With Common Latch Or Trip Means Patents (Class 335/10)
  • Patent number: 11889962
    Abstract: A robotic vacuum cleaner has a mechanical transfer mechanism that is used to transfer dirt from the robotic vacuum cleaner to a docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Omachron Intellectual Property Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: 11762020
    Abstract: A ground and test (G&T) device includes a test device housing having load and line conductors and a plurality of upper terminals and plurality of lower terminals carried by the test device housing and configured to engage the load and line conductors when the test device housing in installed within the compartment of the switchgear frame. A lower ground bus bar is carried by the test device housing and a plurality of grounding bars selectively connect either the upper terminals to the lower ground bus bar or connect the lower terminals to the lower ground bus bar. A ground shoe assembly is connected to the lower ground bus bar and configured to engage a grounding circuit carried by the switchgear frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: JST Power Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Hanna, Patrick R. Fischer-Carne
  • Patent number: 11508540
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a first fixed contact and a first movable contact which can be switched between a closed status and a tripped status, a signaling device for signaling when the circuit breaker is in a tripped status, a trip actuator movable from an initial position to an end-stroke position when the first movable contact is switched from the closed status to the tripped status, a tripping bar which is connected to the first movable contact so as when the trip actuator moves from the initial position, the tripping bar moves and triggers switching of the first movable contact from the closed status into the tripped status, and a trip member having a single-piece shaped body, which includes a first portion actuated by the trip actuator, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a third portion spaced apart from the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Adami, Luigi Arturo Degli Innocenti
  • Patent number: 11081296
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stationary contact assembly and a corresponding switch contact. The stationary contact assembly comprises: a stationary contact body (21); a stationary contact point (23) placed on the stationary contact body (21); and an arc-guiding member (25) fixed on the stationary contact body (21) and including an arc guiding portion (251), the arc guiding portion (251) comprising a first end (A) and a second end (B) that are opposite to each other, the first end (A) being close to the stationary contact point (23), a direction form the first end (A) to the second end (B) defining a main movement direction (F) of arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Haifeng Tian, Patrick Larcher
  • Patent number: 9818567
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided to reduce arcing between a circuit breaker having a breaker line terminal and a panel board terminal of an electrical panel board during installation and/or removal. The apparatus has an auto tripping mechanism including an auto trip lever having an end and a spring disposed at or near the end of the auto trip lever. The auto trip lever is configured to interface with an armature in a module one that houses a cradle of a breaker mechanism. The breaker mechanism is prevented from latching until the circuit breaker has been installed in the electrical panel board by keeping a breaker handle in a tripped position when the breaker line terminal and the panel board terminal are connected. The spring is configured to force the auto trip lever to rotate for providing a force and a deflection to automatically trip the circuit breaker as the circuit breaker is being removed from the electrical panel board and before the breaker line terminal and the panel board terminal separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Thomas Watford
  • Patent number: 9558906
    Abstract: An electrical switch is disclosed, especially an electrical circuit breaker, including an overcurrent tripping device which, in the event of an overcurrent situation, switches off the flow of current through the switch; and a thermal tripping device which, in the event of a thermal overload, switches off the flow of current through the switch. In at least one embodiment, the overcurrent tripping device includes a first shaft which is disposed such that, in the event of an overcurrent situation, it is rotated from a first position into a second position and thereby indicates the overcurrent situation; and the thermal tripping device includes a second shaft which is disposed such that, it is rotated in the event of a thermal overload and is also rotated as well in the event of a rotation of the first shaft and when rotated initiates a switching-off of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Zbynek Augusta, Filip Musil
  • Patent number: 9530592
    Abstract: An arc extinguishing assembly for a circuit breaker or switch. The arc extinguishing assembly includes an arc chamber having an arc chamber width (b) adjacent to a contact arm tip of a contact arm, stacked arc plates located at a forward end of the arc chamber adjacent to the contact arm tip, and first and second fin features located at the forward end between the arc plates and the contact arm tip. The first fin feature including a first inner edge and the second fin feature including a second inner edge, wherein the first inner edge and the second inner edge are spaced apart from one another by a spacing distance (a), wherein a venturi ratio of a/b is equal to or less than 0.6. Contact assemblies for circuit breakers, arc chute assemblies, and methods of extinguishing and arc are disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Mark Blankemeyer
  • Patent number: 9478373
    Abstract: A rotary switch housing (100), comprising a bottom wall (102) for mounting of the switch housing (100) to a mounting base, and side walls (104, 106) extending from the bottom wall (102), the switch housing further comprising an arc chamber (120) for extinguishing an electric arc, and a gas exhaust channel (130) for exhausting gas developed in the arc chamber (120) out of the housing (100). The gas exhaust channel (130) comprises a guiding portion (130A), which is substantially parallel to a side wall (106) of the housing (100) for leading the gases to a direction away from the bottom wall (102) of the housing (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ABB OY
    Inventors: Mikko Välivainio, Juha Soldan, Jari Elomaa
  • Patent number: 9455110
    Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker is provided that includes a first mechanical pole, a second mechanical pole and an electronic pole. The first mechanical pole includes a first armature having a first armature extension, and the second mechanical pole includes a second armature having a second armature extension. The electronic pole includes a first solenoid and a second solenoid, the first armature extension is disposed adjacent the first solenoid, and the second armature is disposed adjacent the second solenoid. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Joselito Endozo, Russell Thomas Watford
  • Patent number: 9384912
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is shown which includes a plurality of fixed contacts and a plurality of corresponding movable contacts. An actuating shaft is operatively connected to and actuates the plurality of movable contacts to couple with/separate from the corresponding fixed contacts. A supporting device for the actuating shaft can be movably connected to a wall of the circuit breaker, and the actuating shaft can be operatively coupled to the supporting device to rotate around a rotation axis relative to the wall of the circuit breaker and the supporting device itself. The circuit breaker can include an adjustment device for adjusting at least the position of the actuating shaft relative to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: ABB S.P.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Edoardo Scola
  • Patent number: 9378915
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a knob element and a slide element of an adjusting apparatus, to an adjusting apparatus, and to a method for adjusting a position of a thermal tripping shaft as well as to a thermal magnetic trip unit and an electrical switch for interrupting a current flow of an electric current in an electrical circuit in the event of the occurrence of a tripping event, having the adjusting apparatus, which has a rotatably mounted knob element and a tangentially movably mounted slide element. In at least one embodiment, the knob element and the slide element are operatively connected in such a way that the rotary movement of the knob element becomes a tangential movement of the slide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Zbynek Augusta, Frank Himmelein, Filip Musil
  • Patent number: 8988174
    Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker is provided that includes an electronic pole disposed between a first mechanical pole and a second mechanical pole. The first mechanical pole includes a first armature, and the second mechanical pole includes a second armature. The first and second armatures each are adapted to rotate in a first plane. The electronic pole includes a trip mechanism having a first trip arm disposed adjacent the first armature and a second trip arm disposed adjacent the second armature. The first trip arm and the second trip arm are each adapted to rotate in a second plane substantially orthogonal to the first plane. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Thomas Watford
  • Patent number: 8830018
    Abstract: A solenoid-driven automatic bus transfer switch may automatically transfer one or more electrical loads from a first power source to a second power source, or vice versa, in the event of a power failure or other casualty that affects either power source. The transfer switch may be operated in response to the energization of a solenoid coil, which causes a main shaft having a transfer element to rotate from being in contact with the first power source to being in contact with the second power source. The transfer element may be spring-mounted to the shaft, which ensures that a sufficient electrical contact exists between the surfaces of the transfer element and the respective leads of the first and second power sources, regardless of any wear or degradation that may be experienced at any of the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ward Leonard Investment Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Howard H. Plude, Jr., Myron Moroz
  • Patent number: 8558126
    Abstract: Provided herein is a mechanism for correcting the deformation generated at a portion of the rotation pin between a single pole unit farthest away from a switching mechanism and a single pole unit adjacent thereto, and there is disclosed a correction plate provided at a portion of the pair of rotation pins located between a single pole unit farthest away from the switching mechanism and a single pole unit adjacent thereto, having a pair of rotation pin through hole portions to allow the pair of rotation pins to be penetrated, respectively, and a pair of adjustment extending portions extended in the direction in which the rotation pins penetrate at the upper or lower portion of the rotation pin through hole portions to determine the height of penetration allowance hole of the rotation pins together with the rotation pin through hole portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: LS Industrial System Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byeong Su An
