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).

  • Patent number: 9396890
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Michael Smeltzer, John Edward Devine, James Patrick Sisley
  • Patent number: 9293282
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Robert William Mueller, James Michael Smeltzer, William Michael Randal
  • Publication number: 20150348720
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES MICHAEL SMELTZER, JOHN EDWARD DEVINE, JAMES PATRICK SISLEY
  • Publication number: 20140069892
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Robert William Mueller, James Michael Smeltzer, William Michael Randal
  • Patent number: 8222555
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Ronald William Brand, Jr., James Michael Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 8183490
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Perry Robert Gibson, Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Craig Allen Rodgers, James Michael Smeltzer
  • Publication number: 20120043302
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Brian John Schaltenbrand, Mark Anthony Janusek, Ronald William Brand, JR., James Michael Smeltzer
  • Publication number: 20110309052
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian John SCHALTENBRAND, Mark Anthony JANUSEK, Robert William MUELLER, James Michael SMELTZER, William Michael RANDAL
  • Publication number: 20110073568
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: PERRY ROBERT GIBSON, BRIAN JOHN SCHALTENBRAND, MARK ANTHONY JANUSEK, CRAIG ALLEN RODGERS, JAMES MICHAEL SMELTZER
  • Patent number: 7096823
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Smeltzer