Patents by Inventor Michael W. Souza

Michael W. Souza 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: 6172586
    Abstract: A circuit breaker (10) including a terminal barrier system (140). The terminal barrier system (140) includes a terminal barrier (142) attached to a circuit breaker base (12) at the terminals (16, 18), line and load, of the breaker (10) and a terminal connector (144) mounted in the terminal barrier (142) to align with a terminal (16, 18) of the breaker (10). Several embodiments of the terminal barrier (142) and terminal connector (144) are provided which allow flexibility in combining the various terminal barriers and terminal connectors for a given current rating of the breaker (10). The terminal barrier system (140) protects the terminals (16, 18) of the circuit breaker during short circuit condition operations, prevents pole to pole electrification and prevents accidental contact with live electrical wires in the contacts (42, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Ferree, W. Dale Robbins, Michael W. Souza, Stacey L. Duvall, James H. Blessitt, Peter P. Clickner
  • Patent number: 6144001
    Abstract: A circuit breaker terminal shield with integral securing and installation and removal features apparatus, means and system for use with a circuit breaker assembly having at least one circuit breaker terminal, at least one fastening aperture associated with a circuit breaker projecting end member and another circuit breaker projecting end member, the circuit breaker terminal shield apparatus having at least one terminal shield main frame member having a first terminal shield fastening member adapted to fasten the terminal shield main frame member to the circuit breaker projecting end member of the circuit breaker assembly, and further having a second terminal shield fastening member adapted to further fasten the terminal shield main frame member to the another circuit breaker projecting member of the circuit breaker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Green, W. Dale Robbins, Michael W. Souza
  • Patent number: 6121562
    Abstract: A circuit breaker terminal shield with integral securing and installation and removal features method for fastening a circuit breaker terminal shield apparatus to at least one terminal end of a circuit breaker assembly having at least one circuit breaker terminal, at least one fastening aperture associated with a circuit breaker projecting end member and another circuit breaker projecting end member, the method for fastening the circuit breaker terminal shield apparatus comprising the steps of fastening a first terminal shield fastening member, which is adapted to fasten the terminal shield main frame member, to the circuit breaker projecting end member of the circuit breaker assembly, and fastening a second terminal shield fastening member, which is adapted to further fasten the terminal shield main frame member, to the another circuit breaker projecting end member of the circuit breaker assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Green, W. Dale Robbins, Michael W. Souza