Circuit breaker and method for operating a circuit breaker
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorGeorg Reidt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A circuit breaker and method for operating a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a first and a second breaker terminal, a bimetal strip, a first conduction line, a switch with a first and a second contact, a triggering device mechanically coupling the bimetal strip to the switch, a magnet and a detection device comprising a magnetic field sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnet. The first conduction line is electrically coupled to the first breaker terminal and to the first contact and is wound around the bimetal strip. The magnet is connected to at least one of the bimetal strip, the triggering device and the switch.
Claims15
A circuit breaker, the circuit breaker comprising:
- a first and a second breaker terminal;
- a bimetal strip;
- a first conduction line;
- a switch comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein the first conduction line is electrically coupled to the first breaker terminal and to the first contact of the switch;
- a triggering device mechanically coupling the bimetal strip to the switch;
- a magnet connected to at least one of the bimetal strip, the triggering device, or the switch;
- a detection device comprising a magnetic field sensor configured to detect a magnetic field of the magnet and a control circuit connected to the magnetic field sensor;
- a first housing, which at least encloses the bimetal strip, the first conduction line, the switch, the triggering device and the magnet, wherein the first conduction line is wound around the bimetal strip;
- and
- a second housing which at least encloses the detection device,
- wherein the magnetic field sensor is outside of the first housing and is configured to detect a movement of the magnet inside the first housing.
A method for operating a circuit breaker, the method comprising:
- flowing a current from a first breaker terminal to a second breaker terminal via a first conduction line and a switch;
- heating a bimetal strip via the first conduction-line, wherein the bimetal strip is mechanically coupled to the switch via a triggering device;
- moving a magnet as a function of the heat provided to the bimetal strip, wherein the magnet is connected to at least one of the bimetal strip, the triggering device, or the switch;
- and
- detecting a magnetic field of the magnet by a detection device comprising a magnetic field sensor and a control circuit connected to the magnetic field sensor,
- wherein the circuit breaker comprises a first housing, which at least encloses the bimetal strip, the first conduction line, the switch, the triggering device, and the magnet,
- wherein the first conduction line is wound around the bimetal strip,
- wherein the circuit breaker further comprises a second housing which at least encloses the detection device, and
- wherein the magnetic field sensor is outside of the first housing and is configured to detect a movement of the magnet inside the first housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.