| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 335018000 | Responsive to predetermined or abnormal current condition (e.g., direction, phase angle or amplitude) | 36 |
| 20080284548 | Method for Sectioning With a Section Switch a Medium-Voltage Electric Power Distribution Line Exhibiting a Disturbance, Section Switch for Medium-Voltage Electric Power Distribution Line Applicable Thereon and Electronic Circuit for Detecting a Fault Current and Comprised by Said Section Switch - The present invention discloses a method for sectioning a medium-voltage distribution electric line evidencing a disturbance, wherein said method comprises the stages of: (a) evaluating a current in a medium-voltage line with a detection coil; (b) converting the intensity generated by said current by the detection coil in a potential difference, further transferring the information to a microprocessor; (c) analyzing the profile of the wave generated by the current by an algorithm to analyze harmonic levels by Fourier Series, and (d) determining the behavior or the section switch from the result obtained in (c). Step d) comprises making no count to trigger the disconnection mechanism (i) when the current value does not exceed a predetermined value for which said current is detected as a fault current; (ii) when el the wave profile corresponds to a transformer input current or in-rush current; or (iii) making a count to trigger the disconnection mechanism when the wave profile corresponds to a short-circuit exceeding the predetermined current value as fault current. Given the case of d) (ii) the method further comprises step e) comprising: (i) not triggering the disconnection mechanism when a transient fault is involved; or either, (ii) triggering the disconnection mechanism when the predetermined count number is reached. The method can simultaneously with e) ii) further comprise f) sending a RF signal to other or others parallel connected section switches at a point of the distribution line in order to be jointly disconnected. The invention also refers to section switches for electric power distribution lines for auxiliary branches where the main fine is protected by an automatic reset circuit breaker, which comprises an electronic circuit with a microcontroller capable of distinguishing a permanent fault current from a transient fault current, thereby immunizing the section switch against “in-rush” currents; and to said electronic circuit. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080309437 | Fault Interrupting and Reclosing Device - A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080315980 | MEMS MICRO-SWITCH ARRAY BASED ON CURRENT LIMITING ENABLED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING APPARATUS - The present invention comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) micro-switch array based current limiting enabled circuit interrupting apparatus. The apparatus comprising an over-current protective component, wherein the over-current protective component comprises a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices. The apparatus also comprises a circuit breaker or switching component, wherein the circuit breaker or switching component is in operable communication with the over-current protective component. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090027146 | ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS, CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AND METHOD OF INTERRUPTING OVERCURRENTS OF A POWER CIRCUIT - A circuit interrupter includes a housing, separable contacts, and an operating mechanism including a latch. The operating mechanism opens the contacts responsive to actuation of the latch. A trip mechanism cooperates with the latch to trip open the contacts. The trip mechanism includes a thermal overload mechanism actuating the latch responsive to a thermal fault caused by current flowing through the contacts, a solenoid cooperating with the thermal overload mechanism to actuate the latch responsive to the electromagnetic device being energized, and a processor repetitively determining a value of the current flowing through the contacts, determining if the value exceeds a predetermined value for a number of occurrences, and responsively energizing the solenoid, in order to actuate the latch contemporaneous with actuation of the latch by the thermal overload mechanism, in order to decrease the time to trip open the contacts. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090058574 | Electronic circuit breaker and method - An electronic circuit breaker has an input, an output, and a switch electrically connected between the input and the output. The electronic circuit breaker monitors the energy dissipated by the switch and opens the switch when the energy reaches a threshold value in order to protect the switch. The electronic circuit breaker also monitors the current through the switch and opens the switch when necessary to protect the load. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090184787 | Protective Device Having a Thin Construction - The present invention is directed to a wiring device that includes a front cover assembly. The front cover assembly includes a front cover having at least one plug receptacle opening disposed therein. A ground strap is coupled to the cover assembly. A device assembly includes a plurality of line terminals configured to be connected to an AC power source, a plurality of load terminals configured to be connected to a downstream load, and at least one set of receptacle load terminals in communication with the at least one receptacle opening. The device assembly also includes a fault response circuit coupled to the plurality of line terminals. A back cover is coupled to the front cover assembly to accommodate the device assembly therein. The ground strap element is disposed between the front cover assembly and the back cover. The back cover extending beyond the ground strap a distance substantially less than or equal to one inch. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090195337 | MANUALLY SELECTABLE INSTANTANEOUS CURRENT SETTINGS FOR A TRIP UNIT AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - A circuit breaker includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the contacts. The trip mechanism includes a current transformer structured to sense a current flowing through the contacts and provide a signal representative of the current. A manually operable selector selects one of a plurality of predetermined current conditions by using a plurality of different zener diodes. Each of the predetermined current conditions is greater than an arc reduction maintenance current condition of four times the maximum rated current of the trip mechanism. An instantaneous trip circuit cooperates with the current transformer and the manually operable selector to compare the signal representative of the current with respect to the selected one of the predetermined current conditions. The instantaneous trip circuit responsively causes the operating mechanism to instantaneously trip open the contacts. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090256661 | DISCONNECT MECHANISM IN A POWER RECEPTACLE WITH GROUND-FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTION FUNCTIONS - A disconnect mechanism for a power receptacle, which includes a disconnect block, a locking member slidably coupled to the disconnect block, and an electromagnetic device moveably coupled to the locking member. The disconnect block includes two side arms extending outwards. A pressing plate is disposed above the disconnect block, and a disconnect spring is disposed above the pressing plate. The moveable contact arms of the main switch of the receptacle are disposed between the pressing plate and the disconnect block, and the pressing plate pushes the moveable contact arms when the main switch is being opened when a current leakage is detected. The receptacle also includes an auxiliary switch disposed because the disconnect block and the circuit board. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090315652 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PROTECTING A GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER FROM FAULTY RESETTING - A locking mechanism for protecting a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) from being faultily reset. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism has a blocking member secured onto a lateral side of the movable assembly, a resilient member, and a locking member having a first end portion positioned against the resilient member, a second end portion positioned in relation to the blocking member, and a body portion defined between the first end portion and the second end portion. When the movable assembly is in a first (tripping) position, the expanding force of the resilient member applied to the first end portion of the locking member causes the second end portion of the locking member to be positioned against the blocking member so that no movement of the movable assembly from the first position to a second (resetting) position is allowed. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100001819 | CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING DEVICE WITH REVERSE WIRING PROTECTION - Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100026426 | Impact Solenoid Assembly For An Electrical Receptacle - An impact solenoid assembly for an electrical receptacle includes an armature having first and second ends. A resilient member is disposed between a latch and the second end of the armature. The resilient member spaces the armature from the latch. A plunger abuts the second end of the armature. When the solenoid is activated, the solenoid drives the armature toward the plunger, thereby creating momentum in the armature prior to striking the plunger. This increases the force with which the armature and plunger strike the latch. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100134222 | RESIDUAL-CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER - A residual-current circuit breaker includes a summation current transformer having a core, a first secondary winding wound onto the core, and at least one second secondary winding wound onto the core, with lines of an electric network to be protected extending through the core. A tripping apparatus is operably connected to break contacts for opening the break contacts. A first arrangement is provided for detecting alternating residual currents and connected to the first secondary winding of the summation transformer. A second arrangement is connected to the second secondary winding for detecting direct residual currents, wherein a predeterminable alternating operation of the first and second arrangements is controlled by a timer device. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20120001707 | OVERLOAD RELAY SWITCH WITHOUT SPRINGS - The disclosed concept relates to an overload relay and, more specifically, to an overload relay switch having a reduced number of components and less complex components. The reduced number of components includes the lack of a return spring on the manual actuators. Further, the relay switch member, which was typically a snap switch conducting member structured to change its configuration, is a substantially flat blade. Further, a circuit is used to detect an over-current condition and a solenoid actuates the relay switch assembly, thereby eliminating the need for a mechanical over-current detection and switch actuation device. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120075043 | CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING DEVICE - In a circuit breaker with a digital data processing device, triggering can be effected on the basis of the direction of an energy flow, that is to say whether energy flows from a current source to a load or whether energy is conversely transmitted in the opposite direction from the load. In at least one embodiment, the direction of the energy flow is derived using an item of information relating to the phase relationship between the AC voltage in the circuit in question and the current flowing in the circuit. In this case, it is possible to use switching elements which operate in an analog manner and are provided outside the microcontroller. In at least one embodiment, a simple circuit with flip-flops can be used, for example. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120182095 | INSTALLATION SWITCHING DEVICE - An installation switching device which rapidly disconnects short-circuit currents is provided. A contact lever is arranged at least partially in an air gap in a magnetic circuit such that, in case of a short circuit, the interaction between current flow and magnetic flux within the air gap can result in an electrodynamic force effect, which leads to rapid opening of at least one contact point. A switching mechanism acts via a first operating connecting line on the contact lever to open the contact point and/or to keep it open. In case of overcurrent tripping, an overcurrent release acts, by a switching mechanism and via a second operating connecting line, on the switching mechanism to open the contact point and keep it open. In case of short-circuit tripping, the contact lever acts via a third operating connecting line on the switching mechanism to keep the contact point open. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120182096 | INSTALLATION SWITCHING DEVICE - A current path in an installation switching device includes first and second contact points, which respectively include first and second levers. The second lever is arranged in an air gap in a magnetic circuit. In case of a short circuit, an electrodynamic force, which leads to rapid opening of the second contact point, can act on the second lever due to interaction of current flow with magnetic flux within the air gap. A switching mechanism acts via a first connecting line on the first lever to open and/or keep open the first contact point. In case of overcurrent tripping, an overcurrent release acts through the switching mechanism and a second connecting line on the switching mechanism to open and keep open the first contact point. In case of short-circuit tripping, the second lever acts via a third connecting line on the switching mechanism to keep the first contact point open. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120256712 | INCORRECT-CIRCUIT DEACTIVATION DEVICE OF MAGNETIC GFCI OUTLET - An incorrect-circuit deactivation device of a magnetic GFCI outlet includes an electromagnetic coil seat, a magneto-conductive core driven by the electromagnetic coil seat to displace, and two magnetic elements located on both sides of the magneto-conductive core. The magneto-conductive core is connected to a first electrical conductive end. The first electrical conductive end is positioned to face a second electrical conductive end. Electric power is supplied when the first electrical conductive end is brought into contact with the second electrical conductive end. The electromagnetic coil seat senses a reverse current to make the magneto-conductive core to displace toward one of the magnetic elements when there is a ground fault, thereby departing the first electrical conductive end from the second electrical conductive end to cut off the electric current. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20130009732 | SHORT-CIRCUIT RELEASE HAVING AN OPTIMIZED COIL CONNECTION - A short-circuit release is disclosed, in particular for a power circuit-breaker, including an armature and a pole, that are located inside of a coil element; and a yoke plate and a terminal connection, which are arranged around the coil element. In at least one embodiment, a coil is wound on the coil element, the two ends of which are weldable on corresponding coil terminals from the same side. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130021120 | RECEPTACLE TYPE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH REVERSE WIRE PROTECTION - A ground fault circuit interrupter comprises a reset key, a reset locking mechanism, a reset mechanism, a reset bracket, a bracket reset mechanism, a bracket homing mechanism, a reset linkage mechanism, and a reset linkage clutching mechanism. A conductive assembly is configured to selectively connect or disconnect electrical continuity between the power input side and the load side. The conductive assembly comprises pairs of short-circuit conductive strips with conductive movable contacts, power input connection assemblies with input conductive stationary contacts, wiring output assemblies, receptacle output assemblies with output stationary contacts, and a first short-circuit conductor and a second short-circuit conductor. A reverse wiring protection device comprises an electromagnetic generating device having a power supply sub-circuit configured with a reed switch connected in series, an electromagnetic actuator bracket with a pair of conductive pads, each pad having a movable contact, an actuator bracket homing mechanism, and a normally open holding switch. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130043963 | OVERCURRENT SWITCHING DEVICE - An overcurrent switching device for an electric circuit to be monitored, which has interrupter contact means ( | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130093541 | SHORT-CIRCUIT RELEASE HAVING AN OPTIMIZED COIL CONNECTION - A short-circuit release is disclosed, in particular for a power circuit-breaker, including an armature and a pole, that are located inside of a coil element; and a yoke plate and a terminal connection, which are arranged around the coil element. In at least one embodiment, a coil is wound on the coil element, the two ends of which are weldable on corresponding coil terminals from the same side. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130120091 | RESIDUAL-CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER - A residual-current circuit breaker includes a core-balance transformer, a first conductor and a second conductor of an electrical supply system which is to be protected being routed through the core-balance transformer, and a secondary winding being arranged on the core-balance current transformer. The secondary winding is connected to a release by circuitry. A test circuit connecting the first conductor and the second conductor has at least a first test resistor and a reset button, in order to provide accurate checking of an ability of residual current tripping to function, the test circuit has a second test resistor arranged m series with the first test resistor by circuitry. The second test resistor is bridged by a bypass line that is routed through the core-balance transformer and at least one first voltage dependent resistor is arranged in the bypass line by circuitry. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130162377 | CIRCUIT BREAKER - A molded case housing each part is configured of a case main body ( | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130162378 | POWER CIRCUIT BREAKER - A power circuit breaker is disclosed wherein an electric current is monitored by an electronic trip unit in order to detect an electrical fault. In an embodiment, a first magnetic device of the power circuit breaker, in the event of a fault being detected, is configured to be excited which, when it is excited, trips a trip mechanism via a plunger. As a result of tripping, the trip mechanism disconnects two contacts via which the current flows. The power circuit breaker of an embodiment includes a second magnetic device which is likewise able to be excited by the ETU and by which the trip mechanism is likewise able to be tripped. | 06-27-2013 |
| 20130187735 | ELECTRICAL SWITCH - An electrical switch, in particular an electrical circuit breaker, is disclosed including an overcurrent trip device which cuts off the flow of current through the switch in the event of an overcurrent situation. In at least one embodiment, a partial current of the current flowing through the electrical switch flows through a tripping arrangement of the overcurrent trip device and at least one further partial current of the current flowing through the electrical switch is conducted past the tripping arrangement. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130241676 | CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE AND TRIP UNIT FOR USE WITH A CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE - A trip unit for use with a circuit protection device including a trip mechanism includes a support bracket and a magnet member coupled to the support bracket. The magnet member is configured to emit a magnetic field when a current is transmitted through the trip mechanism. The magnet member includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a rear portion coupled between the first side portion and the second side portion. The trip unit also includes a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the support bracket. The pivot arm includes a first end, a second end, and a curved portion coupled to the first end and the second end. The pivot arm is configured to pivot towards the magnet member to cause the trip mechanism to interrupt the current when the current exceeds a first threshold. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130241677 | Compact Latching Mechanism for Switched Electrical Device - A resettable switching apparatus, useful in a GFCI receptacle, has a space-efficient coaxial configuration in which a mechanical latching arrangement for resetting (i.e., closing) main switch contacts is disposed inside the trip solenoid. A movable carriage for the main contacts spans one end of the solenoid and has a latching portion in the solenoid that engages the inner end of a reset plunger in two sequential states (i.e., unlatched and latched). An electrical miswire feature is included to prevent the device from being reset until the AC power is properly connected to the device and inadvertent failure of the miswire feature due, for example, to dropping the device prior to installation is avoided. Also, an enhanced self-test, or auto-monitoring, feature is provided that is more robust than that which has been previously disclosed. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130241678 | Reinstallable Circuit Interrupting Device with Vibration Resistant Miswire Protection - A GFCI device includes a latch assembly provided with a rigid electrically conducting bar connected thereto such that when a user presses a reset button the latch assembly is moved toward a pair of contacts provided as part of a reset circuit to initiate a reset operation. When the electrically conducting bar on the latch assembly connects the pair of contacts, the reset circuit is closed and an actuator is activated to place the GFCI device in the latched, reset, condition. If the GFCI device is correctly wired, the latch assembly enters the latched state. If the device is not properly wired no power is provided to the actuator and the device remains in the tripped, or open, state. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20140002215 | ELECTRICAL CONTACT APPARATUS, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF OPERATION | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140043116 | Switch Linkage Mechanism and Large Current Breaker Switch Using The Same - A switch linkage mechanism includes a self-holding solenoid, at least a linkage shaft, at least a twist bar and at least a copper strip set. When the twist bar is at a circuit-closed position, the copper strip set is electrically connected to the high-current circuit breaker. When a self-holding solenoid is activated to pull up a central axle of the self-holding solenoid, the central axle pulls a joint of the linkage shaft and the central axle, and then it pushes the twist bar to be rotated to an circuit-opened position, so that the twist bar stretches out the copper strip set to cause the switch linkage mechanism to be electrically disconnected from the large-current circuit breaker. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140347149 | Air Circuit Breaker Coil Adapter - Air circuit breaker coil adapter for adapting an air circuit breaker, comprises: a coil unit housing for releasably receiving an air circuit breaker coil unit, the coil unit housing having a coil retainer element for preventing or limiting upward movement of an air circuit breaker coil unit therein; a locator at a bottom end of the coil unit housing for positively locating the coil unit housing in a plunger aperture of an air circuit breaker housing, the locator having a plunger aperture therethrough by which an interior of the coil unit housing is in-use communicable with an interior of the air circuit breaker housing; and a housing retainer element for at least in part preventing or limiting vertical displacement of the coil unit housing. An air circuit breaker using such an adapter and a method of adapting an air circuit breaker are also provided. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150084721 | LINE PROTECTION SWITCH - The invention relates to a line protection switch ( | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150109078 | DIRECT CURRENT SENSING CIRCUIT AND CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER INCLUDING THE SAME - A circuit for sensing a direct current includes a first resistance and a second resistance. A first portion of the direct current flows through the first resistance and a second portion of the direct current flows through the second resistance. The circuit further includes a current sensor having an opening, first and second conductors inductively coupled with the current sensor, and a switching circuit having a pair of switches structured to alternatingly switch in order that the second portion of the direct current alternatingly flows through the first and second conductors. The second portion of the direct current flowing through the first conductor passes through the opening of the current sensor in a first direction and the second portion of the direct current flowing through the second conductor passes through the opening of the current sensor in a second direction opposite to the first direction. | 04-23-2015 |
| 20160005555 | LOW MOVEMENT TRIP AND INTEGRATED SIGNAL FLAG FOR MINIATURE CIRCUIT BREAKERS - A circuit breaker includes a trip mechanism having reduced trip movement and an integrated signal flag. The trip mechanism includes a spring-biased trip lever and a latching member for keeping the trip lever in an on or latched position. Upon occurrence of an abnormal current condition, the latching member is moved away from the trip lever to trip the trip mechanism. The latching member also has a catch mechanism designed to catch the trip lever after it is released, thereby halting further progress of both the trip lever and the latching member. As a result, less space is needed within the circuit breaker for trip movement compared to existing solutions. Moreover, the location of the catch mechanism on the latching member is selected such that the halting of the latching member places the integrated signal flag in an optimal viewing position within a viewing window. | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160196944 | ELECTRICAL CONTACT APPARATUS, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS OF OPERATION | 07-07-2016 |
| 20160379789 | Circuit Breaker with Current Limiting and High Speed Fault Capability - A circuit breaker arraignment including at least two trip mechanisms the first trip mechanism acting to immediately trip to open contacts of the circuit breaker upon reaching a first threshold current level, and the second trip mechanism acting to trip to open the contacts once both a second current threshold is reached and a time delay has elapsed, the contacts moved by a linkage assembly that is held under mechanical advantage such that when acted on by one of the two trip mechanisms, the mechanical advantage is released to rapidly open the contacts. | 12-29-2016 |
