Claims
- 1. A circuit breaker for limiting the flow of electrical current in a line, comprising:(a) a switch having a pair of contacts moveable with respect to each other defining an open position and a closed position; (b) a device responsive to current in the line adapted to insert an insulating object between said pair of contacts; and (c) a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element electrically connected to said device to limit current and absorb energy when said insulating object is inserted between said pair of contacts and wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is electrically disconnected from said device when said insulating object is not inserted between said pair of contacts.
- 2. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said device comprises:(a) a line terminal fixedly connected to the circuit breaker; and (b) a moveable driving plate electrically connected to said line terminal for generation of a magnetic repulsive force upon application of the electrical current in said line terminal and said moveable driving plate.
- 3. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is electrically connected to said device through a secondary contact mounted on said insulating object.
- 4. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is made of tungsten.
- 5. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is made of iron.
- 6. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is made of a conductive polymer.
- 7. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is made of a conductive ceramic.
- 8. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element has a substantially serpentine shape to reduce self-inductance.
- 9. The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said insulating object is made from a thermoset material for providing arc resistance.
- 10. The circuit breaker of claim 2 further comprising a spring adjacent said moveable driving plate for providing an opposing force relative to the magnetic repulsive force on said moveable driving plate.
- 11. The circuit breaker of claim 3 wherein said secondary contact is wedged shaped.
- 12. The circuit breaker of claim 3 wherein said insulating object has a plurality of legs to allow a moveable driving plate to move said insulating object and said secondary contact whenever there is an electrically generated magnetic repulsive force between said driving plate and a line terminal.
- 13. A circuit breaker for limiting the flow of electrical current in a line, comprising:(a) a switch having a pair of contacts moveable with respect to each other defining an open position and a closed position; (b) a device responsive to current in the line adapted to insert an insulating object between said pair of contacts; and (c) a positive temperature coefficient resistivity element electrically connected to said device to limit current, wherein said positive temperature coefficient resistivity element is electrically connected to said device through a secondary contact mounted on said insulating object.
- 14. The circuit breaker of claim 13 wherein said device comprises:(a) a line terminal fixedly connected to the circuit breaker; and (b) a moveable driving plate electrically connected to said line terminal for generation of a magnetic repulsive force upon application of the electrical current in said line terminal and said moveable driving plate.
- 15. The circuit breaker of claim 13 wherein said secondary contact is wedged shaped.
- 16. The circuit breaker of claim 14 wherein said insulating object has a plurality of legs to allow said moveable driving plate to move said insulating object and said secondary contact whenever there is an electrically generated magnetic repulsive force between said driving plate and said line terminal.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application takes priority from copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/584,226, filed on May 31, 2000.
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