Patents by Inventor Dennis Zuffelato

Dennis Zuffelato 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: 7342474
    Abstract: A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load, an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, and a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism. The drive system includes a motor responsive to first and second control signals, a primary drive responsive to the motor, and an opening spring responsive to the primary drive, the main contacts being responsive to the opening spring. In response to the first control signal, the primary drive moves to charge the opening spring, and in response to the second control signal and the main contacts being closed, the primary drive moves to allow the opening spring to discharge thereby resulting in the main contacts opening independent of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Narayansamy Soundararajan, Dennis Zuffelato, Craig Benjamin Williams, Heather Pugliese
  • Patent number: 7298606
    Abstract: A multi-pole mounting base for interfacing a circuit breaker and/or circuit interrupter with an electrical panel is disclosed. The electrical panel has an interior configured to receive remote operated circuit breakers (ROCBs) in signal communication with a communication board internal to the electrical panel, non-ROCBs, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCls). The mounting base includes a unitary support platform assemblable to the interior of the electrical panel and having first mounting regions with common structure configured to receive any one of the ROCBs, the non-ROCBs, and the GFCls. The support platform also has second mounting regions configured to receive the communication board. The support platform is configured to assemble adjacent to another support platform in the electrical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andre Joseph M'Sadoques, Joseph G. Nagy, Dennis Zuffelato, Yatin Vilas Newase
  • Patent number: 7061349
    Abstract: A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load, an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, and a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism. The drive system includes a motor responsive to first and second control signals, a primary drive responsive to the motor, and an opening spring responsive to the primary drive, the main contacts being responsive to the opening spring. In response to the first control signal, the primary drive moves to charge the opening spring, and in response to the second control signal and the main contacts being closed, the primary drive moves to allow the opening spring to discharge thereby resulting in the main contacts opening independent of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Narayansamy Soundararajan, Dennis Zuffelato, Craig B. Williams, Heather Pugliese
  • Publication number: 20060071742
    Abstract: A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load, an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, and a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism. The drive system includes a motor responsive to first and second control signals, a primary drive responsive to the motor, and an opening spring responsive to the primary drive, the main contacts being responsive to the opening spring. In response to the first control signal, the primary drive moves to charge the opening spring, and in response to the second control signal and the main contacts being closed, the primary drive moves to allow the opening spring to discharge thereby resulting in the main contacts opening independent of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Joseph Nagy, Narayansamy Soundararajan, Dennis Zuffelato, Craig Williams, Heather Pugliese
  • Publication number: 20050213289
    Abstract: A multi-pole mounting base for interfacing a circuit breaker and/or circuit interrupter with an electrical panel is disclosed. The electrical panel has an interior configured to receive remote operated circuit breakers (ROCBs) in signal communication with a communication board internal to the electrical panel, non-ROCBs, and ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCls). The mounting base includes a unitary support platform assemblable to the interior of the electrical panel and having first mounting regions with common structure configured to receive any one of the ROCBs, the non-ROCBs, and the GFCls. The support platform also has second mounting regions configured to receive the communication board. The support platform is configured to assemble adjacent to another support platform in the electrical panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andre M'Sadoques, Joseph Nagy, Dennis Zuffelato, Yatin Newase
  • Publication number: 20050212628
    Abstract: A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load, an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, and a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism. The drive system includes a motor responsive to first and second control signals, a primary drive responsive to the motor, and an opening spring responsive to the primary drive, the main contacts being responsive to the opening spring. In response to the first control signal, the primary drive moves to charge the opening spring, and in response to the second control signal and the main contacts being closed, the primary drive moves to allow the opening spring to discharge thereby resulting in the main contacts opening independent of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Joseph Nagy, Narayansamy Soundararajan, Dennis Zuffelato, Craig Williams, Heather Pugliese
  • Patent number: 6880226
    Abstract: A method for restricting travel of a moving contact in a lighting contactor is provided. The lighting contactor includes the moving contact and a contact carrier. The method includes the steps of providing a spacer, and a biasing member and positioning the biasing member though the spacer. The method also includes installing the biasing member and the spacer in the contact carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patrick McGill, Dennis Zuffelato, Thuong Phung, Javier Larranaga, Mani Natarajan, Agali Ramadevi, AnilKumar D. Pandit
  • Publication number: 20030000814
    Abstract: A method for restricting travel of a moving contact in a lighting contactor is provided. The lighting contactor includes the moving contact and a contact carrier. The method includes the steps of providing a spacer, and a biasing member and positioning the biasing member though the spacer. The method also includes installing the biasing member and the spacer in the contact carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick McGill, Dennis Zuffelato, Thuong Phung, Javier Larranaga, Mani Natarajan, Agali Ramadevi, AnilKumar D. Pandit