Patents by Inventor Roger N. Castonguay

Roger N. Castonguay 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).

  • Drawout circuit breaker, position switch and reset arrangements
    Patent number: 5684282
    Abstract: A circuit breaker position switch unit is mounted to the sidewall of an industrial type draw-out circuit breaker enclosure to indicate whether or not the circuit breaker is electrically-connected within the enclosure. A time dwell is provided by the structural arrangement of the switch actuator plate with respect to the position indicator bracket. The position switch finds application where a number of circuit breakers communicate with a central processor control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Circuit breaker bell alarm reset mechanism
    Patent number: 5673786
    Abstract: A circuit breaker bell alarm reset mechanism interfaces between the circuit breaker operating shaft and the bell alarm plunger to directly contact the plunger in response to rotational logic provided by the operating shaft. Rotation of the operating shaft to reset the circuit breaker operating mechanism simultaneously motivates the reset mechanism to reset the bell alarm plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Roger N. Castonguay, Michael C. Guerrette
  • Operating mechanism cradle assembly for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5660271
    Abstract: A high strength operating cradle assembly for an industrial rated circuit breaker operating mechanism wherein the rotational action of the cradle about its pivot is controlled by interconnected operating mechanism links is disclosed. Axial positioning of the cradle on its pivot is maintained by the capture of a positioning track on the cradle pivot within a pair of guide rails on a guide pin extension on the cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, David Arnold, William H. Calder
  • Modular accessory mechanical lock-out mechanism
    Patent number: 5655648
    Abstract: A combined bell alarm and lock-out accessory is connected with the electronic trip unit that controls a high ampere rated circuit breaker. The accessory interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to activate the bell alarm upon circuit interruption and to prevent the closing of the circuit breaker contacts until the accessory is manually reset. The circuit breaker lock-out mechanism interfaces between the circuit breaker operating mechanism and the accessory to insure that the contacts remain open until the accessory is completely reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James L. Rosen, Raymond K. Seymour, Roger N. Castonguay
  • Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5646586
    Abstract: A conversion kit in the form of a flux shifter unit that interfaces with the circuit breaker operating mechanism and is installable without dismantling the circuit breaker is proposed herein. The flux shifter unit responds to the electronic trip unit to articulate the circuit breaker operating mechanism and separate the circuit breaker contacts upon occurrence of an overcurrent condition. Tolerance take-up for various manufacture's designs is achieved by expansion springs while electrical interface with remote accessories and other electronic trip units is achieved by button-actuated switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Modular accessory mechanical lock-out mechanism
    Patent number: 5631798
    Abstract: A combined bell alarm and lock-out accessory is connected with the electronic trip unit that controls a high ampere rated circuit breaker. The accessory interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to activate the bell alarm upon circuit interruption and to prevent the closing of the circuit breaker contacts until the accessory is manually reset. The circuit breaker lock-out mechanism interfaces between the circuit breaker operating mechanism and the accessory to insure that the contacts remain open until the accessory is completely reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond K. Seymour, Roger N. Castonguay
  • Interlock for high ampere-rated circuit breaker contact closing springs
    Patent number: 5575381
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful closing springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A logic plate interacts with a logic lever, an interlock link and a closing link to prevent the circuit breaker closing button from operating until and unless the closing springs have become fully-charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen
  • Motor operator interface unit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers
    Patent number: 5545867
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made automatically by means of an electric motor. The circuit breaker operating handle connects with the operating springs through a motor operator interface unit to allow manual charging of the operating springs upon stalling of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Circuit breaker remote closing operator
    Patent number: 5534833
    Abstract: A remote closing operator is positioned within a circuit breaker enclosure to allow remote operation of the circuit breaker operating mechanism to open and close the circuit breaker contacts. A pair of solenoids are employed to control the state of the contact closing springs. The first solenoid is energized to initially release the contact closing springs and the second solenoid is energized to interrupt the flow of current to the first solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James J. Smith, Thomas A. Murphy
  • Sequential close interlock arrangement for high ampere-ratedcircuit breaker
    Patent number: 5521346
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs. The latches are interlocked with the operating springs drive shaft to prevent the discharge of the operating springs when the contacts are in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen
  • Circuit breaker logic switch system
    Patent number: 5519367
    Abstract: A logic switch take-up system is incorporated into a circuit breaker's electronic trip unit and signals the circuit breaker's programmer box that the electronic trip unit has been actuated and therefore that the circuit breaker contacts have been displaced from their closed to their open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Jeffrey D. Lord
  • Circuit breaker indicating flag interlock arrangement operating springs
    Patent number: 5504285
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by a ratchet and pawl assembly. A logic plate interacts with the operating springs charging gear and a logic lever interacts with the ratchet and pawl assembly to prevent the charge indicating flag from signaling until the operating springs have become fully charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, Mark A. Zaffetti, James L. Rosen
  • Handle interlock arrangement for high ampere-rated circuit breaker operating handles
    Patent number: 5495082
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of an operating handle and a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two-stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs. The operating springs cannot become discharged until and unless the operating handle is in a fully retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Zaffetti, Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen
  • Assembly for high ampere-rated circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5493088
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts are restrained by the interaction of a cradle operator and a two stage latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a primary and a secondary latch to insure against nuisance tripping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Handle operator assembly for high ampere-rated circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5489755
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of an externally accessible handle operator assembly. A ratchet and pawl assembly allows the application of a large spring charging force by virtue of a short displacement of the handle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti, Thomas A. Murphy
  • Latching arrangement for high ampere-rated circuit breaker operating springs
    Patent number: 5488211
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The charging of the powerful operating springs controlling the circuit breaker contacts is made manually by means of a ratchet and pawl assembly. A two stage latching arrangement controls the retention and release of the pawl to retain and discharge the operating springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Rating module unit for high ampere-rated circuit breaker
    Patent number: 5486667
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The operating springs controlling the CLOSED state of the circuit breaker contacts are contained within a module unit which can be installed both in the field as well as in the factory. A separate module provides the spring bias forces required for each of the circuit breaker ampere ratings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Circuit breaker closing and opening interlock assembly
    Patent number: 5478979
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high ampere-rated circuit breaker which meets the electrical code requirements of the world market. The closing springs controlling the CLOSED state and the opening springs controlling the OPENED state of the circuit breaker contacts are interlocked to prevent operation of both springs at the same time. The closing lever and the opening lever interact in such a manner that only one of the levers can release the associated closing or opening springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Castonguay, James L. Rosen, Mark A. Zaffetti
  • Circuit breaker operating handle interlock
    Patent number: 5449867
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker handle interlock unit is arranged on the top surface of the circuit breaker to lockingly prevent intentional displacement of the circuit breaker operating handle from either the ON or OFF positions. The movable clip on the unit is attached to the circuit breaker handle to prevent tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Kelaita, Jr., Roger N. Castonguay, Edwin J. Collin
  • Industrial-rated circuit breaker having universal application
    Patent number: 5440284
    Abstract: A molded case circuit breaker enclosure and operating components are provided with additional features to enable compliance with a variety of international electrical requirements for sales in the world market. The circuit breaker operating handle is prevented from returning to the OFF position upon contact welding as one example. Another modification includes a reinforcement and rejection pin used with the enclosure case. A further modification includes a shield used with the movable contact arm to prevent the arc gas contaminants from contacting the circuit breaker operating springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David A. Ferullo, Roger J. Morgan, James L. Rosen, Donna DeRosier, Roger N. Castonguay