Accessory and recess identification system for circuit breakers

• US 6,366,188 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Gruenwoldt, Kay, Thomas, Michael H., Hein, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONOVAN, LINCOLN D
• Application Number:
  US09/526,995
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 335/132, 335/6, 335/202, 335/17, 200/293, 200/208
• US Class Current: 335/202
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/042 Application rejection, i.e. preventing improper installation of parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/0228 having provisions for interchangeable or replaceable parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 71/06 Distinguishing marks, e.g. colour coding

Abstract

An identification system for identifying correct placement of various circuit breaker accessories within recesses of a circuit breaker molded frame is disclosed. The system includes recess symbols adjacent the recesses in the frame and matching accessory symbols positioned on a front, visible surface of the accessories. The system may further include name labels positioned on the accessories for labeling the accessories'"'"'names. A circuit breaker employing the identification system of the present invention is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A circuit breaker system comprising:

a molded frame;

a first circuit breaker accessory;

a first recess within the molded frame for accepting the first circuit breaker accessory;

a first recess symbol adjacent the first recess;

a first accessory symbol positioned on the first accessory, the first accessory symbol matching the first recess symbol for identifying accessory placement within the molded frame;

a second circuit breaker accessory having a different construction than the first circuit breaker accessory;

a second recess within the molded frame for accepting the second circuit breaker accessory;

a second recess symbol, different than the first recess symbol, adjacent the second recess;

a second accessory symbol positioned on the second circuit breaker accessory, the second accessory symbol being different than the first accessory symbol and matching the second recess symbol for identifying placement of the second circuit breaker accessory within the molded frame.

2. The circuit breaker system of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of accessories, each having an identifying accessory symbol;

a plurality of recesses in the molded frame for accepting accessories, each recess having an adjacent recess symbol for identifying which type of accessory can be accepted therein;

wherein an accessory symbol of a chosen accessory matches a recess symbol of a selected recess when the chosen accessory is insertable within the selected recess; and

wherein an accessory symbol of a chosen accessory does not match a recess symbol of a selected recess when the chosen accessory is not insertable within the selected recess.

3. The circuit breaker system of claim 2 wherein a matching pair of accessory and recess symbols comprise identical symbols.

4. The circuit breaker system of claim 1 wherein the first recess symbol is molded into the molded frame and the first accessory symbol is on a first label adhered to the first circuit breaker accessory.

5. The circuit breaker system of claim 4 wherein the first label is positioned on a front of the first circuit breaker accessory and visible when the first circuit breaker accessory is inserted into the first recess, the first circuit breaker accessory further comprising a second label positioned on a side of the first circuit breaker accessory, the second label containing the first circuit breaker accessory'"'"'s name.

6. The circuit breaker system of claim 5 wherein the second label further comprises a first acronym of the first circuit breaker accessory'"'"'s name in a first language and a second acronym of the first circuit breaker accessory'"'"'s name in a second language.

7. The circuit breaker system of claim 1 wherein the first circuit breaker accessory is chosen from a set containing an auxiliary switch, bell alarm trip, bell alarm mechanism, under voltage release, shunt trip, and actuator.

8. The circuit breaker system of claim 7 wherein the first recess symbol and the first accessory symbol have a peripheral shape chosen from a set of shapes containing a circle, bell-shape, rectangle, and triangle.

9. A method for simplifying the installation process of internal accessories within a frame of a circuit breaker, the method comprising:

identifying each recess in the circuit breaker which may accommodate an accessory;

selecting a recess symbol for each recess, each recess symbol uniquely indicative of a type of accessory accommodatable therein;

providing each recess symbol upon the frame of the circuit breaker adjacent each respective recess;

selecting an accessory symbol for each accessory, each accessory symbol chosen to have a visually similar appearance as each recess symbol adjacent each recess in which each respective accessory is insertable;

providing each accessory symbol upon a front surface of each respective accessory wherein each accessory symbol and each recess symbol are visible upon the frame when each accessory is inserted within each recess.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein providing each recess symbol comprises molding each recess symbol in a surface of the frame adjacent each recess.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein providing each accessory symbol comprises placing each accessory symbol on a label and adhering each label to a front surface of its respective accessory.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising placing each accessory'"'"'s name on a name label and adhering each name label to a side surface of its respective accessory.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising placing first and second acronyms corresponding to each accessory'"'"'s name in first and second languages on each name label.