# US 2023/0274902 A1 · Circuit breaker handle indication using opto-mechanical design > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0274902 A1 - Document ID: US20230274902A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/143,936 - Filed: 2023-05-05 - Published: 2023-08-31 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-22 - Assignees: Schneider Electric USA, Inc. - Applicants: Schneider Electric USA, Inc. - Inventors: Chad R. Mittelstadt - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230274902A1 ## CPC - H01H 71/04: Means for indicating condition of the switching device {(by means of an auxiliary contact H01H71/46)} - H01H 71/52: actuated by lever - H01H 2071/042: {with different indications for different conditions, e.g. contact position, overload, short circuit or earth leakage} - H01H 2071/048: {containing non-mechanical switch position sensor, e.g. HALL sensor} - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) ## Abstract A circuit breaker can include a light source, an optical sensor, a handle and a processor. The handle can be movable between different handle positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses. The handle can include a handle body and a light control plate which moves along with the handle body. The light control plate can have different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions. Each of the different light passage regions allows a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the sensor when positioned between the light source and the sensor. The processor is configured to determine a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of monitoring a status of a circuit breaker having a handle movable between different positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses, the handle including a handle body and a light control plate, the method comprising: sensing, via an optical sensor, an amount of light from a light source passing through the light control plate which is movable with a handle of the circuit breaker, the light control plate having different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions, each of the different light passage regions allowing a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the optical sensor when positioned between the light source and the optical sensor; and determining a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the light control plate extends from the handle body, the circuit breaker further comprising: an interior wall having opposing sides and a guide channel extending through the opposing first and second sides, the light control plate having a portion extending through the guide channel from the first side of the wall facing the handle body and being movable along the guide channel with movement of the handle, the optical sensor and the light source being connected on opposite sides of the guide channel on the second side of the wall. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the different light passage regions each include a slot, the slots of the at least two different light passage regions having different sizes or shapes to allow passage of different amounts of light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein one of the different light passage regions comprises a solid region to prevent light emitted from the light source from passing to the optical sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the different light passage regions run along an open-end of the light control plate and form a ramp-shape profile, which allows or blocks passage of more or less light from the light source to the optical sensor as the light control plate is moved along the guide channel in one direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the different light passage regions run along an end of the light control plate and form a step-shape profile, which allows or blocks passage of more or less light from the light source to the optical sensor as the light control plate is moved along the guide channel in one direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein each of the different light passage regions comprises a different step of the step-shape profile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the guide channel and the light control plate have an arcuate shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the determined status to a remote device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the status comprises one of an open position, a closed position or a tripped position, or wherein the status comprises a diagnostic status of the circuit breaker based on the position of the handle. ### Claim 11 A tangible computer medium storing computer executable code, which when executed by one or more processors, is configured to implement a method of monitoring a status of a circuit breaker having a handle movable between different positions which correspond to different circuit breaker statuses, the handle including a handle body and a light control plate, the method comprising: sensing, via an optical sensor, an amount of light from a light source passing through the light control plate which is movable with a handle of the circuit breaker, the light control plate having different light passage regions each of which is configured to be positioned between the light source and the optical sensor when the handle is moved to a corresponding one of the different handle positions, each of the different light passage regions allowing a different amount of light emitted from the light source to pass to the optical sensor when positioned between the light source and the optical sensor; and determining a status of the circuit breaker based on the sensed amount of light which relates to a position of the handle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein the light control plate extends from the handle body, the circuit breaker further comprising: an interior wall having opposing sides and a guide channel extending through the opposing first and second sides, the light control plate having a portion extending through the guide channel from the first side of the wall facing the handle body and being movable along the guide channel with movement of the handle, the optical sensor and the light source being connected on opposite sides of the guide channel on the second side of the wall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein at least two of the different light passage regions each include a slot, the slots of the at least two different light passage regions having different sizes or shapes to allow passage of different amounts of light. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein one of the different light passage regions comprises a solid region to prevent light emitted from the light source from passing to the optical sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein the different light passage regions run along an open-end of the light control plate and form a ramp-shape profile, which allows or blocks passage of more or less light from the light source to the optical sensor as the light control plate is moved along the guide channel in one direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein the different light passage regions run along an end of the light control plate and form a step-shape profile, which allows or blocks passage of more or less light from the light source to the optical sensor as the light control plate is moved along the guide channel in one direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The computer medium of claim 16, wherein each of the different light passage regions comprises a different step of the step-shape profile. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein the guide channel and the light control plate have an arcuate shape. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises: transmitting the determined status to a remote device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The computer medium of claim 11, wherein the status comprises one of an open position, a closed position or a tripped position, or wherein the status comprises a diagnostic status of the circuit breaker based on the position of the handle.