US4037185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ground fault circuit breaker with trip indication
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1976-03-11
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1996-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device includes a conventional circuit breaker equipped with a trip mechanism operable automatically to open the breaker contacts in response to overcurrent conditions. A GFCI module, responsive to ground leakage current, actuates a trip solenoid to open the breaker contacts via the trip mechanism in response to a ground fault. An indicator, carried by linkage interconnecting the solenoid and trip mechanism, is moved into registry with an opening in the breaker case only upon actuation of the solenoid to thus indicate the occurrence of a ground fault trip function.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith W. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:21
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H83/00; H01H83/20; H01H83/22; H01H83/226; H01H71/00; H01H71/04; H01H83/02; H01H2071/042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A circuit interrupting device comprising, in combination: A a molded case; B. a trip unit disposed within said case and operative in response to an overcurrent condition to initiate interruption of a circuit protected by the device; C. an electronic module positioned within said case and sensitive to ground leakage current occasioned by a ground fault on the circuit; D. a trip solenoid position within said case and electrically connected for energization under the control of said module in the event of a ground fault; E. linkage interconnecting said solenoid and said trip unit, said linkage articulated by said solenoid upon energization thereof to induce operation of said trip unit to initiate circuit interruption; F. mechanical trip indicator means movable between first and second indicating positions under the control of said trip solenoid, whereby to indicate by virtue of its position following a circuit interruption whether an overcurrent condition or a ground fault condition was responsible; and G. detent means acting on said trip indicator means to releasably sustain said trip indicator means in the one of its first and second indicating positions assumed under the control of said trip solenoid following a circuit interruption.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A circuit interrupting device comprising, in combination: A a molded case; B. a trip unit disposed within said case and operative in response to an overcurrent condition to initiate interruption of a circuit protected by the device; C. an electronic module positioned within said case and sensitive to ground leakage current occasioned by a ground fault on the circuit; D. a trip solenoid position within said case and electrically connected for energization under the control of said module in the event of a ground fault; E. linkage interconnecting said solenoid and said trip unit, said linkage articulated by said solenoid upon energization thereof to induce operation of said trip unit to initiate circuit interruption; F. mechanical trip indicator means movable between first and second indicating positions under the control of said trip solenoid, whereby to indicate by virtue of its position following a circuit interruption whether an overcurrent condition or a ground fault condition was responsible; and G. detent means acting on said trip indicator means to releasably sustain said trip indicator means in the one of its first and second indicating positions assumed under the control of said trip solenoid following a circuit interruption.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 1, which further includes means forming a window in said case, the second indicating position of said indicator means being in registry with said window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 2, wherein said indicator means is in the form of a flag movable with said linkage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 3, wherein said flag is carried by said linkage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 4, wherein said linkage is pivotally mounted within said case.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 5, wherein said linkage is L-shaped having a first arm operatively coupled adjacent its end to said trip solenoid and a second arm operatively coupled adjacent its end to said trip unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 6, wherein said indicator means is in the form of a flag carried by said first arm at a location adjacent its junction with said second arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 7, wherein said detent means is in the form of a spring acting on said linkage to detain said flag in either of its first and second indicating positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit interrupting device defined in claim 8, which further includes means forming a window in said case, the second indicating position of said flag being in registry with said window.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USB340170I5
Cited
US3970975A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |