US3575676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-speed, high-current solenoid
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1969-11-04
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Granted: 1971-04-20
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Expires: 1989-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A current-limiting circuit breaker incorporates an improved ultra high-speed solenoid operator for carrying continuous current loads substantially in excess of 100 amperes without exceeding 80* C. The solenoid operator is comprised of a generally C-shaped nonhelical winding of substantially one full turn having a cross-sectional area controlled to provide a minimum space factor and flux path, a magnetic cup-shaped stator including an efficient flux path return shell confining the winding and a generally cylindrical armature axially projecting into the winding and having a radial flange spaced from the shell by a small radial gap to reduce the length of the flux path through air while completing a flux path of minimum reluctance.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman R Beaudoin
- 👤 Robert W Lauben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/24; H01H71/2463; H01H71/2454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A current-limiting circuit breaker comprising: a. a pair of relatively movable contacts; b. a contact rod assembly operatively connected to the contacts for effecting movement thereof between open and closed circuit positions; c. a high-speed operator in driving engagement with the contact rod assembly for moving the contacts out of a closed circuit position in response to the occurrence of a predetermined high level current condition across the contacts; d. said high-speed operator comprising a generally C-shaped solenoid winding electrically connected to the contacts for continuously carrying currents well below said predetermined high level current condition without overheating; e. a generally cylindrical stator fixedly mounted in proximity to said winding and including a flux path return shell; and f. an armature operatively connected to the contact rod assembly for driving the contacts out of the closed circuit position in response to activation of the winding by said predetermined high level current condition, said armature including means cooperating with the stator for reducing the length of the flux path in air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A current-limiting circuit breaker comprising: a. a pair of relatively movable contacts; b. a contact rod assembly operatively connected to the contacts for effecting movement thereof between open and closed circuit positions; c. a high-speed operator in driving engagement with the contact rod assembly for moving the contacts out of a closed circuit position in response to the occurrence of a predetermined high level current condition across the contacts; d. said high-speed operator comprising a generally C-shaped solenoid winding electrically connected to the contacts for continuously carrying currents well below said predetermined high level current condition without overheating; e. a generally cylindrical stator fixedly mounted in proximity to said winding and including a flux path return shell; and f. an armature operatively connected to the contact rod assembly for driving the contacts out of the closed circuit position in response to activation of the winding by said predetermined high level current condition, said armature including means cooperating with the stator for reducing the length of the flux path in air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the C-shaped solenoid winding is a cored cylindrical conductor of nonhelical configuration forming an effective winding of substantially one full turn.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 wherein the conductor has a generally rectangular cross-sectional area configured to provide a minimum space factor and flux path length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit breaker of claim 2 wherein the conductor has a pair of fully confronting end surfaces defining a longitudinally eXtending turn-limiting slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the C-shaped conductor is a cored cylindrical member forming an effective winding of less than one full turn and having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration providing a minimum flux path, the conductor having a pair of planar terminal faces at each end of the winding facilitating continuous current flow through the winding with minimum heating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the stator is a cup-shaped member positioned coaxially of the winding and having a tubular stationary pole member through which extends the contact rod assembly, the return shell coaxially confining the stationary pole member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the stator is a generally tubular member positioned coaxially of the solenoid in underlying relationship therewith, the contact rod assembly extending through said tubular member for axial movement relative thereto, the return shell confining said tubular member and being integrally connected thereto at one end thereof, said armature being mounted for movement with said contacts coaxially of said tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the armature is a tubular member mounted with the contact rod assembly for telescopical movement into the winding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the armature is a generally cylindrical member provided with a radially extending flange movable along the flux path return shell in close spaced relationship therewith during the magnetically responsive movement of the armature, said flange forming a portion of the flux path and effectively reducing the length of the flux path in air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the stator includes a cylindrical stationary pole piece and the armature is a generally cylindrical member, said pole piece and said member being positioned within the winding in spaced coaxial confronting relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the stator includes a cylindrical tubular member positioned coaxially within the winding and integrally connected to the flux path return shell, coaxially enclosing the stator and integrally connected thereto at one end thereof, the armature being a generally cylindrical member mounted in spaced confronting relationship to said tubular member for movement longitudinally of the shell, the armature including a radially extending flange in close spaced relationship with the shell forming a portion of the flux path and effectively reducing the length of the flux path in air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the C-shaped winding is a cored cylindrical conductor of less than one full turn having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration providing a minimum flux path, the stator includes a tubular stationary pole piece positioned within the winding and a mounting base portion integrally connecting the pole piece to the flux path return shell, the armature is a generally cylindrical member fixedly mounted relative to at least one of the movable contacts in coaxial alignment with the pole piece, the armature including a radially extending flange in adjacent spaced relationship to the return shell for movement longitudinally thereof toward and away from the pole piece, said flange effectively reducing the flux path length in air.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2715669A
Cited
US3384845A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-19 | 1974-10-19 | 1975-04-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-19 | 1978-10-19 | 1979-04-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-19 | 1982-10-19 | 1983-04-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |