US5701111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1996-03-29
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Granted: 1997-12-23
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Expires: 2016-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A field-installable circuit breaker trip actuator unit includes a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker components. The flux shifter unit responds to an electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. A reset arrangement allows the trip actuator unit to be automatically reset upon completion of the contact separation process.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger N. Castonguay
- 👤 Jeffrey D. Lord
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:04
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H71/10; H01H71/1072; H01H71/1054; H01H71/12; H01H71/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A trip unit conversion kit for circuit breakers comprising: a trip actuator unit responsive to a trip initiating signal from a circuit breaker trip unit to articulate a circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate a pair of circuit breaker contacts, said trip actuator unit including a flux shift unit having a flux shift plunger; a reset arm pivotally arranged on said trip actuator unit and connecting with said flux shift plunger; a connector link attached to said reset arm at one end and arranged for interacting with a circuit breaker cross bar at an opposite end, whereby said cross bar motivates said connector link and said reset arm upon separation of said circuit breaker contacts; and a reset spring attached to said reset arm for returning said reset arm and said connector link to a home position, said reset spring connects with said connector link at one end of said return spring and connects with said support bracket at an opposite end of said return spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A trip unit conversion kit for circuit breakers comprising: a trip actuator unit responsive to a trip initiating signal from a circuit breaker trip unit to articulate a circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate a pair of circuit breaker contacts, said trip actuator unit including a flux shift unit having a flux shift plunger; a reset arm pivotally arranged on said trip actuator unit and connecting with said flux shift plunger; a connector link attached to said reset arm at one end and arranged for interacting with a circuit breaker cross bar at an opposite end, whereby said cross bar motivates said connector link and said reset arm upon separation of said circuit breaker contacts; and a reset spring attached to said reset arm for returning said reset arm and said connector link to a home position, said reset spring connects with said connector link at one end of said return spring and connects with said support bracket at an opposite end of said return spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The trip unit conversion kit of claim 1 including a support bracket, whereby said opposite end of said connector link passes through a clearance slot in said support bracket for alignment with said cross bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The trip unit conversion kit of claim 1 wherein said support bracket further attaches to a part of a circuit breaker trip unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The trip unit conversion kit of claim 1 wherein said reset arm comprises an L-shaped plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The trip unit conversion kit of claim 1 where in said reset arm is attached to a reset bracket on said flux shift unit by means of a flexible grommet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The trip unit conversion kit of claim 5 wherein said flux shift unit includes a flux shift reset spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
A circuit breaker comprising: an enclosure; a pair of contacts within said enclosure for interrupting circuit current on command; a line strap on one end of said enclosure for connecting said contacts with an electrical source; a line strap on an opposite end of said enclosure for connecting said contacts with electrical equipment; an operating handle extending from said enclosure for manual control of said operating mechanism; electronic means for providing a trip initiating signal to a trip actuator, said trip actuator including: a flux shift unit having a flux shift plunger; a reset arm pivotally arranged on said trip actuator unit and connecting with said flux shift plunger; a connector link attached to said reset arm at one end and arranged for interacting with a circuit breaker cross bar at an opposite end, whereby said cross bar motivates said connector link and said reset arm upon separation of said circuit breaker contacts; and a reset spring attached to said reset arm for returning said reset arm and said connector link to a home position, said reset spring connects with said connector link at one end of said return spring and connects with said support bracket at an opposite end of said return spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
204 words
A circuit breaker comprising: an enclosure; a pair of contacts within said enclosure for interrupting circuit current on command; a line strap on one end of said enclosure for connecting said contacts with an electrical source; a line strap on an opposite end of said enclosure for connecting said contacts with electrical equipment; an operating handle extending from said enclosure for manual control of said operating mechanism; electronic means for providing a trip initiating signal to a trip actuator, said trip actuator including: a flux shift unit having a flux shift plunger; a reset arm pivotally arranged on said trip actuator unit and connecting with said flux shift plunger; a connector link attached to said reset arm at one end and arranged for interacting with a circuit breaker cross bar at an opposite end, whereby said cross bar motivates said connector link and said reset arm upon separation of said circuit breaker contacts; and a reset spring attached to said reset arm for returning said reset arm and said connector link to a home position, said reset spring connects with said connector link at one end of said return spring and connects with said support bracket at an opposite end of said return spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The circuit breaker of claim 7 including a support bracket, whereby said opposite end of said connector link passes through a clearance slot in said support bracket for alignment with said cross bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit breaker of claim 8 wherein said support bracket further attaches to a part of a circuit breaker trip unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said reset arm comprises an L-shaped plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The circuit breaker of claim 8 wherein said support bracket further attaches to a part of a circuit breaker trip unit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said reset arm is attached to a reset bracket on said flux shift unit by means of a flexible grommet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said flux shift unit includes a flux shift reset spring.
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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) | 2000-12-22 | 2001-06-23 | 2001-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-22 | 2005-06-23 | 2005-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-22 | 2009-06-23 | 2009-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |