US3562589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically resetting undervoltage trip for circuit breakers
Assignee: ITE Imperial Corp
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Filing: 1968-09-09
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1988-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An undervoltage trip structure for circuit breakers which has an electrical closing coil which moves an armature which in turn operates the trip mechanism of the circuit breaker. The undervoltage coil is then connected in a circuit so that, when the circuit voltage is appropriate, a first portion of the closing coil will operate the armature to permit the tripping mechanism of the circuit breaker to be relatched, whereby the circuit breaker can be closed. After relatching of the trip mechanism, a second circuit is closed connecting the full closing coil in series with the circuit voltage, whereby if an undervoltage or zero voltage exists in the circuit, the armature will be released and the trip mechanism operated before the circuit breaker main contacts have an opportunity to reclose.
Inventors
- 👤 Felix Myers
- 👤 John C Lucas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H83/00; H01H83/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
In combination, a circuit breaker and an undervoltage trip mechanism for said circuit breaker; said circuit breaker comprising an operative means movable between ON, OFF, and relatch positions, a pair of cooperating contacts movable between an engaged and a disengaged position, means connecting said pair of contacts to said operating means, a trip mechanism movable between a tripped position and a relatch position, means connecting said trip mechanism to said pair of contacts for automatically moving said pair of contacts from said engaged position to said disengaged position responsive to its movement to said tripped position, and means connecting said operating means to said trip mechanism for moving said trip mechanism from said tripped position to said relatched position responsive to movement of said operating means to its said relatch position; said undervoltage trip mechanism comprising a winding and a movable armature cooperating with said winding and movable between an inoperative position and a tripping position, means connecting said armature to said trip mechanism for moving said trip mechanism to its said tripped position when said armature moves to its said tripping position, means for biasing said armature to said tripping position, circuit means connecting said winding across an electrical circuit and relatch switch means connected in series with said circuit means; said winding holding said armature in said inoperative position against the force of said biasing means when the voltage across said electrical circuit exceeds a given value and said relatch switch means is closed, and releasing said armature when said voltage falls below said given value; and second switch means in parallel with said relatch switch means; said second switch means connected to said armature and being closed when said armature is in said inoperative position and being opened when said armature is in said tripping position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
In combination, a circuit breaker and an undervoltage trip mechanism for said circuit breaker; said circuit breaker comprising an operative means movable between ON, OFF, and relatch positions, a pair of cooperating contacts movable between an engaged and a disengaged position, means connecting said pair of contacts to said operating means, a trip mechanism movable between a tripped position and a relatch position, means connecting said trip mechanism to said pair of contacts for automatically moving said pair of contacts from said engaged position to said disengaged position responsive to its movement to said tripped position, and means connecting said operating means to said trip mechanism for moving said trip mechanism from said tripped position to said relatched position responsive to movement of said operating means to its said relatch position; said undervoltage trip mechanism comprising a winding and a movable armature cooperating with said winding and movable between an inoperative position and a tripping position, means connecting said armature to said trip mechanism for moving said trip mechanism to its said tripped position when said armature moves to its said tripping position, means for biasing said armature to said tripping position, circuit means connecting said winding across an electrical circuit and relatch switch means connected in series with said circuit means; said winding holding said armature in said inoperative position against the force of said biasing means when the voltage across said electrical circuit exceeds a given value and said relatch switch means is closed, and releasing said armature when said voltage falls below said given value; and second switch means in parallel with said relatch switch means; said second switch means connected to said armature and being closed when said armature is in said inoperative position and being opened when said armature is in said tripping position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination of claim 1 which further includes third switch means in series with said relatch switch means; said third switch means connected to said armature means and being open when said armature is in said tripping position and closed when said armature is in said inoperative position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said second switch means is connected in series with said winding of said undervoltage trip mechanism.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said third switch means is connected to a tap of said winding means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said relatch switch means is connected to said operating means and is closed when said operating means is moved to said relatch position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said relatch switch means is connected to said operating means and is closed when said operating means is moved to said relatch position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
265 words