  • Patent number: 8207459
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mold cased circuit breaker (MCCB) comprising a plurality of single pole breaking units simultaneously opened and closed by a pair of common shaft pins. The MCCB effectively transmits a torque for opening or closing contacts to adjacent single pole breaking unit for electrical pole with a minimized loss, and prevents the shaft pins from being bent. The MCCB comprises a crank installed across the pair of shaft pins so as to connect the shaft pins to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Deug Bae
  • Patent number: 8143980
    Abstract: A switching device, for example a circuit breaker, has an input terminal and an output terminal for connection to electrical conductors, and two switching contacts which, when closed, close a current path between the input terminal and the output terminal. A disconnect device is provided for disconnecting the two switching contacts. For triggering the disconnect device, an overcurrent trigger device and/or a short-circuit trigger device are in mechanical operative connection with the disconnect device by way of a reversing lever. The reversing lever includes a first lever arm with a trigger extension that can be actuated by the overcurrent trigger device and/or by the short-circuit trigger device, and a second lever arm with an actuating extension for triggering the disconnect device. To ensure safe operation, the actuating extension is configured to be resiliently compliant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: MOELLER Gebäudeautomation GmbH
    Inventor: Adolf Tetik
  • Patent number: 8093984
    Abstract: An installation switching device includes a housing, a main contact point having an arc quenching chamber, an input terminal, an output terminal, an impact-style armature system configured to move the main contact point to an open position, a latching mechanism having a latching point and configured to open an isolating contact point disposed in a secondary current path parallel to a main current path, a main thermostatic bimetallic strip configured to act on the latching point to as to cause the main contact point to remain in the open position, a current limiting resistor disposed in the secondary current path, a selective thermostatic bimetallic strip disposed in the secondary current path and configured to act on the latching mechanism, a handle configured to act on the latching mechanism so as to open and close the main contact point, and a phase connecting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Manfred Hofmann, Wolfgang Pump, Ralf Wieland, Albert Stieger, Joachim Majewski, Roland Ritz, Klaus-Peter Eppe, Erwin Muders, Joachim Becker, Rainer Ludovici, Heinz-Erich Popa, Wolfgang Suess
  • Patent number: 7999641
    Abstract: A bimetal in a circuit breaker can deflect in a first direction or a second direction depending upon conditions. If the bimetal deflects in the second direction it can increase the force necessary to operate a trip mechanism of the circuit breaker. A yoke stop helps to control bimetal deflection forces and thus, the amount of force necessary to operate the trip mechanism. This allows better control, size, and selection of operating parts for the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: William J. Broghammer, Cameron L. Woodson
  • Patent number: 7986203
    Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker and method include at least two breaker modules including circuit breakers therein. The circuit breakers include a moveable arm configured to connect and disconnect contacts therein. The at least two modules including armatures connectable to the moveable arms of each of the at least two modules. A center module connects the at least two modules. The center module includes an actuator and a beam connected to the actuator at a mid-portion. The beam connects to each armature of the at least two modules wherein under a trip condition the actuator displaces the beam to simultaneously trip the at least two modules using the armatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell T. Watford
  • Patent number: 7978033
    Abstract: A protection switch, particularly for fast switching, includes at least one single-pole protection switch module having a housing, a movable contact mounted on a switching arm for pivoting against a fixed contact between closed and open positions, a manual operating mechanism manually setting the switching arm between the closed and open positions, and a tripping mechanism automatically resetting the switching arm into the open position upon a tripping condition. The switching arm is spring-loaded in direction of the open position and includes a latch lever latching with the manual operating mechanism, and a contact lever carrying the moveable contact. The latch lever is pivotably mounted on the housing and joined to the contact lever by a hinge. The tripping mechanism includes a trip slider to be displaced by a trip device from a ready position towards a tripping position, to load the switching arm for rotationally fixing the contact lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Loos, Markus Birner
  • Publication number: 20110115585
    Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker comprising a single main housing containing multiple circuit breakers for protecting multiple branch circuits. Each of the circuit breakers comprises a single line terminal for receiving electrical current from a utility line, a plurality of load terminals for supplying electrical current from the single line terminal to a plurality of branch circuits via load lines, and a plurality of neutral terminals for receiving electrical current returned from the branch circuits via neutral lines Line conductors inside the main housing connect the line terminal to the plurality of load terminals. Sensors inside the main housing generate signals representing characteristics of the electrical current flow in the branch circuits, and a signal processor uses the signals generated by the sensors for detecting abnormal conditions in the branch circuits and generating trip signals in response to the detection of an abnormal condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: SQUARE D COMPANY
    Inventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Brett Larson
  • Patent number: 7876181
    Abstract: A circuit breaker for overcurrent protection and earth leakage protection includes a main housing, a circuit board, a zero-phase current transformer, an earth leakage detection circuit, a trip coil, a sensitivity current-switch, an action time switch, and an earth leakage test switch. The earth leakage detection circuit, the sensitivity current-switch, the action time switch, and the earth leakage test switch are mounted on the circuit board and installed in the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Fa Components & Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Nakano, Hisanobu Asano
  • Patent number: 7834290
    Abstract: A protection switch, particularly for rapid quenching of electrical arcing, includes at least one single-pole protection switch module having a housing, a movable contact mounted on a switching arm for pivoting against a fixed contact between a closed position and an open position and a quenching device for quenching electrical arcing of the switch. The quenching device includes a quenching chamber with an inlet and an outlet for the arc. A first running rail connects the fixed contact with a first side wall of the quenching chamber and a second running rail connects a stopping surface, against which the movable contact abuts in the open position of the switching arm, to a second side wall of the quenching chamber. A separation strip extends substantially from side wall to side wall at the outlet of the quenching chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ellenberger & Poensgen GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Birner, Klaus Loos
  • Patent number: 7812695
    Abstract: A multipole switching device selectively switches electrical power from an electrical power source to a load circuit. A first control device comprises a housing mountable in a panel, an electromechanical actuator in the housing including a movable plunger, and an electrical switch in the housing operated by the plunger. A second control device comprises a housing mountable in a panel, adjacent the first control device, a mechanical actuator in the housing including a movable link, and an electrical switch in the housing operated by the movable link. A third control device comprises a housing mountable in a panel, adjacent the second control device, an electromechanical actuator in the housing including a movable plunger, and an electrical switch in the housing operated by the plunger. A tie linkage mechanically ties the first control device plunger and the third control device plunger to the movable link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Timothy McCoy
  • Patent number: 7679478
    Abstract: A switching device for selectively switching electrical power from an electrical power source to a load circuit comprises a housing. An electromechanical actuator is in the housing. A fixed contact is fixedly mounted in the housing. A contact arm is pivotally mounted in the housing. The contact arm carries a movable contact and has a lever. The contact arm is operatively connected to the actuator to be selectively positioned thereby for selectively electrically contacting the moveable contact with the fixed contact. A rotational actuator is rotationally mounted to the housing. The rotational actuator includes a leg proximate the lever so that rotational movement of the rotational actuator pivotally moves the contact arm to override the electromechanical actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Timothy McCoy
  • Publication number: 20090278634
    Abstract: A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kurt Lawrence Lindsey, Randal Vernon Malliet
  • Publication number: 20090278635
    Abstract: A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kurt Lawrence Lindsey, Randal Vernon Malliet
  • Patent number: 7558034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices that eliminates the need to rewire a resettable circuit interrupting device after it is installed and powered up to correct for a reverse wiring conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaetano Bonasia, Benjamin Moadel, James A. Porter, Steve Campolo
  • Patent number: 7541899
    Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-pole circuit breaker and an apparatus for preventing deformation of a driving shaft thereof. The multi-pole circuit breaker includes: a plurality of single pole breaking units having a pair of fixed contactors, a movable contactor, and shafts; a switching mechanism disposed on a certain one of the plurality of single pole breaking units; a pair of driving shafts connected to each shaft; and a driving shaft deformation prevention unit disposed between the single pole breaking unit, spaced relatively far from the switching unit among the plurality of single pole breaking units, and the adjacent single pole breaking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byoung-Soo Ahn
  • Publication number: 20090102584
    Abstract: An interface module is configured for transmitting a status change signal between a first circuit device that has a first circuit device couple and a second circuit device that has a second circuit device couple. The interface module may include a housing, a first coupling assembly that includes a first couple arm and a second coupling assembly that includes a second couple arm. Each of the first and second couple arms extends through the housing at a location that is spaced from the other and each of the first and second coupling assemblies is movable by the first circuit device couple and/or the second circuit device couple to transmit a status change signal there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Prashant Sudhakar Zende, Manuel Meana Alcon, Ronjit Monohar Deshmukh, Victor Elviro, Ranganath Gururaj, Jorge Juan Bonilla Hernandez, Javier Gomez Martin, Miguel Aguirre Trigo
  • Patent number: 7515022
    Abstract: A trip lever for a shared tripping device, wherein the shared tripping device is structured to operatively couple at least two circuit breakers, a primary circuit breaker and a secondary circuit breaker, the trip lever having an elongated trip lever body with a mounting end and a distal end. The trip lever body mounting end pivotally is coupled to a cage in the primary circuit breaker and engages a trip bar in the secondary circuit breaker. The trip lever body distal end is disposed in a path of travel of an inter-phase link body distal end within the primary circuit breaker. The trip lever body distal end is structured to be engaged by the inter-phase link body distal end as the inter-phase link body distal end moves along the path of travel and the trip lever is structured to actutate the secondary circuit breaker trip bar when the trip lever is engaged by the inter-phase link body distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark O. Zindler
  • Publication number: 20080308254
    Abstract: HVAC systems implementing micro-electromechanical system based switching devices. Exemplary embodiments include a HVAC system, including a load motor, a main breaker micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch, and a variable frequency drive (VFD) disposed between and electrically coupled to the load motor and the main breaker MEMS switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Daniel Takashi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20080245642
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a sealed ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: ABB SERVICE S.r.l
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20080246563
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, chosen between a first type of pole that comprises a first housing containing a first fixed contact and a corresponding first moving contact that can be coupled to said first fixed contact by means of its rotation around a point, and a second type of pole that comprises a second housing containing a second fixed contact and a corresponding second moving contact that can be coupled to said second fixed contact by means of a translatory movement along an axis; a first kinematic coupling between said control mechanism and said first moving contact, in the case of said poles belonging to said first type of pole, or a second kinematic coupling between said control mechanism and said second moving contact, in the case of said poles belonging to said second type of pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: ABB SERVICE S.R.L
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7352265
    Abstract: A manual trip control method and arrangement is provided to manually trip a plurality of circuit interrupters. Specifically, where the circuit interrupters include magnetic-actuator-driven vacuum interrupters including permanent magnets that hold the contacts of the circuit interrupter in the closed position via a plunger, a first of the circuit interrupters is manually tripped via movement of the plunger. To operate the remaining circuit interrupters to trip open, the voltage generated in the magnetic actuator of the first circuit interrupter is coupled to the magnetic actuators of the remaining circuit interrupters for tripping thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: S & C Electric Co.
    Inventors: John C. Opfer, Christopher R. Lettow
  • Patent number: 7132912
    Abstract: The moving contact unit (10) is intended for a contact arrangement in a circuit breaker and contains a contact mount (13) and a contact piece (11, 111, 112), which is held by the contact mount (13). The contact mount (13) is arranged on a pivoting shaft (12), which can be mounted in the switch, and is fitted with a catch (135) which can pivot, and with a tripping lever (14) which can pivot and, together with the catch (135), forms a latching point. A simple configuration for the contact unit and for the contact arrangement which holds this contact unit is made possible, despite stringent requirements for maintenance of the circuit breaker and despite a high disconnection rating in that the tripping lever (14) is also arranged on the pivoting shaft (12) alongside the contact mount (13), and in that the contact piece (11) is placed on the contact mount (13) and is held by at least one prestressed bending spring (51), which is mounted on the pivoting shaft (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Thomas Busenhart
  • Patent number: 7023303
    Abstract: A U-shaped accessory actuator clip that snaps onto the crossbar of a multipole circuit breaker is integrally molded of a compliant material with a flexible finger that actuates/deactuates an accessory, such as an auxiliary switch, as the contacts of the breaker close and open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Erik R. Bogdon, Dave E. Little, Dave A. Parks, Dave C. Turner, James A. Trax, Dominic P. Martelli
  • Publication number: 20040207497
    Abstract: A torsion spring for an electromechanical switch is presented. The torsion spring comprises a set of tines including at least one tine extending from the free end of the armature of a switch. A terminus portion is rotatably suspended between the tines, and includes a conducting transmission line, at least a portion of which is exposed for electrical contact. The conducting transmission line has a length selected such that the exposed portion of the transmission line forms a circuit between the input and output of the micro-electro-mechanical switch when the micro-electro-mechanical switch is urged into a closed position, with the terminus portion rotating via the tines to form a conformal connection between the exposed portion of the conducting transmission line and the input and output of the switch, thus optimizing the electrical flow therebetween. The switch is also applied to MEMS devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Tsung-Yuan Hsu, Robert Loo, Adele Schmitz
