Abstract: A modular energy management circuit breaker (EMCB) system is adapted for installation with existing panelboards. It comprises a bus way that includes a connector that is coupled to an interface module connector. The interface module, which extends across the panelboard, makes connection with the power bus and is connected to the panelboard by snap-in means. A control module is adapted to interengage with another connector in the interface module and to control a plurality of EMCBs. A bus way includes a plurality of connectors adjacent a plurality of circuit breaker positions which are connected to suitable circuits in the control module for controlling the drivers for the EMCBs. A terminal box is formed at the end of the control module and has provision for connecting a plurality of control wires to suitable terminating devices for interfacing external controlling devices to the control module.

Abstract: A remotely controllable circuit breaker device for interrupting power in a circuit path between a source and a load includes local and remote monitoring capabilities and a worm-gear mechanism for reliable control of the interruption mechanism. The device includes a first contact and a second contact cooperatively arranged in the circuit path so as to provide current from the source to the load. At least one of the contacts are movable for interrupting the power provided to the load. The worm gear mechanism includes a motor with a rotatable shaft which responds to open and closed control signals generated from a remote location, and a gear, rotatably responsive to the rotatable shaft, for controlling the movable contact so that the circuit path is interrupted and established, respectively. The worm gear mechansim controls the movable contact using a coupling arrangement, which has a first part coupled to the movable contact and a second part coupled to the gear.

Abstract: A plug-in ground fault interrupting type circuit breaker includes a resilient jaw for engaging the neutral bar in a loadcenter. The jaw is formed at the end of a conductive strap which passes through the window of a transformer and terminates in a screw terminal for attachment to a neutral load conductor. The phase conductive path also includes a conductive strap that is coupled at one end to a phase load conductor terminal and at its other end to the breaker trip mechanism. The transformer and both strap conductors are mounted to a printed circuit board that is included within the breaker housing. The invention eliminates the separate pigtail for connecting the load neutral conductor to the loadcenter neutral bar.

Abstract: A scanning radiation sensor (10) for individually determining temperature of a plurality of spots (16') along a scan line (16) on a target (12) responds to inputs to a light marking apparatus (21, 29, 40, 21) to determine which of a plurality of samples produced during a scan cycle are to be selected for averaging (54, 54'). Averages are determined for each scan (54, 54') and then averages for each scan are averaged over multiple scans (56). Both spot target samples (Ts) and reference source samples (Rs) are averaged for improved accuracy, with target samples being converted to temperatures (52) before averaging.

Abstract: A solid state circuit interruption arrangement in a distributed power network provides fast and reliable circuit interruption. A common power source provides power to a plurality of loads via respective current paths. A main circuit breaker and a plurality of solid state circuit breakers are arranged to interrupt the current paths in response to command signals sent from a central controller. Current sensors and voltage sensors are coupled to the current paths for monitoring purposes. An automatic controller responds to any of the current sensors detecting a fault condition by automatically generating a command signal, which forces the associated solid state breaker to interrupt the associated current path. Thereafter, the controller automatically generates a signal to the main circuit breaker to interrupt the power provided from the common power source in the event that the associated current path is not interrupted by the solid state breaker.

Abstract: The rotational optical switch of the present invention includes a switch enclosure, a light conductor, an optical shutter, a torsion spring biasing the shutter towards a bistable state, and a shutter actuator. The switch enclosure generally encloses the remaining components. The light conductor is received in the switch enclosure and extends between the enclosure and a transceiver, which provides a signal reflective of the state of the optical shutter. The optical shutter is pivotally mounted within the switch enclosure and is bistable between a reflective state which reflects light into the light conductor, and a nonreflective state which does not reflect light into the light conductor. The shutter pivots on arms to either end of a support cylinder which have knife edges. The shutter actuator is pivotally connected to the optical shutter by the torsion spring to cause the optical shutter to snap between the bistable states. The optical shutter has two reflectors in opposite reflective states.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system uses a microprocessor for calculating at least one function of a measured current flow.

Abstract: A switchboard for mounting and supplying electrical power to a plurality of circuit breakers. The switchboard comprises a frame including a center mounting pan, and at least first and second circuit breaker mounting pans for engaging and supporting the rear end portions of the circuit breakers. The switchboard also comprises a power stack assembly mounted on the center mounting pan of the frame. The power stack assembly includes first, second and third, substantially vertically disposed main bus bar members for being connected to a source of electrical power and for releasably engaging the circuit breakers. The first main bus bar member is selectively spaced from the center mounting pan with insulator members so as to define a first ventilation passageway therebetween. The second main bus bar member is selectively spaced from the first main bus bar member with insulator members so as to define a second ventilation passageway therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided a panel for mounting electronic components to circuit breakers. The panel includes formations for cooling electronic components, a method for sealing the electronic adjustment switches against tampering, and a method for preventing invalid electronic adjustments to the trip unit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker system employs a sensor circuit to measure the current flow in a conductor. A microcomputer monitors the current flow and trips a circuit breaker if the measured current flow exhibits certain predetermined characteristics. A power supply circuit generates a regulated output voltage proportional to the measured current flow to supply power to a portion of the circuit breaker system electronics. To protect the portion of the electronics powered by the power supply circuit, the output from the power supply is shorted through a resistance circuit for a predetermined period of time if the magnitude of the measured current flow induces an output voltage in excess of a predetermined level.

Abstract: An addressable relay module is provided for controlling a plurality of relay outputs associated with an electronic circuit breaker system using a trip unit for monitoring system functions or network parameters. The relay module is linked to a multi-drop serial communications network through which data pertaining to system functions is relayed to and from a communications microcontroller which controls the operational status of relay contacts linked thereto. The microcontroller addresses specific ones of associated relay outputs in accordance with address information contained within the network data. The addressable relay module effectively maps the plurality of relay contact outputs linked thereto to a corresponding plurality of network device parameters received through the multi-drop network.

Abstract: The interlocked contactor includes an interlock mechanism which selectively prevents closure of contactor contacts before a preselected number of operations of the contactor. An armature actuator is connected to the armature to cause a slider bar portion of the interlock mechanism to translate between an interlock open and interlock closed position corresponding to the contact open and contact closed positions. The interlock mechanism is generally mounted to a detachable mounting base which is mounted to a contactor frame. The slider bar is positionally maintained before failure of the assembly by a pair of roller carrying studs, one of which is designed to shear before the predetermined number of contactor operations. An arresting base is pivotally mounted for movement about one of the studs providing adjustable alignment with the slider bar. An adjustment shaft determines the degree of clearance between an interlock tab on the arresting base and an arresting notch on the slider bar.

Abstract: A control system contains a communications network, a host computer and a programmable logic controller (PLC). The host computer includes prioritized alarm queues for receiving prioritized alarms from the programmable logic controller. Alarms fall into either a local or a global category, and each category supports three types of alarms: warnings, alerts or faults.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is used to interface a fault-powered circuit breaker trip unit to a communication network. The circuit arrangement includes a diode protected line which draws power from the trip unit, a battery acting as a backup power source and a control circuit, responsive to the trip unit, which detects a trip unit alarm condition, receives data from a circuit breaker trip unit and processes the data for subsequent use. In response to the control circuit detecting the trip unit alarm condition, a switch circuit enables the backup power source such that power is provided to the control circuit after the trip unit alarm condition is received so that the control circuit can process the received data after the power provided by the trip unit expires.

Abstract: A clamping assembly which provides a uniform pressure simultaneously at two spaced apart points. The assembly includes a portion of a support member which has two parallel sides and a passage connecting the two parallel sides. A tubular shaped sleeve is received within the passage and includes short tabs extending slightly past the surface of the two parallel sides of the support member. A U-shaped anti-turn bracket is slidably received around the support member and includes slots that coincide with the passage in the support member. The tubular sleeve has a non-circular inside cross-section. A double-ended bolt having a first and second threaded end and an intermediate non-circular portion complementary to the non-circular cross-section of the sleeve is slidably received within the sleeve. The bolt is permitted to move linearly but not permitted to rotate within the sleeve. Threaded nuts are placed on each of the first and second threaded end.

Abstract: A control system allows for transferring messages between a programmable logic controller and a host computer over an Ethernet communications network. The messages include a routing address specifying an originating drop number, a destination drop number, and a routing drop number. The system is responsive to the routing address for transferring the messages between the programmable logic controller and the host computer. The host computer can immediately obtain messages from a programmable logic controller without interruption of the execution of its ladder program. The host computer can also receive unsolicited messages from the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: An improved conductor clamp adapted to securely clamp conductors having various sized diameters. The clamp includes a first pair of generally rectangular bar clamping members movable in a first direction toward each other and in an opposite direction away from each other. Each of the first pair of clamping members has a generally V-shaped groove extending the length of the member with a contact area extending therefrom. A third clamping member is positioned intermediate the first pair of clamping members. The third clamping member includes a tail portion and a head portion having a conductor contact portion.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is used for holding a housing enclosing a control module assembly of the type used in programmable logic controllers. The bracket has a base or back side, a right side wall, a lower segment and an upper segment that cooperate to define a mounting bracket for a single control module. The base has mounting slots for attaching the mounting bracket to a panel. The side wall has clearance holes for attaching the mounting bracket to the side of a PLC rack assembly instead if desired. The lower segment contains a threaded insert that aligns with and accepts a mounting screw on the control module and the upper segment mates with a slotted opening on the control module. The control module is fastened to the mounting bracket by one mounting screw. This provides a quick and efficient method of attaching or removing the control module.

Abstract: An operator interface panel assembly is used with a programmable logic controller. Through the use of a printed wired circuit board, a wide variety of input and output components that must be accessible to an operator can be assembled by the user at the location of the installation rather than at the point of manufacture. The assembly can be easily reconfigured without costly rewiring of the installation. The same switch or pilot light position can accommodate a variety of one and two pole switches without hardware modification.

Abstract: A control system allows for transferring messages between a programmable logic controller and a host computer over a serial data communications network. The programmable logic controller executes a ladder program and has an integral network interface module for permitting direct communicative coupling to the communications network. Messages can be received and sent by the programmable logic controller without interruption of the execution of the ladder program. The programmable logic controller can receive unsolicited messages from the host computer.