Patent ID: 7280337
Filing Date: 2007-10-09
Classification: H01H,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A controllable circuit breaker comprising: a housing; a first input adapted to receive an external close signal; a second input adapted to receive an external open signal; a third input adapted so receive a control voltage; a set of main contacts; an operating mechanism for opening and closing said set of main contacts; a set of secondary contacts connected in series with said set of main contacts; a latching solenoid including a plunger latchable to a first position which closes said set of secondary contacts and to a second position which opens said set of secondary contacts, a first coil which when energized operates said plunger to said first position and a second coil which when energized operates said plunger to said second position, said first and second coils having a common node which is electrically connected to said third input; a non-mechanical, electronic control circuit within said housing, said non-mechanical, electronic control circuit adapted to receive the external close and open signals from said first and second inputs and responsively energize said first and second coils, respectively, from said third input for a predetermined time; wherein said third input is adapted to receive as said control voltage a direct current control voltage; and wherein said non-mechanical, electronic control circuit comprises, for each of said first and second coils, a first resistor, a capacitor electrically connected in series with said first resistor, a zener diode electrically connected in series with said first resistor and said capacitor, a second resistor electrically connected in parallel with the series combination of said first resistor, said capacitor and said zener diode, a third resistor electrically connected in parallel with said zenar diode, a diode electrically connected in parallel with said first resistor, and a transistor adapted to switch current from one of said first and second coils to one of said first and second inputs, respectively, said transistor having an input electrically connected to said third resistor and said zener diode, said second resistor electrically connected between said third input and a corresponding one of said first and second inputs, said transistor being adapted to energize a corresponding one of said first and second coils for said predetermined time responsive to voltage across said zener diode resulting from current flowing through the series combination of said first resistor, said capacitor and said zener diode when a corresponding one of said external close and open signals is received.