Patents by Inventor James J. Benke
James J. Benke 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).
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Patent number: 10283310Abstract: A fuse operation indicator assembly includes an elongate tube having first and second ends, a fuse striker receiving member at the first end of the tube and configured to receive a fuse striker, an actuating member at the second end of the tube and configured to be actuated responsive to the fuse striker member, and a detector configured to detect actuation of the actuating member.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
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Publication number: 20190066954Abstract: A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element. The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: NICHOLAS P. BRUSKY, ROBERT N. PARRY, JAMES J. BENKE
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Patent number: 10147574Abstract: A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element. The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Nicholas P. Brusky, Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke
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Publication number: 20170125197Abstract: A fuse operation indicator assembly includes an elongate tube having first and second ends, a fuse striker receiving member at the first end of the tube and configured to receive a fuse striker, an actuating member at the second end of the tube and configured to be actuated responsive to the fuse striker member, and a detector configured to detect actuation of the actuating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
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Patent number: 9634478Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a motor cooperating with the operating mechanism to open or close the separable contacts. The motor includes an input structured to input power. The electrical switching apparatus also includes an electronic circuit structured to condition the input power to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
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Patent number: 9583297Abstract: A fuse operation indicator assembly includes an elongate tube having first and second ends, a fuse striker receiving member at the first end of the tube and configured to receive a fuse striker, an actuating member at the second end of the tube and configured to be actuated responsive to the fuse striker member, and a detector configured to detect actuation of the actuating member.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
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Publication number: 20170025238Abstract: A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element. The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: NICHOLAS P. BRUSKY, ROBERT N. PARRY, JAMES J. BENKE
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Patent number: 9490093Abstract: A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element, The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Nicholas P. Brusky, Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke
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Publication number: 20150287564Abstract: A fuse operation indicator assembly includes an elongate tube having first and second ends, a fuse striker receiving member at the first end of the tube and configured to receive a fuse striker, an actuating member at the second end of the tube and configured to be actuated responsive to the fuse striker member, and a detector configured to detect actuation of the actuating member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
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Publication number: 20150014129Abstract: A trip mechanism for a fuse includes a trip unit disposed within an elongated housing of the fuse, and a processor. The trip unit includes a fuse element and an actuator for severing the fuse element, The processor is in electrical communication with the trip unit, and is adapted to monitor electrical current. Responsive to the processor detecting a predetermined prescribed electrical current, the processor is adapted to signal the actuator to sever the fuse element. The processor is programmable to selectively adjust the predetermined prescribed electrical current, thereby enabling the fuse to have a plurality different current ratings.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Nicholas P. Brusky, Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke
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Publication number: 20140043714Abstract: Switchgear includes a plurality of bus bars; and a plurality of circuit breakers. At least one of the circuit breakers includes a trip unit. The trip unit includes an interface to at least one arc fault sensor operatively associated with the switchgear. The trip unit is structured to trip at least one of a corresponding one of the at least one of the circuit breakers and a shorting switch responsive to current flowing through the corresponding one of the at least one of the circuit breakers and an arc fault signal from the at least one arc fault sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventor: JAMES J. BENKE
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Publication number: 20140043117Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, and a motor cooperating with the operating mechanism to open or close the separable contacts. The motor includes an input structured to input power. The electrical switching apparatus also includes an electronic circuit structured to condition the input power to the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: STEVEN Z. CHEN, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
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Patent number: 8487606Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an electrical conductor, at least one of a voltage sensor and a current sensor disposed about the electrical conductor, and a first insulator molded about the electrical conductor. The first insulator includes a plurality of structures structured to maintain concentricity between the electrical conductor and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor. A second insulator is molded about the first insulator and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Mark A. Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Brad R. Leccia, Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke
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Publication number: 20120098519Abstract: A sensor assembly includes an electrical conductor, at least one of a voltage sensor and a current sensor disposed about the electrical conductor, and a first insulator molded about the electrical conductor. The first insulator includes a plurality of structures structured to maintain concentricity between the electrical conductor and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor. A second insulator is molded about the first insulator and the at least one of the voltage sensor and the current sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Mark A. Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Brad R. Leccia, Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke
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Patent number: 8163574Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of a medium to high voltage line conductor is disclosed. The system includes an electrical insulator having a surface and an edge, the surface having an opening therein to allow passage of a line conductor therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. The system also includes first and second electrodes positioned about the opening on the surface of the electrical insulator and spaced apart from one another to provide a common capacitive divider signal indicative of a voltage potential of the line conductor.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporatonInventors: Mark Allan Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Xin Zhou, James J. Benke, Birger Pahl, Francois Marchand
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Patent number: 7910852Abstract: A medium voltage circuit interrupter includes a circuit interrupter housing and a plurality of poles. Each of the poles includes an encapsulated pole unit. The encapsulated pole unit includes a first unit having a first conductor, a second conductor, a vacuum interrupter electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, and a first housing housing the vacuum interrupter. A removable second unit includes a third conductor, a fourth conductor having a first portion electrically connected to the third conductor and a second portion removably electrically connected to one of the first conductor and the second conductor, an electronic device structured to sense a characteristic of the pole, and a second insulative housing encapsulating the third conductor, the first portion of the fourth conductor and the electronic device. An operating mechanism is structured to open and close the vacuum interrupter of each of the poles.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins, Xin Zhou
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Publication number: 20100283487Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of a medium to high voltage line conductor is disclosed. The system includes an electrical insulator having a surface and an edge, the surface having an opening therein to allow passage of a line conductor therethrough in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface. The system also includes first and second electrodes positioned about the opening on the surface of the electrical insulator and spaced apart from one another to provide a common capacitive divider signal indicative of a voltage potential of the line conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventors: Mark Allan Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Xin Zhou, James J. Benke, Birger Pahl, Francois Marchand
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Patent number: 7696447Abstract: A stored energy assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The stored energy assembly includes a mount removably coupled to the circuit breaker housing. A stored energy mechanism, such as a spring, is coupled to the mount and is movable among charged and discharged positions. An actuating element is cooperable with the gears of a gear assembly in order to move among first and second positions corresponding to the spring being disposed in the charged and discharged positions, respectively. A manual charging mechanism and an automatic charging mechanism are coupled to the gear assembly, and move the gears, in order to move the actuating element and charge the spring. The spring, the actuating element, the gear assembly, and the charging mechanisms are coupled to the mount, thereby forming a sub-assembly. The sub-assembly is removeably coupled to the circuit breaker housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Alan K. Edmunds, Daniel E. Palmieri, Paul T. Bottegal
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Patent number: 7598468Abstract: A time delay mechanism is provided for a circuit breaker stored energy assembly including a mount, a spring coupled to the mount, at least one charging mechanism for charging the spring to store energy, at least one actuator for releasing the stored energy, and a drive assembly for transferring the stored energy into movement of the circuit breaker operating mechanism. First and second trip shafts of the time delay mechanism are pivotably coupled to the mount. Linking elements interconnect the first and second trip shafts. A trip catch and a drive lever are coupled to the first trip shaft. The linking elements and a damper, which is connected to the drive lever, contribute to a delay from a first time that the first trip shaft initially moves, to a second time that the second trip shaft moves to release the trip catch. The damper is adjustable to adjust the delay.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Collin C. Otis
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Patent number: 7586738Abstract: A chimney assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker including a housing and a number of poles. The chimney assembly includes a frame, an intake, a duct and an exhaust. A first side of the frame is coupled to the circuit breaker housing proximate the poles of the circuit breaker, and the intake and exhaust are respectively disposed at first and second ends of the frame. A first portion of the duct is coupled to the circuit breaker housing above the poles, and a second portion is coupled to the first side of the frame. The chimney assembly draws a volume of air through the intake into the circuit breaker housing, circulates the volume of air through the poles of the circuit breaker, and discharges the volume of air out of the circuit breaker housing through the duct and the exhaust.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Ronald D. Hartzel, James E. Smith, Douglas M. Brandt, Anthony T. Ricciuti, James J. Benke