초록 ▼

A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts, an operating mechanism, a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism, and a co

A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts, an operating mechanism, a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism, and a control circuit in operable communication with the main contacts. The drive system includes a motor, and a primary drive responsive to the motor and in operable communication to open and close the main contacts. The control circuit indicates a closed main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being closed, and an open main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being held open via the drive system.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller, the circuit breaker comprising: a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load; an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main

What is claimed is: 1. A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller, the circuit breaker comprising: a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load; an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts; a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism, the drive system comprising a motor responsive to first and second control signals, and a primary drive responsive to the motor and in operable communication to open and close the main contacts; and a control circuit in operable communication with the main contacts; wherein the control circuit has a first impedance in response to the main contacts being closed and a second different impedance in response to the main contacts being open; and wherein the control circuit indicates a closed main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being closed, and an open main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being held open via the drive system. 2. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the control circuit indicates an open main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an off position or a tripped position. 3. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is an analog circuit. 4. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises: an impedance network; and a switch in signal communication with the impedance network; wherein in response to the main contacts being closed, the switch has a first position thereby resulting in the impedance network having a first impedance, and in response to main contacts being open, the switch has a second position thereby resulting in the impedance network having a second different impedance. 5. The circuit breaker of claim 4, wherein: the impedance network comprises two resistors connected in series; and the switch is connected in parallel with one of the two resistors. 6. The circuit breaker of claim 4, wherein: the first impedance is greater than the second impedance. 7. The circuit breaker of claim 4, wherein: the impedance network and switch define a first circuit that is configured to receive a constant current from a constant current source. 8. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is in operable communication with the main contacts and the motor. 9. A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller, the circuit breaker comprising: a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load; an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts; a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism, the drive system comprising a motor responsive to first and second control signals, and a primary drive responsive to the motor and in operable communication to open and close the main contacts; and a control circuit having a dynamic braking circuit and being in operable communication with the main contacts and the motor; wherein the motor is configured to be turned on and off via a line control switch and a load control switch, and wherein the dynamic braking circuit is connected in series between the line and load control switches and configured to be inactive in response to the motor being turned on and active in response to the motor being turned off. 10. The circuit breaker of claim 9, wherein the dynamic braking circuit is configured to dissipate inertial energy of the motor in response to the motor being turned off, thereby resulting in a braking action of the motor. 11. The circuit breaker of claim 10, wherein the dynamic braking circuit comprises an energy dissipation path connected in parallel with the motor. 12. The circuit breaker of claim 11, wherein the energy dissipation path comprises an impedance connected in series with an electronic switch. 13. The circuit breaker of claim 12, wherein the impedance comprises a resistor. 14. The circuit breaker of claim 12, wherein in response to the motor being turned off but continuing to move, a back electromotive force generated at the motor terminals causes the electronic switch to turn on, thereby resulting in energy dissipation in the impedance and a braking action of the motor. 15. The circuit breaker of claim 12, wherein the electronic switch comprises a NPN transistor, a MOSFET, a Darlington-type transistor, or a SCR. 16. The circuit breaker of claim 12, wherein: the electronic switch comprises a transistor; and in response to the motor being turned off but continuing to move, and a back electromotive force being generated at the motor terminals, the braking circuit is configured to allow a voltage to build up at the base of the transistor and to disallow a voltage to build up at the emitter of the transistor, thereby allowing the transistor to turn on and a current to flow through the impedance, which results in the residual inertial energy of the motor being dissipated and a braking action of the motor. 17. The circuit breaker of claim 12, wherein: the electronic switch comprises a transistor; the impedance comprises a first impedance connected in series with the base of the transistor, and a second impedance connected in series with the collector of the transistor; and the first impedance is greater than the second impedance. 18. A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated by a controller, the circuit breaker comprising: a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load; an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts; a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism, the drive system comprising a motor responsive to first and second control signals, ad a primary drive responsive to the motor and in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, the motor being configured to be turned on and off via a line control switch and a load control switch; and a control circuit in operable communication with the main contacts and the motor, the control circuit comprising a dynamic braking circuit connected in series between the line and load control switches and configured to be inactive in response to the motor being turned on and active in response to the motor being turned off. 19. The circuit breaker of claim 18, wherein: the control circuit is further configured to indicate a closed main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being closed, and an open main contact state in response to the operating mechanism being in an on position and the main contacts being held open via the drive system. 20. The circuit breaker of claim 18, wherein: the dynamic braking circuit comprises an energy dissipation path connected in parallel with the motor, the energy dissipation path comprising an impedance connected in series with an electronic switch; and in response to the motor being turned off but continuing to move, a back electromotive force generated at the motor terminals causes the electronic switch to turn on, thereby resulting in dissipation of motor inertial energy in the impedance and a braking action of the motor.