# US 2014/0151200 A1 · Electrical switching apparatus and conductor assembly therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151200 A1 - Document ID: US20140151200A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/692,296 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Eaton Corporation - Applicants: Eaton Corporation - Inventors: James G. Maloney; Wilbert E. Lindsay; Michael J. Erb - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151200A1 ## CPC - H01H 3/00: Mechanisms for operating contacts ({for tap changers H01H9/0027;} thermal actuating or release means H01H37/02) - H01B 5/002: {Auxiliary arrangements} - H01H 71/08: Terminals; Connections - H01H 71/16: with bimetal element {(combined with detection of imbalance of two or more currents H01H83/223)} - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) ## Abstract A conductor assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing having an interior and an exterior. The conductor assembly includes a first conductor member, a second conductor member, and a plurality of fasteners, such as rivets, mechanically fastening and electrically connecting the first conductor member to the second conductor member. The first conductor member is made from a first material, such as copper, and the second conductor member is made from a second different material, such as aluminum. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conductor assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus including a housing having an interior and an exterior, said conductor assembly comprising: a first conductor member; a second conductor member; and a plurality of fasteners mechanically fastening and electrically connecting said first conductor member to said second conductor member, wherein said first conductor member is made from a first material and said second conductor member is made from a second different material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said first conductor member and said second conductor member combine to form a bimetallic conductor assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The conductor arm assembly of claim 2 wherein the first material of said first conductor member is copper; and wherein the second material of said second conductor member is aluminum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said first conductor member is structured to extend from the exterior of said housing into the interior of said housing; and wherein said fasteners are structured to fasten said second conductor member to said first conductor member within the interior of said housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said first conductor member includes a terminal portion and a mounting portion; wherein said second conductor member comprises a first end and a second end disposed opposite from the first end; and wherein said fasteners fasten the first end of said second conductor member to the mounting portion of said first conductor member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The conductor assembly of claim 5 wherein said second conductor member further comprises a bend between the first end of said second conductor member and the second end of said second conductor member, in order that the second end is disposed at an angle with respect to the first end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The conductor assembly of claim 5 wherein said mounting portion comprises an upturned flange; wherein said second conductor member further comprises a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side; and wherein the second side of first end of said second conductor member is fastened to said upturned flange. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The conductor assembly of claim 7 wherein said plurality of fasteners is a plurality of rivets; and wherein a number of said rivets fasten the first end of said second conductor member to the upturned flange of said first conductor member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The conductor assembly of claim 8 wherein said plurality of rivets is four rivets; wherein a first pair of said rivets fastens said second conductor member to said first conductor member; and wherein a second pair of said rivets is disposed at the second end of said second conductor member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The conductor assembly of claim 1 wherein said electrical switching apparatus further includes a bimetal structure; wherein said second conductor member further includes a flexible shunt; and wherein said flexible shunt is structured to electrically connect said second conductor member to said bimetal structure. ### Claim 11 An electrical switching apparatus comprising: a housing including an interior and an exterior; separable contacts enclosed by the housing; an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts; and a conductor assembly comprising: a first conductor member, a second conductor member, and a plurality of fasteners mechanically fastening and electrically connecting said first conductor member to said second conductor member, wherein said first conductor member is made from a first material and said second conductor member is made from a second different material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first conductor member and said second conductor member combine to form a bimetallic conductor assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 12 wherein the first material of said first conductor member is copper; and wherein the second material of said second conductor member is aluminum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first conductor member extends from the exterior of said housing into the interior of said housing; and wherein said fasteners fasten said second conductor member to said first conductor member within the interior of said housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first conductor member includes a terminal portion and a mounting portion; wherein said second conductor member comprises a first end and a second end disposed opposite from the first end; and wherein said fasteners fasten the first end of said second conductor member to the mounting portion of said first conductor member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second conductor member further comprises a bend between the first end of said second conductor member and the second end of said second conductor member, in order that the second end is disposed at an angle with respect to the first end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 15 wherein said mounting portion comprises an upturned flange; wherein said second conductor member further comprises a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side; and wherein the second side of first end of said second conductor member is fastened to said upturned flange. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 17 wherein said plurality of fasteners is a plurality of rivets; and wherein a number of said rivets fasten the first end of said second conductor member to the upturned flange of said first conductor member. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 18 wherein said plurality of rivets is four rivets; wherein a first pair of said rivets fastens said second conductor member to said first conductor member; and wherein a second pair of said rivets is disposed at the second end of said second conductor member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The electrical switching apparatus of claim 11 wherein said electrical switching apparatus is a circuit breaker; wherein said circuit breaker further includes a bimetal structure; wherein said second conductor member further includes a flexible shunt; and wherein said flexible shunt electrically connects said second conductor member to said bimetal structure.