US4884164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case electronic circuit interrupter
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1989-02-01
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2009-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An electronic trip unit within a self-contained circuit interrupter utilizes dual electromagnetic trip actuators. One such actuator responds to overcurrent conditions to interrupt the protected circuit up to a predetermined value. The other such actuator interrupts the protected circuit at all overcurrent conditions in excess of the predetermined value.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Dziura
- 👤 Ronald R. Russell
- 👤 Graham A. Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:25
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/08; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/24; H01H71/2463; H02H1/00; H02H1/06; H02H1/063; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/2089; H05K7/209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A circuit interrupter comprising: a case and a cover; a pair of separable contacts within said case under control of an operating mechanism; an electronic trip circuit within said cover connected with a first trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts upon occurrence of first overcurrent conditions through said contacts; and a second trip coil connected to said first trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts upon occurrence of second overcurrent conditions through said contacts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A circuit interrupter comprising: a case and a cover; a pair of separable contacts within said case under control of an operating mechanism; an electronic trip circuit within said cover connected with a first trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts upon occurrence of first overcurrent conditions through said contacts; and a second trip coil connected to said first trip coil to articulate said operating mechanism and separate said contacts upon occurrence of second overcurrent conditions through said contacts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said first trip coil is connected to said second trip coil through a control circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said first trip coil is arranged within said cover and said second trip coil is arranged within said case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said control circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding connected with said first trip coil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 4 wherein said control circuit further includes an electronic switch connected with a secondary winding of said transformer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 5 wherein said electronic switch comprises a thyristor, a gate of said thyristor being connected with said transformer secondary winding and an anode of said thyristor being connected with said second trip coil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 5 including a second electronic switch connected with said secondary winding and said electronic switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 7 wherein said second electronic switch comprises a second thyristor, a gate of said second thyristor being connected with said secondary winding and a cathode of said second thyristor being connected with said gate of said thyristor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 4 wherein said transformer comprises a pulse transformer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said control circuit includes a plurality of silicon switches connected with said second trip coil through a transformer having a plurality of primary windings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 10 wherein a secondary winding on said transformer connects with said second trip coil through an electronic switch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 11 wherein said electronic switch comprises a thyristor, a gate of said thyristor being connected with said transformer secondary winding and an anode of said thyristor being connected with said second trip coil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 11 wherein said control circuit further includes a plurality of rectifliers having input and output terminals, said input terminals being connected with current-sensing transformers and with said electronic trip circuit, said output terminals being connected with said silicon switches and said primary windings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 13 further including an RC timing circuit connected to each of said silicon switches for preventing spurious turn-on of said silicon switches.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said control circuit includes a plurality of silicon switches connecting with said second trip coil through a corresponding plurality of opto-isolators.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 15 wherein said control circuit includes a plurality of rectifiers having input and output terminals, said input terminals connecting with current-sensing transformers and said electronic trip unit, said output terminals connecting with said silicon switches and said opto-isolators.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 16 wherein said opto-isolators include photodiodes connecting with said silicon switches and photo-transistors connecting with said second trip coil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 17 including an electronic switch connecting between said photo-transistors and said second trip coil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 18 wherein said electronic switch comprises a thyristor, a gate of said thyristor being connected with emitters of said photo-transistors, an anode of said thyristor being connected with said second trip coil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 2 wherein said control circuit includes a plurality of rectifiers connected with a corresponding plurality of current-sensing transformers and with said electronic trip circuit and an electronic switch connecting with said second trip coil and said rectifiers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 20 wherein said electronic switch comprises a thyristor, an anode on said thyristor connecting with said second trip coil and a cathode on said thyristor connecting with said rectifiers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 21 further including a silicon switch connecting between said thyristor gate and a midpoint between a pair of resistors connected together as a voltage divider.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 20 wherein said rectifiers connect with said electronic trip unit through corresponding current limiting resistors.
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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) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |