US5453724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flux shifter assembly for circuit breaker accessories
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1994-05-27
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Granted: 1995-09-26
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Expires: 2014-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A flux shifter unit with increased magnetic susceptibility for use with a combined bell alarm and lock-out accessory is connected with the electronic trip unit that controls a high ampere rated circuit breaker. The flux shifter unit is configured to eliminate nuisance tripping due to the vibration of the associated electrical equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond K. Seymour
- 👤 Michael C. Guerrette
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/12; H01H71/24; H01H71/32; H01H71/321; H01H71/322; H01H71/1054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An industrial-rated circuit breaker for high level overcurrent protection comprising: an insulative base and an insulative cover; an operating mechanism in said base controlled by an electronic trip unit arranged within a trip unit recess in said cover to interrupt circuit current upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition within a protected circuit; an accessory unit including a flux shifter arranged within an accessory recess in said cover, and a plunger extending from said accessory unit at a bottom thereof to prevent said operating mechanism from being reset after said circuit interruption; a magnet at one end of said flux shifter holding said plunger against the urgency of a compression spring; a magnetic flux diverter defining a circular base and a circular pedestal on said base intermediate said plunger and said magnet, said diverter comprising a circular base and a circular pedestal on said base, said circular base including a shaped slot formed therein, said plunger including a complimentary shaped end received within said slot for holding said plunger against said diverter, said shaped end having a conical configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An industrial-rated circuit breaker for high level overcurrent protection comprising: an insulative base and an insulative cover; an operating mechanism in said base controlled by an electronic trip unit arranged within a trip unit recess in said cover to interrupt circuit current upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition within a protected circuit; an accessory unit including a flux shifter arranged within an accessory recess in said cover, and a plunger extending from said accessory unit at a bottom thereof to prevent said operating mechanism from being reset after said circuit interruption; a magnet at one end of said flux shifter holding said plunger against the urgency of a compression spring; a magnetic flux diverter defining a circular base and a circular pedestal on said base intermediate said plunger and said magnet, said diverter comprising a circular base and a circular pedestal on said base, said circular base including a shaped slot formed therein, said plunger including a complimentary shaped end received within said slot for holding said plunger against said diverter, said shaped end having a conical configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The industrial-rated circuit breaker of claim 1 including a release coil 23 surrounding a part of said diverter and a part of said plunger for generating an opposing magnetic flux to said magnet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
A circuit breaker accessory unit comprising: a flux shifter a flux shifter intermediate a plunger and a reset button for interacting with a circuit breaker operating mechanism and preventing said operating mechanism from becoming reset after a circuit interruption without manual intervention; bias means driving said reset button to an extended trip indicating position upon occurrence of said circuit interruption; and a magnet at one end of said flux shifter holding said plunger against the urgency of a compression spring; and a magnetic diverter intermediate said plunger and said magnet, said diverter defining a circular base and a circular pedestal on said base, said circular pedestal including a funnel-shaped slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A circuit breaker accessory unit comprising: a flux shifter a flux shifter intermediate a plunger and a reset button for interacting with a circuit breaker operating mechanism and preventing said operating mechanism from becoming reset after a circuit interruption without manual intervention; bias means driving said reset button to an extended trip indicating position upon occurrence of said circuit interruption; and a magnet at one end of said flux shifter holding said plunger against the urgency of a compression spring; and a magnetic diverter intermediate said plunger and said magnet, said diverter defining a circular base and a circular pedestal on said base, said circular pedestal including a funnel-shaped slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The circuit breaker accessory unit of claim 3 including a release coil 23 surrounding a part of said diverter and a part of said plunger for generating an opposing magnetic flux to said magnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A circuit breaker flux shifter unit comprising: a metal housing; permanent magnet and a flux diverter within said housing, said diverter defining a circular base having a first diameter and a circular pedestal having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said pedestal defining a funnel-shaped slot; a release coil in said housing, said release coil surrounding a part of said flux diverter; a non-metallic guide cover arranged at one end of said housing; a metallic plunger extending within said guide cover and being biased for movement in a predetermined direction by means of a compression spring, said plunger being shaped at one end for optimum magnetic force transfer between said plunger end and said diverter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A circuit breaker flux shifter unit comprising: a metal housing; permanent magnet and a flux diverter within said housing, said diverter defining a circular base having a first diameter and a circular pedestal having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter, said pedestal defining a funnel-shaped slot; a release coil in said housing, said release coil surrounding a part of said flux diverter; a non-metallic guide cover arranged at one end of said housing; a metallic plunger extending within said guide cover and being biased for movement in a predetermined direction by means of a compression spring, said plunger being shaped at one end for optimum magnetic force transfer between said plunger end and said diverter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The circuit breaker flux shifter unit of claim 5 wherein said flux shifter end is received within said funnel-shaped slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The circuit breaker flux shifter unit of 5 including a non-metallic plunger cap, said plunger being received within said plunger cap whereby said plunger cap becomes extended in said predetermined direction upon said movement of said plunger.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The circuit breaker flux shifter unit of 5 including a non-metallic plunger cap, said plunger being received within said plunger cap whereby said plunger cap becomes extended in said predetermined direction upon said movement of said plunger.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3693122A
Cited
US4833563A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-25 | 1999-03-27 | 1999-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2003-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-25 | 2007-03-27 | 2007-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |