Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – Automatic circuit-interrupting devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2001-04-03
Barrera, Ray (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Electromagnetically actuated switches
Automatic circuit-interrupting devices
C335S010000, C335S021000, C335S026000, C335S172000, C335S174000, C335S175000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06211757
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a circuit breaker trip actuator, and, more particularly, to a fast acting, high force trip actuator.
Modem circuit breakers rely on electronics for the detection of potentially damaging over-current conditions. These electronics, known as trip units, sense current in a protected portion of an electrical distribution circuit and initiate a trip signal if the sensed current indicates an over-current condition. In such circuit breakers, an electromechanical actuator, known as a trip actuator or trip mechanism, is used to unlatch a circuit breaker operating mechanism in response to the trip signal. The operating mechanism is a spring-operated linkage arrangement. When unlatched, the operating mechanism separates a pair of main contacts to stop the flow electrical current to the protected portion of the distribution circuit. The operation of such circuit breakers is well known.
During the operation of the circuit breaker, it is desirable to part the main contacts is fast is possible after a trip signal is given by the electronic trip unit. Opening the contacts faster minimizes the arcing energy seen by the main contact structure, prolonging contact life.
The trip actuator is responsible for a large part of the time required in releasing these contacts. Typically, a trip actuator includes a solenoid or flux shifter that pushes or releases an actuating arm in response to the trip signal. The trip actuator also typically includes a mechanical linkage arrangement that translates the action of the actuating arm into a force that will unlatch the operating mechanism.
Increases in the speed or power of trip actuators have been accomplished through the use of a larger solenoid or flux shifter. However, the use of a larger solenoid or flux shifter requires that the trip unit to provide a higher firing voltage (trip signal) to the solenoid or flux unit. In addition, the larger solenoid or flux unit requires a greater amount of space in a tight circuit breaker housing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a trip actuator for actuating an operating mechanism in a circuit breaker includes a trip arm biased to pivot in a first direction about a first axis and a latch arranged to pivot about a second axis. The trip arm acts on the latch at a first distance from the second axis to create a moment in a second direction about the second axis. The trip actuator also includes an electromechanical device with a plunger. The plunger acts on the latch at a second distance from the second axis to create a moment in the first direction about the second axis. The second distance is greater than said first distance. When a trip actuation signal is provided to the electromechanical device, the electromechanical device releases the plunger to allow the trip arm to pivot in the first direction and actuate the operating mechanism.
This invention has many advantages over the prior art, one of which includes the ability to increase the speed and power of the trip actuator without increasing the size or firing voltage of the electromechanical device.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 367265 (1996-02-01), Yamagata et al.
patent: 2340682 (1944-02-01), Powell
patent: 2719203 (1955-09-01), Gelzheiser et al.
patent: 2937254 (1960-05-01), Ericson
patent: 3158717 (1964-11-01), Jencks et al.
patent: 3162739 (1964-12-01), Klein et al.
patent: 3197582 (1965-07-01), Norden
patent: 3307002 (1967-02-01), Cooper
patent: 3517356 (1970-06-01), Hanatusa
patent: 3631369 (1971-12-01), Menocal
patent: 3803455 (1974-04-01), Willard
patent: 3883781 (1975-05-01), Cotton
patent: 4129762 (1978-12-01), Bruchet
patent: 4144513 (1979-03-01), Shafer et al.
patent: 4158119 (1979-06-01), Krakik
patent: 4165453 (1979-08-01), Hennemann
patent: 4166988 (1979-09-01), Ciarcia et al.
patent: 4220934 (1980-09-01), Wafer et al.
patent: 4255732 (1981-03-01), Wafer et al.
patent: 4259651 (1981-03-01), Yamat
patent: 4263492 (1981-04-01), Maier et al.
patent: 4276527 (1981-06-01), Gerbert-Gaillard et al.
patent: 4297663 (1981-10-01), Seymour et al.
patent: 4301342 (1981-11-01), Castonguay et al.
patent: 4301435 (1981-11-01), Castonguay et al.
patent: 4360852 (1982-11-01), Gilmore
patent: 4368444 (1983-01-01), Preuss et al.
patent: 4375021 (1983-02-01), Pardini et al.
patent: 4375022 (1983-02-01), Daussin et al.
patent: 4376270 (1983-03-01), Staffen
patent: 4383146 (1983-05-01), Bur
patent: 4392036 (1983-07-01), Troebel et al.
patent: 4393283 (1983-07-01), Masuda
patent: 4401872 (1983-08-01), Boichot-Castagne et al.
patent: 4409573 (1983-10-01), DiMarco et al.
patent: 4435690 (1984-03-01), Link et al.
patent: 4467297 (1984-08-01), Boichot-Castagne et al.
patent: 4468645 (1984-08-01), Gerbert-Gaillard et al.
patent: 4470027 (1984-09-01), Link et al.
patent: 4479143 (1984-10-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 4488133 (1984-12-01), McClellan et al.
patent: 4492941 (1985-01-01), Nagel
patent: 4541032 (1985-09-01), Schwab
patent: 4546224 (1985-10-01), Mostosi
patent: 4550360 (1985-10-01), Dougherty
patent: 4562419 (1985-12-01), Preuss et al.
patent: 4589052 (1986-05-01), Dougherty
patent: 4595812 (1986-06-01), Tamaru et al.
patent: 4611187 (1986-09-01), Banfi
patent: 4612430 (1986-09-01), Sloan et al.
patent: 4616198 (1986-10-01), Pardini
patent: 4622444 (1986-11-01), Kandatsu et al.
patent: 4631625 (1986-12-01), Alexander et al.
patent: 4642431 (1987-02-01), Tedesco et al.
patent: 4644438 (1987-02-01), Puccinelli et al.
patent: 4649247 (1987-03-01), Preuss et al.
patent: 4658322 (1987-04-01), Rivera
patent: 4672501 (1987-06-01), Bilac et al.
patent: 4675481 (1987-06-01), Markowski et al.
patent: 4682264 (1987-07-01), Demeyer
patent: 4689712 (1987-08-01), Demeyer
patent: 4694373 (1987-09-01), Demeyer
patent: 4710845 (1987-12-01), Demeyer
patent: 4717985 (1988-01-01), Demeyer
patent: 4733211 (1988-03-01), Castonguay et al.
patent: 4733321 (1988-03-01), Lindeperg
patent: 4764650 (1988-08-01), Bur et al.
patent: 4768007 (1988-08-01), Mertz et al.
patent: 4780786 (1988-10-01), Weynachter et al.
patent: 4831221 (1989-05-01), Yu et al.
patent: 4870531 (1989-09-01), Danek
patent: 4883931 (1989-11-01), Batteux et al.
patent: 4884047 (1989-11-01), Baginski et al.
patent: 4884164 (1989-11-01), Dziura et al.
patent: 4900882 (1990-02-01), Bernard et al.
patent: 4910485 (1990-03-01), Bolongeat-Mobleu et al.
patent: 4914541 (1990-04-01), Tripodi et al.
patent: 4916420 (1990-04-01), Bartolo et al.
patent: 4916421 (1990-04-01), Pardini et al.
patent: 4926282 (1990-05-01), McGhie
patent: 4935590 (1990-06-01), Malkin et al.
patent: 4937706 (1990-06-01), Schueller et al.
patent: 4939492 (1990-07-01), Raso et al.
patent: 4943691 (1990-07-01), Mertz et al.
patent: 4943888 (1990-07-01), Jacob et al.
patent: 4950855 (1990-08-01), Bolonegeat-Mobleu et al.
patent: 4951019 (1990-08-01), Gula
patent: 4952897 (1990-08-01), Barnel et al.
patent: 4958135 (1990-09-01), Baginski et al.
patent: 4965543 (1990-10-01), Batteux
patent: 4983788 (1991-01-01), Pardini
patent: 5001313 (1991-03-01), Leclerq et al.
patent: 5004878 (1991-04-01), Seymour et al.
patent: 5029301 (1991-07-01), Nebon et al.
patent: 5030804 (1991-07-01), Abri
patent: 5057655 (1991-10-01), Kersusan et al.
patent: 5077627 (1991-12-01), Fraisse
patent: 5083081 (1992-01-01), Barrault et al.
patent: 5095183 (1992-03-01), Raphard et al.
patent: 5103198 (1992-04-01), Morel et al.
patent: 5115371 (1992-05-01), Tripodi
patent: 5120921 (1992-06-01), DiMarco et al.
patent: 5132865 (1992-07-01), Mertz et al.
patent: 5138121 (1992-08-01), Streich et al.
patent: 5140115 (1992-08-01), Morris
patent: 5153802 (1992-10-01), Mertz et al.
patent: 5155315 (1992-10-01), Malkin et al.
patent: 5166483 (1992-11-01), Kersusan et al.
patent: 5172087 (1992-12-01), Castonguay et al.
patent: 5178504 (1993-01-01), Falchi
patent: 5184717 (1993-02-01), Chou et al.
patent: 5187339 (1993-02-01), Lissandrin
patent: 5198956 (1993-03-01), Dvorak
patent: 5200724 (1993-04-01), Gula et al.
patent: 5210385 (1993-05-01), Morel et al.
patent: 5239150 (1993-08-01), Bolongeat-Mobleu et al.
Castonguay Roger N.
Christensen Dave
Hassan Girish
Rosen James L.
Barrera Ray
Cantor & Colburn LLP
General Electric Company
Horton Carl B.
LandOfFree
Fast acting high force trip actuator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fast acting high force trip actuator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fast acting high force trip actuator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2551422