Patents by Inventor Richard E. Bernier

Richard E. Bernier 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: 6378825
    Abstract: An L-shaped bracket for mounting DIN rail comprising a support member, a base member, and a brace positioned therebetween to give support to the L-shaped structure. The support member has a rail mounting pin protruding therefrom, which comprises a shank with an oblong head disposed on the end of the shank. A hole for receiving a fastener is disposed on the support member adjacent to the rail mounting pin. A bracket mounting pin protrudes from the base member and comprises a retaining pin and a retaining foot disposed on the end thereof. The retaining pin is dimensioned and configured to slidably engage a slot in a bracket mounting plate and be retained in the slot by the retaining foot. A post also protrudes from the base member and is dimensioned to be received in a post hole. A relief is cut laterally into the base member and extends into the brace to allow the support member and the base member to flex relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edgar Yee, Gilbert A. Soares, Richard E. Bernier, Charles Piper
  • Patent number: 6357804
    Abstract: A door latch for latching a door of an electrical equipment enclosure includes a latch body and a latch rod rotatable between locked and unlocked conditions. The latch rod includes a stem with a first end rotatably coupled to the latch body, an extension rod with a first end coupled to a second end of the stem, and a hook coupled to a second end of the extension rod. The extension rod is dimensioned to contact a portion of the electrical equipment enclosure when the latch rod is in the locked condition. The hook is separated from the portion of the electrical equipment enclosure by a clearance distance “x” during a quiescent condition within the electrical enclosure. The hook contacts the portion of the electrical equipment enclosure during a pressurized condition within the electrical equipment enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Gilbert A. Soares, James H. Cook
  • Patent number: 6313981
    Abstract: A securement assembly for providing securement of a member to a surface within an electrical distribution center. The assembly includes a first mounting member and a retaining member. The first mounting member is secured within an opening in the surface and the member is retained within the first mounting member by the retaining member which is positioned over the member and the first mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Gilbert A. Soares, Subrahmanyam Thota, Peter D. Muse
  • Publication number: 20010034149
    Abstract: A draw out unit mounts switching devices within a switchgear unit and electrically connects the switching devices to electrical bus bars. A cutout portion in draw out unit receives an insulative housing for a lug adapter assembly. Lug adapter assembly includes a plurality of clip assemblies positioned within receptacles formed on insulative housing. Each clip assembly slidably accepts one bus bar, thereby providing an electrical connection to bus bars. Lug adapter assembly also includes lugs, which are electrically connected to clip assemblies via a conductive bar. Lugs accept wires, which extend from lugs in switching device. Lugs are arranged to minimize bending of wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Charles Piper, Gilbert Soares, Edgar Yee, John J. Struble, Edward B. Bynum
  • Patent number: 6301094
    Abstract: A drawout unit is dimensioned to make more efficient use of the space within the drawout unit. Devices within the drawout unit are positioned in a generally vertical configuration. A bus brace serves as a line/load terminal assembly. The bus brace has receptacle ports enabling lugs to maintain electrical contact with vertically oriented bus bars on the line terminals and transfer current to horizontally oriented load terminals. Output cables extend horizontally from the load terminals and form a single right angle bend before passing out of the bottom of the drawout unit through an exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gilbert A. Soares, Richard E. Bernier, John J. Struble, Jr., Charles W. Piper
  • Patent number: 6280216
    Abstract: A draw out unit (10) mounts switching devices (12,14) within a switchgear unit and electrically connects the switching devices (12,14) to electrical bus bars (16). A cutout portion (30) in draw out unit (10) receives an insulative housing (32) for a lug adapter assembly (34). Lug adapter assembly (34) includes a plurality of clip assemblies (36) positioned within receptacles (38) formed on insulative housing (32). Each clip assembly (36) slidably accepts one bus bar (16), thereby providing an electrical connection to bus bars (16). Lug adapter assembly (34) also includes lugs (40), which are electrically connected to clip assemblies (36) via a conductive bar (42). Lugs (40) accept wires (44), which extend from lugs (46) in switching device (12). Lugs (40) are arranged to minimize bending of wires (44). Clip assemblies (36) each include a plurality of staggered clips (104, 106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Charles Piper, Gilbert Soares, Edgar Yee, John J. Struble, Jr., Edward B. Bynum, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5934115
    Abstract: A lock assembly is formed from a two-piece plastic unit that is held together and to the compartment door by a planar lanced metal spring. The latch projection is ramped relative to the latch retainer slot within the compartment door to cause the latch piece to become jammed within the retainer slot in the event the door is subjected to severe internally-generated gas pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Kevin F. Nolan, Michael Nanney
  • Patent number: 5515236
    Abstract: A universal electrical connector is incorporated into the electric power distribution network of a motor control center to connect the main circuit breaker with the control center vertical bus conductors and the branch circuit breakers. The connector in the form of a single metal casting is configured to connect the main circuit breaker with the control center internal electrical distribution conductors without requiring additional connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin F. Nolan, Valerie R. Padilla, Richard E. Bernier, Gilbert A. Soares
  • Patent number: 5252937
    Abstract: A bell alarm unit is attached to the actuator-accessory unit of a molded case circuit breaker. The bell alarm unit consists of a microswitch, printed wire board connector and external wire conductors integrally encapsulated within a plastic composition to provide strain relief to the electrical connections between the printed wire board and the external wire conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Joseph G. Nagy, Ira B. Goldman
  • Patent number: 5126708
    Abstract: A molded case circuit interrupter of the type employing a thermal-magnetic trip unit to interrupt circuit current utilizes a flexible electrical braid conductor to connect between the thermal-magnetic trip unit and the movable contact arm. A helical spring arranged around the braid conductor at the welded connection with the movable contact arm provides long-term strain relief. A metal phosphate coating on the surface of the circuit breaker operating cradle and latch assembly eliminates polishing while insuring release of the cradle from the cradle-latch interface surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Franklin P. Palaia, Michael C. von Kannewurff, Joseph M. Palmieri, Richard E. Bernier, Erich J. Pannenborg, Roger N. Castonguay
  • Patent number: 5109142
    Abstract: Single pole circuit breakers are connected in a modular array to provide up to four poles by means of a handle tie bar assembly. The circuit breaker operating handles are grooved to receive a metal interlocking pin and a plastic tie bar to cause the circuit breakers to move in unison. A locking clip arranged between one of the operating handle slots and the tie bar assembly prevents the circuit breakers from being turned from their OFF-to-ON or ON-to-OFF conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael C. von Kannewurff, Richard E. Bernier, Samuel E. Eskridge
  • Patent number: 5008499
    Abstract: A bi-stable interlock arrangement allows two circuit interruption devices such as electric circuit breakers and electric disconnect switches to be interlocked such that only one such device can be turned ON at one time. The interlock is used with main and auxiliary power sources to ensure that only one source of electrical power is activated at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edgar Yee, Richard E. Bernier
  • Patent number: 4939490
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is an electronic trip circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components. Additionally, a bell alarm signal unit can be incorporated within the trip actuator and multiple accessory unit enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Bernier, Joseph G. Nagy
  • Patent number: 4913503
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components. The reset mechanism allows the actuator-accessory unit to become reset without interferring with the operation of the integrated protection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Ronald D. Ciarcia, Keith W. Klein
  • Patent number: 4912439
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the circuit breaker cover from the environment. An auxiliary switch unit is one such accessory component which can be field-installed without affecting the integrity of the circuit breaker and which is connected to a remote indicator connected by external wire conductors to signal the "ON" or "OFF" condition of the circuit breaker contacts. The auxiliary switch unit enclosure is specially shaped to protect the auxiliary switch from damage due to excess tension on the external wire conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Carin B. Benway
  • Patent number: 4894631
    Abstract: An integrated protection unit is a circuit breaker which includes basic overcurrent protection facility along with selective electrical accessories. A molded plastic accessory access cover secured to the integrated protection unit cover protects the accessory components contained within the integrated protection unit cover from the environment. A combined overcurrent trip actuator and multiple accessory unit can be field-installed within the integrated protection unit. The combined actuator-accessory unit includes electronic control circuitry for the accessories along with mechanical trip and reset interface components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Ronald D. Ciarcia, Keith W. Klein
  • Patent number: 4742321
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker includes accessory functions such as an auxiliary switch and a shunt trip device mounted within the circuit breaker cover. A stain relief assembly interfaces the accessory wires with the circuit breaker case and cover. The strain relief fixture prevents inadvertent or intentional displacement of the wires from the accessory devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Nagy, Richard E. Bernier, Gregory T. DiVincenzo
  • Patent number: 4731921
    Abstract: An interchangeable operating mechanism assembly for molded case circuit breakers having a detachable movable contact arm and trip unit assembly allows the same mechanism assembly to be employed across a wide range of breaker ratings. A snap-on common trip bar attachment further allows multiple-pole facility off the common interrupter mechanism assembly. The mechanism assembly is designed to maintain the operating handle in the "on" position upon the occurrence of a welded contact and prevents the mechanism from being reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Ciarcia, Gregory T. DiVincenzo, Richard E. Bernier, Joseph G. Nagy
  • Patent number: 4698903
    Abstract: A circuit breaker design and process for high speed assembly utilizes a unique secondary latch arrangement to reduce frictional forces and increase the breaker calibration test yield. The design allows for interchangability of the trip unit by first pre-assembling the arc chute cavity and operating mechanism. Arrangement of the primary and secondary latch pivots reduces the trip force for further increase in the calibration yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Ciarcia, Gregory T. DiVincenzo, Dennis J. Doughty, Richard E. Bernier
  • Patent number: 4679016
    Abstract: An interchangeable operating mechanism assembly for molded case circuit breakers having a detachable movable contact arm and trip unit assembly allows the same mechanism assembly to be employed across a wide range of breaker ratings. A snap-on common trip bar attachment further allows multiple-pole facility off the common interrupter mechanism assembly. The mechanism assembly is designed to maintain the operating handle in the "on" position upon the occurrence of a welded contact and prevents the mechanism from being reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald D. Ciarcia, Gregory T. DiVincenzo, Richard E. Bernier, Joseph G. Nagy