  • Patent number: 6317018
    Abstract: A mechanism for operating a plurality of circuit interruption mechanisms of a circuit breaker, the mechanism applies a uniform force to the circuit interruption mechanisms. The mechanism applying a force to an elongated member for manipulating the circuit interruption mechanisms. The mechanism applying the force to the elongated member at a first position and a second position, the first position and the second position being intermediate to a center of the elongated member and the plurality of circuit interruption mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Randy Greenberg, Dennis Doughty, Dave S. Christensen
  • Patent number: 6211757
    Abstract: A trip actuator (66) includes a trip spring (106) to bias the trip arm (104) in a clockwise direction about trip arm pivot (120). In the latched and ready to operate state, the clockwise moment about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by force “F” opposes the counterclockwise moment created about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by the horizontal component “fx” of force “f”, to hold the latch (110) in the upright position against the force of the trip arm (104). When a trip (triggering) signal is provided to the flux shifter (102), the flux shifter (102) releases the plunger (130). With the force “F” removed, the trip arm (104) will drive the latch pin (134), causing the latch (110) to rotate counterclockwise about the latch pivot (132). As the latch (110) and trip arm (104) rotate, the latch pin (134) slides off the latch surface (126), fully releasing the trip arm (104) and allowing the trip paddle (96) to move the secondary latch tab (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Dave Christensen, Girish Hassan
  • Patent number: 6064289
    Abstract: An electromagnetic starter with an overload relay having magnetic flux shielding is disclosed for use in industrial contactor applications. The starter includes a multi-pole DC controlled contactor which is interlockingly coupled to an overload relay. The overload relay has a simplified interlocking connection to the contactor, which when made, corresponds to an abutting electrical connection between the contactor and the overload relay also being made. The contactor further has a guiding pin that promotes even contact closure within the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wieloch, Kurt von Eckroth, David S. Hunter, Mike T. Little, Jan J. Walker, James A. Becker
  • Patent number: 6064001
    Abstract: Two molded case electrical switches such as circuit breakers, network protectors, disconnect switches and transfer switches, are secured together side-by-side by joining blocks having tongues extending along their sidewalls which engage undercutting grooves undercutting the irregular surfaces of the confronting sidewalls of the switch molded casings with an interference fit. Separate joining blocks for the front and rear sections of the molded casing are driven into place and retained by bolts engaging flanges on the molded casing. The poles are paralleled by external conductors in any desired configuration so that the standard switches can be used without customization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip L. Ulerich, William J. Jones, Norman J. Phillips, Frank Roth
  • Patent number: 6031437
    Abstract: A switching apparatus including an electromagnetic command device fitted with a magnetic circuit made up of a main circuit polarized by a permanent magnet and linked to a depolarizing coil and through a movable circuit integral with a movable support subject to a return spring and acting directly or indirectly on at least one disconnecting pole. The main magnetic circuit has at least two air gaps in series on the path of the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet and the movable magnetic circuit includes at least two parts capable of closing the air gaps when the main magnetic circuit and the movable magnetic circuit are joined together and are crossed by the magnetic flux created by the permanent magnetic, thereby carrying out a locking function and creating a multiplication of the locking forces, with an unlocking function being provided by the depolarization coil the counter-flux from which crosses the magnetic circuit and air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Gilles Baurand, Jean-Christophe Cuny, Pierre Duchemin, Gerald Gaschet, Christian Blanchard
  • Patent number: 5910757
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for interrupting the flow of electrical current in a multiphase circuit path between at least one source and at least one load including a circuit breaker having an electro-mechanical assembly and a blade carrier corresponding to each phase of the multiphase circuit path and a phase barrier between each blade carrier. The blade carriers are interconnected, preferably, with a crossbar wherein, when one or more phases of the circuit path are interrupted, opening one or more of the blade carriers, the crossbar moves all of the blade carriers to open positions. The phase barrier is positioned circumferentially around the crossbar between each blade carrier and includes a thermoplastic material. The electro-mechanical assembly is housed within a circuit breaker enclosure having an insulating base wall and cover wall. The phase barrier has a main body planar surface perpendicular to the blade carriers and extending from the base wall to the cover wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: William J. Broghammer, Richard W. Niccolls, Darrell P. Ophaug
  • Patent number: 5909161
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes a generally "Z" shaped intermediate latch structure which has upper and lower substantially planar sections that are each bent at an angle with respect to a center pivot section. The upper portion of the intermediate latch includes one or two latch surfaces. One of these latch surfaces engages the cradle of the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker, to latch the operating mechanism when the circuit breaker is closed. The other latch surface engages a trip bar or an intermediate latch bar, which is rotated by the trip unit when an overcurrent condition occurs. The lower portion of the intermediate latch structure also includes a latch surface which may engage a trip bar. This latch surface is sloped such that when the latch surface of the trip bar is moved along this sloped latch surface, the trip bar rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation
    Inventors: Bernard DiMarco, Neal Reeves, Robert E. Black
  • Patent number: 5894259
    Abstract: A solenoid type magnetic trip assembly for a molded case circuit breaker includes an armature biased against an adjustable stop by a tension spring to set the initial gap for the magnetic trip, so that the spring bias remains constant for the full range of the initial gap. The armature includes an elongated magnetically permeable member mounted by a frame to slide longitudinally along a pair of guide rails. The frame defines a trip surface axially aligned with the elongated magnetically permeable member which engages a trip arm on a trip bar to trip the circuit breaker in response to a predetermined level of overcurrent. A bimetal providing a thermal trip function is cantilevered from a support spaced from the trip bar by the armature, but has a terminal portion at the free end projecting toward the trip bar and through which the elongated magnetically permeable member of the armature extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Kolberg, Mark A. Juds
  • Patent number: 5818298
    Abstract: An amplifying apparatus for linearly amplifying a desired signal using a pair of coupled non-linear amplifiers is disclosed. The amplifying apparatus comprises a limiter for separating amplitude variations from the desired signal and producing a constant amplitude signal bearing the phase of the desired signal and an amplitude related signal. In addition, a drive signal generater produces two drive signals each dependent on the constant amplitude signal and the amplitude related signal such that each drive signal depends on the phase of the desired signal and such that the sum of the squares of the amplitudes of the drive signals is constant. Finally, a coupler couples the two drive signals to produce two constant amplitude signals for driving the pair of non-linear power amplifiers and for coupling the outputs of the power amplifiers to produce two amplified output signals, one of which is the linearly amplified desired signal and the other of which is a waste energy signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Dent, Ross Warren Lampe
  • Patent number: 5504467
    Abstract: A current limiting circuit breaker including a novel spring arrangement between the contact arms of the circuit breaker and the crossbar. The spring arrangement includes a single spring which holds the cam follower attached to each associated contact arm in contact with cam surfaces of the crossbar. The longitudinal axis of the spring is located within a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the contact arm, wherein the plane is also perpendicular to the rotational axis of the contact arm. The cam surfaces and spring are configured to permit the contact arm to blow open under unacceptable fault conditions even though the crossbar remains stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex J. McColloch, Stephen D. Cella, Bernard DiMarco
  • Patent number: 5467069
    Abstract: An adjustment device including a rotary knob for driving a positioning stud cooperating with a ramp of an oeprating component, and a ring equipped with means for selecting the angular position of an end-of-travel stop, designed to limit the rotational movement of the knob to determine a maximum tripping threshold. The ring is covered by a cover plate having an opening for access to the head of the fine tripping threshold adjustment knob. The diameter of the second opening is smaller than the external diameter of the ring to inhibit any modification of the position of the end-of-travel stop after the cover plate has been fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Payet-Burin, Eric Ogier
  • Patent number: 5298874
    Abstract: A modular low voltage multipole circuit breaker, including a plurality of identical single-pole breaking units each including a parallelipipedic insulating box having two opposite parallel large side faces and two opposite parallel small side faces, two terminals located at respective opposite parallel small side faces, a stationary contact electrically connected to one of the terminals, a movable contact cooperable between a first position contacting the stationary contact and a second position separated from the stationary contact and a molded case for housing the single-pole breaking units. The molded case has two opposite parallel side walls having the same thickness, the single-pole breaking units being sequentially arranged and parallel to each other and parallel to the side walls such that adjacent single-pole breaking units are spaced apart a distance equal to twice the thickness of the side walls, the single-pole breaking units being spaced apart at a constant pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Robert Morel, Jean-Pierre Nebon, Jean-Pierre Nereau, Philippe Perrier