US4860157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory module
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-04-25
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Granted: 1989-08-22
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Expires: 2008-04-25
Abstract
Abstract An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory module is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. A separate actuator-accessory module is selected for different combinations of accessory functions. One such actuator-accessory module provides overcurrent protection along with remote trip facility.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald R. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:26
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H1/00; H02H1/06; H01; H01H; H01H83/00; H01H83/20; H01H2083/203; H01H47/00; H01H47/22; H01H47/32; H01H47/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A circuit interrupter comprising: a pair of separable contacts; an operating mechanism arranged for separating said contacts upon command; an electromagnetic coil associated with a plunger and a permanent magnet, said plunger restrained from interacting with said operating mechanism against the bias of a charged spring by contacting said permanent magnet and said electromagnetic coil arranged for counteracting with said permanent magnet to allow said plunger to interact with said operating mechanism when a current signal is applied to said electromagnetic coil; and a shunt trip circuit connected with said electromagnetic coil for controlling said current signal to said coil, said shunt trip circuit including a storage capacitor connected with said electromagnetic coil said storage capacitor being charged through a first and second charging circuit for supplying said current signal through an electronic switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A circuit interrupter comprising: a pair of separable contacts; an operating mechanism arranged for separating said contacts upon command; an electromagnetic coil associated with a plunger and a permanent magnet, said plunger restrained from interacting with said operating mechanism against the bias of a charged spring by contacting said permanent magnet and said electromagnetic coil arranged for counteracting with said permanent magnet to allow said plunger to interact with said operating mechanism when a current signal is applied to said electromagnetic coil; and a shunt trip circuit connected with said electromagnetic coil for controlling said current signal to said coil, said shunt trip circuit including a storage capacitor connected with said electromagnetic coil said storage capacitor being charged through a first and second charging circuit for supplying said current signal through an electronic switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said first charging circuit includes a FET.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said FET connects between one side of an external voltage source and one side of said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said second charging circuit includes a linear resistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 4 wherein said linear resistor connects with a source terminal and a drain terminal on said FET.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 3 including an electronic switch connecting with another side of said electronic coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 6 wherein a silicon switch within said electronic switch connects with said storage capacitor through a zener diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 7 wherein said electronic switch includes a pair of first and second transistor switches wherein a collector on said first transistor switch connects with a base on said second transistor switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 8 including a timing capacitor connected with a gate and a drain terminal on said FET through corresponding current limiting resistors and connected in common with said storage capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 9 including a third transistor switch having an emitter connected with said storage capacitor a collector connected with said gate terminal of said FET through a signal diode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 10 wherein said first charging circuit charges at a faster rate than said second charging circuit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 11 including a second zener diode connected across said timing capacitor through a second current limiting resistor to control the operation of said third transistor switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1992-08-21 | 1993-02-20 | 1993-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-21 | 1997-02-20 | 1997-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-21 | 2001-02-20 | 2001-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |