Remote control circuit breaker
First Claim
1. A switch for connection to a circuit for remote opening and closing of the circuit, said switch comprising:
- a first contact;
a second contact having a closed position wherein said second contact touches said first contact, said second contact having an open position wherein said second contact is positioned a distance from said first contact, said second contact being movable between the closed position and the open position;
a carrier connected to said second contact for moving said second contact between the closed position and the open position;
an operating handle connected to said carrier, said handle being manually movable to cause said carrier to move said second contact between the closed position and the open position;
a motor activated by a signal received from a remote location, said motor having a shaft that rotates upon the motor being activated; and
transfer means for transferring the motor shaft rotation to cause said carrier to move said second contact between the closed position and the open position independently of the movement of said handle.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electric circuit breaker capable of being opened and closed from a remote location. The circuit breaker includes a stationary contact, a movable contact mounted on a carrier and a trip mechanism that trips the circuit breaker, moving the carrier to an open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent. The remote control assembly opens and closes the circuit breaker independently of the trip mechanism. Upon receiving a signal from a timer switch, a motor operates, rotating a gear spring connected to the motor shaft. An actuator has a tooth positioned between the wire layers of the gear spring. As the gear spring rotates, the tooth moves toward the motor, pivoting the actuator. An operating rod, connected to both the actuator and the carrier, pulls the carrier to open the contacts as the actuator rotates. When the contacts reach the open position, the actuator hits a switch to shut off the motor.
67 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A switch for connection to a circuit for remote opening and closing of the circuit, said switch comprising:
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a first contact; a second contact having a closed position wherein said second contact touches said first contact, said second contact having an open position wherein said second contact is positioned a distance from said first contact, said second contact being movable between the closed position and the open position; a carrier connected to said second contact for moving said second contact between the closed position and the open position; an operating handle connected to said carrier, said handle being manually movable to cause said carrier to move said second contact between the closed position and the open position; a motor activated by a signal received from a remote location, said motor having a shaft that rotates upon the motor being activated; and transfer means for transferring the motor shaft rotation to cause said carrier to move said second contact between the closed position and the open position independently of the movement of said handle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A circuit breaker comprising:
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a first contact; a movable contact having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position said movable contact is a distance away from said first contact, and in the closed position said movable contact is in contact with said first contact, said movable contact being movable between the open position and the closed position; a trip mechanism connected with said movable contact to move said movable contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent through the circuit breaker; a motor operating upon receiving a signal from a remote location; and remote transfer means connected to said motor and to said movable contact for moving said movable contact between the open position and the closed position upon the activation of said motor, wherein said movable contact is farther from said first contact when in the open position as a result of said trip mechanism operation than when in the open position as a result of said remote transfer means operation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13)
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12. A circuit breaker comprising:
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a first contact; a movable contact having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position said movable contact is a distance away from said first contact, and in the closed position said movable contact is in contact with said first contact, said movable contact being movable between the open position and the closed position; a trip mechanism connected with said movable contact to move said movable contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent through the circuit breaker; a motor operating in a first direction upon receiving a first signal from a remote location; a shaft extending from said motor, said shaft comprising a coil rotating simultaneously with said motor; an operating rod connected to said motor shaft and to said movable contact for moving said movable contact to the open position upon the activation of said motor; and an override element including a seat for said coil, whereupon said coil releases said operating rod to allow said movable contact to return to the closed position in response to said movable contact being held open by said operating rod and said override element being operated.
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14. A circuit breaker comprising:
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a first contact; a movable contact having an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position said movable contact is a distance away from said first contact, and in the closed position said movable contact is in contact with said first contact, said movable contact being movable between the open position and the closed position; a trip mechanism connected with said movable contact to move said movable contact to the open position upon the occurrence of an overcurrent through the circuit breaker; a motor having a shaft, said motor operating upon receiving a signal from a remote location; and an operating rod connected with said movable contact and with said motor shaft, said operating rod moving in a direction approximately parallel to said motor shaft to move said movable contact between the open position and the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification