H01H71/2463

Noncontact solenoid for miniature circuit breakers with a movable frame and magnetic coupling
10535484 · 2020-01-14 · ·

A touchless magnetic-only coupled solenoid trip system for a miniature circuit breaker achieves magnetic tripping using a floating plunger assembly in a solenoid coil/housing to narrow a magnetic gap between plunger and trip assembly to cause the magnetic trip The floating plunger of the solenoid can also move out of the way if the bimetal bends to cause a thermal trip.

SMART CIRCUIT BREAKER

A smart residential circuit breaker includes a hybrid assembly that incorporates a solid-state circuit element integrated into a simplified mechanical pole having main contacts. The solid-state circuit element includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a micro SD reader to provide faster opening speeds. The smart residential circuit breaker is configured for use for different current levels and controlled by the PCB. The smart residential circuit breaker includes a mag-latch. The PCB is configured to send a signal to the mag-latch to open and close the main contacts within microseconds of detecting an over-current.

Magnetic trip device for circuit breaker
10522314 · 2019-12-31 · ·

A magnetic trip device comprises an actuator coil part having a plunger; an output plate configured to rotate in a first direction by the pressing of the plunger; a micro switch configured to output an electrical signal indicating a state of the circuit breaker; a switch driving lever mechanism configured to rotate to a first position for pressing the operation lever portion and a second position for releasing the operation lever portion; a driving lever bias spring for elastically pressing the switch driving lever mechanism; an automatic reset mechanism for pressing the plunger to the retracted position; a driving lever latch configured to rotate to a restraining position for preventing the switch driving lever mechanism from rotating to the first position, and a release position; and an avoiding portion formed on the output plate to avoid contacting with the switch driving lever mechanism.

SOLID-STATE CIRCUIT BREAKER INCLUDES AIRGAP OPERATING MECHANISM CONFIGURED TO OPERATE IN LIMITED SPACE

A solid-state circuit breaker comprises an airgap operating mechanism including components and a housing that houses the components of the airgap operating mechanism such that each component in the operating mechanism is configured to operate in a way that only limited amount of space is required to achieve functions of ON, OFF, and TRIP. The components of the operating mechanism include a contact arm, a handle, and an interface feature to interface between the handle and the contact arm to apply a force thereon. The interface feature is configured to adjust the contact arm ensuring an optimal positioning. The components of the operating mechanism include a double pivot of the contact arm and a handle feature in that the contact arm has two-pivot legs, an armature, an armature pivot feature and a stopper feature, a cradle, and a stopper pin configured to stop the cradle during TRIP operation.

Circuit breakers incorporating reset lockout mechanisms

A reset lockout mechanism for a circuit breaker includes a linkage, a rocker, an armature, a solenoid, and a plunger. The linkage is positioned to move between an open position and a closed position. The rocker is selectively engageable with the linkage. The armature is selectively engageable with the rocker. The plunger is supported by the solenoid and operatively coupled to the armature. The plunger is movable between a first position and a second position.

Computer-implemented method for assisting a user in interacting with an electronic relay for electric power distribution grids
11961292 · 2024-04-16 · ·

Disclosed herein is a computer-implemented method to assist a user in interacting with an electronic relay for electric power distribution grids. The method provides for identifying light signals emitted by one or more user-interface components of the user-interface panel of the electronic relay by processing images of said user-interface panel, which have been captured by the camera of a mobile computerized device. The method further provides for showing information, which describes the identified light signals emitted by said user-interface components on the display of said mobile computerized device.

Magnetic trip device for circuit breaker
10460897 · 2019-10-29 · ·

The present disclosure relates to a magnetic trip device for a circuit breaker capable of maintaining fault information indication until a user removes the cause of an accident subsequent to a trip operation and resets the magnetic trip device. The device comprises an actuator coil part having a plunger; an output plate; a micro switch outputting an electrical signal indicating a state of the circuit breaker; a switch driving lever mechanism rotating to press and releasing the micro switch; a driving lever bias spring elastically biasing the switch driving lever mechanism to rotate; an automatic reset mechanism pressing the plunger to a retracted position; and a driving lever latch rotating to a restraining position for preventing the switch driving lever mechanism from rotating to a first position, and a release position allowing the switch driving lever mechanism-to rotate to the first position.

Overcurrent tripping device and circuit breaker employing same

An overcurrent tripping device includes a tripping conductor connected to the main circuit; a fixed core inside which the tripping conductor penetrates and which is excited by current flowing through the tripping conductor; a movable core which is arranged to be opposed to the fixed core with a magnetic gap therebetween, and which forms a magnetic circuit in cooperation with the fixed core, and moves by being attracted by the fixed core when overcurrent flows through the tripping conductor; and a shaft fixed to the movable core to guide the movement of the movable core, and linked to the tripping mechanism of the circuit breaker, wherein the fixed core has a narrow gap formed in such a direction as to cross the magnetic circuit, so that magnetic saturation is suppressed by the narrow gap.

Low profile circuit breaker with self cleaning contacts
10438754 · 2019-10-08 · ·

A circuit interrupter includes a stationary contact and a moveable contact arm assembly having a moveable contact positioned thereon, the moveable contact configured to be moveable into and out of physical contact with the stationary contact. The circuit interrupter also includes an overcurrent tripping device coupled to the moveable contact arm assembly via a linkage assembly and configured to move the moveable contact out of physical contact with the stationary contact upon detection of an overcurrent situation. The moveable contact arm assembly is connected to the linkage assembly via at least two pivots positioned on the contact arm assembly, so as to cause a relative sliding action between the moveable and stationary contacts as the moveable and stationary contacts are moved into or out of contact with each other such that a wiping action is created in order to clean the moveable and stationary contacts.

Hybrid arc / ground fault circuit interrupter and methods of operation thereof
10410816 · 2019-09-10 · ·

In one example, a hybrid circuit interrupter may include a three-coil architecture, first coil circuitry, leakage detection circuitry, and a main processing circuit including a processor. The three-coil architecture may include a coil housing, three coils, and a plurality of coil assembly conductors. The coils may be disposed within the coil housing. The coil assembly conductors may be at least partially disposed within the coil housing. The first coil circuitry may be connected to the first coil and may generate first coil signals. The leakage detection circuitry may be connected to the other two coils and may generate a leakage signal. The processor may receive the first coil signals, receive the leakage signal, determine whether an arc fault exists based on the first coil signals, determine whether a ground fault exists based on the leakage signal, and generate a first trigger signal if a fault is determined to exist.