Patents by Inventor Joseph Carl Sofianek

Joseph Carl Sofianek 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).

  • Compact high-current vacuum circuit interrupter comprising a metal housing that is electrically connected to one contact of the interrupter
    Patent number: 4039792
    Abstract: A vacuum interrupter having a current interrupting rating exceeding 20,000 amperes r.m.s. comprises an evacuated envelope and first and second disc-shaped contacts within the envelope. The envelope comprises a metal housing having a generally cylindrical portion surrounding said contacts and electrically connected to said first contact. The space between said cylindrical portion and said second contact is so small that during the interruption of currents above 20,000 amperes r.m.s., 25% or more of the arcing current frequently will flow between said housing and said second contact and bypass said first contact. Arc-revolving means associated with the second contact causes any arc between the outer periphery of the second contact and the cylindrical housing portion to revolve about the second contact.An electric bus located near the envelope is normally electrically connected to said first contact to carry current that flows between the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Crouch, Donald Reah Kurtz, Joseph Carl Sofianek