US3723924A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shunt trip and undervoltage device
Assignee: ITE Imperial Corp
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Filing: 1971-10-04
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-10-04
Abstract
Abstract Undervoltage and shunt trip units for a multi-phase molded case circuit breaker are each constructed with a primary latch operated by the armature of an electromagnet. The primary latch acts through a secondary latch to hold an intermediate member in latched position, wherein the latter holds an actuator in its inactive position. When the latches are released to release the intermediate member, a coiled tension spring acting directly upon the actuator moves the latter to a tripping position to trip the contact latching mechanism of the circuit breaker. Another spring, separate from the actuator operating spring, biases the magnet armature away from the magnet yoke so that adjustment of the armature spring will not alter the force with which the actuator is moved to its tripping position.
Inventors
- 👤 H Shaffer
- 👤 A Strobel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:38
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H83/00; H01H83/20; H01H2083/205; H01H2083/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
An auxiliary unit for tripping the contacts of a circuit breaker to open position and acting independently of circuit breaker load current; said auxiliary unit including an electromagnet having a core and an armature biased toward a first position away from said core and movable to a second position closer to said core than said first position, a latch means operable by said armature, an intermediate member held in a latched position by engagement with said latch means, an actuator held in an inactive position by said intermediate member, and biasing means for operating said actuator to a tripping position to trip a circuit breaker contact latching mechanism when the actuator is no longer restrained by said intermediate member; said actuator being positioned at one end of said intermediate member and said latch means being positioned at the other end thereof; said intermediate member being mounted intermediate its ends to a first pivot; said first pivot being closer to said one end than to said other end; a second pivot to which said armature is mounted; said latch means including a primary latch connected to said armature for movement thereby and a secondary latch held in latching position by engagement with said primary latch; said intermediate member held in said latched position by engagement with said secondary latch; a third pivot to which said secondary latch is mounted; a fourth pivot to which said actuator is mounted; and a common member to which all of said pivots are mounted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
An auxiliary unit for tripping the contacts of a circuit breaker to open position and acting independently of circuit breaker load current; said auxiliary unit including an electromagnet having a core and an armature biased toward a first position away from said core and movable to a second position closer to said core than said first position, a latch means operable by said armature, an intermediate member held in a latched position by engagement with said latch means, an actuator held in an inactive position by said intermediate member, and biasing means for operating said actuator to a tripping position to trip a circuit breaker contact latching mechanism when the actuator is no longer restrained by said intermediate member; said actuator being positioned at one end of said intermediate member and said latch means being positioned at the other end thereof; said intermediate member being mounted intermediate its ends to a first pivot; said first pivot being closer to said one end than to said other end; a second pivot to which said armature is mounted; said latch means including a primary latch connected to said armature for movement thereby and a secondary latch held in latching position by engagement with said primary latch; said intermediate member held in said latched position by engagement with said secondary latch; a third pivot to which said secondary latch is mounted; a fourth pivot to which said actuator is mounted; and a common member to which all of said pivots are mounted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An auxiliary unit as set forth in claim 1 in which the second pivot extends generally through the center of the armature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An auxiliary unit as set forth in claim 1 in which there is a spring, independent of said biasing means, biasing said armature to its said first position; and means for adjusting the loading of said spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An auxiliary unit as set forth in claim 3 in which said biasing means comprises a tension spring connected at one end to said actuator and at the other end to said first pivot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An auxiliary unit as set foRth in claim 1 in which the primary and secondary latches are reset by forces applied thereto through said intermediate member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An auxiliary device as set forth in claim 1 in which the intermediate member is maintained in latched position when said armature is in said first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An auxiliary device as set forth in claim 1 in which the intermediate member is maintained in latched position when said armature is in said second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
An auxiliary unit as set forth in claim 1 in which there is a spring extension for said intermediate member through which a relatching force is applied to said unit; said spring extension being connected to said intermediate member at a point located between said first pivot and said other end of said intermediate member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An auxiliary unit as set forth in claim 8, said one end of said intermediate member engages said actuator; and a cam means at the area of engagement between said one end and said intermediate member.
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) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |