Shape memory alloy trip mechanism for arc/ground fault circuit interruption
US7064636B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2083/201
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A miniature circuit breaker comprising a non-conductive housing assembly; a pair of separable contacts including a first, fixed contact coupled to said housing assembly and having a terminal extending outside said housing assembly, and a second, movable contact having a terminal extending outside said housing assembly; an operating mechanism coupled to, and structured to move, said movable contact between a first position, wherein said movable contact engages said fixed contact, and a second position, wherein said movable contact is spaced from said fixed contact; a trip device coupled to said operating mechanism and structured to actuate said operating mechanism to separate said separable contacts upon the occurrence of a trip condition; an arc fault trip mechanism having an arc fault detector and a shape memory alloy element; said arc fault detector structured to detect an arc fault on the load side of said separable contacts and to provide an electrical pulse; said shape memory alloy element structured to transform between a first shape and a second shape during the application of an electrical pulse, said shape memory alloy element having a first end and a second end, said shap…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.