Patents Represented by Attorney Walter C. Bernkopf

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  • Circuit breaker support saddle with removable phase barriers
    Patent number: 4646200
    Abstract: Circuit breaker support saddles for electrical load centers and panel boards are fabricated from a single thermoplastic molded structure. The saddle contains integrally formed posts for supporting the power bus and neutral terminal conductors along with a plurality of circuit breaker hooks. To accommodate for varying numbers of circuit breakers when mounted to the saddle, a plurality of thermoplastic modular phase barriers are provided for supporting the circuit breaker branch strap conductors. The phase barriers include integrally-formed pedestals, posts and stops to facilitate down-loaded robotic assembly of the branch straps to the saddle during the automated manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andre J. M'Sadoques, Joseph F. Rich, George L. Shuttleworth
  • High speed contact driver for circuit interruption device
    Patent number: 4646041
    Abstract: A bridging contact is arranged across two fixed contacts with a pair of parallel, closely spaced conductors serving as the bridging contact carrier. A high current pulse in opposite direction within the parallel conductors generates electrodynamic forces rapidly propelling the conductors further apart. The bridging contact carried by the parallel conductors is rapidly driven out of contact relation with the fixed contacts to interrupt the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Molded case circuit breaker modular support assembly
    Patent number: 4646198
    Abstract: A modular molded plastic circuit breaker and power bus support carries a plurality of integrally formed circuit breaker support hooks and power bus support posts on a common thermoplastic saddle for automated assembly. Means are formed at one end of the saddle for receiving modular extension saddles to accommodate circuit breaker load centers and panel boards of varying length during the automated assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph F. Rich, Robert J. Sabatella, George L. Shuttleworth
  • High speed contact driver for circuit interruption device
    Patent number: 4644309
    Abstract: A bridging contact is arranged across two fixed contacts with a pair of parallel, closely spaced conductors serving as the bridging contact carrier. A high current pulse in opposite direction within the parallel conductors generates electrodynamic forces rapidly propelling the conductors further apart. The bridging contact carried by the parallel conductors is rapidly driven out of contact relation with the fixed contacts to interrupt the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Combined accessory and trip actuator unit for electronic circuit breakers
    Patent number: 4641117
    Abstract: A modified electronic trip unit actuator provides remote trip and undervoltage release function without impairing the actuator reliability. One embodiment replaces the permanent magnet of a flux shift trip unit actuator with an undervoltage release coil for undervoltage facility and a further embodiment uses the combination of a permanent magnet with a shunt trip coil for remote tripping function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Henry G. Willard
  • Two pole ground fault circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4641217
    Abstract: A two pole ground fault circuit breaker is provided by the attachment of a power supply module and a second single pole circuit breaker module to a completely assembled single pole ground fault circuit breaker. Electrical interconnection between the signal processor circuit within the single pole ground fault circuit breaker module and the second pole is made by a first pair of conductors. Interconnection between the power supply module and the single pole within the ground fault circuit breaker is provided by a separate pair of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Morris, Paul T. Rajotte, Ronald R. Russell, George W. Kiesel
  • Signal processor module for ground fault circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4641216
    Abstract: The neutral excitation and differential current transformers of a ground fault circuit breaker are arranged for automated assembly onto the signal processor circuit board to complete the signal processor module prior to insertion within the ground fault circuit breaker housing. Electrical interconnection between the transformers is made by a unitary conducting strap having means therein for receiving the circuit neutral conductor. The completely assembled signal processor module is connected with the circuit breaker components by means of a single wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Morris, Paul T. Rajotte
  • Ground connection monitor
    Patent number: 4638244
    Abstract: A circuit is employed to determine the presence of an open ground connection between a power source and a movable machine connected with the power source by means of a flexible cable. The circuit comprises a pulse generator for transmission of a pulse along the cable between the power source and the movable machine in combination with comparison means for determining whether the reflected pulse back along the cable from the movable machine becomes inverted upon reflection. The presence of a non-inverted reflected pulse indicates an open ground connection. Means are provided for disconnection of power between the power source and the movable machine upon the absence of receipt of an inverted reflected pulse along the connecting cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Arcless circuit interrupter
    Patent number: 4636907
    Abstract: Arcless circuit interruption from metallic contacts is accomplished by the combination of a solid state current interrupter with a control circuit and an impedance circuit. The impedance circuit diverts the contact circuit current through the solid state current interrupter prior to initiating contact separation. The contacts then open without sufficient current transfer to establish an arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Solid state circuit interruption employing a stored charge power transistor
    Patent number: 4636906
    Abstract: A solid state circuit interrupter utilizes a power transistor connected across a pair of separable contacts to eliminate contact arcing between the contacts upon circuit interruption. Stored charge is provided to the power transistor prior to contact separation by a separate power supply and control transistor which are immediately turned off after contact separation to turn off the power transistor upon depletion of the stored charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Anderson, Edward K. Howell
  • Multiple static trip circuit breaker coordination
    Patent number: 4631622
    Abstract: Differential current static trip circuits interconnected with upstream and downstream current sensing transformers in a protected system provide automatic coordination of the downstream static trip circuit breakers. The differential current transformer associated with the breakers vectorially sense the difference between the upstream breaker currents and the sum of the downstream breaker currents. The output is processed within the trip circuits for I.sup.2 t and fixed time band delays to insure that the downstream breakers clear the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Lighting circuit breaker panelboard modular assembly
    Patent number: 4631634
    Abstract: A circuit breaker panelboard modular assembly employs a plurality of interdependent molded plastic and metal parts to multifunctionally adapt breakers of different ratings for electrical connection within the panelboard enclosure. Anti-turn connector connects the line strap terminal. Captive bolts or plug-in connections are employed to attach the breakers to the power bus. A novel concealed hinge construction is used to connect the panelboard door to the panelboard housing and the breakers are individually identified within the housing by extruded plastic circuit markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rodney D. Raabe, Joseph J. Mrowka, Jon P. McCuin, Joseph F. Noonan
  • Gate turn-off control circuit for a solid state circuit interrupter
    Patent number: 4631621
    Abstract: A gate turn-off thyristor is connected across a pair of separable contacts for diverting the interrupted current first to the thyristor and then to a metal oxide varistor connected across the thyristor. A saturable core current transformer in combination with the capacitance provided by the metal oxide varistor turns on the thyristor when the contacts separate and turns off the thyristor after the contacts have further separated when the core becomes saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Current transformer arrangement for ground fault circuit interrupters
    Patent number: 4623865
    Abstract: A sensing current transformer having a single turn primary winding for ground fault circuit interrupters and breakers utilizes a conductive post extending through the transformer metallic enclosure in combination with the conductive path across the metallic closure as the current sensing path. A four turn primary winding is provided by four metallic staples, each having one leg extending through the transformer aperture, for establishing four independent current sensing paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George W. Kiesel, Paul T. Rajotte, LeeAnne Wambolt
  • Circuit breaker assembly for high speed manufacture
    Patent number: 4622530
    Abstract: A circuit breaker design and process for high speed assembly utilizes a unique secondary latch arrangement to reduce frictional forces and increase the breaker calibration test yield. The design allows for interchangeability of the trip unit by first pre-assembling the arc chute cavity and operating mechanism. Arrangement of the primary and secondary latch pivots reduces the trip force for further increase in the calibration yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Ciarcia, Gregory T. Di Vincenzo, Dennis J. Doughty, Richard E. Bernier
  • Piezoelectric contact driver for circuit interrupters
    Patent number: 4620122
    Abstract: A bridging contact abuts one end of a piezoelectric bar and is held across a pair of current carrying fixed contacts by means of a compression spring to assure a good electrical conductive path across the fixed contacts. To separate the contacts, a voltage pulse is applied to the piezoelectric bar in a direction transverse to its linear extent. The rapid expansion of the piezoelectric bar drives the bridging contact rapidly away from the fixed contact pair to interrupt the current therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Howell
  • Contact arrangement for a current limiting circuit breaker
    Patent number: 4616198
    Abstract: A contact arrangement for a current limiting circuit breaker wherein two movable contact arms are interconnected by means of a pair of connecting arms and a manually operable push rod. An electromagnet is operatively coupled with one of the contact arms for holding in an open condition when the electromagnet is de-energized. The disclosed contact arrangement allows the circuit breaker to be multifunctionally employed as an integrated combination motor starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Franco P. Pardini
  • Circuit breaker contact structure
    Patent number: 4611106
    Abstract: A circuit breaker contact configuration reduces the occurrence of contact bounce by providing a reverse force to the contacts during contact closure. This reduces the contact closing shock energy, while keeping the contact bias force constant. In one embodiment, the reverse force is obtained by means of a counteracting spring which engages one of the contact arms at a point along the rebound path. Another embodiment comprises transferring the pivot point of one of the contacts from a first to a second position at a point along the rebound path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Franco P. Pardini, Claudio Banfi
  • Circuit breaker contact arm latch mechanism for eliminating contact bounce
    Patent number: 4611187
    Abstract: A latching mechanism is arranged to engage one of the movable contact arms upon magnetic repulsion of the contact arms independent of the operating mechanism to prevent the contact arm from re-closing until the operating mechanism has responded. An operating lever reacts with the contact arm latching mechanism to articulate the operating mechanism to trip the breaker after the latching mechanism has fully engaged the contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Claudio Banfi
  • Molded case circuit breaker having a thermoplastic cover
    Patent number: 4609898
    Abstract: A residential circuit breaker design provides heat sink facility to the current carrying members within a thermoset plastic base. A thermoplastic plastic cover is ribbed internally to minimize contact between the interior of the cover and current carrying components. The thermoplastic cover results in a substantial savings in material costs since the thermoplastic waste material is recoverable and re-useable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Roger J. Morgan, Stephen F. Gillette