CLIAMS:1. A thermo magnetic circuit breaker configured with a fault indicator, said circuit breaker comprising:
an indicator support;
a flag configured to slide within said indicator support, wherein said flag comprises a step;
a spring configured between said indicator support and said flag to make the flag slide and pop out of the indicator support when the flag is not restrained from movement; and
a shaft configured to rotate on occurrence of a fault, wherein said shaft is in engagement with the flag at the step and restrains the flag from popping out, and wherein rotation of the shaft disengages it from the flag, causing the flag to pop out.
2. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein said flag is pushed back to original position manually from its popped out position.
3. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein said shaft is a magnetic shaft of the thermo magnetic circuit breaker and is configured to rotate on occurrence of a short circuit fault.
4. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein said shaft is thermal shaft of the thermo magnetic circuit breaker and is configured to rotate on occurrence of an overload fault.
5. The circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein said circuit breaker further comprises a latch mechanism operatively coupled to said shaft and configured to trip the circuit breaker on said rotation of the shaft.
6. The circuit breaker of claim 5, wherein said latch mechanism is reset to original position after tripping to reset the circuit breaker.
7. The circuit breaker of claim 6, wherein said latch mechanism is prevented from resetting when said flag is in popped out position.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of low voltage power equipment. In particular, it relates to a fault indicator in molded case circuit breakers using thermal magnetic releases for overload and short circuit protection.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art
[0003] Circuit breakers are incorporated in a power supply circuit for protection against potential damage that may be caused to electrical circuit and connected load by potentially damaging occurrences such as but not limited to overload, short-circuit etc. Circuit breakers are designed to detect such potentially dangerous conditions and operate to disconnect the load automatically. After a fault has been diagnosed and rectified, circuit breaker can be reset and power supply circuit can resume its normal operations/ functioning.
[0004] The circuit breakers may be designed to carry a particular rated current for a period of time based on its duty cycle. If higher current (overload current) flows in the system for longer periods, then the system will not be able to dissipate the excess heat generated because of the overload and ultimately the system will break down. Therefore the circuit breakers are designed to trip if a current beyond a threshold value flows beyond a certain period of time. In case of short circuit resulting in current beyond the threshold, the system trips the circuit immediately.
[0005] The circuit breakers may function on electronic or thermo magnetic systems for detecting the short circuit/overload currents and causing the circuit breaker to trip. The thermo magnetic systems typically use electromagnetic coils to provide short circuit protection, and bimetal to provide overload protection.
[0006] Property of bimetals to deflection under high temperature is used in thermo magnetic release to protect the circuit from overload current. Typically a heater element is used that carries the current and provides necessary heat to bimetal. Alternatively the current may pass through the bimetal to cause direct heating. The bimetal in turn deflects and gives a signal to a thermal shaft to actuate a latch mechanism to cause the circuit breaker to trip.
[0007] For short circuit protection thermo magnetic systems typically use a fixed magnet and a moving magnet. A pre-determined air gap is maintained between the fixed and the moving magnet. During high currents such as those caused by a short circuit, the magnetic energy due to high current helps to overcome the pre-determined gap. The moving magnet in turn deflects and gives a signal to a magnetic shaft to actuate the latch mechanism to cause the circuit breaker to trip.
[0008] Thus, during any fault, overload or short circuit, the thermo magnetic release issues the break command and the circuit breaker trips to protect the connected device. After the fault is cleared the circuit breaker can be reset for normal operation. However the user does not come to know the cause i.e. short circuit or overload for the occurrence of fault. Hence it becomes difficult for the customer to clear the fault. In absence of any indication of fault, he may simply reset the circuit breaker attributing the tripping to an overload whereas the tripping might have taken place due to a short circuit. Such a scenario can lead to failure of the equipment and downstream devices connected to the circuit.
[0009] There is therefore a need for an indication in thermo magnetic circuit breakers that can indicate nature of fault i.e. overload fault or short circuit fault to the user so that he may attend to the situation accordingly. It would be additionally beneficial if user could be user could be prevented from resetting the circuit breaker immediately without attending to the fault.
[0010] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0011] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0012] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0013] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0014] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] An object of the present disclosure is to remove the short coming of the conventional thermo magnetic circuit breakers.
[0016] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an indication to user of the cause of occurrence of fault with each tripping of the thermo magnetic circuit breakers.
[0017] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that prevents user to reset the circuit breaker immediately after the tripping.
[0018] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that helps to quickly correct the fault in the power circuit.
[0019] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that prevents failure of equipment and downstream devices connected to the circuit.
[0020] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that reduces idle time of the equipment connected to the power circuit.

SUMMARY
[0021] Aspects of present disclosure relate to a thermo magnetic circuit breaker. In an aspect, the disclosure provides a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that incorporates a mechanism to indicate cause of occurrence of a fault that tripped the circuit breaker. In an aspect, the cause of occurrence of a fault can be a short circuit or an overload current.
