FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
TERMINAL CONNECTOR MODULE FOR A CIRCUIT BREAKER;
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED, A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 1956, WHOSE ADDRESS IS L&T HOUSE, BALLARD ESTATE, MUMBAI - 400 001, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION
PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to circuit breakers and more particularly to a terminal connector module for circuit breakers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A circuit breaker is a switch that automatically interrupts flow of electrical current when the rated current is exceeded due to an electrical overload or fault. Typically, circuit breakers comprise a housing, contacts enclosed within the housing, an operating mechanism to operate the contacts, and an arc chamber.
Circuit breakers are broadly categorized as single-pole and multi-pole circuit breakers. Figure 1 shows a multi-pole circuit breaker having a double break system 102 wherein each pole of the circuit breaker has a cassette, each cassette comprises an arc chamber 104 and a vent 106. Vent 106 releases hot and ionized gases from the circuit breaker. However, ground clearance of one of the vents is lower compared to the other as shown in figure 1. The vent having lower ground clearance may be subjected to an incoming flashover of the gases that are being released which can severely damage the circuit breaker and surrounding equipment.
To protect the circuit breaker from damage there is a requirement to address the above stated problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention in one aspect provides a circuit breaker comprising a terminal connector module for electrically coupling the contacts and terminals of the circuit breaker, the terminal connector module comprising a molded housing; a plurality of integrally molded portions on the molded housing, the molded portions extending out of the molded housing; a protrusion on top surface of the molded housing, the protrusion being adapted to receive a cage and tunnel box clamp, and a nut, the nut capable of accommodating link ranges, wherein, the terminal connector module forms a venturi path for extruding undesirable gases out of arc chambers of the circuit breaker.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a terminal connector module for a multi-po/e circuit breaker, the terminal connector module comprising a molded housing; a plurality of integrally molded portions on the molded housing, the molded portions extending out of the molded housing; wherein, the terminal connector module forms a venturi path within the circuit breaker for exuding undesirable gases out of arc chambers of the circuit breaker. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a multi-pole circuit breaker as per prior art.
Figure 2 shows a terminal connector module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows the terminal connector module coupled with a cage box clamp in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows the terminal connector module coupled with a tunnel box clamp in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a top-view of the terminal connector module illustrating a venturi-path provided
by the terminal connector module in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 shows a multi-pole circuit breaker in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a circuit breaker comprising a terminal connector module for electrically coupling the contacts and terminals of the circuit breaker, the terminal connector module comprising a molded housing; a plurality of integrally molded portions on the molded housing, the molded portions extending out of the molded housing; a protrusion on top surface of the molded housing, the protrusion being adapted to receive a cage and tunnel box clamp, and a nut, the nut being capable of accommodating a link wherein, the terminal connector module forms a venturi path for extruding undesirable gases out of arc chambers of the circuit breaker.
Figure 2 shows a terminal connector module 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Terminal connector module 200 includes a molded housing 202, a plurality of integrally molded portions 204 on molded housing 202, and a protrusion 206 on molded housing 202.
In an embodiment of the invention, molded portions 204 extend out of molded housing 202. In an embodiment of the invention, molded portions 204 extend perpendicularly from molded housing 202. In an embodiment of the invention, the terminal connector module 200 has two molded portions 204a and 204b as shown in figure 2. Molded portions 204 forms a venturi path to undesirable gases released out of arc chambers. In this regard, molded portions provide narrow paths to the gases to escape, the gases escape with a higher velocity through these narrow paths, and hence the gases exude out of the circuit breaker in lesser time.
In an embodiment of the invention, protrusion 206 extends from top surface of molded housing 202. In an embodiment of the invention protrusion 206 being adapted to receive a cage box clamp 210 as shown in figure 3 and a tunnel box clamp 212 as shown in figure 4. Cage box clamp 210 and tunnel box clamp 212 are used for termination of unprepared cables. In this regard, for cage box clamp 210 the cable is pressed on to a terminal 214 and conduction takes place directly from terminal 214 to cable. For tunnel box clamp 212 cable is connected to a

tunnel connecter 220, and then attached to terminal 214, and conduction takes place from terminal 214 to cable through tunnel connector 220.
In an embodiment protrusion 206 is also capable of receiving a nut. In this regard protrusion 206 has an aperture to receive the nut. In an embodiment of the invention, the nut is capable of accommodating a link. In an embodiment nut accommodates links such as cables or copper bus bars having thickness ranging from 4mm to 12mm. Advantageously, links of different thickness can be used enabling the circuit breaker to be used for multiple current rating.
The nut connects the box clamps (210 and 212) and terminal 214 of the circuit breaker (as shown in figure 3 and figure 4) with terminal connector module 200. Terminal 214 has a hole/aperture to allow the nut to connect terminal 214 to terminal connector module 200.
In an embodiment of the invention, terminal connector module 200 when adapted to a cassette 216 of the circuit breaker as shown in figure 3 and figure 4 forms a vent 218 between cassette 216 and terminal connector module 200. Vent 218 provides a pathway for the hot and ionized gases to escape from the circuit breaker.
In an embodiment of the invention, terminal connector module 200 further comprises means for interference fitting 208 with the circuit breaker.
In an embodiment of the invention, terminal connector module 200 as shown in figure 5 provides a venture path to undesirable gases release out of arc chambers. In this regard, terminal connector module provides multiple narrow paths to the gases to escape. These paths allow the gases to escape with a higher velocity, and hence the gases exude out of the circuit breaker in lesser time.
In an embodiment, terminal connector module 200 increases ground clearance of the circuit breaker. The increased ground clearance prevents an incoming flashover of gases released from the circuit breaker.

In an embodiment of the invention, the circuit breaker is a multi-pole circuit breaker 600 as shown in figure 6 comprising an arc chamber and a terminal connector module for each cassette corresponding to the number of poles. Accordingly each cassette has an arc chamber, and a terminal connector module provided close to the arc chamber, the terminal connector module provides high ground clearance to each cassette thereby providing a pathway for hot ionized gases to escape from the circuit breaker providing effective arc quenching.
While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

We Claim :
1. A circuit breaker comprising a terminal connector module for electrically coupling the
contacts and terminals of the circuit breaker, the terminal connector module comprising:
a molded housing;
a plurality of integrally molded portions on the molded housing, the molded portions extending out of the molded housing;
a protrusion on top surface of the molded housing, the protrusion being adapted to receive a cage and tunnel box clamp, and a nut, the nut being capable of accommodating a link,
wherein, the terminal connector module forms a venturi path within the circuit breaker for exuding undesirable gases out of arc chambers of the circuit breaker.
2. The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1 comprising wherein each cassette of the circuit breaker has an arc chamber.
3. A terminal connector module for a multi-pole circuit breaker, the terminal connector module comprising:
a molded housing;
a plurality of integrally molded portions on the molded housing, the molded portions extending out of the molded housing;
wherein, the terminal connector module forms a venturi path within the circuit breaker for exuding undesirable gases out of arc chambers of the circuit breaker.
4. The terminal connector module as claimed in claim 3 having a protrusion on top surface
of the molded housing, the protrusion being adapted to receive a cage and tunnel box
clamp, and a nut, the nut being capable of accommodating a link.

5. The terminal connector module as claimed in claim 1 or 3 having means for interference fitting with the circuit breaker.