Arc chute and circuit interrupter employing the same

A circuit breaker comprising:

• a first power terminal;
• a second power terminal;
• a stationary contact electrically connected to the second power terminal;
• a movable contact electrically connected to the first power terminal;
• an operating mechanism adapted to open and close said stationary contact and said movable contact;
• and
• an arc chute comprising:
• a first support portion,
• a second support portion,
• an exit portion supported by said first and second support portions said exit portion having at least one opening,
• a plurality of electrically conductive arc plates supported by said first and second support portions, said arc plates having a first edge offset from said exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from said exit portion, and
• a plurality of insulating dividing members disposed between said arc plates, said insulating dividing members having a first edge proximate said exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from said exit portion,
• wherein the second edge of said insulating dividing members extends beyond the first edge of said arc plates and toward the second edge of said arc plates, and
• wherein the first edge of said insulating dividing members extends beyond the first edge of said arc plates and away from the second edge of said arc plates,
• wherein adjacent pairs of said arc plates have slots therein with ends directed to opposite ones of said first and second support portions;
• and wherein for each of said pairs, each of said arc plates has a first width on a first side adjacent one of said first and second support portions and a second smaller width on a second side adjacent the other one of said first and second support portions, the second side having the smaller width being disposed proximate the end of said slot.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• a first power terminal;
• a second power terminal;
• a stationary contact electrically connected to the second power terminal;
• a movable contact electrically connected to the first power terminal;
• an operating mechanism adapted to open and close said stationary contact and said movable contact;
• and
• an arc chute comprising:
• a first support portion,
• a second support portion,
• an exit portion supported by said first and second support portions, said exit portion having at least one opening,
• a plurality of electrically conductive arc plates supported by said first and second support portions, said arc plates having a first edge offset from said exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from said exit portion, and
• a plurality of insulating dividing members disposed between said arc plates, said insulating dividing members having a first edge proximate said exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from said exit portion,
• wherein the second edge of said insulating dividing members extends beyond the first edge of said arc plates and toward the second edge of said arc plates, and
• wherein the first edge of said insulating dividing members extends beyond the first edge of said arc plates and away from the second edge of said arc plates,
• wherein said exit portion is a top portion;
• wherein the first and second edges of said arc plates are top and bottom edges, respectively;
• wherein the first and second edges of said insulating dividing members are top and bottom edges, respectively;
• wherein said at least one opening of said top portion is a first opening;
• wherein said top portion comprises a molded top and a top frame, said molded top having a second opening corresponding to the first opening of said top portion, a molded rim around the second opening of said molded top, and a recessed area, said top frame having a third opening corresponding to the first opening of said top portion and being larger than said second opening, said top frame resting in the recessed area of said molded top, the molded rim of said molded top being adjacent to said third opening.

A circuit breaker comprising:

• a first power terminal;
• a second power terminal;
• a stationary contact electrically connected to the second power terminal;
• a movable contact electrically connected to the first power terminal;
• an operating mechanism adapted to open and close said stationary contact and said movable contact;
• and
• an arc chute comprising:
• a first support portion,
• a second support portion,
• an exit portion supported by said first and second support portions, said exit portion having at least one opening,
• a plurality of electrically conductive arc plates supported by said first and second support portions, said arc plates having a first edge offset from said exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from said exit portion, and
• a plurality of insulating dividing members disposed between said arc plates, said insulating dividing members having a first edge proximate said exit portion and an opposite second edge distal from said exit portion,
• wherein the second edge of said insulating dividing members extends beyond the first edge of said arc plates and toward the second edge of said arc plates, and
• wherein the first edge of said insulating dividing members extends beyond the first edge of said arc plates and away from the second edge of said arc plates,
• wherein said exit portion is a top portion;
• wherein the first and second edges of said arc plates are top and bottom edges, respectively;
• wherein the first and second edges of said insulating dividing members are top and bottom edges, respectively;
• wherein each one of said insulating dividing members is disposed between and separated from an adjacent pair of said arc plates, wherein said top portion comprises a molded top having a bottom surface with a plurality of grooves;
• and wherein each of said insulating dividing members includes a top surface which interlocks with a corresponding one of said grooves of the bottom surface of said molded top.