With Locking, Latch Or Tripping Structure Patents (Class 335/77)
  • Patent number: 11657993
    Abstract: A multi-level feedback actuator assembly for a circuit breaker assembly including an interlock system. The interlock system for the multi-level feedback actuator assembly is structured to maintain the multi-level feedback actuator assembly, and elements thereof, in a safe configuration. The interlock system for the multi-level feedback actuator assembly includes an interlock assembly structured to configure the rotary solenoid and at least one of the first actuator or the second actuator in a safe configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew L. Gottschalk, Robert Michael Slepian
  • Patent number: 8587914
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is a fault interrupter device comprising at least one sensor comprising at least one first transformer having at least one outer region forming an outer periphery and at least one inner hollow region. There is also at least one second transformer that is disposed in the inner hollow region of the at least one first transformer. The transformers can be substantially circular in configuration, and more particularly, ring shaped. In another embodiment there is a rotatable latch which is used to selectively connect and disconnect a set of separable contacts to selectively disconnect power from the line side to the load side. The rotatable latch is in one embodiment coupled to a reset button. In at least one embodiment there is a slider which is configured to selectively prevent the manual tripping of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kamor, James Porter, Kurt Dykema
  • Patent number: 7864005
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Erik J. Gouhl, Gregory G. Moreinis, Gunter A. Gallas
  • Patent number: 7817001
    Abstract: In actuating devices such as, e.g., multifunctional actuators, it is necessary in many cases to block at least one specific direction of movement. A simple and reliably operating device is proposed for this purpose, which uses an electromagnet to bring a ball from a rest position into a blocking position. In the blocking position, the ball mechanically blocks the relative movement between two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Preh GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Kramlich
  • Patent number: 7741938
    Abstract: A control element is provided having programmable haptics, in particular a programmable central catch, for a motor vehicle, having a control knob which can be accommodated such that it can rotate, the control knob being connected in a force-fitting or interlocking manner to a toothed ring or having an integral design, and it being possible for the toothed ring (to be rotated by means of the control knob, and at least one latching element which can move towards the toothed ring and/or away from the toothed ring by means of an electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: PREH GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Kramlich
  • Patent number: 7683745
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Erik J. Gouhl, Gregory G. Moreinis, Gunter A. Gallas
  • Patent number: 7586395
    Abstract: A trip actuator assembly is provided for a circuit breaker including a housing having a mounting surface, separable contacts enclosed by the housing, and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. The trip actuator assembly includes a trip actuator cooperable with the operating mechanism, and a planar member having first and second ends, first and second edges, and an aperture. The trip actuator is at least partially disposed within the aperture and is further disposed between the planar member and the mounting surface of the housing. The first edge of the planar member is removably coupled to the mounting surface, thereby removably coupling the trip actuator to the housing. The circuit breaker may include an accessory tray which is insertable on and is removable from the mounting surface. When inserted, the accessory tray abuts the body of the trip actuator enclosure further securing the trip actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan J. Weister, Lance Gula
  • Patent number: 7564329
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Gregory G. Moreinis, Gunter A. Gallas
  • Patent number: 7538647
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Howard S. Leopold
  • Patent number: 7498910
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter device is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Gunter A. Gallas, Erik J. Gouhl, Howard S. Leopold, Gregory G. Moreinis
  • Patent number: 6603087
    Abstract: A switch-disconnector control unit comprising an electromagnet as an actuator including a moving control arm, and a spring actuator including a control shaft. The control arm is controlled by an armature of the actuator and connected to the control shaft. Said control shaft is arranged to control the contacts of the switch-disconnector using the spring actuator. The control arm comprises a connection element, which is jointedly connected through a control element to the control shaft and the actuator. An articulated joint at the end of said connection element is formed of an oval opening and a pin. Said opening is shaped as an ellipse in the longitudinal direction of the connection element, and is dimensioned to form a clearance in the joint between the connection element and the control arm of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Nils Österholm, Per-Erik Östersund
  • Patent number: 6423917
    Abstract: A motor operator for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The motor operator includes a motor drive assembly connected to a mechanical linkage system for driving an energy storage mechanism from a first state of a plurality of states to a second state of a plurality of states. The motor operator also includes an energy release mechanism coupled to the mechanical linkage system for releasing the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism. The mechanical linkage system includes a recharging cam being driven by the motor drive assembly. The recharging cam rotates a drive plate rotatably mounted to the system. A linear carriage is coupled to the drive plate and the linear carriage manipulates an operating handle of a circuit breaker. The recharging cam is disengaged from the drive plate when the energy storage mechanism is compressed into an energy storage state and the drive plate is latched into a position corresponding to the energy stored state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Janakiraman Narayanan, Mahesh Jaywant Rane, Ramalingam Prem Anand, Biranchi Narayana Sahu, Dantuluri Varma, Madhusudana Reddy Vanukuri
  • Patent number: 5821839
    Abstract: A circuit breaker device for interrupting current in a circuit path between a source and a load includes a first contact and a second contact cooperatively arranged in the circuit path so as to provide current from a source to a load. A trip mechanism assembly, which includes an armature, a bimetal and a yoke, is provided for interrupting the current. The armature includes an aperture in which a latch point is provided to engage a latching surface of a trip lever for latching the trip lever thereon. The amount of current that is required to cause the trip mechanism to interrupt the circuit path is determined by the amount of overlap between the latching surface and the latch point. This overlap is adjusted by bending a calibration plate by tightening a calibration screw which extends through an aperture in a circuit breaker housing and a slotted aperture in the calibration plate. A substantially square shaped nut secures the calibration screw tightly against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: James Arthur Heise, Duane Lee Turner, Dennis William Fleege, Eugene Walter Wehr
  • Patent number: 5757466
    Abstract: A method is provided for a customer to provide a message, design or other visible information to be printed upon prints during processing of photographic film supplied by the customer. The process involves scanning an annotated surface containing the visible information, creating a reproducible file containing the visible information and printing the visible information from the file onto a photographic print during the photofinishing processing. The customer information may be directly written or otherwise connected with a photofinishing envelope in which the film is forwarded to the photofinisher. The envelopes or messages may be scanned and the envelopes saved for return to the customer with the finished prints and negatives. If the envelopes are scanned at the time of removing the film, the reproducible file may be electronically stored and retrieved during printing of the photographic prints on which the information is to be printed. Various alternative steps in the process are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: J. Kelly Lee, Dana Whitney Wolcott
  • Patent number: 5276420
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator comprises a coil associated with a magnetic circuit having a first series of polar parts to drive a rotor, and a second series of polar parts cooperating with a pivoting blade. A return spring causes movement of the blade to a separated position. A latch is rendered active to lock the blade in the separated position during rotation of the rotor, and inactive to unlock the blade enabling its electromagnetic attraction against the polar face, and stopping of the rotor. The actuator has an operating mode either as motor or as electromagnet depending on the position of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventors: Daniel Dufrene, Alain Frolla, Olivier Dardare
  • Patent number: 4506246
    Abstract: An interlock assembly for a high amperage molded case circuit breaker is provided with a slide biased to interfere with movement of a push to close link whose operation enables discharge of the breaker closing spring. The slide is operated by the toggle assembly in the event the contacts are open to permit operation of the link except if the breaker is being tripped or held tripped. A trip solenoid of the permanent magnet type is reset, when tripped, by a reset spring under control of blade carrier which has excess energy available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Tak M. Wong
  • Patent number: 4447284
    Abstract: A pneumatic-electromagnetic latch is disclosed as applied to bring the sealing jaws of an L-sealer into pressure engagement without impact. An electromagnet mounted on a piston rod of a pneumatic actuator attracts and retains an armature attached to the sealing jaws when the jaws are brought close to the sealing bed. The cylinder of the actuator is attached to the frame and when actuated it draws the sealing jaws into smooth pressure contact with the sealing bed. Upon deenergization of the electromagnet the jaws are released to open for the next sealing cycle and the release of fluid pressure in the actuator extends the piston rod to position for the next operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Shanklin Corporation
    Inventors: Frank G. Shanklin, James A. McConnell
  • Patent number: 4041424
    Abstract: An automatic reset timer includes two separate switches having operators held in timed-out position by individual latches. A clutch is released by one operator when the timer is timed out. A solenoid also controls the latches for the two switches and also controls the clutch directly. A clutch mode selector is accessible outside the case and may be set for on delay, off delay, or neutral. In neutral the clutch is not controlled by the solenoid and is released only when the timer is timed out. Other mode selectors outside the enclosure control solenoid operation of the switches. They may be caused to transfer from timed out to timing position by either solenoid energization of deenergization. A third position provides for instantaneous operation of one switch by the solenoid. Selection of clutch and switch modes of operation makes a single unit field adjustable in many different combinations, simplifying application to a given problem and reducing models required to be stocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Deltrol Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Harris