Patents by Inventor Gregory C. Eckart

Gregory C. Eckart 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: 4245318
    Abstract: Demonstrator apparatus utilizes a display to portray in log-log coordinate scale the trip-time curve of a solid state (static) trip circuit breaker. A simulated static trip unit programmer is selectively adjustable to vary the shape and position of the displayed trip-time curve. An overlay bearing the trip time-current curve for a prospective upstream or downstream circuit protective device is superimposed on the display and the programmer adjusted to demonstrate selective trip coordination. Alternatively, a pair of simulated trip unit programmers are connected to the display to jointly portray thereon a pair of trip-time curves. Also disclosed is the utilization of a computer to generate on a display plural time-current response curves of a series of circuit protective devices selected on the basis of specific distribution system parameters to provide requisite system protection and response coordination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory C. Eckart, Lewis W. Jacobs, Morris J. Kornblit
  • Patent number: 4233640
    Abstract: A unique ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control either an industrial circuit breaker or a contactor in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is equipped with plural sets of switch contacts which are actuated incident with tripping of the GFCI device. The particular switch contacts are selected to control energization of an actuator adapted to the circuit breaker or contactor, depending on the actuator type. A ground fault sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by injecting a current imbalancing signal into the GFCI device, causing it to trip. The consequent switch contact actuation initiates operation of the circuit breaker or contactor to interrupt the distribution circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith W. Klein, Joseph M. Palmieri, Gregory C. Eckart
  • Patent number: 4233639
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control either an industrial circuit breaker or a contactor in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is equipped with switch contacts which are actuated incident with tripping of the GFCI device. The switch contacts control energization of an actuator adapted to the circuit breaker or contactor. A ground fault sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by injecting a current imbalancing signal into the GFCI device, causing it to trip. The consequent switch contact actuation initiates operation of the circuit breaker or contactor to interrupt the distribution circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith W. Klein, Joseph M. Palmieri, Gregory C. Eckart
  • Patent number: 4156884
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device of the type utilized in low voltage, residential type circuits for personnel protection against ground faults is connected in circuit with a high voltage, high current source so as to trip in response to ground fault current returning to the source via a conductor path solidly connecting the source to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory C. Eckart, Keith W. Klein
  • Patent number: 4044395
    Abstract: A conventional residential ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control a traditional circuit interrupter in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is connected in an energization circuit for a solenoid operable to open the interrupter contacts. A sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by impressing the current signal on one side of the energization circuit, thus creating a current imbalance effective to trip the GFCI device. Interruption of the energization circuit causes the solenoid to initiate opening of the interrupter contacts. In an alternative embodiment, the GFCI device is adapted to initiate opening of the interrupter contacts upon degradation of ground circuit continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gregory C. Eckart
  • Patent number: RE30304
    Abstract: A conventional residential ground fault circuit interrupting (GFCI) device is utilized to control a traditional circuit interrupter in protecting a large power distribution circuit against ground faults. The GFCI device is connected in an energization circuit for a solenoid operable to open the interrupter contacts. A sensor responds to ground faults on the distribution circuit by impressing the current signal on one side of the energization circuit, thus creating a current imbalance effective to trip the GFCI device. Interruption of the energization circuit causes the solenoid to initiate opening of the interrupter contacts. In an alternative embodiment, the GFCI device is adapted to initiate opening of the interrupter contacts upon degradation of ground circuit continuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gregory C. Eckart