Patents Represented by Attorney Walter C. Bernkopf

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  • Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit reset mechanism
    Patent number: 4913503
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components. The reset mechanism allows the actuator-accessory unit to become reset without interferring with the operation of the integrated protection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Ronald D. Ciarcia, Keith W. Klein
  • Protective coating on electronic circuit breaker component
    Patent number: 4912440
    Abstract: Electronic circuit breaker components are selectively coated with zinc and tin compounds to protect the components from the environment and to promote lubricity. Selected components within the operating mechanism, actuator and crossbar assemblies are coated with zinc phosphate followed by an over-coating of tin phosphate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Trenton D. Masterson
  • Molded case circuit breaker auxiliary switch unit
    Patent number: 4912439
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the circuit breaker cover from the environment. An auxiliary switch unit is one such accessory component which can be field-installed without affecting the integrity of the circuit breaker and which is connected to a remote indicator connected by external wire conductors to signal the "ON" or "OFF" condition of the circuit breaker contacts. The auxiliary switch unit enclosure is specially shaped to protect the auxiliary switch from damage due to excess tension on the external wire conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Carin B. Benway
  • Method of assembling a molded case circuit breaker current transformer assembly
    Patent number: 4907342
    Abstract: A circuit breaker enclosure consists of a cover and a case designed for robotic assembly of the circuit breaker components. A current transformer assembly and a printed wire board containing the electronic trip unit circuit are precisely positioned within the case and cover by means of a transitory circuit breaker case support platform. The transitory support platform includes four upstanding posts that pass through openings formed in the circuit breaker case and are received within corresponding openings through the circuit breaker cover. Leads extending from the current transformer assembly within the case become automatically positioned within corresponding openings through the printed wire board by means of tapered lead-in openings formed within the circuit breaker cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Joseph M. Palmieri, Graham A. Scott
  • Versatile electric disconnect switch
    Patent number: 4902864
    Abstract: A fast operating disconnect switch minimizes the arc that occurs when the switch contacts are opened or closed by operation of a rotor assembly while the switch is electrically energized. A powerful operating spring within the operating mechanism under the control of a handle operator assembly overcenters upon the ON-OFF as well as OFF-ON movement of the handle operator. The handle operator assembly is adapted for either left-hand or right-hand mounting to a common rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Markowski, Dean A. Robarge, Robert L. Owens, Jerome B. Tankersley, III
  • Molded case circuit breaker operating mechanism fold-down arrangement
    Patent number: 4894632
    Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism employs a multi-latch arrangement for controlling the automatic opening of the circuit breaker contacts upon predetermined overcurrent conditions. The multi-latch assembly is robotically assembled to the operating mechanism and is retained thereon by means of a retainer tab. The circuit breaker case and cover contain integrally formed steps which receive extensions formed on the operating mechanism assembly. The operating mechanism assembly becomes wedged between the circuit breaker cover and case when the cover is later fastened to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, David J. Meiners
  • Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit
    Patent number: 4894631
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Ronald D. Ciarcia, Keith W. Klein
  • Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory unit
    Patent number: 4890184
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. One such actuator-accessory unit includes a fast release overcurrent trip circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Inventor: Ronald R. Russell
  • Insulated electrical power distribution busway tabs
    Patent number: 4886468
    Abstract: An electric power busway system includes a plurality of closely spaced bus bar conductors with each bus conductor having at least one offset contact blade extension welded or brazed thereto. The contact blades engage corresponding contact spring type receiver stabs within a power take-off assembly with interphase insulators arranged between the corresponding blade receive stabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lynn M. Harton, Bruce R. Rosenberger, John D. Anderson, Clarence W. Walker
  • Molded case electronic circuit interrupter
    Patent number: 4884164
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit within a self-contained circuit interrupter utilizes dual electromagnetic trip actuators. One such actuator responds to overcurrent conditions to interrupt the protected circuit up to a predetermined value. The other such actuator interrupts the protected circuit at all overcurrent conditions in excess of the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Dziura, Ronald R. Russell, Graham A. Scott
  • Molded case circuit breaker current transformer assembly
    Patent number: 4884048
    Abstract: A circuit breaker enclosure consists of a cover and a case designed for robotic assembly of the circuit breaker components. A current transformer assembly and a printed wire board containing the electronic trip unit circuit are precisely positioned within the case and cover by means of a transitory circuit breaker case support platform. The transitory support platform includes four upstanding posts that pass through openings formed in the circuit breaker case and are received within corresponding openings through the circuit breaker cover. Leads extending from the current transformer assembly within the case become automatically positioned within corresponding openings through the printed wire board by means of tapered lead-in openings formed within the circuit breaker cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Joseph M. Palmieri, Graham A. Scott
  • Circuit breaker warning relay and control accessory
    Patent number: 4876622
    Abstract: A circuit breaker warning and control relay provides visual indication of an impending overcurrent condition. Sufficient time is thereby allotted for manual intervention to prevent damage to material and equipment utilized within sensitive manufacturing processes. The relay can be arranged to automatically shut-down selected equipment in a predetermined order for load-shedding implementation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John J. Dougherty
  • Circuit breaker with removable display and keypad
    Patent number: 4870531
    Abstract: An electronic circuit interrupter digital display and keypad device includes a display to view circuit breaker settings and a keypad to select settings and values to be displayed. The display and keypad device removably connects to an electronic trip unit within the circuit interrupter by means of a plug-in connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Danek
  • Method of making loop-feed wiring arrangement for electric circuit breakers and switches
    Patent number: 4868981
    Abstract: Double-lug wiring assemblies are added to multipole eletric circuit breaker load centers to allow for loop-feed connection between the load centers when employed within satellite power take-off facilities. The loop-feed arrangement results in a substantial savings in wire costs and installation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Heidemarie Hinckley, William M. Childs
  • Molded case circuit breaker latch and operating mechanism assembly
    Patent number: 4864263
    Abstract: An industrial rated molded case circuit breaker having an electronic trip circuit contained within the circuit breaker enclosure includes a reset spring in cooperation with the circuit breaker latch spring to insure manual reset of circuit breaker after an automatic trip function. The reset spring allows the circuit breaker latch assembly to be manually reset upon minimum travel of the circuit breaker operating handle due to internal circuit breaker component space restrictions. The circuit breaker latch assembly is robotically loaded to the operating mechanism which is then attached to the circuit breaker case by an automated fastening process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, David J. Meiners
  • Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory module
    Patent number: 4860157
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory module is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. A separate actuator-accessory module is selected for different combinations of accessory functions. One such actuator-accessory module provides overcurrent protection along with remote trip facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald R. Russell
  • Molded case and cover arrangement for current limiting circuit interrupters
    Patent number: 4860162
    Abstract: An insulating plastic case and cover for a circuit breaker having complementary extensions on the cover and recesses on the base side walls to transfer internal stress from the base side walls to the cover during circuit interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Francesco DeVizzi
  • Molded case circuit breaker actuator-accessory module
    Patent number: 4858056
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory module is either field-installed or factory-installed within the integrated protection unit. A separate actuator-accessory module is selected for different combinations of accessory functions. One such actuator-accessory module provides ground fault protection along with remote trip facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald R. Russell
  • Weatherproof air conditioning disconnect switch
    Patent number: 4851963
    Abstract: A weather-tight air conditioning disconnect switch has both plastic and metal enclosure components for low cost assembly. The exterior components include a metal case and cover whereas the interior non-electrical components are plastic-molded. One such molded plastic dead-front shields the electrical terminals within the enclosure and contains instruction and caution indicia integrally-formed on the exterior surface during the plastic molding forming process. ON - OFF indication of the switch is achieved by the orientation of the switch handle with the switch handle receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Greg A. Miller, Donald H. Stoll
  • Enclosure for circuit protection related devices
    Patent number: D305327
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Larry J. Newmark, David A. Hibbert