Electromagnet assembly directly driving latch of an electronic circuit breaker
US8159318B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 16, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H71/2454
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit breaker includes a trip unit and an electronic fault detection unit sharing a common trip latch for causing the circuit breaker to trip upon detection of a fault by either unit. The circuit breaker has an electromagnet for causing the circuit breaker to trip upon detection of a fault by an electronic fault detection unit. The electromagnet is oriented in the housing proximal the trip latch without any components interposed between them, and directly attracts the latch. Advantageously the electromagnet orientation does not impact operation or the range of motion of the latch or other trip unit components. Advantageously the circuit breaker of the present invention does not increase the trip latch mass, its bulk swept volume through its range of motion or require additional linkage components that potentially might increase trip cycle time. In some embodiments the electromagnet core is reciprocable.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.