US4945443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic circuit interrupter with combined keypad and display
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1989-09-14
•
Granted: 1990-07-31
•
Expires: 2009-09-14
Abstract
Abstract An electronic circuit interrupter digital display and keypad device includes a display to view circuit breaker settings combined with a keypad to select settings and values to be displayed. The display and keypad device connects to an electronic trip unit within the circuit interrupter by means of a tamper-free seal to prevent the circuit interrupter set points from being changed without authorization. Alternatively, a password-operated control switch provides a similar function.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark S. DeBiasi
- 👤 Robert J. Danek
- 👤 Hanns P. Sailer
- 👤 Ira B. Goldman
- 👤 David J. Lesslie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:24
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An electronic circuit interrupter comprising: a plastic case and a plastic cover; a pair of separable contacts within said case arranged for automatic separation upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition through said contacts; an electronic trip unit within said cover and electrically connected with an associated electric power distribution circuit, said electronic trip unit including a microprocessor and memory storage elements containing fixed set point parameters; a keypad and display unit within a recess formed within said cover, said keypad and display unit being interlocked with said microprocessor by means of a sealing wire passing through said keypad and display unit and said cover; and a power supply connected with said microprocessor through a disconnect switch, said disconnect switch being held in a closed position by means of a sealing wire passing through said cover and said keypad and display unit whereby removal of said wire opens said disconnect switch to provide a logic signal to said microprocessor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electronic circuit interrupter comprising: a plastic case and a plastic cover; a pair of separable contacts within said case arranged for automatic separation upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition through said contacts; an electronic trip unit within said cover and electrically connected with an associated electric power distribution circuit, said electronic trip unit including a microprocessor and memory storage elements containing fixed set point parameters; a keypad and display unit within a recess formed within said cover, said keypad and display unit being interlocked with said microprocessor by means of a sealing wire passing through said keypad and display unit and said cover; and a power supply connected with said microprocessor through a disconnect switch, said disconnect switch being held in a closed position by means of a sealing wire passing through said cover and said keypad and display unit whereby removal of said wire opens said disconnect switch to provide a logic signal to said microprocessor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said sealing wire passes through a part of said cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein a predetermined series of entries on said keypad and display unit is required before said microprocessor can become operative to change said set point parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said keypad and display unit includes a keypad operating circuit and a display operating circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 wherein said keypad and display unit comprises a keypad and a display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 4 wherein said keypad circuit and said display circuit are deposited on a common substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The circuit interrupter of claim 1 including an accessory cover on said molded plastic cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electronic circuit interrupter comprising: a plastic case and a plastic cover; a pair of separable contacts within said case arranged for automatic separation upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition through said contacts; an electronic trip unit within said cover and electrically connected with an associated electric power distribution circuit, said electronic trip unit including a microprocessor and memory storage elements containing fixed set point parameters; a keypad and display unit within a recess formed in said cover for providing operator access to change said set point parameters; and a security plate arranged over said keypad and display and fastened to said cover by means of a sealing wire at one end to thereby prevent access to said keypad and display unit without removing said sealing wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electronic circuit interrupter comprising: a plastic case and a plastic cover; a pair of separable contacts within said case arranged for automatic separation upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition through said contacts; an electronic trip unit within said cover and electrically connected with an associated electric power distribution circuit, said electronic trip unit including a microprocessor and memory storage elements containing fixed set point parameters; a keypad and display unit within a recess formed in said cover for providing operator access to change said set point parameters; and a security plate arranged over said keypad and display and fastened to said cover by means of a sealing wire at one end to thereby prevent access to said keypad and display unit without removing said sealing wire.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic circuit interrupter of claim 8 wherein said plate comprises light transmissive plastic.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electronic circuit interrupter of claim 8 including a sealing wire at an opposite end of said plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electronic circuit interrupter of claim 8 wherein said sealing wire passes through a part of said plate and a part of said cover.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic circuit interrupter of claim 8 wherein said microprocessor requires a predetermined series of entries on said keypad and display unit before said trip parameters can be changed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4672501A
Cited
US4589052A
Cited
US4751605A
Cited
US4728914A
Cited
US4814712A
Cited
US4870531A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-01-29 | 1994-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-30 | 1998-01-29 | 1998-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-30 | 2002-01-29 | 2002-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |