Patents by Inventor Thomas F. Vrnak

Thomas F. Vrnak 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).

  • Publication number: 20020046853
    Abstract: A waterproof enclosure (100) for electrical devices includes a front frame (114), a base plate (116), and a roof assembly (118) attached to a component mounting section (120). Front frame (114) extends from the front of component mounting section (120), and includes doors (122) for protecting electrical components mounted within the component mounting section (120). Roof assembly (118) is attached to the top of front frame (114) and component mounting section (120) for preventing the ingress moisture into front frame (114) and component mounting section (120). Roof assembly (118) includes ventilation channels (124, 126, 128, 130) disposed along the length of caps (132, 134, 136) to increase air flow through the enclosure (100) for cooling the electrical components mounted therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: RICHARD J. STENDARDO, WILLIAM W. KERR, MELANIE A. LEWIS, THOMAS F. VRNAK, GENARO FLORES ALBA
  • Patent number: 6365826
    Abstract: A waterproof enclosure (100) for electrical devices includes a front frame (114), a base plate (116), and a roof assembly (118) attached to a component mounting section (120). Front frame (114) extends from the front of component mounting section (120), and includes doors (122) for protecting electrical components mounted within the component mounting section (120). Roof assembly (118) is attached to the top of front frame (114) and component mounting section (120) for preventing the ingress moisture into front frame (114) and component mounting section (120). Roof assembly (118) includes ventilation channels (124, 126, 128, 130) disposed along the length of caps (132, 134, 136) to increase air flow through the enclosure (100) for cooling the electrical components mounted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Stendardo, William W. Kerr, Jr., Melanie A. Lewis, Thomas F. Vrnak, Genaro Flores Alba
  • Patent number: 6061230
    Abstract: A panelboard/switchboard assembly for accommodating bolt-on modules, plug-in modules and lugs. The panelboard/switchboard includes vertical, edge forward bus bars having a plurality of openings formed therein. The edge forward alignment allows plug-in modules to be mounted to the bus bars. The openings in the bus bars receive bolts for mounting straps to the bus bars and for mounting lugs to the bus bars. The openings have a shape having at least one linear element and receive a bolt having an anti-rotation portion with a similar shape. The interference between the opening and the anti-rotation portion of the bolt prevents the straps, and the modules connected to the straps, from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin D. Mazzella, Kevin F. Nolan, Rick A. Vonrotz, Thomas F. Vrnak, Melanie A. Lewis, Grady W. Broadnax, Jr., Robert R. Leclair, Robert B. Wallace, Jeremy Palmer, Hamon L. Craft
  • Patent number: 5894404
    Abstract: A circuit breaker panelboard enclosure is adapted to receive circuit breaker covers that are attached to the interior or circuit breaker module without requiring attachment screws and the like. The circuit breaker modules within the enclosure are equipped with electrically-insulative extension clips that are received and retained within apertures formed in the circuit breaker covers in press-fit relation. The circuit breaker covers are removed by grasping the ends of the circuit breaker covers and pulling the circuit breaker covers away from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Vrnak, Kevin D. Mazzella, Kevin F. Nolan