US3855502A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground fault interrupter device
Assignee: ITE Imperial Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-22
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1993-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A ground fault interrupter unit consists of two modules. One of these modules is a standard single pole circuit breaker, and the other module includes fault detection means mounted in an enclosure, with an electromagnetic operator that is energized upon predetermined ground fault conditions. This enclosure is the same width as the width of the housing of the standard single pole circuit breaker. The modules are connected side by side, and mechanical engagement between the operator and overload trip means of the circuit breaker causes the latter to be tripped by actuation of the electromagnetic operator. Overall dimensions of the modules permits installation of the combined assembly in a standard panelboard in the space normally occupied by two circuit breakers of the type found in the ground fault interrupter unit.
Inventors
- 👤 V Pardue
- 👤 J Cataido
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:09
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H83/00; H01H83/02; H01H83/04; H01H71/00; H01H71/02; H01H71/0264; H01H71/0271; H01H2071/0278
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
Electrical protective equipment including housing means defining first and second compartments; a circuit breaker within said first compartment including a set of cooperating contacts, an operating means connected to said set of contacts and including an operating handle extending outside of said housing means and a latchable member, latch means for maintaining said member in latched position wherein said operating means through manual operation of said handle is effective to open and close said set of contacts, first pivot means mounting said latch means, overload sensing means for automatically moving said latch means about said first pivot means to release said latch means upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions; fault sensing means within said second compartment including a fault detecting means and an electromagnet that is energized by said fault detecting means upon the occurrence of predetermined fault conditions; said electromagnet including a relatively stationary magnetic yoke and an armature movable relative to said yoke; means extending between said compartments and operated by said armature upon attraction thereof by said yoke to move said latch means and thereby release said latchable member, whereby said operating means opens said set of contacts; said armature being mounted for movement along its axis and the means extending between said compartments projecting radially from the axis of said armature; said housing means including first and second housing modules defining the respective first and second compartments; said housing modules being generally of equal width and being secured together in adjacent side-by-side relationship; said first housing module having a first sidewall adjacent said second housing module; said first sidewall having an elongated slot extending parallel to the axis of the armature; said means extending between said compartments projecting through said elongated slot with movement of the former being guided by the latter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
Electrical protective equipment including housing means defining first and second compartments; a circuit breaker within said first compartment including a set of cooperating contacts, an operating means connected to said set of contacts and including an operating handle extending outside of said housing means and a latchable member, latch means for maintaining said member in latched position wherein said operating means through manual operation of said handle is effective to open and close said set of contacts, first pivot means mounting said latch means, overload sensing means for automatically moving said latch means about said first pivot means to release said latch means upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions; fault sensing means within said second compartment including a fault detecting means and an electromagnet that is energized by said fault detecting means upon the occurrence of predetermined fault conditions; said electromagnet including a relatively stationary magnetic yoke and an armature movable relative to said yoke; means extending between said compartments and operated by said armature upon attraction thereof by said yoke to move said latch means and thereby release said latchable member, whereby said operating means opens said set of contacts; said armature being mounted for movement along its axis and the means extending between said compartments projecting radially from the axis of said armature; said housing means including first and second housing modules defining the respective first and second compartments; said housing modules being generally of equal width and being secured together in adjacent side-by-side relationship; said first housing module having a first sidewall adjacent said second housing module; said first sidewall having an elongated slot extending parallel to the axis of the armature; said means extending between said compartments projecting through said elongated slot with movement of the former being guided by the latter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
Electrical protective means as set forth in claim 1 in which the second housing module includes first and second members secured together in side-by-side relationship; said second member having an enlarged opening and constituting a retaining element providing a generally open side adjacent said first housing module; said first housing module providing an insulating cover for said generally open side; said retaining element including formations that retain at least some of the elements of said fault sensing means within said second compartment prior to securing said housing modules together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
269 words
Electrical protective equipment including housing means defining first and second compartments; a circuit breaker within said first compartment including a set of cooperating contacts, an operating means connected to said set of contacts and including an operating handle extending outside of said housing means and a latchable member, latch means for maintaining said member in latched position wherein said operating means through manual operation of said handle is effective to open and close said set of contacts, overload sensing means for automatically moving said latch means to release said latch means upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions; fault sensing means within said second compartment; means operatively connected to said latch means and actuated by detection of predetermined fault conditions by said sensing means to Move said latch means and thereby release said latchable member, whereby said operating means opens said set of contacts; said housing means including first and second housing modules defining the respective first and second compartments; said housing modules being generally of equal width and being secured together in adjacent side-by-side relationship; said first housing module having a first generally closed widewall adjacent said second housing module; said second housing module including first and second members secured together in side-by-side relationship; said second member having an enlarged opening and constituting a retaining element providing a generally open side adjacent said first housing module; said first housing module providing an insulating cover for said generally open side; said retaining element including formations that retain at least some of the elements of said fault sensing means within said second compartment prior to securing said housing modules together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
269 words
Electrical protective equipment including housing means defining first and second compartments; a circuit breaker within said first compartment including a set of cooperating contacts, an operating means connected to said set of contacts and including an operating handle extending outside of said housing means and a latchable member, latch means for maintaining said member in latched position wherein said operating means through manual operation of said handle is effective to open and close said set of contacts, overload sensing means for automatically moving said latch means to release said latch means upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions; fault sensing means within said second compartment; means operatively connected to said latch means and actuated by detection of predetermined fault conditions by said sensing means to Move said latch means and thereby release said latchable member, whereby said operating means opens said set of contacts; said housing means including first and second housing modules defining the respective first and second compartments; said housing modules being generally of equal width and being secured together in adjacent side-by-side relationship; said first housing module having a first generally closed widewall adjacent said second housing module; said second housing module including first and second members secured together in side-by-side relationship; said second member having an enlarged opening and constituting a retaining element providing a generally open side adjacent said first housing module; said first housing module providing an insulating cover for said generally open side; said retaining element including formations that retain at least some of the elements of said fault sensing means within said second compartment prior to securing said housing modules together.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |