US4890184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1988-12-30
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Granted: 1989-12-26
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Expires: 2008-12-30
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 unit is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. One such actuator-accessory unit includes a fast release overcurrent trip circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald R. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:13
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/08; H02H3/10; H02H3/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit comprising: an undervoltage release electromagnetic coil; a spring-biased plunger associated with said coil; an undervoltage control circuit connected with said coil, said undervoltage circuit including means for interrupting holding current to said coil and allowing said plunger to propel into contact with a trip lever upon receipt of a predetermined undervoltage signal to said undervoltage circuit; an overcurrent control circuit interacting with said undervoltage circuit, said overcurrent circuit including means for interrupting said holding current upon receipt of a predetermined overcurrent signal to said overcurrent circuit; and a solid state switch interconnecting said undervoltage control circuit and said overcurrent control circuit with said electromagnetic coil for providing a first impedance to said electromagnetic coil in the absence of said predetermined overcurrent signal and a second impedance to said electromagnetic coil upon occurrence of said predetermined overcurrent signal, said second impedance being greater than said first impedance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit comprising: an undervoltage release electromagnetic coil; a spring-biased plunger associated with said coil; an undervoltage control circuit connected with said coil, said undervoltage circuit including means for interrupting holding current to said coil and allowing said plunger to propel into contact with a trip lever upon receipt of a predetermined undervoltage signal to said undervoltage circuit; an overcurrent control circuit interacting with said undervoltage circuit, said overcurrent circuit including means for interrupting said holding current upon receipt of a predetermined overcurrent signal to said overcurrent circuit; and a solid state switch interconnecting said undervoltage control circuit and said overcurrent control circuit with said electromagnetic coil for providing a first impedance to said electromagnetic coil in the absence of said predetermined overcurrent signal and a second impedance to said electromagnetic coil upon occurrence of said predetermined overcurrent signal, said second impedance being greater than said first impedance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 1 wherein said solid state switch includes an FET connected with one side of said electromagnetic coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 2 including means across a gate and a source of said FET for limiting gate-source voltage to said FET.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 3 including means across said gate and said source for high frequency by-pass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 3 wherein said gate-source voltage limiting means comprises a zener diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 4 wherein said high frequency by-pass means comprises a capacitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 1 wherein said overcurrent circuit interacts with said undervoltage circuit through an opto-isolator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 7 wherein said opto-isolator includes a phototransistor connected with said undervoltage circuit through a first transistor switch and a photo diode connected with a first pair of input terminals for receiving said predetermined overcurrent signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 2 wherein said undervoltage circuit includes a first comparator connected with said electromagnetic coil and said FET through a second FET.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 3 including a third FET connected with said first comparator through a second comparator and a transistor switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 8 wherein a collector of said photo transistor connects with a gate on said FET and an emitter on said phototransistor connects with a source on said FET.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The actuator-accessory unit circuit of claim 2 including a fly-back diode connected with the cathode on one side of the electromagnetic coil and the anode connected to the source of said FET.
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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) | 1992-12-25 | 1993-06-26 | 1993-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-25 | 1997-06-26 | 1997-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-25 | 2001-06-26 | 2001-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |