Circuit breaker
First Claim
1. A circuit breaker comprising:
- a casing, at least first and second movable contacts inside the casing for electrical connection to a load and to a power source, respectively, and moving along respective first and second paths of movement, a movable contact holder holding the first movable contact, an actuator for moving the second movable contact along the second path of movement and into the first path of movement for contacting the first movable contact, first resilient means biasing the movable contact holder away from the second movable contact, a locking member for locking the movable contact holder and, in turn, the first movable contact, at a first position in the second path of movement of the second movable contact, against the biassing applied by the first resilient means, for contact by the second movable contact, the locking member moving between a first locking member position locking the movable contact holder in the first position, and a second locking member position releasing the movable contact holder from the first position, second resilient means biassing the locking member towards the first locking member position, an electromagnetic device for holding the locking member in the first locking member position against the biassing of the first resilient means, during operation of the electromagnetic device, and an electronic control circuit for detecting a circuit fault and, in response to a fault, disabling operation of the electromagnetic device, releasing the locking member to move to the second locking member position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit breaker includes two movable contacts for electrical connection to a load and a power source, respectively, a movable contact holder holding the first contact, a first spring biassing the contact holder, and an actuator for moving the second contact into contact with the first contact. A locking frame locks the contact holder and, in turn, the first contact at a first position in the path of movement of the second contact, against the spring, for contact by the second contact. The locking frame pivots between a first locking position locking the contact holder in the first position and a second position releasing the contact holder from the first position. A second spring biasses the locking frame towards the second position. A solenoid holds the locking frame in the first position against the second spring. An electronic control circuit detects occurrence of a circuit fault and, in response to detecting a fault, disables the solenoid.
15 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A circuit breaker comprising:
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a casing, at least first and second movable contacts inside the casing for electrical connection to a load and to a power source, respectively, and moving along respective first and second paths of movement, a movable contact holder holding the first movable contact, an actuator for moving the second movable contact along the second path of movement and into the first path of movement for contacting the first movable contact, first resilient means biasing the movable contact holder away from the second movable contact, a locking member for locking the movable contact holder and, in turn, the first movable contact, at a first position in the second path of movement of the second movable contact, against the biassing applied by the first resilient means, for contact by the second movable contact, the locking member moving between a first locking member position locking the movable contact holder in the first position, and a second locking member position releasing the movable contact holder from the first position, second resilient means biassing the locking member towards the first locking member position, an electromagnetic device for holding the locking member in the first locking member position against the biassing of the first resilient means, during operation of the electromagnetic device, and an electronic control circuit for detecting a circuit fault and, in response to a fault, disabling operation of the electromagnetic device, releasing the locking member to move to the second locking member position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A circuit breaker comprising:
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a casing, at least first and second movable contacts inside the casing for electrical connection to a load and to a power source, respectively, a movable contact holder holding the first movable contact, a resiliently biassed actuator moving, against a resilience, both of the at least two contacts in a spaced apart relationship in a first direction and, subsequently moving, by the resilience, the second contact in a second direction, opposite the first direction, into contact with the first contact, a movable locking member for stopping movement of the first contact in the second direction for contacting the second contact, an electromagnetic device holding the movable locking member in a position stopping movement of the first contact in the second direction during operation of the electromagnetic device, and an electronic control circuit for detecting a circuit fault and, in response to a fault, disabling operation of the electromagnetic device, releasing the movable locking member.
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Specification