An undervoltage trip mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising in combination an electrical winding having a holding coil portion and a closing coil portion, a magnetic armature associated with said winding and movable between an inoperative position for closing said Circuit breaker and a tripped position for opening said breaker, first switch means, second switch means, and reset switch means, each movable between a circuit open position and a circuit closed position, means for operating said reset switch means to said closed position to reset said circuit breaker after the opening thereof before said armature can move from said tripped position to said inoperative position to close said breaker, and an electrical circuit having a pair of terminals; said first and second switch means mechanically connected to said armature whereby said first and second switch means are respectively closed and open when said armature is in said inoperative position and are respectively open and closed when said armature is in said tripped position; said holding coil portion, said first switch means and said pair of terminals connected in series; said closing coil portion, said second switch means, said reset switch means, and said pair of terminals connected in series; said armature moved to and held in said inoperative position when the ampere turns in one of said closing coil and holding coil exceed a predetermined value; said armature being in said tripped position when said ampere turns are below said predetermined value, whereby said opened circuit breaker remains in its open position although sought to be reset until said ampere turns exceed said predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
265 words
An undervoltage trip mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising in combination an electrical winding having a holding coil portion and a closing coil portion, a magnetic armature associated with said winding and movable between an inoperative position for closing said Circuit breaker and a tripped position for opening said breaker, first switch means, second switch means, and reset switch means, each movable between a circuit open position and a circuit closed position, means for operating said reset switch means to said closed position to reset said circuit breaker after the opening thereof before said armature can move from said tripped position to said inoperative position to close said breaker, and an electrical circuit having a pair of terminals; said first and second switch means mechanically connected to said armature whereby said first and second switch means are respectively closed and open when said armature is in said inoperative position and are respectively open and closed when said armature is in said tripped position; said holding coil portion, said first switch means and said pair of terminals connected in series; said closing coil portion, said second switch means, said reset switch means, and said pair of terminals connected in series; said armature moved to and held in said inoperative position when the ampere turns in one of said closing coil and holding coil exceed a predetermined value; said armature being in said tripped position when said ampere turns are below said predetermined value, whereby said opened circuit breaker remains in its open position although sought to be reset until said ampere turns exceed said predetermined value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said means for operating said reset switch consists of an undervoltage relay means connected to said pair of terminals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said reset switch means consists of a semiconductor switch device; and wherein said means for operating said reset switch consists of circuit connections from said semiconductor device to said pair of terminals for causing said semiconductor device to conduct when the voltage across said pair of terminals exceeds a given value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
233 words
An undervoltage trip mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a winding, a magnetic armature associated with said winding and movable between an inoperative position for closing said circuit breaker and a tripped position for opening said breaker, a resistor connected in series with said winding to change the current through said winding, momentary contact switch means connected in parallel with said resistor for connecting and disconnecting said resistor with respect to said winding, a circuit having a pair of terminals connected in series with said winding, and circuit breaker reset operating means connected to said momentary contact switch means to actuate said switch means and reset said circuit breaker after the opening thereof before said armature can move from each tripped position to said inoperative position to close said breaker, whereby operation of said reset operating means initially actuates said momentary contact switch means to a closed position to disconnect said resistor and increase the current through said winding to generate sufficient ampere turns to initially move said armature from said tripping position to said inoperative position and whereby the subsequent actuation of said momentary contact switch to an open position to connect said resistor decreases the current through said winding to generate decreased ampere turns although sufficient to hold said armature in said inoperative position to close said circuit breaker when the voltage between said pair of terminals exceeds a given value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
233 words
An undervoltage trip mechanism for a circuit breaker comprising a winding, a magnetic armature associated with said winding and movable between an inoperative position for closing said circuit breaker and a tripped position for opening said breaker, a resistor connected in series with said winding to change the current through said winding, momentary contact switch means connected in parallel with said resistor for connecting and disconnecting said resistor with respect to said winding, a circuit having a pair of terminals connected in series with said winding, and circuit breaker reset operating means connected to said momentary contact switch means to actuate said switch means and reset said circuit breaker after the opening thereof before said armature can move from each tripped position to said inoperative position to close said breaker, whereby operation of said reset operating means initially actuates said momentary contact switch means to a closed position to disconnect said resistor and increase the current through said winding to generate sufficient ampere turns to initially move said armature from said tripping position to said inoperative position and whereby the subsequent actuation of said momentary contact switch to an open position to connect said resistor decreases the current through said winding to generate decreased ampere turns although sufficient to hold said armature in said inoperative position to close said circuit breaker when the voltage between said pair of terminals exceeds a given value.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |