Patents by Inventor David Rhein

David Rhein 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).

  • Patent number: 10600592
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter including a vacuum bottle, a bi-stable mechanism, and a bellows assembly. The vacuum bottle having axially seperable contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is a moveable contact. The bi-stable mechanism including an actuator, and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving the moveable contact. The bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between the contacts. The bellows assembly including a spring biasing the contacts apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Patent number: 10541528
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device including a loop split interrupter for interrupting a loop split circuit, and a quick whip interrupter for interrupting a charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David Rhein, Nathan Scot Loucks
  • Publication number: 20190371547
    Abstract: A high voltage/high current air break switch, the switch including a support frame and a blade pivotally supported by the support frame, so as to be pivotable relative to the support frame. The blade includes a load interrupter between a blade support and the distal end of the blade. And a method of operating an air break electrical switch with a swinging blade mounted on a support and having blade contacts brought into and out of engagement with a terminal with terminal contacts, and a load interrupter with contacts in a vacuum bottle, the method steps comprising turning the support to move the blade relative to the terminal, then turning the support to move the vacuum bottle electrical contacts and to move the blade contacts relative to the terminal contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Andrew Kellerman
  • Patent number: 10468213
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a pivotally supported blade, a toggle mechanism, and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is drivable in a first direction to pivot the blade about a first axis and toward a closed blade position. When pivoting toward the closed blade position, the toggle mechanism inhibits the blade from pivoting about a second axis. Upon reaching the closed blade position, continued motion of the operating mechanism in the first direction causes the toggle mechanism to pivot the blade about the second axis toward a closed contact position. In the closed contact position, the blade contacts at least one blade contact to electrically connect the blade and a first electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20190097414
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device including a loop split interrupter for interrupting a loop split circuit, and a quick whip interrupter for interrupting a charging circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: David Rhein, Nathan Scot Loucks
  • Patent number: 10229800
    Abstract: A high voltage/high current air break switch, the switch including a support frame and a blade pivotally supported by the support frame, so as to be pivotable relative to the support frame. The blade includes a load interrupter between a blade support and the distal end of the blade. And a method of operating an air break electrical switch with a swinging blade mounted on a support and having blade contacts brought into and out of engagement with a terminal with terminal contacts, and a load interrupter with contacts in a vacuum bottle, the method steps comprising turning the support to move the blade relative to the terminal, then turning the support to move the vacuum bottle electrical contacts and to move the blade contacts relative to the terminal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Andrew Kellerman
  • Publication number: 20190057824
    Abstract: A switch including a blade, an electrical terminal, and a sensor. The blade is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The electrical terminal is configured to receive the blade when in the closed blade position. The sensor is coupled to the electrical terminal. The sensor is configured to sense a position of the blade and output a signal corresponding to the position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: David Rhein, Angelo Rizzo
  • Patent number: 10148081
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device including a loop split interrupter for interrupting a loop split circuit with a high current and a low voltage and a quick whip interrupter for interrupting a charging circuit with a low current and a high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David Rhein, Nathan Scot Loucks
  • Publication number: 20180286608
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a pivotally supported blade, a toggle mechanism, and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is drivable in a first direction to pivot the blade about a first axis and toward a closed blade position. When pivoting toward the closed blade position, the toggle mechanism inhibits the blade from pivoting about a second axis. Upon reaching the closed blade position, continued motion of the operating mechanism in the first direction causes the toggle mechanism to pivot the blade about the second axis toward a closed contact position. In the closed contact position, the blade contacts at least one blade contact to electrically connect the blade and a first electrical terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Patent number: 9991072
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a pivotally supported blade, a toggle mechanism, and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is drivable in a first direction to pivot the blade about a first axis and toward a closed blade position. When pivoting toward the closed blade position, the toggle mechanism inhibits the blade from pivoting about a second axis. Upon reaching the closed blade position, continued motion of the operating mechanism in the first direction causes the toggle mechanism to pivot the blade about the second axis toward a closed contact position. In the closed contact position, the blade contacts at least one blade contact to electrically connect the blade and a first electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20170345592
    Abstract: A high voltage/high current air break switch, the switch including a support frame and a blade pivotally supported by the support frame, so as to be pivotable relative to the support frame. The blade includes a load interrupter between a blade support and the distal end of the blade. And a method of operating an air break electrical switch with a swinging blade mounted on a support and having blade contacts brought into and out of engagement with a terminal with terminal contacts, and a load interrupter with contacts in a vacuum bottle, the method steps comprising turning the support to move the blade relative to the terminal, then turning the support to move the vacuum bottle electrical contacts and to move the blade contacts relative to the terminal contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Andrew Kellerman
  • Publication number: 20170338068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter includes a vacuum bottle housing having an interior and an exterior, and at least one vacuum bottle positioned within the interior of the vacuum bottle housing. The at least one vacuum bottle includes axially separable contacts within it, including at least one moveable contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes an operating mechanism including a clevis configured to reciprocate the moveable contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes a seal between the vacuum bottle housing and the operating mechanism sealing the operating mechanism from the interior of the vacuum bottle, wherein the seal includes a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the clevis and the second end coupled to the vacuum bottle housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Daniel Breyre
  • Publication number: 20170317486
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device including a loop split interrupter for interrupting a loop split circuit with a high current and a low voltage and a quick whip interrupter for interrupting a charging circuit with a low current and a high voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: David Rhein, Nathan Scot Loucks
  • Patent number: 9761394
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter includes a vacuum bottle housing having an interior and an exterior, and at least one vacuum bottle positioned within the interior of the vacuum bottle housing. The at least one vacuum bottle includes axially separable contacts within it, including at least one moveable contact. The vacuum interrupter further includes an operating mechanism coupled to the moveable contact including an actuator, a toggle pivotable by the actuator, and a bi-stable link assembly operable with the toggle to reciprocate the moveable contact. The operating mechanism also includes a spring biasing the contacts apart and a stop to hold the contacts closed in a closed position of the interrupter. The vacuum interrupter further includes a seal between the vacuum bottle housing and the operating mechanism sealing the operating mechanism from the interior of the vacuum bottle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Daniel Breyre
  • Patent number: 9679721
    Abstract: A high voltage/high current air break switch, the switch including a support frame and a blade pivotally supported by the support frame, so as to be pivotable relative to the support frame. The blade includes a load interrupter between a blade support and the distal end of the blade. And a method of operating an air break electrical switch with a swinging blade mounted on a support and having blade contacts brought into and out of engagement with a terminal with terminal contacts, and a load interrupter with contacts in a vacuum bottle, the method steps comprising turning the support to move the blade relative to the terminal, then turning the support to move the vacuum bottle electrical contacts and to move the blade contacts relative to the terminal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Andrew Kellerman
  • Publication number: 20160064168
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a pivotally supported blade, a toggle mechanism, and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is drivable in a first direction to pivot the blade about a first axis and toward a closed blade position. When pivoting toward the closed blade position, the toggle mechanism inhibits the blade from pivoting about a second axis. Upon reaching the closed blade position, continued motion of the operating mechanism in the first direction causes the toggle mechanism to pivot the blade about the second axis toward a closed contact position. In the closed contact position, the blade contacts at least one blade contact to electrically connect the blade and a first electrical terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20150243459
    Abstract: A high voltage/high current air break switch, the switch including a support frame and a blade pivotally supported by the support frame, so as to be pivotable relative to the support frame. The blade includes a load interrupter between a blade support and the distal end of the blade. And a method of operating an air break electrical switch with a swinging blade mounted on a support and having blade contacts brought into and out of engagement with a terminal with terminal contacts, and a load interrupter with contacts in a vacuum bottle, the method steps comprising turning the support to move the blade relative to the terminal, then turning the support to move the vacuum bottle electrical contacts and to move the blade contacts relative to the terminal contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Rhein, Andrew Kellerman
  • Patent number: 9099266
    Abstract: An electrical switch includes a pivotally supported blade, a toggle mechanism, and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism is drivable in a first direction to pivot the blade about a first axis and toward a closed blade position. When pivoting toward the closed blade position, the toggle mechanism inhibits the blade from pivoting about a second axis. Upon reaching the closed blade position, continued motion of the operating mechanism in the first direction causes the toggle mechanism to pivot the blade about the second axis toward a closed contact position. In the closed contact position, the blade contacts at least one blade contact to electrically connect the blade and a first electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Publication number: 20150170856
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter for interrupting a voltage. The vacuum interrupter including a vacuum bottle, a bi-stable mechanism, and a bellows assembly. The vacuum bottle having axially seperable contacts, wherein at least one of the contacts is a moveable contact. The bi-stable mechanism including an actuator, and a cam pivotable by the actuator, the cam moving the moveable contact. The bellows assembly reciprocating the moveable contact to prevent arcing between the contacts. The bellows assembly including a spring biasing the contacts apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventor: David A. Rhein
  • Patent number: 8829372
    Abstract: An air break electrical switch includes a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal supported apart from the first electrical terminal. The switch further includes a blade support configured to be electrically insulatively supported apart from the second electrical terminal. A blade is pivotally supported by the blade support, and the blade is pivotable from an open contact position to a closed contact position and vice versa. The switch further includes an indicator connected to the blade. At least a portion of the indicator is fixed to the blade so as to rotate with the blade and display a first color when the blade is in the open contact position and obscure the first color when the blade is in the closed contact position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Power Products, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Rhein