Patents by Inventor Dennis W. Fleege
Dennis W. Fleege has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11984280Abstract: A remote controlled miniature circuit breaker includes a helical gear that engages with mating teeth of a slider plate coupled to main contacts of the circuit breaker, the helical gear including a flat portion to allow the sliding plate to slide past the helical gear. A unidirectional motor responds to an external signal to drive the helical gear while engaging the mating teeth of the slider plate, thereby moving the slider plate to close the main contacts. The motor is configured to respond to an external signal to resume the unidirectional rotation of the helical gear to position the flat portion of the gear to allow the slider plate to slide past the helical gear and contact a kicker lever to thereby open the main contacts. A trip lever pivotally mounted separately from the kicker lever, pushes the kicker lever to open the main contacts in a trip operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Salaheddine Faik, Chad R. Mittelstadt
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Publication number: 20230075379Abstract: A remote controlled miniature circuit breaker includes a helical gear that engages with mating teeth of a slider plate coupled to main contacts of the circuit breaker, the helical gear including a flat portion to allow the sliding plate to slide past the helical gear. A unidirectional motor responds to an external signal to drive the helical gear while engaging the mating teeth of the slider plate, thereby moving the slider plate to close the main contacts. The motor is configured to respond to an external signal to resume the unidirectional rotation of the helical gear to position the flat portion of the gear to allow the slider plate to slide past the helical gear and contact a kicker lever to thereby open the main contacts. A trip lever pivotally mounted separately from the kicker lever, pushes the kicker lever to open the main contacts in a trip operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Salaheddine Faik, Chad R. Mittelstadt
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Patent number: 11501929Abstract: A remote controlled miniature circuit breaker includes a helical gear that engages with mating teeth of a slider plate coupled to main contacts of the circuit breaker, the helical gear including a flat portion to allow the sliding plate to slide past the helical gear. A unidirectional motor responds to an external signal to drive the helical gear while engaging the mating teeth of the slider plate, thereby moving the slider plate to close the main contacts. The motor is configured to respond to an external signal to resume the unidirectional rotation of the helical gear to position the flat portion of the gear to allow the slider plate to slide past the helical gear and contact a kicker lever to thereby open the main contacts. A trip lever pivotally mounted separately from the kicker lever, pushes the kicker lever to open the main contacts in a trip operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Salaheddine Faik, Chad R. Mittelstadt
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Patent number: 11385300Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Chad Mittelstadt, Randall J. Gass, Douglas P. Vanwaart, Jason Potratz
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Publication number: 20210072293Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Dennis W. FLEEGE, Chad MITTELSTADT, Randall J. GASS, Douglas P. VANWAART, Jason POTRATZ
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Patent number: 10852326Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Dennis W Fleege, Chad Mittelstadt, Randall J Gass, Douglas P Vanwaart, Jason Potratz
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Patent number: 10622800Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for an arc fault sensing circuit interrupter such as in a miniature circuit breaker are arranged as a rigid conductor surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. Voltage metering takes place across the rigid conductor to enable arc fault detection and ground fault detection in the miniature circuit breaker within the space of a single current transformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Randall J Gass, Jason Potratz, Dennis W Fleege
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Patent number: 10535484Abstract: A touchless magnetic-only coupled solenoid trip system for a miniature circuit breaker achieves magnetic tripping using a floating plunger assembly in a solenoid coil/housing to narrow a magnetic gap between plunger and trip assembly to cause the magnetic trip The floating plunger of the solenoid can also move out of the way if the bimetal bends to cause a thermal trip.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventor: Dennis W Fleege
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Publication number: 20190164710Abstract: A touchless magnetic-only coupled solenoid trip system for a miniature circuit breaker achieves magnetic tripping using a floating plunger assembly in a solenoid coil/housing to narrow a magnetic gap between plunger and trip assembly to cause the magnetic trip The floating plunger of the solenoid can also move out of the way if the bimetal bends to cause a thermal trip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventor: Dennis W. Fleege
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Publication number: 20190049489Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for a circuit interrupter such as a miniature circuit breaker, using ground fault sensing via a current transformer, are arranged as a rigid conductor formed from a flat plate and surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. The rigid conductor can provide a shaped current path to maximize the effectiveness of the current transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Dennis W. FLEEGE, Chad MITTELSTADT, Randall J. GASS, Douglas P. VANWAART, Jason POTRATZ
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Publication number: 20190052072Abstract: The line power and neutral conductors for an arc fault sensing circuit interrupter such as in a miniature circuit breaker are arranged as a rigid conductor surrounding and holding an insulated flexible conductor when passing through the Ground Fault Interrupter current transformer. Voltage metering takes place across the rigid conductor to enable arc fault detection and ground fault detection in the miniature circuit breaker within the space of a single current transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2017Publication date: February 14, 2019Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Randall J. Gass, Jason Potratz, Dennis W. Fleege
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Patent number: 8487724Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having a trip unit with one or more integrally formed dielectric protrusions that are configured to slidably interconnect with corresponding dielectric members of the base when the trip unit is secured to the base. The dielectric protrusions extend from dielectric walls located between adjacent enclosure chambers that house the current transformers and are configured to remain in contact with the dielectric members of the base as the trip unit is being moved with respect with the base. By remaining in contact to one another while the trip unit is moved with respect to the base, the dielectric protrusions, along with the dielectric members, maintain a strong dielectric barrier within the exterior spaces between the CT enclosure chambers, thereby preventing debris from traveling between and accumulating on the trip unit and the base.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventor: Dennis W. Fleege
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Patent number: 8258898Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker comprising a single main housing containing multiple circuit breakers for protecting multiple branch circuits. Each of the circuit breakers comprises a single line terminal for receiving electrical current from a utility line, a plurality of load terminals for supplying electrical current from the single line terminal to a plurality of branch circuits via load lines, and a plurality of neutral terminals for receiving electrical current returned from the branch circuits via neutral lines Line conductors inside the main housing connect the line terminal to the plurality of load terminals. Sensors inside the main housing generate signals representing characteristics of the electrical current flow in the branch circuits, and a signal processor uses the signals generated by the sensors for detecting abnormal conditions in the branch circuits and generating trip signals in response to the detection of an abnormal condition.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Brett Larson
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Publication number: 20120125748Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker having a trip unit with one or more integrally formed dielectric protrusions that are configured to slidably interconnect with corresponding dielectric members of the base when the trip unit is secured to the base. The dielectric protrusions extend from dielectric walls located between adjacent enclosure chambers that house the current transformers and are configured to remain in contact with the dielectric members of the base as the trip unit is being moved with respect with the base. By remaining in contact to one another while the trip unit is moved with respect to the base, the dielectric protrusions, along with the dielectric members, maintain a strong dielectric barrier within the exterior spaces between the CT enclosure chambers, thereby preventing debris from traveling between and accumulating on the trip unit and the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventor: Dennis W. Fleege
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Patent number: 8106322Abstract: A flexible amperage flag that indicates an amperage rating of a trip unit in a circuit breaker. The flag is molded with a housing of the trip unit so that it remains with the trip unit even when installed into a different circuit breaker. The flag includes an attachment member secured to a wall of the trip unit and a flexible leg integral with the attachment member. A top surface member indicates the amperage rating and protrudes through an auxiliary cover of the circuit breaker so as to be visible through the panelboard into which the circuit breaker is installed and is connected to the top surface member. During a circuit interruption, the pressure created by the exploding gas forces the auxiliary cover away from the trip unit, creating stress on the flag. The flexible leg permits the flag to move with the auxiliary cover and return to its original form without breaking.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventor: Dennis W. Fleege
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Patent number: 8081491Abstract: A highly accurate current sensing transformer, such as an external neutral current transformer (ENCT), accommodates a wide range of loads. The ENCT includes a housing, first and second terminals each having an end portion extending from and external to the housing, a conductor for carrying a current to be measured, and a current sensor having an aperture for receiving the conductor and having a central axis. The conductor joins the first and second terminals to form a current path that passes through the aperture. Increased accuracy is achieved by arranging the conductor such that a portion thereof passing through the aperture forms a substantial angle relative to the central axis, such that the entry angle of the current path via the conductor through the aperture of the current sensor of the ENCT matches an entry angle of a conductor through an aperture of a current sensor in the electronic trip unit to which the ENCT is attached.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Inventors: Brent W. De Geus, Dennis W. Fleege, Randy L. Siebels, Salaheddine Faik, Steve A. De Cook, Marcel Montemayor Cavazos, Ignacio Dapic Rodriguez, Ernesto Kim Gomez Bock
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Patent number: 8040209Abstract: A divided armature for the trip mechanism of a circuit breaker especially useful for low trip current breakers allows for two independent adjustments: first of the magnetic air gap between the yoke and the armature and second of the clearance between the trip bar and the back plate of the armature. The divided armature allows the force of a return spring of the trip mechanism to be unchanged while adjusting the magnetic air gap to set the trip current point.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Inventors: Salaheddine Faik, Dennis W Fleege
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Publication number: 20110115585Abstract: A multi-pole circuit breaker comprising a single main housing containing multiple circuit breakers for protecting multiple branch circuits. Each of the circuit breakers comprises a single line terminal for receiving electrical current from a utility line, a plurality of load terminals for supplying electrical current from the single line terminal to a plurality of branch circuits via load lines, and a plurality of neutral terminals for receiving electrical current returned from the branch circuits via neutral lines Line conductors inside the main housing connect the line terminal to the plurality of load terminals. Sensors inside the main housing generate signals representing characteristics of the electrical current flow in the branch circuits, and a signal processor uses the signals generated by the sensors for detecting abnormal conditions in the branch circuits and generating trip signals in response to the detection of an abnormal condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: SQUARE D COMPANYInventors: Dennis W. Fleege, Brett Larson
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Publication number: 20110094863Abstract: A flexible amperage flag that indicates an amperage rating of a trip unit in a circuit breaker. The flag is molded with a housing of the trip unit so that it remains with the trip unit even when installed into a different circuit breaker. The flag includes an attachment member secured to a wall of the trip unit and a flexible leg integral with the attachment member. A top surface member indicates the amperage rating and protrudes through an auxiliary cover of the circuit breaker so as to be visible through the panelboard into which the circuit breaker is installed and is connected to the top surface member. During a circuit interruption, the pressure created by the exploding gas forces the auxiliary cover away from the trip unit, creating stress on the flag. The flexible leg permits the flag to move with the auxiliary cover and return to its original form without breaking.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Square D CompanyInventor: Dennis W. Fleege
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Publication number: 20110019387Abstract: A highly accurate current sensing transformer, such as an external neutral current transformer (ENCT), accommodates a wide range of loads. The ENCT includes a housing, first and second terminals each having an end portion extending from and external to the housing, a conductor for carrying a current to be measured, and a current sensor having an aperture for receiving the conductor and having a central axis. The conductor joins the first and second terminals to form a current path that passes through the aperture. Increased accuracy is achieved by arranging the conductor such that a portion thereof passing through the aperture forms a substantial angle relative to the central axis, such that the entry angle of the current path via the conductor through the aperture of the current sensor of the ENCT matches an entry angle of a conductor through an aperture of a current sensor in the electronic trip unit to which the ENCT is attached.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: Square D CompanyInventors: Brent W. De Geus, Dennis W. Fleege, Randy L. Siebels, Salaheddine Faik, Steve A. De Cook, Marcel Montemayor Cavazos, Ignacio Dapic Rodriguez, Ernesto Kim Gomez Bock