said auxiliary operating means including at least one auxiliary device dimensioned to snugly enter said one compartment and be removably inserted therein;

said auxiliary device including side wall surfaces closely conforming to the lateral spacing between the upstanding sidewalls of said internal compartment, such that said sidewalls closely confront said internal compartment sidewalls and serve to retain said auxiliary device within said one compartment.

2. A circuit breaker as set forth in claim 1.

further including seating means for positioning said auxiliary device in a designated portion of said internal compartment;

said sealing means including a projection carried by said auxiliary device, and a complementary opening in said internal compartment for receiving said projection.

3. A circuit breaker as set forth in claim 1, further including a cooperating cover for said housing base;

said cover having a complementary top wall for said one internal compartment;

said auxiliary device including resilient means for abutting said top wall and rearwardly urging said auxiliary device towards said internal compartment rear wall.

4. A circuit breaker as set forth in claim 1, including ahousing:

said circuit breaker having at least one current conducting mechanism, for carrying a single phase current, said current conducting mechanism including a pair of cooperating contacts and an overcurrent responsive trip unit responsive to a predetermined fault condition of its respective phase;

a transversely extending tie bar operatively connecting said main operating mechanism to said current conducting mechanism, whereby the cooperating contacts thereof are operable into and out of engagement by said main operating mechanism;

auxiliary device actuating means having a first section engaging a portion of said tie bar extending through said one internal compartment;

said actuating means also having a second section engaging said auxiliary device for operation thereof responsive to movement of said tie bar.

5. A circuit breaker as set forth in claim 4, wherein said housing including a cover, said cover having a complementary top wall for said one internal compartment, said auxiliary device including resilient means for abutting said top wall and rearwardly urging said auxiliary device towards said rear wall.

6. A circuit breaker including a housing:

said housing including at least one internal compartment, including upstanding side walls, an end wall and a rear wall;

said circuit breaker having at least one current conducting mechanism, for carrying a single phase current, said current conducting mechanism including a pair of cooperating contacts and an overcurrent responsive trip unit responsive to a predetermined fault condition of its respective phase;

a main operating mechanism for moving said contacts into and out of engagement;

a transversely extending trip bar for maintaining said main operating mechanism in a normal position wherein said operating mechanism is effective to bring said cooperating contacts into engagement,

means operatively connecting said trip unit to said trip bar, such that, upon the occurrence of an overcurrent fault condition in its respective phase, said trip unit moves said trip bar to a trip position to release said main operating mechanism and automatically bring said contacts out of engagement;

an auxiliary operating means in said one internal compartment;

said auxiliary operating means responsive to a condition other than a single phase current;

said auxiliary operating means including an auxiliary device having an actuating portion engageable with a portion of said trip bar extending through said one internal compartment for operating said trip bar to said trip position;

said auxiliary device including side wall surfaces closely conforming to the lateral spacing between the upstanding sidewalls of said internal compartment, such that said sidewalls closely confront said internal compartment sidewalls and serve to retain said auxiliary device within said one compartment.

7. A circuit breaker including a housing:

said housing including at least one internal compartment, including upstanding side walls, an end wall and a rear wall;

said circuit breaker having at least one current conducting mechanism, for carrying a single phase current, said current conducting mechanism including a pair of cooperating contacts and an overcurrent responsive trip unit responsive to a predetermined fault condition of its respective phase;

a main operating mechanism;

a transversely extending tie bar operatively connecting said main operating mechanism to said current conducting mechanism, whereby the cooperating contacts thereof are operable into and out of engagement by said main opera-ting mechanism;

a transversely extending trip bar for maintaining said main operating mechanism in a normal position, wherein said main operating mechanism is effective to bring said cooperating contacts into engagement, means operatively connecting said trip unit to said trip bar, such that, upon the occurrence of an overcurrent fault condition in its respective phase, said trip unitmoves said trip bar to a trip position to release said main operating mechanism and automatically bring said contacts out of engagement;

1 first and second auxiliary devices in said one internal compartment; each responsive to a condition other than a single phase overcurrent;

said first auxiliary device engageable with a portion of said trip bar extending through said one internal compartment for operating said trip bar to said trip position;

actuating means having a first section engaging a portion of said tie bar extending through said one internal compartment;

said'actuating means also having a second section engaging said second auxiliary device for operation thereof responsive to movement of said tie bar;

f said auxiliary devices dimensioned to snugly enter said one compartment and be removably inserted therein;

said auxiliary devices including surfaces dimensioned to closely confronting said internal compartment walls and maintaining said auxiliary devices within said one compartment.

8. A circuit breaker as set forth in claim 7, each of 'said auxiliary devices including a pair of parallel disposed side walls, having a spacing approximating that of said one internal compartment side walls, such that the side walls closely confront, for maintaining said first and second auxiliary devices within said one compartment.

9. A circuit breaker including a housing, current carrying elements including a pair of cooperating contacts, an overcurrent responsive trip means, a main operating mechanism, a first operative connection between said main operating mechanism and contacts for moving said contacts into and out of engagement, a second auxiliary operating mechanism, an operative connection between said auxiliary operating mechanism and said main operating mechanism whereby operation of a predetermined one of said operating mechanisms brings about operation of the other of said operating mechanisms, partition means forming a compartment within said housing, means mounting said current carrying elements and said main operating mechanism within regions of said housing outside of said compartment, said auxiliary operating means including an auxiliary device disposed within said compartment, said auxiliary device dimensioned to snugly enter said compartment and be removably inserted therein, said auxiliary device including wall surfaces dimensioned to closely confront the partition walls of said compartment and adapted to maintain said auxiliary device within said compartment, Without the use of additional fastening means.

10. A multiphase circuit breaker including a housing having means defining a plurality of elongated side by side compartments; each phase of said circuit breaker having current carrying elements including a pair of cooperating contacts and an overload trip unit; said current carrying elements of a first phase disposed within a first of said compartments; said current carrying elements of a second phase disposed within a second of said compartments; a main operating mechanism in a third of said compartments; a transversely extending tie bar operatively connecting said main operating mechanism to the current carrying elements of said first and said second phases; said tie bar simultaneously transmitting motion from said main operating mechanism to the cooperating contacts of all of the phases; whereby the cooperating contacts thereof are simultaneously operable into and out of engagement by said main operating mechanism; an auxiliary operating mechanism including at least one auxiliary device in a fourth of said compartments; a mechanical connection between said main and auxiliary operating mechanisms whereby operation of a predetermined one of said operating mechanisms brings about operation of the other of said operating mechanism, said auxiliary device dimensioned to snugly enter said fourth compartment and be removably inserted therein, said auxiliary device including Wall surfaces dimensioned to closely confront the internal Walls of said fourth compartment and adapted to maintain said auxiliary device within said fourth compartment.

11. A multiphase circuit breaker including a housing having means defining a plurality of elongated side by side compartments; each phase of said circuit breaker having current carrying elements including a pair of cooperating contacts and an overload trip unit; said current carrying elements of a first phase disposed within a first of said compartments; said current carrying elements of a second phase disposed Within a second of said compartments; a main operating mechanism in a third of said compartments; a transversely extending tie bar operatively connecting said main operating mechanism to the current carrying elements of said first and said second phases; said tie bar simultaneously transmitting motion from said main operating mechanism to the cooperating contacts of all of the phases; whereby the cooperating contacts thereof are simultaneously operable into and out of engagement by said main operating mechanisms; an auxiliary operating mechanism including at least one auxiliary device in a fourth of said compartments responsive to a condition other than a single phase overload, auxiliary actuating means engaging a portion of said tie bar extending through said fourth compartment; said auxiliary actuating means also engaging'said auxiliary device for operation thereof in response to movement of said tie bar; said auxiliary device dimensioned to snuglyenter said fourth compartment and be removably inserted therein; said auxiliary device including wall surfaces dimensioned to closely confront the internal walls of said fourth compartment, and adapted to maintain said auxiliary device within said fourth compartment.

12. A multiphase circuit breaker including a housing having means defining a plurality of elongated side by side compartments; each phase of said circuit breaker having current carrying elements including a pair of cooperating contacts; said current carrying elements of a first phase disposed within a first of said compartments; said current carrying elements of a second phase disposed within a second of said compartments; a main operating mechanism in a third of said compartments; a transversely extending tie bar operatively connecting said main operating mechanism to the current carrying elements of said first and said second phases; said tie bar simultaneously transmitting motion from said main operating mechanism to the cooperating contacts of all of the phases; whereby the cooperating contacts thereof are simultaneously operable into and out of engagement by said main operating mechanism; an auxiliary operating mechanism including at least one auxiliary device in a fourth of said compartments responsive to a condition other than a single phase overload; each of said individual phase current carrying elements including an automatic overload responsive trip unit disposed in the compartment of the respective phase; a transversely extending trip bar for maintaining said main operating mechanism in a reset position wherein said mechanism is effective to bring said cooperating contacts into engagement; each of trip units having an actuating portion movable upon the occurrence of a fault condition against said trip bar to a trip position to release said main operating mechanism and automatically bring said cooperating contacts out of engagement; said auxiliary device including an actuating portion engageable with a portion of said trip bar extending through said fourth compartment for operating said trip bar to said trip position; said auxiliary device dimensioned to snugly enter said fourth compartment and be removably inserted therein; said auxiliary device including Wall surfaces dimensioned to closely confront the internal 1 1 walls of said fourth compartment and adapted to maintaining said auxiliary device within said fourth compartment.

13. A multiphase circuit breaker including a housing having means defining a plurality of elongated side by side compartment; each phase of said circuit breaker having current carrying elements including a pair of operating contacts; said current carrying elements of a first phase disposed within a first of said compartments; said current carrying elements of a, second phase disposed within a second of said compartments; said current carrying element of a third phase disposed within a third of said compartments; a main operating mechanism in a fourth of said compartments; a transversely extending tie bar operatively connecting said main operating mechanism to the current carrying elements of said first, said second and said third phases; and tie bar simultaneously transmitting motion from said main operating mechanism to the cooperating contacts of all the phases; whereby the cooperating contacts thereof are simultaneously operable into and out of engagement by said main operating mechanism; first and second auxiliary devices in a fifth of said compartments responsive to a condition other than a single phase overload; each of said phases having an automatic overload responsive trip unit disposed in the compartment of the respective phase; a transversely extending trip bar for maintaining said operating mechanism in a reset position wherein said mechanism is effective to bring said cooperating contacts into engagement; each of trip units having an actuating portion movable, upon the occurrence of a fault condition in its respective phase, for said trip bar to a trip position to release said main operating mechanism and automatically bring said cooperating contacts out of engagement; said first auxiliary device engageable with a portion of said trip bar extending through said fifth compartment for operating said trip bar to said trip position; actuating means having a first section engaging a portion of said tie bar extending through said fifth compartment, said actuating means also having a second section engaging said second auxiliary device for operation thereof responsive to movement of said tie bar; said auxiliary devices dimensioned to snugly enter said fifth compartment and be removably inserted therein, said auxiliary devices including wall surfaces dimensioned to closely confront the internal walls of said fifth compartment and adapted to maintain said auxiliary devices within said fifth compartment.

14. A circuit breaker as set forth in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary device and one compartment include cooperating first and second seating means, said auxiliary device carrying one of said seating means, and said one compartment including the other of said seating means, said seating means registering when said auxiliary device is in its desired location within said one compartment, and serving to maintain said auxiliary device at said desired location.

15. A multiphase circuit breaker as set forth in claim 14, wherein at least one of said-auxiliary devices and fifth compartment include cooperating first and second seating means, said auxiliary device carrying one of said seating means, and said fifth compartment including the other of said seating means, said seating means registering when said auxiliary device is in its desired location within said fifth compartment, and serving to maintain said auxiliary device at said desired location.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,354,157 7/1944 Swingle 200ll6 3,171,922 3/1965 Stokes -2 200116 3,204,063 8/1965 Nash et al. 200-116 3,243,563 3/1966 Gryctko 200-468 ,BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

H. B. GILSON, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDING A HOUSING: SAID HOUSING INCLUDING AN INTERNAL VOLUME HAVING AT LEAST ONE INTERNAL COMPARTMENT, INCLUDING UPSTANDING SIDE WALLS, AN END WALL AND A REAR WALL; SAID CIRCUIT BREAKER HAVING AT LEAST ONE CURRENT CONDUCTING MECHANISM, FOR CARRYING A SINGLE PHASE CURRENT, SAID CURRENT CONDUCTING MECHANISM INCLUDING A PAIR OF COOPERATING CONTACTS AND AN OVERCURRENT RESPONSIVE TRIP UNIT RESPONSIVE TO A PREDETERMINED FAULT CONDITION OF ITS RESPECTIVE PHASE; A MAIN OPERATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACTS FOR MOVING SAID CONTACTS INTO AND OUT OF ENGAGEMENT; MEANS MOUNTING SAID CURRENT CONDUCTING MECHANISM AND MAIN OPERATING MEANS WITHIN REGIONS OF SAID INTERNAL HOUSING VOLUME EXTERNAL OF SAID ONE INTERNAL COMPARTMENT; AN AUXILIARY OPERATING MEANS BEING INSERTED IN SAID ONE INTERNAL COMPARTMENT; SAID AUXILIARY OPERATING MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A CONDITION OTHER THAN A SINGLE PHASE OVERCURRENT;

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