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).

  • Patent number: 10283310
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
  • Publication number: 20190066954
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: NICHOLAS P. BRUSKY, ROBERT N. PARRY, JAMES J. BENKE
  • Patent number: 10147574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Brusky, Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke
  • Publication number: 20170125197
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
  • Patent number: 9634478
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 9583297
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
  • Publication number: 20170025238
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: NICHOLAS P. BRUSKY, ROBERT N. PARRY, JAMES J. BENKE
  • Patent number: 9490093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Brusky, Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke
  • Publication number: 20150287564
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Benke, Zachary Ryan Jenkins, Scott Raymond Lanning
  • Publication number: 20150014129
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Brusky, Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke
  • Publication number: 20140043714
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventor: JAMES J. BENKE
  • Publication number: 20140043117
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: STEVEN Z. CHEN, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 8487606
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Brad R. Leccia, Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke
  • Publication number: 20120098519
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Mark A. Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Brad R. Leccia, Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke
  • Patent number: 8163574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporaton
    Inventors: Mark Allan Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Xin Zhou, James J. Benke, Birger Pahl, Francois Marchand
  • Patent number: 7910852
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Zachary R. Jenkins, Xin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100283487
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Allan Juds, Paul J. Rollmann, Xin Zhou, James J. Benke, Birger Pahl, Francois Marchand
  • Patent number: 7696447
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Alan K. Edmunds, Daniel E. Palmieri, Paul T. Bottegal
  • Patent number: 7598468
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Z. Chen, James J. Benke, Collin C. Otis
  • Patent number: 7586738
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald D. Hartzel, James E. Smith, Douglas M. Brandt, Anthony T. Ricciuti, James J. Benke