Patents by Inventor Richard M. Span

Richard M. Span 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).

  • Pneumatic operating mechanism for a circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4531031
    Abstract: Power circuit breaker apparatus having a novel trip valve on the pneumatic operating mechanism for reducing air consumption of the pneumatic breaker operating mechanism. The novel trip valve includes the addition of a valve stem extension to the trip valve shaft disposed in a sliding fit with an exhaust port to the trip valve actuating cylinder which together provide for quick elimination of compressed air from the trip valve actuating cylinder at a predetermined time during the operation of the breaker mechanism. Positive positioning of the breaker contact and rapid closing of the trip valve at a predetermined time is effectuated thereby reducing air consumption while providing a fail-safe air cushion to the driving piston of the pneumatic mechanism to insure positive positioning of the breaker contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Willie B. Freeman, Richard M. Span
  • Pneumatic operating mechanism for a circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4463229
    Abstract: A power circuit breaker has a novel trip valve on the pneumatic operating mechanism for reducing air consumption of the breaker pneumatic operating mechanism. The novel trip valve includes the addition of a valve stem extension to the trip valve shaft disposed in a sliding fit with an exhaust port to the trip valve actuating cylinder which together provide for quick elimination of compressed air from the trip valve actuating cylinder at a predetermined time during the operation of the breaker mechanism. Positive positioning of the breaker contact and rapid closing of the trip valve at a predetermined time is effectuated, thereby reducing air consumption while providing a fail-safe air cushion to the driving piston of the pneumatic mechanism to insure positive positioning of the breaker contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Willie B. Freeman, Richard M. Span