Electronic circuit breaker
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic circuit breaker with an input for connection to a power-supply and an output for connection to a load, comprising:
- an interrupt block connected in circuit between the input and the output, the interrupt block including at least one switch functional to inhibit current flow from the input to the load and an isolation device functional to interrupt current flow to the load;
a limitation block electrically coupled to the interrupt block, the limitation block functional to sense a current level of the current flow to the load and to cause the switch to partially inhibit current flow to the load during a delay period when the current level is greater than a threshold current value, the switch partially inhibiting current flow such that the current level of the current flow is maintained below the threshold value during the delay period; and
a microprocessor operably coupled to the interrupt block and to the isolation device, the microprocessor operable to cause the isolation device to interrupt current to the load after the delay period in which the current has been maintained below a threshold value, wherein the microprocessor is operable to set the length of the delay period.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic circuit breaker includes an input for connection to a power-supply and an output for connection to a load. Connected in circuit between the input and the output are a switch, a relay, and a limitation block, which controls the switch to cause at least partial inhibition thereof in the event of an over-current condition. Also provided is a microprocessor which is connected to the limitation block to inhibit power supply to the load.
51 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. An electronic circuit breaker with an input for connection to a power-supply and an output for connection to a load, comprising:
-
an interrupt block connected in circuit between the input and the output, the interrupt block including at least one switch functional to inhibit current flow from the input to the load and an isolation device functional to interrupt current flow to the load; a limitation block electrically coupled to the interrupt block, the limitation block functional to sense a current level of the current flow to the load and to cause the switch to partially inhibit current flow to the load during a delay period when the current level is greater than a threshold current value, the switch partially inhibiting current flow such that the current level of the current flow is maintained below the threshold value during the delay period; and a microprocessor operably coupled to the interrupt block and to the isolation device, the microprocessor operable to cause the isolation device to interrupt current to the load after the delay period in which the current has been maintained below a threshold value, wherein the microprocessor is operable to set the length of the delay period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. A method for controlling a circuit breaker, including the steps of:
-
arranging at least an electronically controllable switch and an isolation device between an input and an output of said circuit breaker; providing a microprocessor controlling said switch; programming a pre-set time delay for a partial inhibition of said switch; powering a load through said circuit breaker; detecting a current flowing through said circuit breaker; when the current exceeds a current threshold, partially inhibiting said switch so that the current is maintained below the current threshold during the delay period; and following the pre-set time delay for the partial inhibition of said switch, cutting off power supply through said circuit breaker by opening said isolation device. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
-
Specification