US3783422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit breaker tripping device operable from a low energy tripping signal
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-25
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Granted: 1974-01-01
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Expires: 1992-09-25
Abstract
Abstract An electric circuit breaker comprising an electromagnetic tripping device. The electromagnetic tripping device comprises an H-shaped structure which is constructed of a permanent magnet disposed between two pole pieces. A trip keeper is releasably held to the pole faces on one end of the H-shaped structure and a reset keeper is movably held to the pole faces at the other end of the H-shaped structure. A winding means encircles one leg of the H-shaped structure and when energized bucks the flux through the magnetic path closed by the trip keeper and boosts the flux through the reset keeper so as to release a trip arm and trip the circuit breaker.
Inventors
- 👤 J Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/1072; H01H71/12; H01H71/24; H01H71/32; H01H71/321; H01H71/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
A circuit interrupter comprising: a first contact which is stationary; a second contact which is movable between a first position in engagement with said first contact and a second position spaced from said first contact; operAting means to affect opening of said first contact and said second contact; latching means to retain said operating means and prevent said circuit interrupter from opening; tripping means for disengaging said latching means from said operating means to open said circuit interrupter; and said tripping means comprising, a permanent magnet having a first pole piece and a second pole piece between which said permanent magnet is disposed; a trip keeper supported for movement between a closed position in engagement with one end of said pole pieces and a tripped position where said trip keeper engages said tripping means to open said circuit interrupter; biasing means to bias said trip keeper towards the tripped position; a reset keeper supported for movement into and out of engagement with the other end of said pole pieces; a first magnetic circuit through said trip keeper providing means to maintain said trip keeper in engagement with said pole pieces; a second magnetic circuit through said reset keeper; magnetic flux transfer means for transferring flux from said first to said second magnetic circuit to release said trip keeper permitting said biasing means to move said trip keeper to the tripped position to effect opening of said circuit interrupter; and, automatic reset means for moving said trip keeper into engagement with one end of said pole pieces and for separating said reset keeper from the other end of said pole pieces to shift a major portion of the flux from said second magnetic circuit to said first magnetic circuit when said circuit breaker is opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
A circuit interrupter comprising: a first contact which is stationary; a second contact which is movable between a first position in engagement with said first contact and a second position spaced from said first contact; operAting means to affect opening of said first contact and said second contact; latching means to retain said operating means and prevent said circuit interrupter from opening; tripping means for disengaging said latching means from said operating means to open said circuit interrupter; and said tripping means comprising, a permanent magnet having a first pole piece and a second pole piece between which said permanent magnet is disposed; a trip keeper supported for movement between a closed position in engagement with one end of said pole pieces and a tripped position where said trip keeper engages said tripping means to open said circuit interrupter; biasing means to bias said trip keeper towards the tripped position; a reset keeper supported for movement into and out of engagement with the other end of said pole pieces; a first magnetic circuit through said trip keeper providing means to maintain said trip keeper in engagement with said pole pieces; a second magnetic circuit through said reset keeper; magnetic flux transfer means for transferring flux from said first to said second magnetic circuit to release said trip keeper permitting said biasing means to move said trip keeper to the tripped position to effect opening of said circuit interrupter; and, automatic reset means for moving said trip keeper into engagement with one end of said pole pieces and for separating said reset keeper from the other end of said pole pieces to shift a major portion of the flux from said second magnetic circuit to said first magnetic circuit when said circuit breaker is opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 wherein said flux transferring means comprises a coil around one of said pole pieces and an electric signal input means for transferring the major portion of the flux from said first magnetic path to said second magnetic path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 wherein said automatic reset means comprises a plunger, said plunger being supported so that when said circuit breaker is opened said trip keeper is mechanically moved into engagement with said pole pieces and said reset keeper is mechanically spaced from said pole pieces so that the major portion of the flux flows through said first magnetic circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The circuit breaker as claimed in claim 7 including a trip arm pivoted about a point spaced from said pole pieces, said trip keeper being rigidly attached to said trip arm, a reset arm pivoted about a point spaced from said pole pieces, said reset keeper being rigidly attached to said reset arm, spring means for moving said reset keeper into engagement with said pole pieces when said circuit breaker is closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A circuit breaker as claimed in claim 3 wherein said reset plunger passes between said pole pieces and through said permanent magnet, through said trip keeper, and through said reset keeper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein said trip keeper and said reset keeper are supported for rectilinear motion parallel to the longitudinal axis of said first pole piece and said second pole piece.
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) | 1976-12-31 | 1977-07-02 | 1978-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-31 | 1981-07-02 | 1982-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-31 | 1985-07-02 | 1986-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |