Patents by Inventor James Ferree

James Ferree 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: 8159319
    Abstract: A concept of a double-breaking contact system with a rotating contact arm is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a novel arrangement of fixed conductors that cross over the contact arm is presented. A double-breaking contact system for a low voltage circuit breaker of at least one embodiment includes a double-breaking contact arm extending along a longitudinal axis and being rotatable across a central bearing; a first fixed conductor and a second fixed conductor, each conductor contacting one end of the contact arm, respectively and having first segments below the contact arm, second segments above the contact arm and third segments crossing over the contact arm and connecting the first segments with the corresponding second segments of each conductor; wherein the first segments and/or the second segments are arranged parallel to each other for guiding a current in a parallel direction through the respective first and/or second segments, but reverse to the current in the contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: James Ferree
  • Patent number: 7977592
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a mechanism of a contact system for circuit breakers. More particularly, the invention encompasses a mechanism for a rotary double-break contact system, which enables a direct transfer of torque from stored energy components, such as, springs, to the contact arm in the ON-position (contacts closed) without using intermediate cam surface. The mechanism described in the invention also ensures reliable locking of the contact arm in the blow-off position using stationary means that are integral with or fixed to a crossbar module. This invention enables to achieve significant reduction or even to eliminate friction at certain critical interfaces between the contact mechanism components, thus, reducing or potentially eliminating hysteresis, and improving performance consistency, and also eliminating mechanism performance dependency on wear level and condition of an intermediate cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark I. Shmukler, James Ferree
  • Publication number: 20090321233
    Abstract: A concept of a double-breaking contact system with a rotating contact arm is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a novel arrangement of fixed conductors that cross over the contact arm is presented. A double-breaking contact system for a low voltage circuit breaker of at least one embodiment includes a double-breaking contact arm extending along a longitudinal axis and being rotatable across a central bearing; a first fixed conductor and a second fixed conductor, each conductor contacting one end of the contact arm, respectively and having first segments below the contact arm, second segments above the contact arm and third segments crossing over the contact arm and connecting the first segments with the corresponding second segments of each conductor; wherein the first segments and/or the second segments are arranged parallel to each other for guiding a current in a parallel direction through the respective first and/or second segments, but reverse to the current in the contact arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: James Ferree
  • Publication number: 20090065341
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a mechanism of a contact system for circuit breakers. More particularly, the invention encompasses a mechanism for a rotary double-break contact system, which enables a direct transfer of torque from stored energy components, such as, springs, to the contact arm in the ON-position (contacts closed) without using intermediate cam surface. The mechanism described in the invention also ensures reliable locking of the contact arm in the blow-off position using stationary means that are integral with or fixed to a crossbar module. This invention enables to achieve significant reduction or even to eliminate friction at certain critical interfaces between the contact mechanism components, thus, reducing or potentially eliminating hysteresis, and improving performance consistency, and also eliminating mechanism performance dependency on wear level and condition of an intermediate cam surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark I. Shmukler, James Ferree