Apparatus and method for controlling a circuit breaker trip device
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsSean Dwyer, Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Cecil Rivers, Jr., Sohaib Uddin Shaikh, Craig B. Williams
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a solenoid in a circuit breaker includes a control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition. The control circuit, in response to said activation signal, provides a first energizing signal to the solenoid for a first predetermined period, and cuts off the first energizing signal for a second predetermined period. The control circuit further provides a second energizing signal to the solenoid for a third predetermined period.
Claims16
An apparatus for controlling the operation of a solenoid in a circuit breaker, said apparatus comprising:
- a trip unit operative to issue a first activation signal in response to a first predetermined condition;
- a solenoid having a first predetermined energization current level, said solenoid configured to continuously conduct a second level of current, said second current level being less than said first predetermined energization current level;
- a control circuit configured to receive said activation signal;
- and
- wherein said control circuit is further configured to provide a first energizing signal to said solenoid for a first predetermined period of time and to thereafter cut off said first energizing signal for a second predetermined period of time;
- and to thereafter provide a second energizing signal to said solenoid for a third predetermined period of time, all in response to said activation signal.
A control system for a circuit breaker, said control system comprising:
- a switch operative to issue a first activation signal;
- a control circuit configured to receive said first activation signal;
- a solenoid having a first predetermined energization current level, said solenoid configured to continuously conduct a second level of current, said second current level being less than said first predetermined energization current level;
- and
- wherein said control circuit is further configured to provide a first energizing signal to said solenoid for a first predetermined period of time, and to thereafter cut off said first energizing signal for a second predetermined period of time;
- and to thereafter provide a second energizing signal to said solenoid for a third predetermined period of time, all in response to said activation signal.
A method for controlling the operation of a solenoid having a first predetermined energization current level, in a circuit breaker having circuit interrupting contacts whose separation is initiated by energizing of the solenoid, the method comprising:
- providing a second level of current to said solenoid, said second current level being less than said first predetermined energization current level;
- sensing an activation signal indicative of a predetermined condition;
- providing a first energizing signal to said solenoid;
- cutting off said first solenoid energizing signal after a first predetermined period of time, for a second predetermined period of time;
- providing a second solenoid activation signal to said solenoid after said second predetermined period;
- and
- maintaining said second solenoid activation signal for a third predetermined period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.