US3761776A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-phase electric circuit breaker
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1973-09-25
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A low profile molded case for a multi-phase electric circuit breaker compactly houses a static trip control unit and current transformers by displacing a portion of each phase conductor strap into nestable and operative relationship with the transformers and the static units and by modifying the trip mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 H Willard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/123; H01H2071/006; H01H71/08; H01H2071/084; H01H71/74; H01H2071/7472
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A self-contained multi-phase electric circuit breaker comprising a low profile covered insulating casing having a substantially planar back plate; a line terminal for each phase carried by the casing at one end thereof; a load terminal for each phase carried by the casing remote from the line terminals; separable contacts for each phase mounted in alignment with their respective line terminals and operative for simultaneous and common movement between open and closed circuit positions; a phase conductor strap for each phase connecting the load terminals to their respective separable contacts, a portion of each phase conductor strap being inwardly displaced from said back plate, and a current transformer for each phase mounted within the casing in nestable and operative relationship with the displaced portion of its respective phase conductor strap for generating control signals proportional to the current flowing through said phase conductor strap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A self-contained multi-phase electric circuit breaker comprising a low profile covered insulating casing having a substantially planar back plate; a line terminal for each phase carried by the casing at one end thereof; a load terminal for each phase carried by the casing remote from the line terminals; separable contacts for each phase mounted in alignment with their respective line terminals and operative for simultaneous and common movement between open and closed circuit positions; a phase conductor strap for each phase connecting the load terminals to their respective separable contacts, a portion of each phase conductor strap being inwardly displaced from said back plate, and a current transformer for each phase mounted within the casing in nestable and operative relationship with the displaced portion of its respective phase conductor strap for generating control signals proportional to the current flowing through said phase conductor strap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 including a modular electronic programming unit carried by and within the casing adjacent the load terminals and current transformers and in nestable relationship with a portion of said phase conductor straps other than said displaced portion, said programming unit being operatively connected to said current transformers and said separable contacts for opening said contacts in response to control signals generated by said current transformers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the current transformers are low profile dual-winding transformers with the windings connected in series to provide an additive ampere turn output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit breaker of claim 3 wherein the displaced portion of each phase conductor strap passes through its respective transformers intermediate the dual windings and in elevated relationship to the back plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 including a trip mechanism and an electronic trip control unit, and wherein the insulating casing is a molded housing fully enclosing the separable contacts, current trAnsformers, trip mechanism and electronic control unit in compact nested relationship within the low profile casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 including a static trip control unit, and a trip mechanism operatively connected to the separable contacts for rapidly moving the contacts to their open position, said trip mechanism being operative on said trip mechanism to open said contacts in response to a signal from the static trip control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The circuit breaker of claim 6 wherein the trip control unit includes solid state trip circuits and the trip mechanism includes an insulating trip bar for rapidly releasing the separable contacts for movement toward their open position and a magnetic trip actuating device operative for initiating the releasing operation of the trip bar, said trip circuits being operative in response to signals generated by the current transformers associated with each phase of the circuit breaker to effect operation of the magnetic trip device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the load terminals are located at the end of said casing opposite said one end and said phase conductor straps extend from said load terminals toward the separable contacts in alignment with the contacts, the breaker including a self-contained static trip control unit in superimposed nested relationship with said phase conductor straps, said trip control unit having a top control panel, said covered casing including a transparent cover portion permitting visual read-out of said top control panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit breaker of claim 8 wherein the transparent cover portion is provided with a tamper-proof seal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3440491A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |