The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 01, 1980
Filed:
Nov. 23, 1977
Joseph J Matsko, Beaver, PA (US);
Robert H Hill, South Beaver, PA (US);
Paul Skalka, Beaver, PA (US);
Alfred E Maier, Beaver Falls, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A circuit interrupter includes an interchangeable trip unit removably disposed in the circuit interrupter housing and connected between a current transformer and a trip mechanism. The trip unit contains electronic circuitry for activating the trip mechanism to open the contacts upon detection of overload current therethrough and includes rejection means provided to ensure that only a trip unit having circuitry compatible with the electrical characteristics of the circuit interrupter can be inserted into the housing. The rejection means comprise a plurality of pins mounted within the housing and extending into the recess to be occupied by the trip unit. The pins are arranged in a pattern unique to all circuit interrupters having identical electrical characteristics. A pattern of holes is provided in the enclosure of the trip unit, the hole pattern being unique to trip units having identical electrical characteristics. The pin pattern and hole pattern of compatible circuit interrupters and trip units, respectively, are identical, permitting such compatible trip units to receive all rejection pins of compatible circuit interrupters such that said compatible trip units can be completely inserted into the recess of the circuit interrupter housing. Interlock means are provided such that the circuit breaker mechanism is disposed in a trip free condition preventing closure of the contacts unless a trip unit is completely inserted into the circuit interrupter housing recess.