Patents by Inventor Federico Gamba

Federico Gamba 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: 11621545
    Abstract: A low and medium voltage electrical enclosure comprising a supporting structure which defines an internal space delimited by walls forming one or more compartments housing one or more electrical apparatuses. At least one of said walls is provided with one or more venting openings that put into communication said internal space with the outside of said low voltage electrical enclosure; the venting openings are provided with a cover closing a corresponding venting opening in a first—closed—operating condition. The enclosure is provided with an actuating device adapted to open said cover in a second—open—operating condition in case of arc fault inside said internal space; said actuating device comprises an actuating mechanism having a Shape Memory Alloy-based (SMA-based) actuating element having a first dimension at first predetermined temperatures reversibly changeable into a second dimension at second predetermined temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Pierceleste Benedetti, Alessio Bergamini, Giuseppe Nava, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20210119423
    Abstract: A low and medium voltage electrical enclosure comprising a supporting structure which defines an internal space delimited by walls forming one or more compartments housing one or more electrical apparatuses. At least one of said walls is provided with one or more venting openings that put into communication said internal space with the outside of said low voltage electrical enclosure; the venting openings are provided with a cover closing a corresponding venting opening in a first—closed—operating condition. The enclosure is provided with an actuating device adapted to open said cover in a second—open—operating condition in case of arc fault inside said internal space; said actuating device comprises an actuating mechanism having a Shape Memory Alloy-based (SMA-based) actuating element having a first dimension at first predetermined temperatures reversibly changeable into a second dimension at second predetermined temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Pierceleste Benedetti, Alessio Bergamini, Giuseppe Nava, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 9736967
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus cooling for an electrical or electronic device, comprising an at least partially hollow body containing a refrigerant and having a plurality of electrically conductive sections Each electrically conductive section has a respective coupling portion suitable to be operatively associated with a corresponding electrically conductive part of the electrical or electronic device, wherein the at least partially hollow body further comprises one or more electrically insulating sections. Each electrically insulating section is positioned between and electrically insulates from each other two adjacent electrically conductive sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ABB S.P.A.
    Inventors: Francoise Molitor, Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Francesco Agostini, Thomas Gradinger, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20160174414
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus cooling for an electrical or electronic device, comprising an at least partially hollow body containing a refrigerant and having a plurality of electrically conductive sections Each electrically conductive section has a respective coupling portion suitable to be operatively associated with a corresponding electrically conductive part of the electrical or electronic device, wherein the at least partially hollow body further comprises one or more electrically insulating sections. Each electrically insulating section is positioned between and electrically insulates from each other two adjacent electrically conductive sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Francoise Molitor, Patrik Kaufmann, Tilo Buehler, Francesco Agostini, Thomas Gradinger, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8587393
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic protection device, in particular for an automatic circuit breaker or a disconnecting switch, preferably for use in low voltage systems. The invention also relates to an automatic circuit breaker comprising this device. The protection device (1) according to the invention comprises a low voltage circuit breaker comprising an air gap magnetic circuit (T), provided with a first portion (10) forming a first surface (11) of said air gap (T) and a second portion (20) forming a second surface (21) of the air gap (T). The first portion (10) constitutes a fixed section of the magnetic circuit, while the second portion (20) constitutes a moving section of the magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit also comprises a flexible portion (30) that connects the first portion (10) to the second portion (20) with continuity, forming an intermediate section of magnetic circuit interposed between the fixed section and the moving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lucio Azzola, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8455781
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a sealed ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8339773
    Abstract: A device for connecting an electric line to a connection terminal for direct or indirect connection with a circuit breaker, which comprises at least one first electrically conducting body having a first end portion intended to be operatively connected to the terminal, and a second end portion intended to be operatively connected to a conductor element of the electric line, and at least one thermal conducting body comprising a hermetically sealed cavity containing a cooling fluid. The thermal conducting body is operatively coupled to the first electrically conducting body such that the hermetically sealed cavity has a first surface arranged in proximity to the first end portion and a second surface arranged in proximity to the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Frassineti, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8309873
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a scaled ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8232489
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular an automatic switch, a disconnecting switch or a contactor, installable according to different operating configurations and preferably for use in low voltage systems. The device comprises a case containing at least a pair of contacts, one or more accessory devices for controlling and/or setting the operation of the switching device and user interface means, capable of performing output and/or input functions relative to the accessory devices. These interface means comprise at least a display which shows information relative to the output and/or input functions according to a viewing direction. The switching device also comprises means to select the viewing direction which are operatively connected to the display. These selection means allow selection of the viewing direction on the display as a function of the installation configuration of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Frassineti, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 8164402
    Abstract: A current transformer adapted for use in an electrical circuit. The current transformer includes a toroidal core and at least one electrical conductor having a portion passing within the toroidal core. The current transformer includes a cooling device having a body made of thermal conducting material and configured so that it has a first portion connected to the electrical conductor at a position upstream from the toroidal core and suitable for absorbing heat from the electrical conductor, and a second portion, spaced apart from the first portion, which is connected to the electrical conductor at a position downstream from the toroidal core and is suitable for transmitting heat to the electrical conductor. The thermal conducting body comprises at least one portion made of an electrically insulating material capable of preventing the current flow through the cooling device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Bergamini, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20110290762
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, each of which comprises a housing containing a scaled ampoule that in turn contains at least one fixed contact and at least one moving contact, which can be mutually coupled and uncoupled, said housing consisting of a first side and a second side that define an interior containing said ampoule, the outer side wall on said first side being complementary to and associable with the outer side wall of said second side, said poles being located side-by-side to form a set of poles complementary to at least a part of said containment structure; operative connection means between said control mechanism and said poles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7960666
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker that comprises: a containment structure; a control mechanism; a plurality of circuit breaking poles, chosen between a first type of pole that comprises a first housing containing a first fixed contact and a corresponding first moving contact that can be coupled to said first fixed contact by means of its rotation around a point, and a second type of pole that comprises a second housing containing a second fixed contact and a corresponding second moving contact that can be coupled to said second fixed contact by means of a translatory movement along an axis; a first kinematic coupling between said control mechanism and said first moving contact, in the case of said poles belonging to said first type of pole, or a second kinematic coupling between said control mechanism and said second moving contact, in the case of said poles belonging to said second type of pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Maurizio Curnis, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20100301980
    Abstract: A current transformer adapted for use in an electrical circuit. The current transformer includes a toroidal core and at least one electrical conductor having a portion passing within the toroidal core. The current transformer includes a cooling device having a body made of thermal conducting material and configured so that it has a first portion connected to the electrical conductor at a position upstream from the toroidal core and suitable for absorbing heat from the electrical conductor, and a second portion, spaced apart from the first portion, which is connected to the electrical conductor at a position downstream from the toroidal core and is suitable for transmitting heat to the electrical conductor. The thermal conducting body comprises at least one portion made of an electrically insulating material capable of preventing the current flow through the cooling device itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessio Bergamini, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20100304590
    Abstract: A device for connecting an electric line to a connection terminal for direct or indirect connection with a circuit breaker, which comprises at least one first electrically conducting body having a first end portion intended to be operatively connected to the terminal, and a second end portion intended to be operatively connected to a conductor element of the electric line, and at least one thermal conducting body comprising a hermetically sealed cavity containing a cooling fluid. The thermal conducting body is operatively coupled to the first electrically conducting body such that the hermetically sealed cavity has a first surface arranged in proximity to the first end portion and a second surface arranged in proximity to the second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Frassineti, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7750259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a single-pole or multi-pole switch to be used preferably in low-voltage systems. The switch (1) comprises an outer casing (2) containing for each pole at least one fixed contact (10) and one mobile contact (20) that can be coupled to/uncoupled from one another. The mobile contacts (20) are housed in appropriate seats (25) provided on a mobile element (50). The switch (1) moreover comprises an energy-accumulation control mechanism (60), operatively connected to the mobile element (50) to enable its movement. The switch (1) according to the invention is advantageously provided with means of axial support operatively connected to the mobile element (50) in order to support the gravitational thrusts that are generated along the axis of rotation of the mobile element itself when said axis is inclined with respect to a substantially horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Besana, Gustavo Brignoli, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20100163377
    Abstract: A switching device, in particular an automatic switch, a disconnecting switch or a contactor, installable according to different operating configurations and preferably for use in low voltage systems. The device comprises a case containing at least a pair of contacts, one or more accessory devices for controlling and/or setting the operation of the switching device and user interface means, capable of performing output and/or input functions relative to the accessory devices. These interface means comprise at least a display which shows information relative to the output and/or input functions according to a viewing direction. The switching device also comprises means to select the viewing direction which are operatively connected to the display. These selection means allow selection of the viewing direction on the display as a function of the installation configuration of the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: ABB S.P.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Frassineti, Federico Gamba
  • Publication number: 20100073114
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic protection device, in particular for an automatic circuit breaker or a disconnecting switch, preferably for use in low voltage systems. The invention also relates to an automatic circuit breaker comprising this device. The protection device (1) according to the invention comprises a low voltage circuit breaker comprising an air gap magnetic circuit (T), provided with a first portion (10) forming a first surface (11) of said air gap (T) and a second portion (20) forming a second surface (21) of the air gap (T). The first portion (10) constitutes a fixed section of the magnetic circuit, while the second portion (20) constitutes a moving section of the magnetic circuit. The magnetic circuit also comprises a flexible portion (30) that connects the first portion (10) to the second portion (20) with continuity, forming an intermediate section of magnetic circuit interposed between the fixed section and the moving section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lucio Azzola, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7592566
    Abstract: A method for mutually welding a plate that has at least one layer based on Ag alloys and a copper body, comprising the use of laser means for performing the welding, its particularity consisting of the fact that it comprises the steps that consist in:—superimposing and coupling one face of the plate on a surface of the copper body;—starting the welding process by focusing the laser means on a point located proximate to the joint between the face of the plate and the surface of the copper body;—maintaining an angle of incidence of the laser means at values other than 0° with respect to the perpendicular to the surface to be welded;—moving the laser means with respect to the joint, so that the weldpool is pushed along the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Maura, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7579963
    Abstract: A protection device for circuit-breakers that comprises a wireless communication system for transmitting locally, to a dedicated computerized device, information corresponding to measurements of electrical quantities, to the setting of the parameters typical of the protection functions, or to diagnostics information corresponding to the electrical system, to the circuit-breaker or to the protection device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Viaro, Marco Stucchi, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7492563
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker comprising a casing containing at least one fixed contact and at least one mobile contact. The circuit breaker moreover comprises, inside said casing, a first communication bus, designed to interface a plurality of accessories and devices of said circuit breaker, and an interface unit, which comprises a plurality of ports that are designed to be connected to said accessories and devices via said first communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Severino Colombo, Federico Gamba