Patents by Inventor Dave Christensen

Dave Christensen 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: 20090035631
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell can comprise: a first electrode and a second electrode with a membrane disposed therebetween and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode and a sintered porous support member disposed on a side of the membrane opposite the second electrode, wherein the support member comprises a first portion on first side of the support member proximate the membrane and a second portion disposed on a side of the first portion opposite the membrane, wherein the second portion has a second portion porosity different from a first portion porosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Dave Christensen, Durwood Beringer, Tushar Ghuwalewala, Chris Capuano, Tony Hurtado, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Publication number: 20050250003
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell can comprise: a first electrode and a second electrode with a membrane disposed therebetween and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode and a sintered porous support member disposed on a side of the membrane opposite the second electrode, wherein the support member comprises a first portion on first side of the support member proximate the membrane and a second portion disposed on a side of the first portion opposite the membrane, wherein the second portion has a second portion porosity different from a first portion porosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Dave Christensen, Durwood Beringer, Tushar Ghuwalewala, Chris Capuano, Tony Hurtado
  • Publication number: 20030191654
    Abstract: A web based computer program for organizing intellectual property information, the program, when executed causing a computer to display a menu of products available for selection and, upon selection of a product, displaying a graphical representation of the product. The graphical representation includes links identifying portions of the selected product to intellectual property information related to the identified portion of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Kiran D. Panchal, Carl B. Horton, Dave Christensen, Balusamy Jayakumar, Vinod Kumar
  • Patent number: 6590482
    Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism for separating a pair of electrical contacts within an electrical circuit breaker includes a lower link operatively connected to one of the electrical contacts. An upper link includes first and second legs extending from a central portion. The first leg is pivotally secured to the lower link, and the second leg includes a cam surface formed thereon. A roller is in intimate contact with the cam surface, and the cam surface is configured such that movement of the upper link relative to the roller causes the upper link to pivot about the central portion. Pivoting of the upper link about the central portion moves the lower link causing the second contact to move away from the first contact. An operating spring is configured to provide a force for separating the electrical contacts when the operating mechanism is tripped. An operating handle includes a void disposed therein, and an end of the spring is secured to the operating handle within the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen
  • Patent number: 6479774
    Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism comprises a movable handle yoke, a mechanism spring extending in tension from the handle yoke to a pin, and a lower link extending from the pin to a crank operably connected to a contact arm bearing a movable contact. The crank is positionable in open and closed positions, being in an open position when the movable contact is separated from an associated fixed contact and being in a closed position when the movable contact is mated to said associated fixed contact. The circuit breaker further comprises an interface formed on said crank and a blocking prop having a first surface that engages said interface, the first surface preventing the crank from rotating towards the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen
  • Patent number: 6459059
    Abstract: A return spring mechanism is arranged to operate with a circuit breaker operating mechanism during a trip condition. The circuit breaker operating mechanism is movable between a tripped position, a reset position, an off position and an on position. The return spring mechanism is attached to the exterior of the circuit breaker frame and includes a return spring with a fixed end attached to the frame. When the circuit breaker is tripped, the return spring mechanism operates to provide an additional force to the handle yoke. The additional force applied by the return spring is predetermined to position the handle yoke intermediate to the handle yoke positions when the circuit breaker is off and on. Thus, the movement of the handle yoke to the intermediate position provides clear indication that the circuit breaker is in the tripped condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randy Greenberg, Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Hassan Girish
  • Patent number: 6403909
    Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes first and second rotary contact assemblies mountable to a base member, a circuit breaker operating mechanism mounted to the first rotary contact assembly, and a trip bar in mechanical communication with the first rotary contact assembly and the circuit breaker operating mechanism. The rotary contact assemblies each include rotors rotatable about axes therethrough and movable contact arms pivotally mounted within the rotors. The circuit breaker operating mechanism serves to position the rotors to separate movable contacts thereon from fixed contacts. A trip override device includes spring links operably connected via springs to each of the rotors of the rotary contact assemblies and the trip bar. The trip bar comprises trip levers protruding radially therefrom and being in mechanical communication with the rotary contact assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Green, Roger Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Girish Hassan
  • Patent number: 6380829
    Abstract: An operating mechanism comprises an operating handle movable between on and off positions, the operating handle extending substantially up at a point between said on and off positions; a crank for controlling a contact arm of a circuit breaker to cause the contact arm to move between open and closed positions when the crank moved; mechanism springs connected between the operating handle and crank so that the crank moves when the mechanism springs are discharged and when the operating handle is moved between on and off positions; a trip latch restraining the mechanism springs from discharging unless moved; and a trip lever having a lever arm, the trip lever being biased by a tripping spring to cause the trip lever to extend substantially up from the operating mechanism and move the trip latch and discharge said mechanism springs unless the trip lever is prevented from rotating under the influence of said tripping spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Neil Castonguay, Dave Christensen
  • Patent number: 6379196
    Abstract: A termination connector for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The termination connector preferably includes a plurality of single pole screw receiving members integrally attached by a molded housing for unitary attachment to a line or load end of a circuit breaker to assist in holding a nut or nut plate adjacent each screw hole in the circuit breaker's terminal straps. The molded housing preferably includes a line of perforations between each single pole screw receiving member so that the correct number of single pole screw receiving members can be retained and the others can be knocked off along the line of perforations. Provisions are disclosed for adaption of the connector to metric or English standard nut hardware. In addition, the termination connector and circuit breaker are provided with mating attachment devices for providing a simple yet secure connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randy Greenberg, David Arnold, Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Matthias Reichard
  • Patent number: 6340925
    Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism for separating a pair of electrical contacts within an electrical circuit breaker includes a lower link operatively connected to one of the electrical contacts. An upper link includes first and second legs extending from a central portion. The first leg is pivotally secured to the lower link, and the second leg includes a cam surface formed thereon. A roller is in intimate contact with the cam surface, and the cam surface is configured such that movement of the upper link relative to the roller causes the upper link to pivot about the central portion. Pivoting of the upper link about the central portion moves the lower link causing the second contact to move away from the first contact. A mechanism spring is configured to provide a force for separating the electrical contacts when the operating mechanism is tripped. A toggle handle includes a void disposed therein, and an end of the spring is secured to the operating handle within the void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen
  • Publication number: 20020000903
    Abstract: A circuit breaker operating mechanism for separating a pair of electrical contacts within an electrical circuit breaker includes a lower link operatively connected to one of the electrical contacts. An upper link includes first and second legs extending from a central portion. The first leg is pivotally secured to the lower link, and the second leg includes a cam surface formed thereon. A roller is in intimate contact with the cam surface, and the cam surface is configured such that movement of the upper link relative to the roller causes the upper link to pivot about the central portion. Pivoting of the upper link about the central portion moves the lower link causing the second contact to move away from the first contact. An operating spring is configured to provide a force for separating the electrical contacts when the operating mechanism is tripped. An operating handle includes a void disposed therein, and an end of the spring is secured to the operating handle within the void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen
  • Publication number: 20010040147
    Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Dennis J. Doughty, Julian Monzon, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6313425
    Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Doughty, Julian Monzon, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6281458
    Abstract: An auxiliary magnetic trip unit for a circuit breaker arranged on the load strap of an industrial-rated circuit breaker to interrupt circuit current upon occurrence of a high-level short circuit fault. The magnetic trip unit employs a magnet yoke, an armature, a trip lever for interacting with a latching mechanism of a circuit breaker operating mechanism, and a lever arranged to restrain the armature from moving toward the magnet yoke and to release the armature in response to a predetermined level of pressurized gas. Thus providing an auxiliary magnetic trip unit for use with circuit breakers for selective short circuit overcurrent protection in an electrical distribution system with circuit breakers connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6239398
    Abstract: A cassette assembly for rotary contact circuit breakers utilizing a first electrically insulative cassette half piece and a second electrically insulative cassette half piece which are arranged to mate with each other to form an enclosure. The electrically insulative cassette half pieces include improper installation rejection features for both the rotor and arc chute assemblies. The inner surface of a electrically insulative cassette half piece including a groove and recesses formed therein. A rotor is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a pin on the face of the rotor into the groove. An arc chute assembly is properly positioned within the electrically insulative cassette half piece by inserting a tab located on a side member of the arc chute assembly into a corresponding recess located in the electrically insulative cassette half piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dennis J. Doughty, Julian Monzon, Dave Christensen, Randy Greenberg
  • Patent number: 6232570
    Abstract: A rotary double-break circuit breaker includes a case defining a circuit breaker enclosure with a rotatable bridge and contact arm arrangement. The contact arm having movable contacts which is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. A pair of stationary contacts cooperate with the movable contacts, and a conductor is operatively connected to each of the stationary contacts for current input thereto. Each of the movable contacts includes a heel portion and a toe portion, the heel portion contacting one of the stationary contacts and the toe portion spaced from the stationary contact when the contact bridge is in closed position, the movable contact being angled or curved relative to the stationary contact such that upon the contact bridge rotating to disengage the movable contacts from the stationary contacts, an electric arc formed between the movable contact and the stationary contact runs to the toe portion of the movable contact thereby protecting the heel portion from substantial damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Stefan Kranz, Randy Greenberg, Dave Christensen
  • Patent number: 6211757
    Abstract: A trip actuator (66) includes a trip spring (106) to bias the trip arm (104) in a clockwise direction about trip arm pivot (120). In the latched and ready to operate state, the clockwise moment about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by force “F” opposes the counterclockwise moment created about the axis of the latch pivot (132) created by the horizontal component “fx” of force “f”, to hold the latch (110) in the upright position against the force of the trip arm (104). When a trip (triggering) signal is provided to the flux shifter (102), the flux shifter (102) releases the plunger (130). With the force “F” removed, the trip arm (104) will drive the latch pin (134), causing the latch (110) to rotate counterclockwise about the latch pivot (132). As the latch (110) and trip arm (104) rotate, the latch pin (134) slides off the latch surface (126), fully releasing the trip arm (104) and allowing the trip paddle (96) to move the secondary latch tab (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Dave Christensen, Girish Hassan
  • Patent number: 6114641
    Abstract: A circuit breaker rotary contact assembly employs a common pivot between the rotor assembly and the rotary contact arm. A pair of off-center expansion springs directly engage the rotor at one end and engage the rotary contact arm via a linkage arrangement at an opposite end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Randall L. Greenberg, Dave Christensen
  • Patent number: D442146
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randy Greenberg, Roger Castonguay, Dave Christensen, Hassan Girish, Ranganna C. Dasari, Dean A. Robarge, Dennis J. Doughty, Michael H. Thomas