Sealed plug-in GFCI

• US 5,198,955 A
• Filed: 07/31/1990
• Issued: 03/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuheat, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nuheat, Inc.
• Inventors: Willner, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, STEPHEN W
• Application Number:
  US07/560,701
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 361/399, 361/42, 361/45, 361/399, 361/398, 307/118
• US Class Current: 361/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/713 the switch being a safety switch

Abstract

A miniature circuit interrupter for interruption of a primary circuit, the circuit interrupter formed or molded with a plug, connector or the like, the plug or connector being non-serviceable and the circuit interrupter therein being sealed and watertight.

Claims

1. A miniature circuit interrupter for interruption of a primary circuit, the circuit interrupter formed or molded with a plug connector or the like, the plug or connector being non-serviceable and the circuit interrupter therein being sealed and watertight, wherein the interrupter further comprises means to detect a fault to ground, an integrated circuit to detect the fault condition, for example line to line for the powered lines and or line to ground, and means to disconnect the primary circuit from the power source, any fault being communicated to the integrated circuit by the means to detect the fault condition, the integrated circuit sensing the fault condition and at a predetermined limit triggering the means to disconnect the primary circuit, wherein the circuit interrupter further comprises an electromagnetic switch which includes increased contact surfaces in order to, dissipate the heat generated, and or reduce the magnitude of a spark or arc which may occur, during normal use of the appliance or when a fault condition occurs.

4. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the circuit interrupter is a ground fault circuit interrupter.

5. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the integrated circuit is a microchip manufactured by Raython Model or the like and substantially equivalent in performance to a GFCI chip manufactured by National, Model Number LM1851, either dual inline or surface mounted, or the like.

6. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the circuit fails in the open position.

7. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the predetermined limit is less than 50 milliamperes for a duration of less than 3 milliseconds.

8. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the integrated circuit further comprises means to amplify the sensed fault condition to trigger the means to disconnect the primary circuit.

9. The plug of claim 5 wherein the integrated circuit further comprises means to amplify the sensed fault condition to trigger the means to disconnect the primary circuit.

10. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the contact surfaces of the electromagnet switch further comprises more than two contact surfaces.

11. The plug of claim 1 or 3 wherein the contacts further comprise a larger area for contact such as a crescent shaped contact about the electromagnet switch of sufficient surface area to allow the dissipation of heat generated during normal use or at a fault condition.

12. The plug of claim 5 wherein the contacts further comprise a larger area for contact such as a crescent shaped contact about the electromagnet switch of sufficient surface area to allow the dissipation of heat generated during normal use or at a fault condition.

13. The plug of claim 5 wherein the contacts further comprise a larger area for contact such as a crescent shaped contact about the electromagnet switch of sufficient surface area to allow the dissipation of heat generated during normal use or at a fault condition.

14. The plug of claim 9 wherein the contacts further comprise a larger area for contact such as a crescent shaped contact about the electromagnet switch of sufficient surface area to allow the dissipation of heat generated during normal use or at a fault condition.

2. An assembly comprising a power supply cord and a miniature circuit interrupter and the components therefore assembled with the power cord, the miniature circuit interrupter and the components therefore being mounted, fastened or the like to, a base of a plug or connector, mounting board, or the like, prior to the molding or forming of a plug, connector or the like, the interrupter components being protected in a shroud sufficiently shielding the components during the molding or forming process to prevent damaging the miniature circuit interrupter and the components therefore during the molding or forming process.

3. A plug, connector or the like for an appliance comprising a miniature circuit interrupter for interruption of a primary circuit of the appliance, the circuit interrupter formed or molded with the plug, connector or the like, the plug or connector being non-serviceable and the circuit interrupter therein being sealed and watertight, the primary circuit including at least two powered lines and a ground line to ground the appliance when connected to a power source, wherein the interrupter further comprises means to detect a fault to ground, an integrated circuit to detect the fault condition, for example line to line of the powered lines and or line to ground, and means to disconnect the primary circuit from the power source, any fault being communicated to the integrated circuit by the means to detect the fault condition, the integrated circuit sensing the fault condition and at a predetermined limit triggering the means to disconnect the primary circuit, wherein the circuit interrupter further comprises an electromagnet switch which includes increased contact surface in order to dissipate the heat generated, and or reduce the magnitude of a spark or arc which may occur, during normal use of the appliance or when a fault condition occurs.