Patent · US Expired

Power controller with voltage-controlled circuit breaker

US4918562A · kind A · utility

34Cited by
6References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 30, 1989
Grant dateApr 17, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02H3/207
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A power controller comprises a manually-on circuit breaker having an electrically-actuatable trip coil which enables the circuit breaker to be tripped-off electrically. The circuit breaker is connected to a voltage source and provides operating voltage to a power outlet. A line voltage monitor provides a voltage indication to a logic control circuit when operating voltage moves outside a predetermined range established by setting upper and lower operating voltage limits. In response to receiving such a voltage indication, the logic control circuit deenergizes a relay, thereby connecting a charged capacitor to the tripping coil of the circuit breaker to cause the breaker to be tripped-off even when the voltage to the circuit breaker drops to zero volts. Other signals provided to the control logic circuit also cause the deenergizing of the relay controlling the circuit breaker tripping capacitor. A logic control timing circuit enables the circuit breaker to latch on when it is manually turned on and while the operating voltage is stabilizing in the line voltage monitor. The power controller apparatus may include at least one switched power outlet connected for receiving operating vol…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.