Patents Represented by Attorney Richard A. Menelly

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • Circuit breaker interlock unit to prevent single phasing
    Patent number: 5587570
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker interlock unit connects between a fuse enclosure attached to one end. Upon the occurrence of a short circuit within a protected circuit, the fuse operates to isolate the protected equipment and is conveniently replaced without disassembling the circuit breaker components. The interlock unit prevents resetting the circuit breaker operating mechanism until the fuse is replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Kelaita, Jr., Edwin J. Collin
  • Modular current transformer for electronic circuit interrupters
    Patent number: 5583732
    Abstract: A modular current transformer containing both air and metal cores on a common load strap provides sensing current to the electronic trip unit within the circuit interrupter along with supplying operating power to the trip unit components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Ertugrul Berkcan
  • Interlock for high ampere-rated circuit breaker contact closing springs
    Patent number: 5575381
    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 closing springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A logic plate interacts with a logic lever, an interlock link and a closing link to prevent the circuit breaker closing button from operating until and unless the closing springs have become fully-charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen
  • Digital circuit interrupter shunt trip control circuit
    Patent number: 5546265
    Abstract: An integrated circuit breaker is described having shunt trip capability along with automatic overcurrent protection. The shunt trip unit provides auxiliary power to the trip unit and allows the trip unit to report and record the shunt trip operation. A control circuit determines whether there is sufficient operating power available as well as the condition of the circuit breaker contacts prior to executing the shunt trip operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Esteban Santos, George R. Ribar, Jr.
  • Motor operator interface unit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5545867
    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 through a motor operator interface unit to allow manual charging of the operating springs upon stalling of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Removable keypad for an electronic circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5544959
    Abstract: A removable keypad controls the electronic trip unit used within state-of-art electronic circuit breakers. The keypad allows inputting and displaying relevant circuit interruption information. Unauthorized access to the trip unit settings is prevented by blocking off the keypad "ENTER" key while still allowing access to the keypad's remaining function keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edwin J. Collin, Robert C. Turton
  • Switchgear incorporating an active filter
    Patent number: 5541808
    Abstract: An active filter device is provided for incorporation into a switchgear lineup. The switchgear lineup has a plurality of electrical sections including a main circuit breaker section and a load circuit breaker section spaced from the main circuit breaker section. The active filter device is applied as an integral part of the power distribution switchgear equipment, positioned between the main circuit breaker section and a load circuit breaker section. From a single location, power quality is improved for the aggregate of all loads connected to the switchgear and the upstream source. The power quality improvement may include harmonic current attenuation, harmonic voltage attenuation, load balancing, high speed power factor correction, and reduced magnitude voltage sags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Bastian
  • Digital circuit interrupter undervoltage release accessory
    Patent number: 5539605
    Abstract: An integrated circuit breaker is described having undervoltage trip capability along with automatic overcurrent protection. The undervoltage accessory further provides auxiliary power to the trip unit and allows the trip unit to report and record the undervoltage release operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John A. Pollman, Raymond K. Seymour, Paul H. Singer
  • Inductive motor protective circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5539370
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker and current suppressing unit protects an electric motor without tripping during motor current reversal. Upon the occurrence of a short circuit within the protected circuit, the current suppressing feature rapidly suppresses the let-through current until the circuit breaker responds to isolate the protected equipment. Power is restored to the protected equipment without the need to replace any of the current suppressing unit components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Arnold
  • Circuit breaker remote closing operator
    Patent number: 5534833
    Abstract: A remote closing operator is positioned within a circuit breaker enclosure to allow remote operation of the circuit breaker operating mechanism to open and close the circuit breaker contacts. A pair of solenoids are employed to control the state of the contact closing springs. The first solenoid is energized to initially release the contact closing springs and the second solenoid is energized to interrupt the flow of current to the first solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James J. Smith, Thomas A. Murphy
  • Electric power busway plug connector shutter arrangement
    Patent number: 5525068
    Abstract: The electric busway busbars within a plug-in busway system are covered by an insulating cover to prevent inadvertent contact when the busbars are energized. To allow contact with the busbars for busway plug connection, the insulating cover is arranged for automatic exposure of the busway plug access openings by means of a sliding shutter. The shutter automatically returns to the closed position immediately upon removal of the busway plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric J. Graham, Laura G. Dunn, Richard K. Mann
  • Circuit breaker terminal screw assembly
    Patent number: 5525080
    Abstract: A terminal screw assembly is attached to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker for connection between the internal electrical components and remote accessories, relays alarms and the like. A modular three-component metal connector arrangement provides electrical connection between one internal component and one remote accessory. A multichamber plastic terminal housing receives the connector arrangement and provides electrical isolation to each of the connectors within each arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William H. Calder, Rebecca C. Drumbor
  • Sequential close interlock arrangement for high ampere-ratedcircuit breaker
    Patent number: 5521346
    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 manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs. The latches are interlocked with the operating springs drive shaft to prevent the discharge of the operating springs when the contacts are in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen
  • Method for controlling contact depression for high ampere-rated circuit
    Patent number: 5519180
    Abstract: The contact depression effected between the fixed and moveable contacts in a high ampere-rated circuit breaker is fixed after assembly of the current carrying components by the provision of a multi-dimensional contact carrier support bearing. The selection of the support bearing dimension fixes the height of the movable contact arm and the attached movable contact relative to the subjacent fixed contact. Control of the contact depression improves circuit interruption efficiency and extends the operating life of the circuit breaker contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen, David Arnold
  • Circuit breaker logic switch system
    Patent number: 5519367
    Abstract: A logic switch take-up system is incorporated into a circuit breaker's electronic trip unit and signals the circuit breaker's programmer box that the electronic trip unit has been actuated and therefore that the circuit breaker contacts have been displaced from their closed to their open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Motor control center universal electrical connector
    Patent number: 5515236
    Abstract: A universal electrical connector is incorporated into the electric power distribution network of a motor control center to connect the main circuit breaker with the control center vertical bus conductors and the branch circuit breakers. The connector in the form of a single metal casting is configured to connect the main circuit breaker with the control center internal electrical distribution conductors without requiring additional connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin F. Nolan, Valerie R. Padilla, Richard E. Bernier, Gilbert A. Soares
  • Circuit breaker indicating flag interlock arrangement operating springs
    Patent number: 5504285
    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 manually by a ratchet and pawl assembly. A logic plate interacts with the operating springs charging gear and a logic lever interacts with the ratchet and pawl assembly to prevent the charge indicating flag from signaling until the operating springs have become fully charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen
  • Bell alarm and lock-out for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5502286
    Abstract: A combined bell alarm and lock-out accessory is connected with the electronic trip unit that controls a high ampere rated circuit breaker. The accessory interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to activate the bell alarm upon circuit interruption and to prevent the closing of the circuit breaker contacts until the accessory is manually reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John A. Pollman, Raymond K. Seymour, Paul H. Singer, Paul T. Rajotte
  • Digital circuit interrupter with multiple accessory function
    Patent number: 5500781
    Abstract: An integrated circuit breaker having several accessory functions along with automatic overcurrent protection, allows selection between the various accessory functions in different combinations. Separate switches are arranged on the circuit breaker to allow factory as well as field selection of the accessory function combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Esteban Santos, John A. Pollman, Paul H. Singer
  • Solid state overload relay
    Patent number: D370465
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edgar Yee, Scott N. Dorny, Randall L. Greenberg, Sandra Peterson, Miguel O. Gimenez, Pere P. Comerma