US3646489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit breaker having thermal and magnetic actuation with improved magnetic trip
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An electromagnetic circuit breaker having a bimetal operating member combined with a magnetic trip member. The bimetal member is provided with a steel assembly which acts as a trip extension member and also provides a low-reluctance flux path for the magnetic circuit. A magnetic armature of three layers of laminated steel is pivotally mounted below and parallel to the bimetal member and has a push rod which is connected to the latch plate to trigger the latch plate and open the circuit breaker contacts when sufficient short circuit current is present to attract the armature toward the bimetal.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip J Hopkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A thermal and magnetic circuit breaker for an electrical apparatus, said circuit breaker comprising at least one pole with a U-shaped bimetal member fixed in the base of said circuit breaker and connected between a terminal on one side of the Ushaped member and a fixed contact on the other side of said Ushaped member, a movable contact connected to a second terminal and secured to a movable portion of said circuit breaker such that on actuation of said bimetal on current overloads the movable contact is moved away from said fixed contact, a magnetic armature member pivotally mounted on said fixed base of said circuit breaker and extending substantially parallel to and below said bimetal member, a push rod connected to said armature for actuating the circuit breaker, said armature having exactly three laminations of steel which are attracted to said bimetal on overloads of 10 or more times rated current of the electrical apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A thermal and magnetic circuit breaker for an electrical apparatus, said circuit breaker comprising at least one pole with a U-shaped bimetal member fixed in the base of said circuit breaker and connected between a terminal on one side of the Ushaped member and a fixed contact on the other side of said Ushaped member, a movable contact connected to a second terminal and secured to a movable portion of said circuit breaker such that on actuation of said bimetal on current overloads the movable contact is moved away from said fixed contact, a magnetic armature member pivotally mounted on said fixed base of said circuit breaker and extending substantially parallel to and below said bimetal member, a push rod connected to said armature for actuating the circuit breaker, said armature having exactly three laminations of steel which are attracted to said bimetal on overloads of 10 or more times rated current of the electrical apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 1 in which said bimetal member includes a steel portion across the free end of said bimetal for providing a low reluctance flux path across said bimetal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
195 words
A thermal and magnetic circuit breaker comprising at least one pole, a U-shaped bimetal member connected to a fixed portion of the circuit breaker and having a fixed contact connected to one side of said U-shaped member and a terminal member connected to the other side of said U-shaped member, a movable contact connected to a movable portion of said circuit breaker and movable into and out of contact with said fixed contact member, a latch member and a latch plate, said bimetal connected by means of a trip member to said latch plate for pivoting said latch plate on low overload currents, a magnetic armature member having exactly three steel laminations, said central steel lamination having an extended portion with a pivot member thereon, said pivot member being pivotally mounted in said fixed portion of said circuit breaker to pivotally mount said three member magnetic armature on said fixed portion extending substantially parallel to and below said bimetal, a push rod connected to said armature and in contact with said latch plate for actuating said latch plate on high overload currents, said three lamination armature being attracted to said bimetal on high overload currents.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
195 words
A thermal and magnetic circuit breaker comprising at least one pole, a U-shaped bimetal member connected to a fixed portion of the circuit breaker and having a fixed contact connected to one side of said U-shaped member and a terminal member connected to the other side of said U-shaped member, a movable contact connected to a movable portion of said circuit breaker and movable into and out of contact with said fixed contact member, a latch member and a latch plate, said bimetal connected by means of a trip member to said latch plate for pivoting said latch plate on low overload currents, a magnetic armature member having exactly three steel laminations, said central steel lamination having an extended portion with a pivot member thereon, said pivot member being pivotally mounted in said fixed portion of said circuit breaker to pivotally mount said three member magnetic armature on said fixed portion extending substantially parallel to and below said bimetal, a push rod connected to said armature and in contact with said latch plate for actuating said latch plate on high overload currents, said three lamination armature being attracted to said bimetal on high overload currents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3 in which said bimetal member includes a steel extension carrying said trip member, said steel extension having a portion extending over a part of said bimetal member and being substantially the same width as said bimetal member to establish a low reluctance flux path across said bimetal member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3 in which a separate steel member iS secured to the free end of said bimetal member to provide a low reluctance flux path across said bimetal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |