Patent ID: 6326869
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
A clapper armature system for a circuit breaker; the clapper armature system comprising:a heater comprising a heater element and first and second electrical conductor, the heater element electrically connected to and disposed between the first and second conductors, so that the first and second conductors each extend along a respective side of said heater element, have at least substantially the same length as said heater element, and are spaced from the heater element to provide a pair of slots between said heater element and said first and second electrical conductors;heat sensitive strip disposed proximate the heater element, the heat sensitive strip having a first end electrically connected to at least one on the first and second conductors;a yoke having a pair of arms, each arm passing through a respective slot of the heater, wherein the heater element and heat sensitive strip are disposed between the arms to provide a plurality of current paths between the arms and said first and second electrical conductors are not between the arms; anda clapper disposed pivotally proximate the arms, wherein the clapper pivots to the arms of the yoke to open a pair of separable contacts of the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined current passing through the heater and heat sensitive strip.