Patents by Inventor Michael Smeltzer
Michael Smeltzer 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: 9396890Abstract: A barrier member is for an arc chute assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The arc chute assembly comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite and spaced apart from said first sidewall. The barrier member comprises a body portion structured to be disposed between said first sidewall and said second sidewall, said body portion comprising a first support portion, a second support portion, and a cover portion connecting said first support portion to said second support portion; a first containment portion extending from said first support portion, said first containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said first sidewall; and a second containment portion extending from said second support portion toward said first containment portion, said second containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said second sidewall, wherein said second containment portion is spaced from said first containment portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: James Michael Smeltzer, John Edward Devine, James Patrick Sisley
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Patent number: 9293282Abstract: A moving seal for an air circuit breaker provides an arc creepage surface that is positioned between a pair of separable contact assemblies when the moving seal is fit into an inlet of the arc chamber. The arc creepage surface has a surface contour that increases a length of an arc travel path between the separable contact assemblies, relative to a straight line distance between of separable contact assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Robert William Mueller, James Michael Smeltzer, William Michael Randal
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Publication number: 20150348720Abstract: A barrier member is for an arc chute assembly of an electrical switching apparatus. The arc chute assembly comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite and spaced apart from said first sidewall. The barrier member comprises a body portion structured to be disposed between said first sidewall and said second sidewall, said body portion comprising a first support portion, a second support portion, and a cover portion connecting said first support portion to said second support portion; a first containment portion extending from said first support portion, said first containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said first sidewall; and a second containment portion extending from said second support portion toward said first containment portion, said second containment portion being structured to be disposed proximate said second sidewall, wherein said second containment portion is spaced from said first containment portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: JAMES MICHAEL SMELTZER, JOHN EDWARD DEVINE, JAMES PATRICK SISLEY
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Publication number: 20140069892Abstract: A moving seal for an air circuit breaker provides an arc creepage surface that is positioned between a pair of separable contact assemblies when the moving seal is fit into an inlet of the arc chamber. The arc creepage surface has a surface contour that increases a length of an arc travel path between the separable contact assemblies, relative to a straight line distance between of separable contact assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Robert William Mueller, James Michael Smeltzer, William Michael Randal
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Patent number: 8222555Abstract: An improved circuit breaker and arc chute has a shield apparatus that includes a number of plate-like shield members that have elongated openings formed therein to receive portions of arc plates therethrough. The portions of the arc plates that pass through the shield member are received in receptacles of a support apparatus that supports the arc plates. The arc plates are themselves configured to retain the shield members against the support apparatus to protect the support apparatus from damage in the event of an electrical arc. Advantageously, the retention of the shield members between portions of the arc plates and portions of the support apparatus enables the shield members to be held in place without the use of adhesives or separate fastening systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Ronald William Brand, Jr., James Michael Smeltzer
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Patent number: 8183490Abstract: An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Perry Robert Gibson, Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Craig Allen Rodgers, James Michael Smeltzer
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Publication number: 20120043302Abstract: An improved circuit breaker and arc chute has a shield apparatus that includes a number of plate-like shield members that have elongated openings formed therein to receive portions of arc plates therethrough. The portions of the arc plates that pass through the shield member are received in receptacles of a support apparatus that supports the arc plates. The arc plates are themselves configured to retain the shield members against the support apparatus to protect the support apparatus from damage in the event of an electrical arc. Advantageously, the retention of the shield members between portions of the arc plates and portions of the support apparatus enables the shield members to be held in place without the use of adhesives or separate fastening systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Ronald William Brand, JR., James Michael Smeltzer
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Publication number: 20110309052Abstract: A moving seal for an air circuit breaker provides an arc creepage surface that is positioned between a pair of separable contact assemblies when the moving seal is fit into an inlet of the arc chamber. The arc creepage surface has a surface contour that increases a length of an arc travel path between the separable contact assemblies, relative to a straight line distance between of separable contact assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Brian John SCHALTENBRAND, Mark Anthony JANUSEK, Robert William MUELLER, James Michael SMELTZER, William Michael RANDAL
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Publication number: 20110073568Abstract: An improved circuit breaker having an improved shield apparatus provides protection to components that are internal to the circuit breaker during an arc event. A contact arm carrier assembly of the circuit breaker comprises a number of springs that bias a number of movable contacts that are disposed on contact arms into engagement and electrical connection with a stationary contact. The shield apparatus is disposed on a carrier housing of the contact arm carrier assembly and is situated adjacent the springs. A shield member of the shield apparatus is biased into engagement with the contact arms. When the circuit breaker is moved between the ON position and the OFF or TRIPPED positions, the shield of the shield apparatus moves between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the shield remaining in engagement with the contact arms and protecting the springs from damage in an arc event. In one embodiment, the shield member is formed of a material that generates gases when struck by an arc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: PERRY ROBERT GIBSON, BRIAN JOHN SCHALTENBRAND, MARK ANTHONY JANUSEK, CRAIG ALLEN RODGERS, JAMES MICHAEL SMELTZER
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Patent number: 7096823Abstract: A portable apparatus for collecting pet feces includes a basin having oppositely spaced edge portions, a planar bottom surface and a pair of oppositely disposed flange portions protruding outwardly. A housing is mounted on top of the basin and includes integral and opaque sidewalls protruding upwardly from the basin. One sidewall has a passageway formed therein. The housing further includes a grass-like top layer positionable on a mesh-like bottom layer. The apparatus further includes wire handles having lower end portions positionable below the top layer and engageable therewith and top end portions protruding upwardly from the sidewalls. The sidewalls allow a user to maintain a substantially stable grip of the top layer when removing the solid feces during non-operating conditions. The handle lower end portions have generally L-shapes for traversing upwardly and rearwardly through the bottom layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Inventor: Michael Smeltzer