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:
Mar. 12, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2000
Jerome Kenneth Hastings, Sussex, WI (US);
Karen Sjaarda Bland, Milwaukee, WI (US);
James Edward Hansen, Oak Creek, WI (US);
Scott Anderson Reid, Brookfield, WI (US);
David James Gritter, Wauwatosa, WI (US);
Edward Louis Wellner, Colgate, WI (US);
Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Milwaukee, WI (US);
William Edward Berkopec, Wauwatosa, WI (US);
Birger Pahl, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Thomas Edward Strunsee, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, OH (US);
Abstract
Electrical equipment is safeguarded from damage due to faults by a circuit that provides several levels of protection. A semiconductor switch and a current sensor are placed in series with the electrical equipment. When the current to the equipment exceeds a first threshold for a predefined period of time, the semiconductor switch is rendered non-conductive until the circuit is specifically reset. When the current to the equipment exceeds a greater second threshold, a pulsed signal alternately places the semiconductor switch in conductive and non-conductive states so that the average current applied to the equipment is within an acceptable level. Should the current exceed an even greater third threshold, the semiconductor switch is immediately rendered non-conductive until the circuit is manually reset.