Method and system of fault powered supply voltage regulation
First Claim
1. A method of regulating voltage for charging a stored energy circuit to store energy sufficient to energize a solenoid of a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker interposed between a power source and an electrical load, the method comprising:
- coupling the stored energy circuit to a current transformer coupled to the power source;
charging the stored energy circuit to a first voltage level via a secondary current from the current transformer of the circuit breaker;
interrupting the charging, and measuring the voltage across a burden resistor in parallel with the stored energy circuit;
resuming charging the stored energy circuit via the secondary current to a second voltage level that is higher than the first voltage level;
coupling the stored energy circuit to a measurement circuit to measure the voltage of the stored energy circuit; and
causing the solenoid to actuate a trip mechanism of the circuit breaker, thereby interrupting the flow of current from the power source to the electrical load.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for supply voltage regulation in a motor circuit protector (MCP) that includes a current transformer coupled to a rectifier and a stored energy circuit. A solenoid is actuated by that circuit when a sufficient voltage is present. A controller having a configurable input is coupled to the stored energy circuit. Upon startup of the motor circuit protector, the controller causes the stored energy circuit to be charged to a startup voltage level via secondary current from the current transformer. The controller periodically interrupts the charging to measure the secondary current to detect fault levels. During startup, the configurable input is set to a comparator input for rapid current measurements. During run mode, the configurable input is set to an A/D input for accurate measurements. The controller measures the voltage of the stored energy circuit while charging it to a power level sufficient to actuate the solenoid.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of regulating voltage for charging a stored energy circuit to store energy sufficient to energize a solenoid of a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker interposed between a power source and an electrical load, the method comprising:
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coupling the stored energy circuit to a current transformer coupled to the power source; charging the stored energy circuit to a first voltage level via a secondary current from the current transformer of the circuit breaker; interrupting the charging, and measuring the voltage across a burden resistor in parallel with the stored energy circuit; resuming charging the stored energy circuit via the secondary current to a second voltage level that is higher than the first voltage level; coupling the stored energy circuit to a measurement circuit to measure the voltage of the stored energy circuit; and causing the solenoid to actuate a trip mechanism of the circuit breaker, thereby interrupting the flow of current from the power source to the electrical load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A motor circuit protector for interrupting power from a power source to an electrical load, the motor circuit protector comprising:
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a current transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding around a core of the current transformer, the primary winding being coupled to the power source; a rectifier electrically coupled to the secondary winding; a stored energy circuit electrically coupled to the rectifier; a trip mechanism actuated by the stored energy circuit; and a controller having a configurable voltage input electrically coupled to the stored energy circuit, wherein the controller causes the stored energy circuit to be charged to a startup voltage level via a secondary current from the current transformer, interrupts the charging to measure the secondary current, measures the voltage of the stored energy circuit, and charges the stored energy circuit to a stored energy voltage level sufficient to actuate the trip mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A controller for a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker including a current transformer having a primary winding coupled to a power source and a secondary winding coupled to a rectifier, a stored energy circuit coupled to the rectifier, and a trip mechanism activated by the stored energy circuit, the controller comprising:
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a secondary current input coupled to the rectifier; a stored energy voltage input coupled to the stored energy circuit; and a voltage regulation module configuring the controller in response to charging the stored energy circuit to a startup stability voltage level via a secondary current from the current transformer, the controller being configured to; interrupt the charging, and measure the voltage across a burden resistor in parallel with the stored energy circuit via the secondary current input, resume charging the stored energy circuit via the secondary current to a voltage level, couple the stored energy circuit to the stored energy voltage input to measure the voltage of the stored energy circuit via a first measurement configuration while charging, and measure the voltage of the stored energy circuit via a second measurement configuration responsive to reaching the voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification