Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory module
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit interrupter comprising:
- a pair of separable contacts;
an operating mechanism arranged for separating said contacts upon command;
an overcurrent trip circuit and an electromagnetic overcurrent trip coil, said trip circuit determining overcurrent conditions through said separable contacts and energizing said trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts when said overcurrent conditions exist for predetermined time periods;
an accessory coil associated with a plunger and a permanent magnet, said plunger restrained from interacting with said operating mechanism against the bias of a charged spring by attraction to said permanent magnet, said accessory coil being arranged for counteracting said permanent magnet to allow said plunger to interact with said operating mechanism when a current signal is applied to said accessory coil;
an accessory circuit associated with said accessory coil said accessory circuit including positive and negative voltage rails and connected with said accessory coil for controlling said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit including a storage capacitor receiving charging current from first and second charging circuits and supplying said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit further including a first transistor switch for initiating said current signal to said accessory coil; and
ground fault terminal means arranged for receiving a ground fault signal to operate said first transistor switch to thereby actuate said accessory coil.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory module is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. A separate actuator-accessory module is selected for different combinations of accessory functions. One such actuator-accessory module provides ground fault protection along with remote trip facility.
46 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A circuit interrupter comprising:
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a pair of separable contacts; an operating mechanism arranged for separating said contacts upon command; an overcurrent trip circuit and an electromagnetic overcurrent trip coil, said trip circuit determining overcurrent conditions through said separable contacts and energizing said trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts when said overcurrent conditions exist for predetermined time periods; an accessory coil associated with a plunger and a permanent magnet, said plunger restrained from interacting with said operating mechanism against the bias of a charged spring by attraction to said permanent magnet, said accessory coil being arranged for counteracting said permanent magnet to allow said plunger to interact with said operating mechanism when a current signal is applied to said accessory coil; an accessory circuit associated with said accessory coil said accessory circuit including positive and negative voltage rails and connected with said accessory coil for controlling said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit including a storage capacitor receiving charging current from first and second charging circuits and supplying said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit further including a first transistor switch for initiating said current signal to said accessory coil; and ground fault terminal means arranged for receiving a ground fault signal to operate said first transistor switch to thereby actuate said accessory coil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A circuit interrupter comprising:
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a pair of separable contacts; an operating mechanism arranged for separating said contacts upon command; an overcurrent trip circuit and an electromagnetic overcurrent trip coil, said trip circuit determining overcurrent conditions through said separable contacts and energizing said trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts when said overcurrent conditions exist for predetermined time periods; an accessory coil associated with a plunger and a permanent magnet, said plunger restrained from interacting with said operating mechanism against the bias of a charged spring by attraction to said permanent magnet, said accessory coil being arranged for counteracting said permanent magnet to allow said plunger to interact with said operating mechanism when a current signal is applied to said accessory coil; an accessory circuit associated with said accessory coil including positive and negative voltage rails and connected with said accessory coil for controlling said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit including a storage capacitor receiving charging current from first and second charging circuits and supplying said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit further including a first transistor switch for initiating said current signal to said accessory coil; and shunt trip terminal means arranged for receiving a shunt trip signal to operate said first transistor switch and thereby actuate said accessory coil. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A circuit interrupter comprising:
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a pair of separable contracts; an operating mechanism arranged for separating said contacts upon command; an overcurrent trip circuit and an electromagnetic overcurrent trip coil, said trip circuit determining overcurrent conditions through said separable contacts and energizing said trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts when said overcurrent conditions exist for predetermined time periods; an accessory coil associated with a plunger and a permanent magnet, said plunger restrained from interacting with said operating mechanism against the bias of a charged spring by attraction to said permanent magnet, said accessory coil being arranged for counteracting said permanent magnet to allow said plunger to interact with said operating mechanism when a current signal is applied to said accessory coil; an accessory circuit including positive and negative voltage rails and connected with said accessory coil for controlling said current signal to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit including a storage capacitor receiving current signal from first and second charging circuits and supplying said current to said accessory coil, said accessory circuit further signal including a first transistor switch for initiating said current signal to said accessory coil; and ground fault terminal means connected with said accessory circuit and said accessory coil, said ground fault terminal means being arranged for receiving a ground fault signal to operate said first transistor switch to thereby actuate said accessory coil; and a shunt trip terminal means connected with said accessory circuit and said accessory coil, said shunt trip terminal means being arranged for receiving a shunt trip signal to operate said first transistor switch and thereby actuate said accessory coil. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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45. The circuit interrupter of 34 claim including a timing capacitor connected with a gate and a drain terminal on said FET through corresponding current limiting resistors and connected in common with said storage capacitor.
Specification