Patents by Inventor Peter L. Nerstrom

Peter L. Nerstrom 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: 7064636
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker comprising a non-conductive housing assembly; a pair of separable contacts including a first, fixed contact coupled to said housing assembly and having a terminal extending outside said housing assembly, and a second, movable contact having a terminal extending outside said housing assembly; an operating mechanism coupled to, and structured to move, said movable contact between a first position, wherein said movable contact engages said fixed contact, and a second position, wherein said movable contact is spaced from said fixed contact; a trip device coupled to said operating mechanism and structured to actuate said operating mechanism to separate said separable contacts upon the occurrence of a trip condition; an arc fault trip mechanism having an arc fault detector and a shape memory alloy element; said arc fault detector structured to detect an arc fault on the load side of said separable contacts and to provide an electrical pulse; said shape memory alloy element structured to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Walz, Patrick W. Mills, Richard G. Benshoff, Peter L. Nerstrom
  • Patent number: 6867670
    Abstract: A subminiature circuit breaker is equipped with an arc fault auxiliary switch actuated by the arc fault trip motor through an indicator actuator that also deploys a pop-up arc fault indicator. An additional auxiliary switch actuated by the drive link on the toggle mechanism provides an indication of the open/closed state of the circuit breaker separable contacts. Both the arc fault auxiliary switch and the contact state auxiliary switch are mounted on the outside of the subminiature circuit breaker housing and are operated by an operating member and a pivoted member, respectively, extending through openings in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James M. McCormick, Michael F. Walz, Peter L. Nerstrom, Thomas M. Hall, Paul J. Rollmann, Edward L. Wellner
  • Publication number: 20040085167
    Abstract: A subminiature circuit breaker is equipped with an arc fault auxiliary switch actuated by the arc fault trip motor through an indicator actuator that also deploys a pop-up arc fault indicator. An additional auxiliary switch actuated by the drive link on the toggle mechanism provides an indication of the open/closed state of the circuit breaker separable contacts. Both the arc fault auxiliary switch and the contact state auxiliary switch are mounted on the outside of the subminiature circuit breaker housing and are operated by an operating member and a pivoted member, respectively, extending through openings in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: James M. McCormick, Michael F. Walz, Peter L. Nerstrom, Thomas M. Hall, Paul J. Rollmann, Edward L. Wellner
  • Patent number: 6639492
    Abstract: An indicator reset tool is for a movable arc fault indicator of a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker further includes a housing enclosing separable contacts, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts, and an operating handle protruding through an opening in the housing. An actuator actuates the movable indicator arc fault indicator and actuates the operating mechanism to trip the separable contacts open. The indicator reset tool includes a reset member having a first end with an indicator engaging portion structured to depress and reset the movable arc fault indicator. The second end of the reset member includes a handle portion for gripping by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hall, Michael F. Walz, Peter L. Nerstrom, James M. McCormick, Paul J. Rollmann, Edward L. Wellner, Steven C. Schmalz