Patents by Inventor Roger N. Castonguay

Roger N. Castonguay 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).

  • Circuit breaker bell alarm accessory with lockout function
    Patent number: 6054661
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm lock-out accessory interacts with the circuit breaker closing system to prevent charging of the circuit breaker closing spring until and unless the bell alarm module has been manually reset. A lockout slide on the bell alarm module support interacts with the circuit breaker closing spring operating link to prevent the recharging of the closing spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dean A. Robarge
  • Rotary contact circuit breaker venting arrangement including current transformer
    Patent number: 6037555
    Abstract: A rotary contact circuit breaker having a venting arrangement to vent gasses operated by a short circuit interruption to a location substantially above the load strap of the breaker whereby electrical components are not damaged by the gasses and ionized gasses from different phases are conveyed in discrete channels for a period exceeding the period during which ionization is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dennis J. Doughty, Dean A. Robarge, Dave S. Christensen, James L. Rosen, Randall L. Greenberg, Stefan Kranz, Mark Culler, Thomas Papallo
  • Circuit breaker line and load terminal
    Patent number: 6019647
    Abstract: A spring-loaded cam electrical connector is used to rapidly connect circuit breaker load terminal straps with the associated electric distribution system wire conductors. Rotation of the cam in one direction traps the end of the wire conductor between the bottom of the cam support and the circuit breaker load terminal strap to make the electrical connection while rotation of the cam in the opposite direction releases the end of the wire conductor to break the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David J. Trudel, Joseph B. Kelaita, Jr., Joseph M. Palmieri, Roger N. Castonguay
  • Industrial draw-out circuit breaker electrical connection indication
    Patent number: 6005208
    Abstract: The front cover of an industrial draw-out circuit breaker is provided with a viewing window that allows visual access to an indicator flag for the purpose of identifying the true status of the electrical power connectors and secondary test connectors extending from the rear surface of the circuit breaker. The three positions of the circuit breaker electrical power connectors relative to the compartment electrical power connectors and the circuit breaker secondary test connectors relative to the compartment secondary test connectors namely TEST, DISCONNECT and CONNECT are separately visible on the indicator flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Roger N. Castonguay
  • Circuit breaker bell alarm accessory with lock-out
    Patent number: 5986225
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm accessory interacts with the circuit breaker contact position indicator to provide local and remote indication of the occurrence of a circuit interruption. A drive pin extending from the bottom of the accessory interacts with a slot on the contact position indicator lever to prevent release of the circuit breaker closing spring until the bell alarm accessory is manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dean A. Robarge
  • Contact position indicator for an industrial-rated circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5981887
    Abstract: A circuit breaker ON/OFF contact position indicator employs a bell crank assembly interconnecting between the target indicator at the front of the circuit breaker enclosure and the circuit breaker contact closing shaft at the rear thereof to provide accurate real time indication of the ON/OFF condition of the circuit breaker contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dean A. Robarge, Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Andre J. M'Sadoques
  • Circuit breaker bell alarm accessory with both automatic reset and lockout function
    Patent number: 5960941
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm unit allows selection of both bell alarm accessory lock-out facility along with automatic reset function. A plunger extending from the bottom of the bell alarm accessory interacts with the circuit breaker operating components to automatically reset the bell alarm pop-up target in the early stages of the closing of the circuit breaker contacts or to lock-out the closing of the circuit breaker contacts until the pop-up target is manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dean A. Robarge
  • Circuit breaker bell alarm accessory with automatic reset
    Patent number: 5923261
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker bell alarm accessory interacts with the circuit breaker contact position indicator to provide local and remote indication of the occurrence of a circuit interruption. A drive pin extending from the bottom of the accessory interacts with a slot on the contact position indicator lever to reset the bell alarm accessory when the circuit breaker contacts are in the process of being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dean A. Robarge
  • Manual charging mechanism for industrial-rated circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5910650
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker closing spring charging mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing spring charging gear is protected from damage due to reverse rotation of the ratchet when the charged closing springs are later released. A locking latch prevents damage to the charging mechanism components and a latch release lever allows the charging mechanism to return to an operative position when the closing springs are later charged by a manually operated charging handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James I. Smith
  • Means of remote charge indication for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5906271
    Abstract: Remote indication of the charge state condition of the circuit breaker closing springs is provided by a remote indicating unit. The indicating unit interfaces with the circuit breaker closing assembly to actuate an electric switch in response to the position of the closing assembly. Actuation of the switch turns a on remote signal device when the closing spring is completely charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen
  • Circuit breaker closing springs button interlock mechanism
    Patent number: 5889250
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker ratcheting mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing springs charging gear is prevented from reverse rotation during the closing springs charging operation. Upon completion of the charging operation, the ratchet and pawl become disengaged from the charging gear when the charged closing springs are released in response to a manual closing button depression. An interlock arrangement prevents release of the holding prop to discharge the charged circuit breaker closing springs unless the circuit breaker operating handle is completely in the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Roger N. Castonguay
  • Ratcheting mechanism for industrial-rated circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5883351
    Abstract: An air circuit breaker ratcheting mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing springs charging gear is prevented from reverse rotation during the closing springs charging operation. Upon completion of the charging operation, the ratchet and pawl become disengaged from the charging gear to allow the closing springs to respond to a manual closing, command. An operating handle pivot assembly allows a molded plastic handle operator to be employed and the ratcheting mechanism is arranged for modular assembly during the circuit breaker manufacturing process as well as motor to manual charge conversion one site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Andre J. M'Sadoques, Dean A. Robarge
  • Circuit breaker line and load terminal
    Patent number: 5810628
    Abstract: A spring-loaded cam electrical connector is used to rapidly connect circuit breaker load terminal straps with the associated electric distribution system wire conductors. Rotation of the cam in one direction traps the end of the wire conductor between the bottom of the cam support and the circuit breaker load terminal strap to make the electrical connection while rotation of the cam in the opposite direction releases the end of the wire conductor to break the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David J. Trudel, Joseph B. Kelaita, Jr., Joseph M. Palmieri, Roger N. Castonguay
  • Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5805041
    Abstract: A field-installable circuit breaker trip actuator unit includes a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker components. The flux shifter unit responds to an electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. A reset arrangement allows the trip actuator unit to be automatically reset upon completion of the contact separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Operating mechanism linkage assembly for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5797483
    Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism interacts with the circuit breaker movable contact arm by means of an electrically-insulative linkage. Tolerance adjustments are made within the linkage without requiring an additional electrically-insulative shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James I. Smith, Roger N. Castonguay
  • Motor operator interface unit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5791457
    Abstract: A high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating spring controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made automatically by means of an electric motor. The motor interlock arrangement prevents rotation of the closing shaft until and unless the circuit breaker contact closing spring has become completely charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen
  • Means to control the operating cycle of an electric motor operator for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5762181
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made automatically by means of an electric motor. The circuit breaker operating handle connects with the operating springs upon stalling of the electric motor. An electrical switching arrangement is used to remove power from the motor operator unit at the completion of the charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen
  • Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5726614
    Abstract: A field-installable circuit breaker trip actuator unit includes a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker components. The flux shifter unit responds to an electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. A reset arrangement allows the trip actuator unit to be automatically reset upon completion of the contact separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5710399
    Abstract: A field-installable circuit breaker trip actuator unit includes a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker components. The flux shifter unit responds to an electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. A reset arrangement allows the trip actuator unit to be automatically reset upon completion of the contact separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5701111
    Abstract: A field-installable circuit breaker trip actuator unit includes a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker components. The flux shifter unit responds to an electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. A reset arrangement allows the trip actuator unit to be automatically reset upon completion of the contact separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord