Patents by Inventor Brian J. Berner

Brian J. Berner 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).

  • Limited restrike electric power circuit interrupter suitable for use as a line capacitor and load switch
    Patent number: 6583978
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Southern States, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Rostron, Cary J. Ahrano, Brian J. Berner
  • Limited restrike electric power circuit interrupter suitable for use as a line capacitor and load switch
    Publication number: 20020050484
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph R. Rostron, Cary J. Ahrano, Brian J. Berner
  • Limited restrike circuit interrupter used as a line capacitor and load switch
    Patent number: 6316742
    Abstract: An actuator mechanism that decreases the time needed to move the contacts of a circuit interrupter between a closed circuit position and an open circuit position to reduce the probability of the occurrence of restrikes. The actuator mechanism uses a toggle spring arrangement that uses a single spring to move the interrupter through both an opening stroke and a closing stroke. The interrupter is designed to connect to the circuit in parallel, so that the interrupter is not normally in the circuit when the circuit is closed. Because the interrupter is not normally in the circuit, it can be manufactured to less stringent standards than those that apply to electrical components that normally remain in the circuit. The interrupter is well adapted for use as a puffer-type interrupter in which the contacts of the interrupter are contained in an arc-extinguishing gas, such as sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas to further reduce the probability of restrikes and to minimize the effect of occurring restrikes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Southern States, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Rostron, Cary J. Ahrano, Brian J. Berner