Patents Assigned to Merlin Gerin
  • Operating mechanism of a miniature electrical circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4916420
    Abstract: An operating mechanism of an electrical circuit breaker comprises a handle coupled to a transmission rod to form a toggle, a movable contact support device having a plate mounted with rotation on a pivot, and a mechanical link breakable by the action of a trip lever. The link is formed by a retaining catch of the trip lever cooperating with a latch pivotally mounted on a spindle of the plate. The rod is coupled directly to the latch, the assembly constituting a gearing-down stage enabling the tripping force to be reduced. The bimetal strip is connected to the trip lever by a rotating tie-rod with uni-directional transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: William Bartolo, Michel Lazareth
  • Solid-state trip device comprising an instantaneous tripping circuit independent from the supply voltage
    Patent number: 4914541
    Abstract: In a system-powered solid-state trip device, the measurement voltage Vm, representative of the current flowing in the conductor to be protected and applied to the input of an electronic processing unit, can also be applied to the cathode of a thyristor connected in series with the trip coil and receiving on its gate, the tripping orders from the processing unit. A Zener diode is connected between the thyristor gate and the ground so as to set an instantaneous tripping pick-up of the trip device. In this way, a short-circuit in the conductor causes instantaneous tripping of the circuit breaker independently from the value of the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Paul Tripodi, Luc Weynachter
  • Manufacturing process of an electrical contact with contact pad
    Patent number: 4910868
    Abstract: A contact part is shaped to form a cavity in which a sintered or agglomerated block is placed before the assembly is placed on a welding press causing fixing and shaping of the block to form the contact pad. The protuberance of the pad may result from a deformation of the support in the course of the fixing operation, by a pin supported by the electrode of the welding machine coming up against the face opposite to the pad of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Georges Fevrier, Jacques Vanin, Jean-Paul Favre-Tissot
  • Multiple circuit breaker with double break rotary contact
    Patent number: 4910485
    Abstract: A breaking device for a low voltage circuit breaker comprises in each pole a switching bar, a pair of stationary contacts connected to the connection terminals, a double-break rotary contact extending in a housing of the bar, and two arc chutes disposed on each side of the bar. Two contact pressure springs ensure elastic positioning of the rotary contact along the longitudinal direction of the pole. Pivoting of the rotary contact takes place around a fictitious axis mounted floating with respect to the fixed rotation axis of the bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Roger Bolongeat-Mobleu, Jean-Pierre Nereau
  • Filtering device of the common mode disturbances affecting the printed circuit boards of a static power converter
    Patent number: 4903185
    Abstract: The control and monitoring data transmission conductors between the control board and the transistor conversion circuit are formed into a flexible flat cable whose intermediate part is wound on a single magnetic circuit to constitute a common mode inductance designed to compensate the disturbances affecting the printed circuit board due to the potential changes of the semi-conductors generated when switching takes place from the conducting state to the blocking state, and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Jean-Noel Fiorina, Herve Denis
  • Rotating arc and expansion circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4900882
    Abstract: A circuit breaker with expansion and rotating arc in sulphur hexafluoride comprising a metal breaking chamber supporting a stationary main contact capable of cooperating with a movable main contact. The breaking chamber comprises an insulating end plate away from the breaking area and an opposite metal end plate close to the breaking area and supporting a coil or a permanent blowout magnet by rotation of the arc drawn between the arcing contacts housed inside the breaking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Georges Bernard, Raymond Bresson, Pierre LeClercq, Odile Filleau, Francois Scarponi
  • Solid-state trip device comprising a zero sequence current detection circuit
    Patent number: 4899246
    Abstract: A signal representative of the zero sequence current is obtained from current transformers associated with each phase and with the neutral if applicable by separate summing, in two distinct conductors, of the positive half-wave currents and of the absolute value of the negative half-wave currents produced by the set of current transformers, the difference between the currents flowing through these two conductors being representative of the zero sequence current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventor: Paul Tripodi
  • Electrical network insulation monitoring and measuring device
    Patent number: 4896115
    Abstract: An insulation monitoring device comprises an input circuit of a reference AC signal, and an electronic detection circuit for discriminating the components of a measurement signal proportional to the ground fault impedance Z formed by a leakage resistor Rf in parallel with a leakage capacitor C. A synchronous detector has a pair of static inverters processing the first component, which is a function of the current IR flowing through the leakage resistor Rf, and of the second component which is a function of the current IC flowing through the capacitor C. A converter cooperates with the generator to deliver two quadrature signals C1 and C2 to respectively control the inverters. A display means accurately displays the value of the leakage resistance Rf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Philippe LeMaitre, Philippe Schuster, Christian Pellegrin
  • High rating multipole circuit breaker formed by two adjoined molded cases
    Patent number: 4884047
    Abstract: The circuit breaker is formed by two adjoined standard multipole molded cases, resin being cold-cast between the opposite side walls, comprising reliefs, of the two cases in order to provide fixing. A spacer, secured by bolts to the side walls of the two cases, defines their distance apart and can be used to cooperate with a racking cam when the circuit breaker is drawn into a fixed frame. The circuit breaker comprises an electronic trip device, an operating mechanism and an operating bar of the poles common to all the poles. At least two adjacent poles are twinned, that is to say eletrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Pierre Baginski, Jean-Pierre Nebon, Marc Bur
  • High pressure arc extinguishing chamber
    Patent number: 4883931
    Abstract: An arc extinguishing chamber for an electrical switchgear device, notably a circuit breaker or a current limiting unit, comprises an almost tightly sealed case made of gas-producing insulating material to house separable contacts with electrodynamic repulsion. The movable contact, in the shape of a bridge, appreciably follows the internal configuration of the case playing the role of a piston arranged on both sides of a first compartment generating pressure due to the action of the arc, and a second compartment communicating with the first via a minimal clearance J. The pressure in the second compartment is lower than that in the first compartment. Magnetic circuits can be arranged to accelerate the movable contact to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Pierre Batteux, Jean-Pierre Nereau
  • Measuring circuit of the DC component of the current flowing through the primary winding of the output transformer of an inverter
    Patent number: 4878026
    Abstract: The measuring circuit comprises an integrator to which a signal representative of the current flowing through the primary winding of the output transformer of an inverter is applied. The integrator output signal is reset at the beginning of each period of the A.C. component of said current and is applied to a sample and hold stage whose output signal represents the integrator output signal just before it is reset. An intermediate stage is arranged between the integrator and the sample and hold stage to reduce the influence of load impacts by limiting the maximum possible variation of the output signal during the sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Philippe Moreau, Jean-Noel Fiorina
  • Breaking device for multipole electrical circuit breaker with multiple contacts
    Patent number: 4877929
    Abstract: An arc extinguishing chamber with plates, for a high-rating low voltage circuit breaker, interrupts an arc generated by a multiple contact system having a set of movable main contacts and a movable arcing contact cooperating with corresponding stationary contacts fixed onto a contact terminal. A lower arcing horn is fixed to the terminal by means of three screws with an insulating shield interposed. A pair of jaws with an inclined portion follows the outline of the plates up to the vicinity of intermediate arc catching ridges disposed symmetrically in relation to the center line passing through the V-shaped notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventor: Marc Rival
  • Solid-state trip device of a molded case circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4878144
    Abstract: A solid-state trip device including an instantaneous trip device formed by arc detectors 46R, 44S, 46T located in proximity to the main contacts 17R, 17S, 17T of the circuit breaker 10. The light signals emitted by the arc detectors 46R, 46S, 46T are transmitted by optical fibers 48 to a light-sensitive electronic component which emits an arcing signal. This arcing signal causes tripping of the circuit breaker 10 only if a fault signal is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Nebon
  • Filter unit with electrochemical capacitors for a static power converter
    Patent number: 4853833
    Abstract: A filter unit for a static converter, notably an inverter, comprises at least one module having four capacitors arranged on a support with a square base in two groups connected in parallel to the power supply terminals of opposite polarities, each group comprising two series-mounted capacitors. The voltage at the mid-points of the two groups is fixed by a voltage divider comprising two balancing resistors, and an auxiliary impedance formed by the intermediate part of the connecting device. The support base is provided with coupling means to enable modular assembly by associating several modules identical on the four sides of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Jean-Noel Fiorina, Herve Denis
  • Self-protected low voltage capacitor
    Patent number: 4837660
    Abstract: Low voltage power capacitor of the self-healing type, wherein each capacitor cell is fitted with individual protection, enabling the cell to be disconnected in all cases of faults which are liable to occur. The cell coil is electrically connected in series to a fuse housed in a chamber arranged in the sealing cover of the casing housing the coil. Protection against overpressures inside the casing is provided by a membrane, deformation of which actuates a short-circuiting contact. The clean short-circuit, generated by closing of the short-circuiting contact, causes the fuse to blow and the faulty cell to be disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Serge Theoleyre, Pascal Salsetti, Daniel Masset
  • Multiphase gas expansion circuit breaker for gas-insulated metalclad cell
    Patent number: 4816624
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a plurality of poles disposed parallel side by side in a sealed enclosure (18) filled with SF6 insulating gas. The housing of each arc extinguishing chamber (22) comprises a metal shielding wall (52) designed to neutralize the influence of the magnetic stray fields of the neighbouring poles. The wall (52) can be made of conducting or ferromagnetic material, and enables correct entering of the arc favouring the expansion effect of the gas. Application: medium voltage electrical distribution substation. Refer to FIG. 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Gerard Perrissin, Joseph Marzocca, Lucien Marsala, Jean-Paul Robert
  • Rotary switch with curved arc root migration track
    Patent number: 4803319
    Abstract: A rotary switch with a sealed enclosure in which a rotating knife-blade is housed cooperating with two stationary contacts supported by the internal periphery of the enclosure. A permanent magnet is incorporated in the stationary contacts to magnetically blow the arc roots on a curved migration track towards hidden locations which are not facing the knife-blade.The invention is applicable to a gas-insulated medium voltage switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Georges Bernard, Bernard Bouvet, Richard Jacolin, Guido Colleoni, Jacques Gaillard, Robert Volsy
  • Dissipative low-pass filter
    Patent number: 4794353
    Abstract: The filter comprises a series branch formed by an inductance coil (L) in parallel with a resistor (R1) and a parallel branch formed by a capacitor (C) in series with a resistor (Rc). For frequencies such that Rc>>1/.omega.C and R1<<.omega.L, the ratio between the output and input powers of the filter has a predetermined maximum value strictly lower than 1 and independent of the load impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventor: Frederic Broyde
  • Control device of the transistor bases of an inverter arm
    Patent number: 4792885
    Abstract: An inverter arm is made up of two transistors electrically connected in series, each transistor having its own independent control unit. The control units are supplied by a common power supply unit ensuring galvanic insulation by means of a transformer with two distinct secondary windings. This galvanic insulation allows a potential difference of several hundred volts between the transistors and their control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Sylvain Cuman, Philippe J. Moreau
  • Self-monitoring digital solid-state trip release
    Patent number: 4780787
    Abstract: The digital solid-state trip release is equipped with a watch-dog which monitors the periodic running of the information processing controlled by the microprocessor. When a disturbance or a delay occurs in the periodic cycle, the watch-dog first emits a reinitialization order applied to the microprocessor input to attempt to rerun the periodic cycle. If this attempt is unsuccessful, the watch-dog emits a circuit breaker tripping order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Maurice Dano, Vincent Corcoles