# US 8,542,084 B1 · Circuit protection device and trip unit for use with a circuit protection device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,084 B1 - Document ID: US8542084B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/419,280 - Filed: 2012-03-13 - Published: 2013-09-19 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-13 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: Yatin Vilas Newase; Girish Hassan Mruthunjaya; Hemant Kirit Anjaria; Praneeth Kumar Madamshetty - Inventors: Yatin Vilas Newase; Girish Hassan Mruthunjaya; Hemant Kirit Anjaria; Praneeth Kumar Madamshetty - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542084B1 ## CPC - H01H 71/2472: {with rotatable armatures} - H01H 71/40: Combined electrothermal and electromagnetic mechanisms - 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 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A trip unit for use with a circuit protection device including a trip mechanism, said trip unit comprising: a support bracket comprising: a mounting portion; a retention portion coupled substantially perpendicularly to said mounting portion; and a pivot area positioned at an intersection of said mounting portion and said retention portion; a magnet member coupled to said support bracket and configured to emit a magnetic field when a current is transmitted through the trip mechanism, said magnet member comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and a rear portion coupled between said first side portion and said second side portion; and a pivot arm pivotally coupled to said support bracket, said pivot arm comprising: a first end; a second end positioned substantially perpendicular to said first end; a curved portion coupled to said first end and said second end, wherein said pivot arm is configured to pivot towards said magnet member to cause the trip mechanism to interrupt the current when the current exceeds a first threshold; and a pivot edge configured to be positioned in contact with said pivot area to enable said pivot arm to pivot through at least a portion of said pivot area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A trip unit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a deflection bar coupled to said magnet member and configured to cause the trip mechanism to interrupt the current when the current exceeds a second threshold for a predetermined amount of time. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A trip unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said magnet member comprises a curved portion having a shape that substantially conforms to a shape of said curved portion of said pivot arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A trip unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said magnet member comprises an alignment cavity configured to receive at least a portion of said support bracket. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A trip unit in accordance with claim 4, wherein said support bracket comprises an alignment member that protrudes from a surface of said support bracket, wherein said alignment member is configured to be received within said alignment cavity when said magnet member is coupled to said support bracket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A trip unit in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a biasing member coupled to said support bracket and to said pivot arm, said biasing member configured to bias said pivot arm away from said magnet member if the current does not exceed the first threshold. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A trip unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pivot edge is substantially wedge shaped. ### Claim 8 A circuit protection device comprising: an input terminal configured to receive a current; an output terminal configured to be electrically connected to said input terminal and to transmit the current to at least one load when said output terminal is electrically connected to said input terminal; a trip mechanism configured to electrically disconnect said input terminal from said output terminal; a trip bar coupled to said trip mechanism and configured to operate said trip mechanism; and a trip unit positioned about said trip bar and comprising: a support bracket comprising: a mounting portion; a retention portion coupled substantially perpendicularly to said mounting portion; and a pivot area positioned at an intersection of said mounting portion and said retention portion; a magnet member coupled to said support bracket and configured to: receive the current from said input terminal; and emit a magnetic field based on the current received; and a pivot arm pivotally coupled to said support bracket, said pivot arm comprising: a first end; a second end positioned substantially perpendicular to said first end; a curved portion coupled to said first end and said second end, wherein said pivot arm is configured to pivot towards said magnet member to cause said trip bar to operate said trip mechanism to interrupt the current when the current exceeds a first threshold; and a pivot edge configured to be positioned in contact with said pivot area to enable said pivot arm to pivot through at least a portion of said pivot area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A circuit protection device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a deflection bar coupled to said magnet member and configured to cause said trip mechanism to interrupt the current when the current exceeds a second threshold for a predetermined amount of time. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A circuit protection device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said magnet member comprises a curved portion having a shape that substantially conforms to a shape of said curved portion of said pivot arm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A circuit protection device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said magnet member comprises an alignment cavity configured to receive at least a portion of said support bracket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A circuit protection device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said support bracket comprises an alignment member that protrudes from a surface of said support bracket, wherein said alignment member is configured to be received within said alignment cavity when said magnet member is coupled to said support bracket. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A circuit protection device in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a biasing member coupled to said support bracket and to said pivot arm, said biasing member configured to bias said pivot arm away from said magnet member if the current does not exceed the first threshold. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A circuit protection device in accordance with claim 8, wherein said pivot edge is substantially wedge shaped.