[0022] In an embodiment, the indication means can be a flag configured to pop out every time a short circuit occurs. In an aspect, there is no indication when the tripping takes place due to overload current thus enabling the user to differentiate between the two occurrences and act accordingly to attend to the fault.
[0023] In an embodiment, the indication mechanism can comprise a flag and an indicator support within which the flag is held and is configured to slide so as to pop out. The magnetic shaft of the thermo magnetic circuit breaker holds the flag down in the indicator support against a spring load. When the magnetic shaft rotates due to a short circuit current to actuate the latching mechanism to trip the circuit breaker, it simultaneously releases the flag and makes it free to pop out under the force of the spring.
[0024] In an embodiment, the flag, the magnetic shaft and the latching mechanism are configured to prevent resetting of the circuit breaker in popped out position of the flag. Latching system permits the circuit breaker mechanism to be reset only after the flag has been brought back to its original position manually. Thus the user is prevented from resetting the circuit breaker immediately and in an aspect, prompted to look for fault and remedy them before resuming the operation.
[0025] In an embodiment, the occurrence of overload current fault does not result in any indication and user can reset the circuit breaker immediately. In an aspect the configuration of indication for occurrence of the two types of faults is in accordance with their nature and seriousness wherein the short circuit faults are more severe than overload faults and need to be specifically indicated to the user and acknowledged by him by resetting the flag.
[0026] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a typical thermal magnetic release system of a thermo magnetic circuit breaker in accordance with prior art.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary isometric view of a modular thermal magnetic release system configured with a flag in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a thermal magnetic release system configured with fault occurrence indicator in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary isometric view of the fault indicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary schematic view of a thermal magnetic release system configured with fault occurrence indicator with flag in popped out position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0036] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0037] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0038] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a thermo magnetic circuit breaker. In an aspect the disclosure provides a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that incorporates a mechanism to indicate cause of occurrence of a fault that tripped the circuit breaker. In an aspect the cause of occurrence of a fault can be a short circuit or an overload current.
[0039] In an embodiment, a flag can be configured to pop out every time a short circuit fault occurs. The occurrence of overload current fault does not result in any indication. In an aspect, the configuration of indication for occurrence of the two types of faults is in accordance with their nature and seriousness, wherein the short circuit faults are more severe than overload faults and need to be specifically indicated to the user.
[0040] In an embodiment, the indication mechanism can include a flag and an indicator support within which the flag is held and is configured to slide so as to pop out. The magnetic shaft of the thermo magnetic circuit breaker holds the flag down in the indicator support against a spring load. When the magnetic shaft rotates due to a short circuit current to actuate the latching mechanism to trip the circuit breaker, it simultaneously releases the flag and makes it free to pop out under the force of the spring.
[0041] In an embodiment, the flag, the magnetic shaft and the latching mechanism are configured to prevent resetting of the circuit breaker in popped out position of the flag. Latching system permits the circuit breaker mechanism to be reset only after the flag has been brought back to its original position manually. Thus the user is prevented from resetting the circuit breaker immediately and in an aspect, prompted to look for fault and remedy them before resuming the operation.
[0042] In an embodiment, the occurrence of overload current fault does not result in any indication and user can reset the circuit breaker immediately. In an aspect, the configuration wherein only the occurrence of short circuit faults is indicated is in accordance with nature and seriousness of the two types of faults. The short circuit faults are more severe than overload faults and need to be specifically indicated to the user and acknowledged by him by resetting the flag.
[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic view 100 of a typical thermal magnetic release system of a thermo magnetic circuit breaker in accordance with prior art. The thermal part of the thermo magnet release, that is usually configured to trip the circuit breaker on occurrence of overload current, uses property of bimetals to deflection under high temperature. It can include a heater 102, a bimetal 104, a calibration screw 106, a thermal shaft 108 and a latching mechanism 110. The heater 102 is used to heat the bimetal 104 and carries the current and provides the necessary heat to bimetal 104. In certain configurations the bimetal 104 may itself carry the current and get heated up. On heating, the bimetal 104 can deflect and give a signal to the thermal shaft 108 and in turn to the latch mechanism 110 to trip the circuit breaker.
[0044] The magnetic part of the thermo magnet release is configured to trip the circuit breaker on occurrence of short circuit current. In the exemplary illustration, a fixed magnet 112 and a moving magnet 114 are used for short circuit protection. A pre-determined air gap is maintained between fixed magnet 112 and the moving magnet 114. On occurrence of high current caused by a short circuit, the magnetic energy due to higher currents can help to overcome the pre-determined gap causing the moving magnet 114 to move and give signal to the magnetic shaft 116 meant for short circuit. The magnetic shaft 116 in turn gives signal to the latching mechanism 110 to trip the circuit breaker. The thermal and magnetic parts use separate shafts for overload and short circuit protection respectively.
[0045] Thus, on occurrence of any fault, overload or short circuit, the thermo magnetic release issues the break command and the circuit breaker trips to protect the connected device. After the fault is cleared the circuit breaker can be reset for normal operation. However in the above arrangement of the thermo magnetic circuit breaker, though the circuit breaker trips, the user does not know the cause for the occurrence of fault. Hence it becomes difficult for the customer to clear the fault.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2 wherein an exemplary isometric view 200 of a modular thermal magnetic release system with a flag is disclosed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Shown therein is a flag 202 popped out of the thermal magnetic release system to indicate occurrence of a fault.
[0047] In an embodiment, the flag 202 can be configured with magnetic part of the thermal magnetic release system such that it pops out every time a short circuit fault occurs. On the other hand, occurrence of overload current fault may not result in any indication. In an aspect, the configuration wherein only the short circuit faults occurrence is indicated is in accordance with the nature and seriousness of the two types of faults. The short circuit faults are more severe than overload faults and need to be specifically indicated to the user. Thus the disclosed indication system enables user to know the reason for tripping i.e. overload or short circuit and he can act accordingly to remedy the situation. Thus the disclosed indication system saves time by eliminating the time consuming step of identifying nature of fault that caused tripping. In an aspect it also reduces the idle time of the equipment.
[0048] In an embodiment, during normal operations, the flag 202 may be positioned within the thermal magnetic release system and not readily visible. Further, after the fault has been cleared, the flag 202 can be pushed down manually, where it can remain till occurrence of next short circuit fault. In another embodiment, the circuit breaker cannot be reset for resuming the normal operation until the flag 202 is pushed down manually to its normal position. Thus, in an aspect the user is made to acknowledge the occurrence of the short circuit fault and prompted to remedy the reasons for the fault before resuming normal operations.
[0049] It should be understood that while the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in a manner wherein only the short circuit faults are indicated, it is possible to configure the thermal magnetic release system with additional flag to indicate overload current faults and such modification is well within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic view 300 of a thermal magnetic release system configured with fault occurrence indicator in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the indication mechanism can comprise a flag 202 and an indicator support (not shown here) within which the flag 202 is held. The flag 202 is configured to slide so as to pop out of the thermal magnetic release system. The magnetic shaft 116 of the thermo magnetic circuit breaker can hold the flag 202 down by engaging with a step 304 configured on the flag 202. There can be a spring 302 configured at bottom of the flag 202 such that the flag 202 is held down in the indicator support against the force of the spring 302 and the spring 302 can push the flag 202 up no sooner it is released by the magnetic shaft 116 at step 304. When the magnetic shaft 116 rotates due to a short circuit current to actuate the latching mechanism 110 to trip the circuit breaker, it simultaneously releases the flag 202 and makes it free to pop out of the thermal magnetic release system under the force of the spring.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary isometric view 400 of the fault indicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shown therein is the flag 202 configured within an indicator support 402. The flag 202 can slide axially within a slot/grove configured on the indicator support 402. The spring 302 can be configured between the flag 202 and the indicator support 402 and can push the flag 202 up when it is free to move.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary schematic view 500 of the thermal magnetic release system configured with fault occurrence indicator with flag 202 in popped out position in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. When a short circuit fault occurs, the magnetic shaft 116 is rotated by the moving magnet 114. Rotation of the magnetic shaft 116 causes disengagement of the magnetic shaft 116 from the flag 202 at the step 304 causing the flag 202 to slide through the indicator support 402 and pops out to visually indicate the occurrence of short circuit fault.
[0053] In an embodiment, the popped out position of the flag 202 prevents magnetic shaft 116 to rotate and return back to its original position. Therefore the flag 202 has to be brought back to its original position manually, and only then the latching system of thermal magnetic release allows the circuit breaker mechanism to be reset. The embodiment thus prevents user from immediately resetting the circuit breaker and prompts him to remedy the fault. This way the user is also made to acknowledge the occurrence of the short circuit fault.
[0054] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0055] The present disclosure removes the short coming of the conventional thermo magnetic circuit breakers.
[0056] The present disclosure provides an indication to user of the cause of occurrence of fault with each tripping of the thermo magnetic circuit breakers.
[0057] The present disclosure provides a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that prevents user to reset the circuit breaker immediately after the tripping.
[0058] The present disclosure provides a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that helps to quickly correct the fault in the power circuit.
[0059] The present disclosure provides a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that prevents failure of equipment and downstream devices connected to the circuit.
[0060] The present disclosure provides a thermo magnetic circuit breaker that reduces idle time of the equipment connected to the power circuit.