Patent · US Expired

Energy validation arrangement for a self-powered circuit interrupter

US5774319A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
11References
54Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 15, 1995
Grant dateJun 30, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 15, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02H6/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A self-powered circuit interrupter arrangement for interrupting current in a circuit path uses a current-blocking component to ensure that an insufficient amount of accumulated power for actuating and completing interruption of the circuit path is not misused in an unwarranted attempt to interrupt the current path. The arrangement includes a current inducer circuit for providing a current signal having a magnitude corresponding to the current in the circuit path and a power supply operating from the current signal to provide a voltage signal of a predetermined value relative to common. A trip command circuit, in response to a fault detected in the circuit path, sends an electrical signal commanding that the circuit path be interrupted by using the voltage signal. The electrical signal is sent to an electrical latch located electrically in series with a coil of a solenoid mechanism. Current from the power supply passing through the coil of a solenoid mechanism causes the interruption of current in the current path. A prevention circuit is constructed and arranged to prevent the electrical signal from engaging the latch, or current from the power supply from passing through the coil …

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