Electrical switching apparatus and link assembly therefor
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsJames G. Maloney, Jeffrey W. Lockhart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A link assembly is for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. The operating mechanism includes a movable contact arm. The separable contacts comprise a stationary contact and a movable contact. The movable contact is disposed on the movable contact arm. The link assembly includes a pivot assembly pivotably coupled to the movable contact arm, a link element pivotably coupled to the pivot assembly, and a biasing element, such as a spring. A first end of the spring is coupled to the link element, and a second end of the spring is coupled to the circuit breaker housing.
Claims18
A link assembly for an electrical switching apparatus, said electrical switching apparatus including a housing, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a movable contact arm, said separable contacts comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, the movable contact being disposed on said movable contact arm, said link assembly comprising:
- a pivot assembly structured to be pivotably coupled to said movable contact arm;
- a link element pivotably coupled to said pivot assembly;
- and
- a biasing element including a first end coupled to said link element and a second end structured to be coupled to the housing of said electrical switching apparatus;
- wherein said pivot assembly comprises at least one pivot member having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
- wherein the first portion is structured to engage and cooperate with the housing;
- wherein the second portion is coupled to said link element;
- and wherein the third portion is structured to be pivotably coupled to said movable contact arm.
An electrical switching apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- separable contacts enclosed by the housing;
- an operating mechanism for opening and closing said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a movable contact arm, said separable contacts comprising a stationary contact and a movable contact, the movable contact being disposed on said movable contact arm;
- and
- a link assembly comprising:
- a pivot assembly pivotably coupled to said movable contact arm,
- a link element pivotably coupled to said pivot assembly, and
- a biasing element including a first end coupled to said link element and a second end coupled to the housing:
- wherein said pivot assembly comprises at least one pivot member having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion;
- wherein the first portion cooperates with the housing;
- wherein the second portion is coupled to said link element;
- and wherein the third portion is pivotably coupled to said movable contact arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.