Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080309438 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED SWITCHING - A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry and a current path integrally arranged with the control circuitry. The current path includes a set of conduction interfaces and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed between the set of conduction interfaces. The set of conduction interfaces have geometry of a defined fuse terminal geometry and include a first interface disposed at one end of the current path and a second interface disposed at an opposite end of the current path. The MEMS switch is responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310056 | REMOTE-OPERABLE MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION APPARATUS - The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310057 | MEMS BASED MOTOR STARTER WITH MOTOR FAILURE DETECTION - A motor starter is disclosed. The motor starter includes control circuitry integrally arranged with at least one current path and a processor included in the control circuitry. The motor starter further includes at least one processor algorithm residing on the processor, the at least one processor algorithm containing instructions to monitor characteristics of current on the at least one current path and to provide data pertaining to a condition of the at least one current path. The motor starter further includes a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the at least one current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the control of an electrical current, passing through the at least one current path. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310062 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED SELECTIVELY COORDINATED PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION - Electrical distribution systems implementing micro-electromechanical system based switching devices. Exemplary embodiments include a method in an electrical distribution system, the method including determining if there is a fault condition in a branch of the electrical distribution system, the branch having a plurality of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switches, re-closing a MEMS switch of the plurality of MEMS switches, which is furthest upstream in the branch and determining if the fault condition is still present. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical distribution system, including an input port for receiving a source of power, a main distribution bus electrically coupled to the input port, a service disconnect MEMS switch disposed between and coupled to the input port and the main distribution bus and a plurality of electrical distribution branches electrically coupled to the main distribution bus. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316664 | RESETTABLE MEMS MICRO-SWITCH ARRAY BASED ON CURRENT LIMITING APPARATUS - The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system, devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip. | 12-25-2008 |
20090021879 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FAULT CURRENT INTERRUPTION - A circuit interrupter method for interrupting a flow of current, including: providing a controller for determining the presence of predetermined current in the circuit, the predetermined current value stored in the controller; providing a circuit breaker comprising a trip mechanism for receiving trip signal, a current transformer for providing output proportional to predetermined current in the circuit, a switch for interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, a control input for receipt of an operating signal by the trip mechanism, and proximate and distal connectors connecting the circuit breaker to a source and a circuit, respectively; determining, by the controller, the presence of a current in the circuit; receiving a trip signal at the circuit breaker from the controller, and interrupting the flow of current in the circuit, when the current in the circuit is determined by the controller to be a predetermined current. | 01-22-2009 |
20090308845 | ARC CONTAINMENT DEVICE AND METHOD - An arc containment device is presented. The arc containment device includes a shock shield further having a multiple apertures for escape of gas, the shock shield configured to surround an arc source. The device further comprises an inner enclosure having a multiple openings generally aligned with the multiple apertures, the inner enclosure configured to provide an electrical insulation base for the arc source. An outer enclosure disposed is provided around the inner enclosure, the outer enclosure configured to direct the gas to the environment outside the device. | 12-17-2009 |
20100065406 | INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ROTARY DISCONNECT SWITCHES - Disclosed herein is an interlock system in combination with an enclosure, including: the enclosure having a base and a door that define an interior; a rotary handle attached to the door; a disconnect switch disposed in the interior of the enclosure and including a shaft extending toward an exterior of the enclosure in a direction toward the door; a first interlocking member attached to the door and extending toward an interior of the enclosure; and a second interlocking member attached to the shaft. The handle is configured to engage the shaft when the door is closed and rotate the shaft to move the disconnect switch between an on position and an off position. The second interlocking member is configured to engage and interlock with the first interlocking member when the door is closed and the disconnect switch is in the on position. | 03-18-2010 |
20120057263 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARC FLASH EVENTS USING LIGHT AND TIME DISCRIMINATOIN - A power equipment protection system includes a circuit breaker, a current sensor configured to measure a current through a circuit, a light sensor configured to detect a light event, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the light sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the light event originated from operation of the circuit breaker. | 03-08-2012 |
20120063036 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR CIRCUIT PROTECTION WITHIN AN EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE - An arc transfer device for use in a switchgear includes at least one first electrical connector configured to connect the arc transfer device to a voltage supply within the switchgear, and a racking cassette. The racking cassette includes at least one second electrical connector that is configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one first electrical connector based on the racking position of the arc transfer device. | 03-15-2012 |
20120068602 | ELECTRODE AND PLASMA GUN CONFIGURATION FOR USE WITH A CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE - A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to emit an ablative plasma along an axis, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of a circuit and is arranged substantially along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis such that each electrode is positioned substantially equidistant from the axis. | 03-22-2012 |
20120069477 | ADJUSTABLE ARC ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING - A circuit protection device for use with a circuit that includes at least one conductor includes at least one phase electrode assembly that is electrically coupled to the at least one conductor, wherein the at least one phase electrode assembly comprising an adjustable electrode assembly. The circuit protection device also includes a conductor base comprising at least one isolation area sized to secure the adjustable electrode assembly therein, and a conductor cover coupled to the conductor base and including at least one isolation channel, wherein the adjustable electrode assembly extends at least partially through the at least one isolation channel. | 03-22-2012 |
20130300566 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTION SYSTEM ACTIVATION AND DYNAMIC LABELING - Methods, devices, and systems for activation of a protection system and dynamic labeling are described. An example system for use with a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled to a switchgear unit includes a first sensor for detecting a body located within a first zone associated with a threshold distance from the switchgear unit, and a controller coupled to the first sensor. The controller is configured to selectively enable the plurality of circuit protection devices. The controller is configured to enable a first circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices in response to detecting, via the first sensor, a body within the first zone. | 11-14-2013 |