Claims:1. An operating mechanism of a circuit breaker, said operating mechanism comprising:
a through pin configured to move in a slot provided on the operating mechanism, said through pin configured to move from a first position to a second position defining an ON state of the circuit breaker and a TRIP state of the circuit breaker respectively; and
a damping element provided on the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker, said damping element having a kidney shaped slot configured to allow the through pin to move from the first position to the second position,
wherein said slot has a first width at a first end of the slot corresponding to the first position of the through pin and a second width at a second end corresponding to the second position of the through pin with the first width greater than the second width such that movement of the through pin from the first position to the second position is constricted.
2. The operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first width is greater than the diameter of the through pin.
3. The operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second width is smaller than the diameter of the through pin.
4. The operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the width of the slot decreases continuously along profile of the slot, from the first end of the slot to the second end of the slot.
5. The operating mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damping element is made of rubber.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to operation of a circuit breaker. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a means to extend life of components of a circuit breaker.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] A circuit breaker is a mechanical switching device capable of making, carrying and breaking currents. Under normal circuit conditions, it makes the circuit, carries current for a specified time and breaks the circuit under specified abnormal circuit conditions. Circuit breakers are employed for current interruption, and further, to protect instruments and equipment from damage during adverse conditions prevailing during the operation of the circuit in which circuit breaker is employed.
[0004] The switching operations are performed through a spring-loaded link mechanism connected to electrical contacts. For higher current ratings of a circuit breaker, the electro-dynamic forces are very high, thereby requiring high spring forces in the operating mechanism. Having double break contact system increases the force requirement further in comparison to single break. As the spring forces increase, the forces experienced by the links correspondingly increase and the associated vibration during the switching operations is also higher. These vibrations and forces can cause undesired events like breakage, bounce, nuisance de-latch etc. Breakage makes the circuit breaker unusable, bounce reduces the electrical clearances required to quench the arc and achieve isolation, and nuisance de-latch makes switching operations difficult.
[0005] There is, therefore, a requirement in the art for a means to reduce the effect of the high vibrations and impact forces on the components of the circuit breaker to increase operational life of the circuit breaker.
[0006] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A general object of the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker with a damper integrated into its operating mechanism.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker with efficient operation.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit breaker with extended operating life.

SUMMARY
[0010] The present disclosure relates, in general, to operation of a circuit breaker. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a means to extend life of components of a circuit breaker.
[0011] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker, said operating mechanism comprising: a through pin configured to move in a slot provided on the operating mechanism, said through pin configured to move from a first position to a second position defining an ON state of the circuit breaker and a TRIP state of the circuit breaker respectively; and a damping element provided on the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker, said damping element having a kidney shaped slot configured to allow the through pin to move from the first position to the second position, wherein said slot has a first width at a first end of the slot corresponding to the first position of the through pin and a second width at a second end corresponding to the second position of the through pin with the first width greater than the second width such that movement of the through pin from the first position to the second position is constricted.
[0012] In an embodiment, the first width is greater than the diameter of the through pin.
[0013] In another embodiment, the second width is smaller than the diameter of the through pin.
[0014] In another embodiment, the width of the slot decreases continuously along profile of the slot, from the first end of the slot to the second end of the slot.
[0015] In another embodiment, the damping element is made of rubber.
[0016] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of a typical circuit breaker.
[0019] FIGs. 1B – 1D illustrate typical ON, OFF and TRIP positions respectively of an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker.
[0020] FIG. 1E illustrates a typical tripping mechanism of a circuit breaker when the operating mechanism is about to trip.
[0021] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary circuit breaker with damper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIGs. 2B and 2C illustrate exemplary ON and TRIP position of an operating mechanism of the proposed circuit breaker with damper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed damper of the circuit breaker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0026] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0028] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non – claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0029] The present disclosure relates, in general, to operation of a circuit breaker. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a means to extend life of components of a circuit breaker.
[0030] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker, said operating mechanism comprising: a through pin configured to move in a slot provided on the operating mechanism, said through pin configured to move from a first position to a second position defining an ON state of the circuit breaker and a TRIP state of the circuit breaker respectively; and a damping element provided on the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker, said damping element having a kidney shaped slot configured to allow the through pin to move from the first position to the second position, wherein said slot has a first width at a first end of the slot corresponding to the first position of the through pin and a second width at a second end corresponding to the second position of the through pin with the first width greater than the second width such that movement of the through pin from the first position to the second position is constricted.
[0031] In an embodiment, the first width is greater than the diameter of the through pin.
[0032] In another embodiment, the second width is smaller than the diameter of the through pin.
[0033] In another embodiment, the width of the slot decreases continuously along profile of the slot, from the first end of the slot to the second end of the slot.
[0034] In another embodiment, the damping element is made of rubber.
[0035] FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of a typical circuit breaker.
[0036] FIGs. 1B – 1D illustrate typical ON, OFF and TRIP positions respectively of an operating mechanism of a circuit breaker. The mechanism (1) is mounted on a Y-pole (2).
[0037] Referring to FIG. 1B, in ON position, a fixed link (3a) and a moving link (3b) of shaft (3) in the y-pole (2) are in contact with each other, thereby closing the circuit.
[0038] Referring to FIGs. 1C and 1D, in OFF and TRIP positions respectively, the fixed link (3a) and the moving link (3b) are separated by a distance required to isolate a load from a power supply line. In OFF and TRIP positions, a through pin (3c) passing through a hole in the shaft (3) acts as a stopper on a profile (4a) of side plates (4) on both sides.
[0039] FIG. 1E illustrates a typical tripping mechanism of a circuit breaker when the operating mechanism is about to trip. Due to high forces, when the mechanism (1) is tripped, the through pin (3c), after hitting the stopper profile (4a) of side plates (4), bounces back thereby effectively reducing the opening gap between the fixed link (3a) and the moving link (3b). This can deteriorate the electrical life and short circuit protection functions of the circuit breaker. Further, due to the high impact forces on the stopper profile (4a) of the side plates (4), the side plates (4) may crack before achieving the requisite during endurance testing.
[0040] FIG. 2A illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary circuit breaker with damper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIGs. 2B and 2C illustrate exemplary ON and TRIP position of an operating mechanism of the proposed circuit breaker with damper, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIG. 2D illustrates an exemplary representation of the proposed damper of the circuit breaker, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The damper (5) can be made of rubber and has a kidney shaped slot profile (5a). The kidney shaped slot profile (5a) has a convergent form with the gap between the top and bottom curves reducing continuously in a clockwise direction. The gap between the curves is set such that, initially, it is greater than the diameter of the through pin (3c) so that the opening velocity is maintained. The gap reduces in the clockwise direction, with the end region gap being lesser than the diameter of the through pin (3c).
[0043] Referring to FIGs. 2B and 2C, the convergent profile of the kidney shaped slot profile (5a) of the damper (5) coupled with the damping property of rubber material reduces the speed towards the final leg of the travel, thereby significantly reducing the impact on the stopper profile (4a) of side plates (4). This has two benefits – firstly, it prevents the bounce of shaft (3) and, secondly it prevents breakage of side plates (4).
[0044] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patent matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0045] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0046] The present invention provides a circuit breaker with a damper integrated into its operating mechanism.
[0047] The present invention provides a circuit breaker with efficient operation.
[0048] The present invention provides a circuit breaker with extended operating life.