US3824508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromagnetic repulsion device actuating the movable contact member of a circuit interrupter
Assignee: Merlin Gerin SA
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Filing: 1973-05-21
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1993-05-21
Abstract
Abstract Electromagnetic repulsion device comprising a magnetic circuit energized by the current flowing through a circuit interrupter and an induction-plate which is movable with the movable contact member of the circuit interrupter. The abrupt rising of a fault current induces secondary currents in the induction-plate to vigorously expel the induction-plate from the air gap of the magnetic circuit in which it is normally located when the circuit interrupter is in the closed-circuit position so that the contacts are rapidly opened.
Inventors
- 👤 C Terracol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:45
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H73/00; H01H73/02; H01H73/04; H01H73/045; H01H77/00; H01H77/02; H01H77/10; H01H77/107; H01H77/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
An electromagnetic repulsion device causing under predetermined fault current conditions the separation of the separable contact means of a circuit interrupter by imparting motion to a movable contact member of said contact means, said movable contact member defining therein a main current path for the current flowing under normal-service conditions through said movable contact member in the closed-circuit position thereof, said device comprising: a magnetic circuit energized by the current flowing through said circuit interrupter and having closely spaced apart confronting pole faces defining therebetween adjacent said movable contact member gap means in such a manner that said current flowing through said circuit interrupter induces in said gap means a magnetic field directEd substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of said current path in said movable contact member; and elongated conducting induction-plate means extending a length parallel with and adjacent to said path between said pole faces in said gap means when said movable contact member is in said closed-circuit position, said induction-plate means being movable with said movable contact member and electrically connected thereto in shunting relation so that the rising of said fault current and the resulting rising of the magnitude of said magnetic field induce in said induction-plate means a secondary current linking said magnetic field and tending to repel said induction-plate means from said gap means to cause said separation of said contact means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
An electromagnetic repulsion device causing under predetermined fault current conditions the separation of the separable contact means of a circuit interrupter by imparting motion to a movable contact member of said contact means, said movable contact member defining therein a main current path for the current flowing under normal-service conditions through said movable contact member in the closed-circuit position thereof, said device comprising: a magnetic circuit energized by the current flowing through said circuit interrupter and having closely spaced apart confronting pole faces defining therebetween adjacent said movable contact member gap means in such a manner that said current flowing through said circuit interrupter induces in said gap means a magnetic field directEd substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of said current path in said movable contact member; and elongated conducting induction-plate means extending a length parallel with and adjacent to said path between said pole faces in said gap means when said movable contact member is in said closed-circuit position, said induction-plate means being movable with said movable contact member and electrically connected thereto in shunting relation so that the rising of said fault current and the resulting rising of the magnitude of said magnetic field induce in said induction-plate means a secondary current linking said magnetic field and tending to repel said induction-plate means from said gap means to cause said separation of said contact means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, said magnetic circuit having a loop-shaped configuration surrounding said movable contact member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 2, said movable contact member and said induction-plate means forming a unitary structure having a generally T-shaped cross section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1, said movable contact member being comprised of a bridge contact guided for translatory motion perpendicularly to said longitudinal direction and to the direction of said magnetic field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 1, said movable contact member comprising a relatively wide generally bar-shaped bridge-type contact member defining said path and a relatively thin generally keel-shaped projection depending therefrom and constituting said induction plate means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 1, the longitudinally opposed end portions of said induction plate means being electrically connected to said movable contact member, the intermediate portion of said induction plate means being electrically insulated from said movable contact member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1, said induction plate means comprising a portion of ferromagnetic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1 further comprising stationary conductor means supplying current to said contact means and surrounded by said magnetic circuit to cause the energization thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
78 words
A device according to claim 1 comprising armature means spaced apart from said magnetic circuit when said movable contact member is in said closed-circuit position; and mechanical connection means connecting said armature means to said movable contact member in such a manner that the energization of said magnetic circuit by said current flowing through said current interrupter produces an attraction force acting on said armature means and tending to separate said contact means through said mechanical connection means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 9, said mechanical connection means comprising lost-motion means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 10 comprising resilient contact pressure means tending to close said contact means to take up the lost motion of said lost-motion means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 9, said movable contact member carrying main contact means, said device further comprising arcing contact means cooperating with arc extinguishing means and connected to said movable contact member by lost-motion means.
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) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |