IP Library Granted Patent US 8,704,114
Granted Patent B2
US 8,704,114 · App. 13/101,526 · Granted Apr 22, 2014

Interlocked circuit breakers

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,704,114
App. No.
13/101,526
Granted
Apr 22, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A single module circuit breaker housing includes a first circuit breaker, wherein the first circuit breaker includes a first shaft assembly and a first contact mechanism coupled to the first shaft assembly, a second circuit breaker, wherein the second circuit breaker includes a second shaft assembly and a second contact mechanism coupled to the second shaft assembly, a first linkage coupled to the first shaft assembly and the second contact mechanism, and a second linkage coupled to the second shaft assembly and the first contact mechanism.

Claims (28)

1. A single module circuit breaker housing, comprising:

a first circuit breaker disposed within the single module circuit breaker housing, wherein the first circuit breaker includes a first shaft assembly, a first contact mechanism coupled to the first shaft assembly, and contacts within the first contact mechanism arranged to be forced open by an over-current condition;

a second circuit breaker disposed within the single module circuit breaker housing, wherein the second circuit breaker includes a second shaft assembly, a second contact mechanism coupled to the second shaft assembly, and contacts within the second contact mechanism arranged to be forced open by an over-current condition;

a first linkage coupled to the first shaft assembly and the second contact mechanism, the first linkage disposed within the single module circuit breaker housing; and

a second linkage coupled to the second shaft assembly and the first contact mechanism, the second linkage disposed within the single module circuit breaker housing;

wherein the single module circuit breaker housing encloses a space, the first circuit breaker, second circuit breaker, first linkage, and second linkage configured to share the space enclosed by the single module circuit breaker housing, the single module circuit breaker housing configured to be arranged as a single module circuit breaker, and the single module circuit breaker housing with the first and second circuit breakers interlocked within the single module circuit breaker housing configured to be arranged as a unit on a backboard; and

the first circuit breaker further includes a first trip unit configured to trip the first contact mechanism; and

the second circuit breaker further includes a second trip unit in electrical communication with the first trip unit, and configured to trip the second contact mechanism.

2. The housing of claim 1 , wherein if the first circuit breaker is in a closed position, the second contact mechanism is disabled.

3. The housing of claim 1 , wherein if the second circuit breaker is in a closed position, the first contact mechanism is disabled.

4. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first linkage is configured to mechanically disable the second contact mechanism.

5. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the second linkage is configured to mechanically disable the first contact mechanism.

6. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first linkage is coupled to the second linkage to form a pivot mechanism between the first shaft assembly, the second shaft assembly, the first contact mechanism, and the second contact mechanism, the pivot mechanism disposed within the single module circuit breaker housing.

7. The housing of claim 1 , wherein:

the first circuit breaker further includes a first shunt trip portion in electrical communication with the second circuit breaker; and

the second circuit breaker further includes a second shunt trip portion in electrical communication with the first circuit breaker.

8. The housing of claim 7 , wherein the first shunt trip portion is configured to electrically disable the second shunt trip portion.

9. The housing of claim 7 , wherein the second shunt trip portion is configured to electrically disable the first shunt trip portion.

10. The housing of claim 1 , wherein:

the first circuit breaker further includes a first close coil portion in electrical communication with the second circuit breaker; and

the second circuit breaker further includes a second close coil portion in electrical communication with the first circuit breaker.

11. The housing of claim 10 , wherein the first close coil portion is configured to electrically disable the second close coil portion.

12. The housing of claim 10 , wherein the second close coil portion is configured to electrically disable the first close coil portion.

13. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first trip unit is configured to override the second trip unit.

14. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the second trip unit is configured to override the first trip unit.

15. The housing of claim 1 , further comprising a third linkage coupled to the first linkage and the second linkage, wherein a portion of the third linkage extends exteriorly of the single module circuit breaker housing.

16. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first and second linkages are disposed entirely within the single module circuit breaker housing.

17. The housing of claim 1 , wherein the first shaft assembly, first contact mechanism, second shaft assembly, and second contact mechanism are disposed within the single module circuit breaker housing.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 18, 2021
From: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
To: ABB S.P.A.
Reel/Frame 058878/0740 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2020
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
Reel/Frame 052431/0538 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2011
From: MEYER-HAACK, WOLFGANG
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 026231/0574 →