CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER TRIP APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit interrupter trip apparatus operably connected to an operating mechanism of a circuit interrupter, the trip apparatus comprising:
- a sensor;
a switch operably connected and responsive to the sensor, said sensor configured to change the operating state of the switch in response to detection of a predetermined electrical condition;
a controller operably connected to the switch and configured to activate the operating mechanism in response to a change in the operating state of the switch.
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Abstract
A circuit interrupter trip apparatus operably connected to an operating mechanism of a circuit interrupter includes a sensor and a switch operably connected and responsive to the sensor. The switch is positioned such that the sensor changes the operating state of the switch in response to detection of a predetermined electrical condition, such as an electrical fault. A controller is operably connected to the switch and is configured to activate the operating mechanism in response to a change in the operating state of the switch.
21 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A circuit interrupter trip apparatus operably connected to an operating mechanism of a circuit interrupter, the trip apparatus comprising:
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a sensor; a switch operably connected and responsive to the sensor, said sensor configured to change the operating state of the switch in response to detection of a predetermined electrical condition; a controller operably connected to the switch and configured to activate the operating mechanism in response to a change in the operating state of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A circuit interrupter comprising:
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a first electrical contact; a second electrical contact disposed in separable communication with the first electrical contact; an operating mechanism disposed and configured to selectively open and close the first and second electrical contacts; a first trip device operably connected to the operating mechanism to activate the operating mechanism in response to at least one first condition being met; and a second trip device operably connected to the operating mechanism to activate the operating mechanism in response to at least one second condition being met, the second trip device comprising; a controller configured to issue a trip command; a switch having at least two operating states, the switch being in electrical communication with the controller; a sensor disposed and configured to change the operating state of the switch in response to detecting a predetermined electrical condition, the predetermined electrical condition being an at least one second condition; an actuator operably connected to the controller and the operating mechanism, the actuator disposed and configured to activate the operating mechanism in response to the trip command from the controller; and wherein the controller is configured to issue the trip command to the actuator in response to the change in the operating state of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A circuit interrupter trip method comprising:
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providing a sensor; providing a switch; providing a controller; connecting the switch to controller; configuring the sensor to change an operating state of the switch;
when a predetermined condition is detected;monitoring the operating state of the switch with the controller; and activating an operating mechanism of a circuit interrupter with the controller when the operating state of the switch changes. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification