Abstract:
A solenoid assembly including, in order, a circuit breaker side plate, a solenoid, a clamp bracket, and a bridge diode rectifier assembly, all which mechanically and electrically and engage into a precise configuration.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for a solenoid system, and more particularly, pertains to a mechanical and electrical package of a circuit breaker side plate, a solenoid, a clamp bracket, and a bridge diode rectifier assembly within the clamp bracket. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Prior art solenoid systems have been a collection of components which do not realistically mechanically engage with each other and consist of components which are placed together in a kluge configuration. 
     The present invention overcomes disadvantages of prior art solenoid systems by providing a compact mechanical and electrical configuration of a circuit breaker side plate, a solenoid, a clamp bracket, and a bridge diode rectifier assembly within the clamp bracket. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a solenoid system which is mechanically and electrically compact. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided, in order, a circuit breaker side plate, a solenoid, a clamp bracket over the solenoid, and a bridge diode rectifier assembly within an enclosure of the clamp bracket. 
     Significant aspects and features of the present invention include a solenoid system which is mechanically and electrically compact and efficient. 
     Having thus described embodiments of the present invention, it is one object of the present invention to provide a solenoid system. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the solenoid system, the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the solenoid system; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a bridge diode rectifier assembly; and, 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the solenoid. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a solenoid system  10 , including a circuit breaker side plate  12 , a solenoid  14 , and a clamp bracket  16  including mounting tabs  18  and  20  with holes  22  and  24 . A cover  48 , illustrated in FIG. 1, extends over the four walls  49   a - 49   d  of the clamp bracket  16  illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the solenoid system  10 . A geometrically configured clamp bracket  16  includes walls  49   a - 49   d  defining a greater part of an enclosure  17  for the containment of and the mounting of a bridge diode rectifier assembly  58  and also includes a body  21  which is yoke-shaped and which conforms to the outer circumference of the solenoid  14 . The clamp bracket  16  secures over and about the solenoid  14  to fasten the solenoid  14  to the circuit breaker side plate  12 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Terminal indentations  28  and  30  are located on the top edge of wall  49   d  for passage of the terminals  32  and  34  beneath cover  48  (FIG. 1) and from the interior of the enclosure  17 . Terminals  32  and  34 , diode solder terminals  36  and  38 , diodes  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46 , and other members, as illustrated in FIG. 3, comprise the bridge diode rectifier assembly  58 . A geometrically configured hole  26  located adjacent to wall  49   d  and in the bottom surface  25  of the enclosure  17  accommodates wires  52  and  54 , shown in FIG.  4 . The cover  48  is not illustrated in FIG. 2 for purposes of clarity. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the bridge diode rectifier assembly  58 , where all numerals mentioned previously correspond to those elements previously described. Terminals  32  and  34  also extend downwardly and then outwardly, such as shown by downwardly directed extensions  32   a  and  34   a  and by outwardly directed extensions  32   b  and  34   b  extending from the downwardly directed extensions  32   a  and  34   a . The outwardly directed extensions  32   b  and  34   b  are utilized for mounting and soldered electrical connection with the respective outboard planar connection tab leads  64   a - 64   n  of the diode pair  40  and  42  and diode pair  44  and  46 , respectively. Pad  60  aligns between and connects diodes  40  and  46 , and pad  62  aligns between and connects diodes  42  and  44 . Respectively, inboard planar connection tab leads  64   a - 64   n  extend from the diode pair  40  and  46  and the diode pair  42  and  44  to the pads  60  and  62  for mounting of and for soldered electrical connection of the diodes  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46 . Pads  60  and  62  have solder terminals  36  and  38 , respectively, for direct current connection, extending vertically therefrom, and are utilized for mounting and electrical connection with the respective inboard planar connection tab leads  64   a - 64   n  connected to the inboard sides of the diodes  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46 . Solder terminals  36  and  38  connect to the wires  52  and  54  of the solenoid  14 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view of the solenoid system  10  without the clamp bracket  16  or the circuit breaker side plate  12 . Illustrated in particular is hole  56  and wires  52  and  54  extending through the hole  56 . 
     MODE OF OPERATION 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the mode of operation is now described. The solenoid system  10  is uniquely configured to mechanically engage with respect to the components. The circuit breaker side plate  12  is a standard component supplied by a manufacturer, such as General Electric. The solenoid  14  is designed to engage into the circuit breaker side plate  12  with the two wires  52  and  54  extending up through the hole  56  in the solenoid  14  and through the geometrically configured hole  26  in the bottom surface  25  of the enclosure  17  and connected to the rectified direct current output of the diodes  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  at solder terminals  36  and  38 . The clamp bracket  16  is configured with a downwardly extending portion (not shown) which extends from the configured hole  26  to engage the hole  56  of the metal casing of the solenoid  14 . The mounting tabs  18  and  20  are geometrically designed to engage holes in the circuit breaker side plate  12  for easy securement by bolts or screws. The clamp bracket  16  includes terminal indentations  28  and  30  in the wall  49   d  to receive the bridge diode rectifier assembly  58  supported by two terminals  32  and  34  and with diode solder terminals  36  and  38  between opposing diodes  40  and  46  and opposing diodes  42  and  44 . Alternating electrical power connects to the terminals  32  and  34  of the bridge diode rectifier assembly  58  which rectifies the AC to DC which connects to and operates the solenoid  14 . This combination of elements provides a uniquely packaged mechanical and electrical solenoid assembly. 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.