US3761777A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric circuit breaker with electronic trip control unit
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 An electric circuit breaker is provided with a static or electronic trip control unit adapted for easy removal and replacement during periodic on-site and remote maintenance and testing at controlled current levels. The modular static trip control unit is a standardized interchangeable component operative to effect movement of the trip bar to its tripping position upon the occurrence of preselected electrical conditions and removably mounted in the casing for easy removal and replacement during periodic maintenance and testing of the accuracy of these units for detecting such electrical conditions. A fail-safe interlock is operatively connected to the trip bar of the circuit breaker and is responsive to removal of the interchangeable unit to cause movement of the trip bar to its tripping position and retention thereof in the tripping position while the interchangeable unit is absent from the circuit breaker.
Inventors
- 👤 H Willard
- 👤 V Acampora
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/123; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/02; H02H3/04; H02H3/044; H01H71/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An electric circuit breaker with a static control unit adapted for easy replacement during periodic maintenance and testing at control current levels comprising an insulating case, relatively separable contact means mounted on said case for movement between open and closed circuit positions, a trip bar movable toward a tripping position to effect relative separation of said contact means, modulat static trip control means operative to effect movement of said trip bar to its tripping position upon the occurence of preselected electrical conditions, said modular static trip control means being a standardized interchangeable unit removably mounted in said casing for easy removal and replacement during periodic on-site and remote maintenance and testing of the accuracy of said unit for detecting said electrical conditions, and failsafe interlock means operatively connected to said trip bar and responsive to removal of said interchangeable unit to cause movement of said trip bar to its tripping position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electric circuit breaker with a static control unit adapted for easy replacement during periodic maintenance and testing at control current levels comprising an insulating case, relatively separable contact means mounted on said case for movement between open and closed circuit positions, a trip bar movable toward a tripping position to effect relative separation of said contact means, modulat static trip control means operative to effect movement of said trip bar to its tripping position upon the occurence of preselected electrical conditions, said modular static trip control means being a standardized interchangeable unit removably mounted in said casing for easy removal and replacement during periodic on-site and remote maintenance and testing of the accuracy of said unit for detecting said electrical conditions, and failsafe interlock means operatively connected to said trip bar and responsive to removal of said interchangeable unit to cause movement of said trip bar to its tripping position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said modular static trip control means includes electronic trip control circuitry responsive to selected electrical conditions within the systems controlled by the circuit breaker, said circuitry being housed within a single standardized removable compartment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein said trip control unit includes a solid state trip circuit having multiple settings for different preselected tripping conditions, said unit being suited to adjustment to different settings without removal of said unit from said insulating casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the trip bar is biased away from the trippinp position and the failsafe interlock means includes drive means operable to overcome the bias on the trip bar upon the removal of said interchangeable unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 wherein the failsafe interlock means includes a sensing plate for contacting said interchangeable unit and trip bar drive means associated with the sensing plate for driving the trip bar toward the tripping position upon removal of the unit from engagement with the sensing plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electric circuit breaker of claim 5 wherein the trip bar drive means includes a drive rod and a one way driving connection between said rod and said trip bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The electric circuit breaker of claim 1 including a retaining spring resisting movement of the trip bar to the tripping position and wherein the interlock includes a sensing plate and trip drive spring for urging said plate toward the interchangeable unit and for driving said trip bar into the tripping position against the bias of said retaining spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The circuit breaker of claim 1 including releasable means movable between a cocked position and a released position to effect relative separation of the contact means, said trip bar being effective to hold said releasable means in the cocked position and effect release thereof upon movement toward the tripping position, said interlock being effective to retain the trip bar in the tripping position while the interchangeable unit is removed to prevent retention of the releasable means in its cocked position.
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) | 1976-09-24 | 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 |