Electrical connectors – Including handle or distinct manipulating means – Coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
1996-04-09
2001-04-17
Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Including handle or distinct manipulating means
Coupling part
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217370
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electric circuit breakers and more particularly to the indication of the status of a circuit breaker and the remote control of a circuit breaker.
2. Description of the Related Art
Circuit breakers are commonly used for temporary interruption of electrical power to electrically powered devices. Various circuit breaker mechanisms have evolved and have been perfected over time on the basis of application-specific factors such as current capacity, response time, and the type of reset (manual or remote) function desired of the breaker.
One type of circuit breaker mechanism employs a thermo-magnetic tripping device to trip a latch in response to a specific range of over-current conditions. In another type of circuit breaker, referred to as a double-break circuit breaker, two sets of current breaking contacts are included to accommodate a higher level of over-current conditions than can be handled by one set of contacts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,430,419 describes a typical mechanical and electrical assembly that is utilized in circuit breakers according to the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
A circuit breaker has typically three possible statuses: off, where the contacts are open; on, where the contacts are closed for completing a circuit path; and tripped, where the contacts are open because of an abnormal condition. It is desirable to monitor and control a circuit breaker's status from a remote location, such as in a control center. Systems are known, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,356, which provide in the form of a modular accessory a position-indicating switch coupled directly to the movement of an electrical circuit breaker contacter. The systems provide sensing conditions indicative of the contact condition of the circuit breaker and can indicate whether the contacts have become fused together.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,356 describes a combined trip actuator mechanism and accessory unit for articulating the circuit breaker operating mechanism and interfacing with the accessory unit for remote trip as well as trip indication function. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,831,221 and 4,912,439 describe auxiliary switch accessories used within industrial-grade circuit breakers. The auxiliary switch accessories interact with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to provide remote indication of the condition of the circuit breaker contacts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,263 describes a crossbar unit that carries the movable contact arm and provides an accurate indication as to the actual condition of the contacts. In some instances the auxiliary switch accessory unit operates directly off the circuit breaker operating mechanism crossbar unit to provide an indication of the status of the circuit breaker.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,139 describes a circuit breaker housing modified to provide an access passage exposing a portion of the circuit breaker blade mechanism to external access and a bolt-on accessory module containing a rotor coupled to a movable coupling member configured to extend through the circuit breaker passage to engage a portion of the blade mechanism. A member carried with the blade mechanism mounted on a trip arm carried with the blade extends toward the passage to engage with the coupling member. A sensing switch is engaged by a camming surface on the rotor so that the rotor will be moved responsively to tripping and resetting of the circuit breaker blade to indicate the true position of the circuit breaker contacts. Rotation of the rotor will trip the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker is in the reset position. A solenoid is provided to engagingly rotate the rotor in the tripping direction. A single coupling element senses the state of the circuit breaker and provides means for remotely tripping it.
In general, the present invention pertains to monitoring and control of a circuit breaker from a remote location. Although devices exist for this general purpose, it is believed that a need exists for a circuit breaker accessory module capable of sensing the position of components in the circuit breaker and capable of initiating a change in the status of a circuit breaker. Such an accessory module is preferably reliable and durable and preferably incorporates advances in circuit board and switch technology when such advances improve the accessory module. Practical concerns regarding field installation are preferably addressed, and parts are preferably interchangeable so as to minimize the number of parts required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a device for use with a circuit breaker having at least two positions therein that indicate different statuses of the circuit breaker. The device comprises an apparatus coupled to the circuit breaker for detecting the status of the circuit breaker, a status indicator having a separate state that corresponds to each of the statuses detected by the apparatus, and an actuator associated with the apparatus and the status indicator for communicating the status detected by the apparatus to the status indicator.
In another aspect the present invention provides an accessory module for a circuit breaker. The accessory module comprises a base, a mechanism in the base, the mechanism having at least two positions, a circuit board in the base, a position indicator mounted on the circuit board, and an actuator for communicating the position of the mechanism to the position indicator. Preferably, the accessory module further comprises a connector mounted on the board. The accessory module may include a terminal plug engaged with the connector. Preferably the actuator has a pivot, and the circuit board may have a hole for receiving the pivot.
In another aspect the invention provides a method for indicating the status of a circuit breaker. The method comprises coupling a mechanism to the circuit breaker, positioning the mechanism in different positions, each position corresponding to a status of the circuit breaker, detecting the position of the mechanism, and indicating the detected position. Preferably the method further comprises sending the indicated position to a remote location.
In another aspect the invention provides a printed circuit board for an accessory module for a circuit breaker, wherein the circuit breaker has a status. The printed circuit board comprising a board and a status indicator mounted on the board for indicating the status of the circuit breaker. Preferably, the status indicator is a switch. In a preferred embodiment the circuit board has a hole for receiving a pivot of an actuator cooperating with a switch on the circuit board.
In another aspect the invention provides an actuator for an accessory module for a circuit breaker, wherein the circuit breaker has a status. The actuator communicates the status of the circuit breaker and has a body. The body has a shape of a generally rectangular plate with at least one bend, first and second ends, and a pivot proximate to the first end.
In another aspect the invention provides a terminal plug having a pull tab, and a pull tab for a terminal plug so that an inaccessible plug can be removed from a connector. Preferably, a pull tab comprises a flexible sheet having adhesive on one side and a paper covering the adhesive. A pull tab is preferably secured to a terminal plug during assembly and preferably extends from an enclosure housing the terminal plug.
In another aspect the invention provides a dual-function base for holding and enclosing components of an accessory module attached to a circuit breaker and for spacing. The base has an inside surface for receiving components of an accessory module and for connection to an inside surface of a cover for enclosing the components, and an outside surface for connection to the circuit breaker, wherein the outside surface of the base is designed to also matingly engage an outside surface of the cover so that a second base can be used as a spacer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4623859 (1986-11-01), Erickson et al.
pat
Peterson Scott Manfred
Scheel Jerry Lynn
Siebels Randy Luther
Golden Larry I.
Irfan Kareem M.
Nguyen Khiem
Square D Company
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