US4025821A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit breaker with improved trip means having a high rating shunt trip
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1976-03-10
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Granted: 1977-05-24
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Expires: 1996-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A circuit breaker comprises a stored energy mechanism and a solid state overcurrent sensing trip circuit. The circuit breaker also includes a remotely operable shunt trip device having a zener diode for operation from high voltage control circuits without the necessity for a stepdown transformer.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W. Lang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H83/00; H01H83/20; H01H2083/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A circuit breaker, comprising: separable contacts; a trip mechanism operable upon actuation to separate said contacts; a trip coil operable upon energization to actuate said trip mechanism; a sensing circuit coupled to said contacts and operable upon overcurrent conditions through said contacts to energize said trip coil; and a shunt trip device connected to said trip coil and comprising a zener diode, said device being operable upon actuation to energize said trip coil and cause separation of said contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A circuit breaker, comprising: separable contacts; a trip mechanism operable upon actuation to separate said contacts; a trip coil operable upon energization to actuate said trip mechanism; a sensing circuit coupled to said contacts and operable upon overcurrent conditions through said contacts to energize said trip coil; and a shunt trip device connected to said trip coil and comprising a zener diode, said device being operable upon actuation to energize said trip coil and cause separation of said contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
a circuit breaker as recited in claim 1 wherein said trip mechanism comprises a flux transfer trip mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 2 wherein said zener diode is connected in parallel circuit relationship with said trip coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 3 wherein said shunt trip device comprises a cut-off switch adapted for series circuit connection with a control voltage source and an operating switch, said trip coil being adapted for parallel circuit connection with the series combination of said cut-off switch, a control voltage source and an operating switch; said cut-off switch being mechanically linked to said contacts so that said cut-off switch is open when said contacts are separated and is closed when said contacts are closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A circuit breaker recited in claim 4 further comprising a resistor connected in series circuit relationship with said cut-off switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 5 wherein said sensing circuit comprises an input and an output, said input being coupled to the current path through said contacts and said output being connected across said trip coil in parallel current relationship with said zener diode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 6 wherein said sensing circuit comprises a solid state over-current sensing circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 1 wherein said zener diode is connected in parallel circuit relationship with said trip coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 8 wherein said shunt trip device comprises a cut-off switch adapted for series circuit connection with the series connected combination of a control voltage source and an operating switch, said trip coil being adapted for parallel circuit connection with the series combination of said cut-off switch, a control voltage source and an operating switch; said cut-off switch being mechanically linked to said contacts so that said cut-off switch is open when said contacts are separated and is closed when said contacts are open.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 9 further comprising a resistor connected in series circuit relationship with said cut-off switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 10 wherein said sensing circuit comprises an input and an output, said input being coupled to the current path through said contacts and said output being connected across said trip coil in parallel circuit relationship with said zener diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A circuit breaker as recited in claim 11 wherein said sensing circuit comprises a solid state over-current sensing circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a circuit breaker having a trip coil and a shunt trip device of the type having a cut-off switch adapted for series connection with a control voltage source and an operating switch, the improvement comprising a zener diode connected in parallel with the trip coil of the associated circuit breaker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
In a circuit breaker having a trip coil and a shunt trip device of the type having a cut-off switch adapted for series connection with a control voltage source and an operating switch, the improvement comprising a zener diode connected in parallel with the trip coil of the associated circuit breaker.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a circuit breaker having a trip coil and a shunt trip device of the type having a cut-off switch adapted for series connection with a control voltage source and an operating switch, the improvement comprising a resistor connected in series with said cut-off switch and a zener diode connected in parallel with the trip coil of the associated circuit breaker.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a circuit breaker having a trip coil and a shunt trip device of the type having a cut-off switch adapted for series connection with a control voltage source and an operating switch, the improvement comprising a resistor connected in series with said cut-off switch and a zener diode connected in parallel with the trip coil of the associated circuit breaker.
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) | 1980-05-23 | 1980-11-22 | 1981-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-23 | 1984-11-22 | 1985-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-23 | 1988-11-22 | 1989-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |