With Circuit Breaker Arrangements Patents (Class 361/634)
  • Patent number: 11118788
    Abstract: The instant hot water system CONTROL PANEL for new homes is an on-demand controller for a common residential water pump, installed at the hot water supply/recirculation hot water pipe line back to the regular residential gas or electric water heater, with push button switches in every bathroom, kitchen, laundry room etc. to pump hot water at the touch of said button; from the water heater to faucets throughout the house and dispense the hot water to the user, with no waiting time and very minimal cold water waste down the drain because the hot water has already reached every single faucet in the house as the users with the push of a button demanded it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Inventor: Edmond Alejandro Sevilla
  • Patent number: 11004634
    Abstract: A breaker 1 includes a fixed piece 2 having a fixed contact 21, a movable piece 4 including a movable contact 41 and having the movable contact 41 so as to be pressed against and in contact with the fixed contact 21, a thermally actuated element 5 shifting the movable piece 4 from a conductive state to a cut-off state in accordance with a temperature change, and a case 7 accommodating the fixed piece 2, the movable piece 4, and the thermally actuated element 5. The case 7 includes a case main body 71 accommodating the movable piece 4 and the thermally actuated element 5, a lid member 81 covering a housing concave portion 73 of the case main body 71, and a metal plate 9 embedded in the lid member 81. Heat capacity of the metal plate 9 is larger than heat capacity of the fixed piece 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BOURNS KK
    Inventor: Masashi Namikawa
  • Patent number: 10530173
    Abstract: A charging device includes a first auxiliary bridge arm and a second auxiliary bridge arm. The first auxiliary bridge arm is connected between a first port and a second module. The second auxiliary bridge arm is connected between the first port and a third module. If the AC charging power is three-phase, the first module converts a first phase of the AC charging power, and the first auxiliary bridge arm and the second auxiliary bridge arm are disabled. Consequently, the second module converts a second phase of the AC charging power, and the third module converts a third phase of the AC charging power. If the AC charging power is single-phase, at least a first module is used to convert the AC charging power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hao Sun, Minli Jia, Jinfa Zhang
  • Patent number: 10418751
    Abstract: A power distribution assembly includes a first lug pad electrically coupled to a first phase of a run-over bus and a first cradle including a horizontal portion, a first end having a first vertical portion coupled thereto, and a second end having a second vertical portion coupled thereto. The first lug pad is received on the horizontal portion. A support is coupled to the first vertical portion and one or more braces are coupled to the second vertical portion. Lug assemblies and lug and bus assemblies are disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Jason Parkerson
  • Patent number: 10411440
    Abstract: A retrofittable panel board (8) for an electric apparatus is provided. A bracket assembly (10) is affixed to a backwall (1004) of an enclosure (1002) of the panel board. Bracket assembly (10) includes guide tracks (12) defining restraint locations (14) to provide an adjustable height. A mount assembly (50), providing mounting support to an interior assembly (13) and in turn to circuit breakers 18, is movable by way of the guide tracks with respect to the bracket assembly. An affixing element (16) is disposed in each guide track and connected to the mount assembly. When loosened, affixing element 16 may be arranged to travel connected with the mount assembly along the guide track to a desired restraint location. When tightened, affixing element 16 may be arranged to fixedly secure the mount assembly to the bracket assembly at the desired restraint location to provide a desired height position to the mount assembly with respect to the backwall of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Kristopher Scott Robinson
  • Patent number: 10148071
    Abstract: A breaker module comprises a breaker housing defining a bottom surface, a line side connector, a module mount adapted to engage a board mount, a platform protruding from the bottom surface between the line side connector and the module mount, and breaker connections recessed into the platform positioned between the line side connector and the module mount. The platform is dimensioned to mate into the well to facilitate coupling of the breaker connections to the board connections. In another aspect, the breaker module comprises a breaker housing defining a bottom surface, a line side connector, a module mount, a platform protruding from the bottom surface between the line side connector and the module mount, and breaker connections mounted on the platform. At least two of the breaker connections are recessed into the platform and do not protrude beyond the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Burke, John Thurk, John Udelhofen
  • Patent number: 10063038
    Abstract: A programmable AC power distribution unit includes a case and a network connection and power parameter measuring circuit board disposed in the case. The circuit board is connected with a panel, and the circuit board may be connected with an external network. In addition, a bus bar assembly is provided in the middle of the case. Current detectors are provided on the bus bar assembly. Two sides of the bus bar assembly are provided with a plurality of electromagnetic switches which are disposed in the case. The electromagnetic switches can be turned on/off through the panel or the remote network. The programmable AC power distribution unit has the function of monitoring the quality of the power supply and has the advantages of programmable automatic control and power distribution, meeting the network and automation requirements of Industry 4.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: CHYNG HONG ELECTRONIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mu-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 10021807
    Abstract: A structured media enclosure door assembly includes a base, a door and a support plate. The base includes a frame that is configured to mount directly to a wall. The door includes a frame and a front panel held by the door frame. The door frame is coupled to the base frame. The support plate has first and second opposite surfaces. The support plate is configured to be selectively coupled to the door frame in: (i) a first position with the support plate first surface facing the front panel and the support plate spaced apart from the front panel a first distance; and (ii) a second position with the support plate second surface facing the front panel and the support plate spaced apart from the front panel a second distance that is less than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: WIREPATH HOME SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Glenn Franck, William Jacob Kozlowski, Jr., Jamie Lee Quinlan, Matthew R. Shute
  • Patent number: 9843114
    Abstract: An adapter bracket, which screws onto an existing neutral bar in a load center, having legs inserted through the holes in the neutral bar or screwed into the top of the neutral bar. The adapter bracket is configured to accept downward-facing or sideways-facing plug-on neutral mounting clips of a plug-on neutral circuit breaker. The bracket has a support portion extending along a Z-axis perpendicular to a rear wall of the load center. The downward-facing clips can be plugged onto the support portion. Sideways-facing clips are received onto tabs that are bent away from the support portion of the bracket and feature chamfered ends and a relatively small aspect ratio relative to the length of the mounting clip. The other holes in the existing neutral bar remain unobstructed so that a conventional neutral conductor can be inserted through the free holes while the adapter bracket accommodates plug-on neutral mounting clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: Dave Pearson
  • Patent number: 9692223
    Abstract: Power distribution systems and methods are described. In one example, a method of testing a power distribution zone select interlocking system including a first circuit protection device and a second circuit protection device coupled to the first circuit protection device downstream of the first circuit protection device is described. The method includes receiving, by the second circuit protection device, an input instructing the second circuit protection device to test communication between the first circuit protection device and the second circuit protection device, and outputting, by the second circuit protection device, a blocking signal in response to the input. The first circuit protection display an indication of reception of the blocking signal to confirm proper interconnection of the zone select interlocking signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arun Kumar Singh, Gary Vincent Hanrahan, Scott Jeffrey Hall
  • Patent number: 9692213
    Abstract: A panelboard is composed of modular units. Each unit has compartments for circuit breakers, side walls, and wiring gutters. A main circuit breaker unit has a main cable compartment having separate compartmentalized routing for power cables, and a compartment for the main breaker. A branch circuit breaker unit is edge connected to the main breaker unit. More branch breaker units may be added. Each branch breaker unit has a bus plane for line power, with pin-shaped stabs extending perpendicularly from its busses. The bus plane is covered by circuit breaker compartments in front and an insulative backplane in back. Branch wiring exit slots in the circuit breaker compartments lead to wiring gutters. Each unit is shaped and dimensioned to be mechanically and electrically connected together to form the whole panelboard. Caps for the wiring gutters are front accessible and constitute a front surface of the finished panelboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventor: Chad R. Mittelstadt
  • Patent number: 9561861
    Abstract: A power-distribution panel has a circuit-breaker panel that is completely separable from an aircraft and from a back chassis connected to the aircraft. The back chassis is mechanically mounted to the aircraft and electrically connected to both a power-supply bus and a power-distribution harness of the aircraft. The circuit-breaker panel can be removably coupled to the back chassis to complete a plurality of circuits from the power supply bus to a plurality the plurality of circuits that receive power via the power-distribution harness. In some embodiments, the circuit-breaker panel can be slideably coupled to the back chassis without the use of tools. Electrical connectors may provide electrically connectivity between the circuit-breaker panel and the back chassis. The electrical connectors may have back chassis portions that align with circuit-breaker panel portions so as to provide such electrically connectivity automatically when the circuit-breaker panel is coupled to the back chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Wavering, Richard L. Downing
  • Patent number: 9531146
    Abstract: Busbar adapter comprising a lower adapter part, the lower adapter part comprising a base having recesses for receiving connection bars which can be electrically contacted with busbars, the number of connection bars per phase which can be received in the recesses of the lower adapter part being variable, and the connection bars being electrically connectable to at least one electrical device, which can be fastened to an upper adapter part of the busbar adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: WOEHNER GMBH & CO. KG ELEKTROTECHNISCHE SYSTEME
    Inventors: Philipp Steinberger, Joram Masel, Hubert Lenker
  • Patent number: 9325158
    Abstract: An electrical enclosure includes a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall that define an interior portion for receiving electrical devices. The electrical enclosure further includes a plurality of mounting members mounted to, and projecting outwardly from, the rear wall, and a dead front operatively connected to the plurality of mounting members. The dead front includes a surface having at least one opening receptive of an electrical device and a door pivotally mounted relative to the surface. A trim member is operatively connected to the first and second side walls. The trim member includes first, second, third and fourth sides, and a central opening configured and disposed to enable the door to transition between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vu Nguyen, Shyam Ramlal Mathure
  • Patent number: 9117614
    Abstract: A circuit interconnect attaching apparatus is disclosed. The circuit interconnect attaching apparatus has a body adapted to couple to a circuit interconnect device, the body having a first end and a second end, one or more frame connector coupled to the first end of the body, at least one tab portion positioned on an outer surface of the second end of the body, wherein the at least one tab portion for accepting at least one fastener member, and one or more bus connector configured to connect to or disconnect from one or more bus bar that is responsive to rotation of the circuit interconnect device. The circuit interconnect attaching assemblies having the circuit interconnect attaching apparatus and methods of connecting circuit interconnect devices to one or more bus bar are disclosed, as are other aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Megan Rahn, Brian D. Campbell, Russell J. Wedemeyer, Thomas W. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9106033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a busbar adapter comprising a housing for receiving at least one installation device for contacting the installation device with at least one busbar that can be held in the busbar adapter, characterized in that the busbar adapter comprises at least one symmetrically configured contact terminal for receiving and contacting a contact of the installation device with an associated busbar, and at least one symmetrically configured attachment device for attaching the installation device to the busbar adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Woehner GmbH & Co. KG Elektrotechnische Systeme
    Inventors: Alex Buettner, Christopher Curth
  • Patent number: 8953306
    Abstract: A load center featuring a two-piece dielectric barrier that securely retains a plug-on neutral rail and methods of assembling the same. The barrier includes a shield and a base having a protrusion that cooperates with fingers of the shield to securely retain the conductor in the load center. The shield is installed over the base and rests on hooks protruding from the base. This creates a distance between the protrusion and the fingers to allow the conductor to be inserted through a gap between the fingers along the conductor's skinny edge. The conductor rotates 90 degrees until it rests on the protrusion. The base and shield are snapped together, causing the hooks of the base to attach to the shield. At the same time, the fingers of the base move downward to rest against the conductor so that it is sandwiched securely between the protrusion and the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim D. Wheeler, Jeffrey O. Sharp, Jason D. Potratz
  • Patent number: 8929055
    Abstract: A plug-on load center featuring snap-in or snap-on neutral rails that are retained securely in the load center on or between a dielectric barrier without requiring any fasteners and assembled by installing the dielectric components and neutral rail along the same direction orthogonal to a rear wall of an enclosure that houses the load center. The snap-in configurations feature dielectric barriers with fingers that create a snap-fit connection between the neutral rail and a shield member. The neutral rail is forced between the fingers, which separate and then snap back to their original position once the neutral rail is fully seated in the dielectric barrier. The snap-on configurations feature a neutral rail that is snapped onto the dielectric barrier and retained in the load without any fasteners. The barrier can include retention members that snap-fit into corresponding features of the neutral rail when it is installed onto the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Potratz, David R. Pearson, William J. Broghammer
  • Patent number: 8908355
    Abstract: A combination emergency panelboard includes a relay section and a circuit-breaker section. The relay section includes automatic load control relays and the circuit-breaker section includes emergency circuit breakers. A dielectric barrier is positioned between the relay and circuit-breaker sections to separate them. A busbar is positioned in the circuit-breaker section for distributing a phase of emergency current to a plurality of emergency circuit breakers coupled thereto. A plurality of automatic load control relays is positioned in the relay section. Each of the relays is electrically connected to a respective one of the plurality of emergency circuit breakers for distributing the phase of emergency current to a respective load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Heath L. Martin, Scott Jordan, John W. Dyer
  • Patent number: 8902570
    Abstract: An electrical panelboard enclosure includes an enclosure housing with an interior equipment chamber accessible by way of a service entrance door. A service panel is configured to receive power from a main power source. A main power breaker has a main power breaker toggle switch and is positionable between a power-on state and a power-off state to selectively activate and deactivate the main power. A power cutoff switch mechanism is operable from outside the service entrance door and is positionable between a power-on state and a power-off state to mechanically engage and deactivate the main power breaker toggle switch and cutoff the main power without opening the service entrance door. A lockout system is operable to prevent the service entrance door from being secured in a closed position unless the main power breaker and the power cutoff switch mechanism are in the same state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Diversified Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Cosley, Alan Amoroso, Aron J. King
  • Publication number: 20140268505
    Abstract: An arc chute assembly for use in an automatic transfer switch includes a housing including a pair of opposing sidewalls and a primary deionization plate coupled between the pair of opposing sidewalls. The primary deionization plate includes a tongue portion oriented substantially midway between the opposing sidewalls and extending toward a contact assembly. The tongue portion is configured to facilitate suppressing an electric arc originating from the contact assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur Evans, Jason Harmon
  • Patent number: 8830657
    Abstract: A switchboard for coupling with a structure surface includes a panel box comprising a back wall and at least one sidewall extending from the back wall. The sidewall comprising a front. The switchboard further includes a door panel coupled to the front of the side and a positioning member located in the sidewall. The positioning member comprising a fixed end coupled to the sidewall and a moveable end configured to be positioned to contact the structure surface when the front of the panel box is at a pre-determined distance from the structure surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Scott Charles Myers, Yogesh Krishnarao Ingole, Gary Paul Michaelis, Justin Michael Meehan, Debra Lynn Giannelli, Charles Allen Roth
  • Patent number: 8787004
    Abstract: A Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker (CB) comprising an electronic protection and control unit having: a base, fixed to the CB, comprising a main body having fixing means for fixing to the CB, a first side of said main body comprising a confined space including connections to the CB and internal accessories thereof, a second side of said main body comprising a plurality of first power and/or signal connection means; a removable unit comprising a casing, a first part of said casing hosting one or more Intelligent Electronic Devices, a second part of said casing being removably coupled to said base and comprising a plurality of second power and/or signal connection means connected to said first power and/or signal connection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Luciano Di Maio, Massimo Bresciani
  • Publication number: 20140185195
    Abstract: An insert-molded bus assembly for an electrical distribution load center interior is described. The apparatus of the present teachings comprises at least one bus element insert-molded into an insulation element of the distribution load center creating an amalgamated insert-molded bus assembly. The amalgamated insert-molded bus assembly may also include a molded backpan, or may be detachably or permanently fastened to a separate backpan of the distribution load center interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric Alan Samuelson
  • Patent number: 8737043
    Abstract: A sealed electrical enclosure for housing an electrical component is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the sealed electrical enclosure includes a housing, a first and second electrical connector, an actuator, and a terminal. The housing has a sealed interior when a top portion is coupled to a bottom portion. The first electrical connector extends from the sealed interior through the bottom of the housing and is electrically coupled to the electrical component. The actuator extends from the sealed interior through the housing and is configured to manipulate the electrical component. The terminal is electrically coupled to the second electrical connector. The second electrical connector is configured to mate with the first electrical connector. The first and second electrical connectors are configured to be connected and disconnected to attach and remove the housing to and from the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Ericson Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Ron Hughes
  • Patent number: 8730651
    Abstract: A device for disconnecting electrical power from a first stack of meter modules, wherein the power is supplied by a main box that also supplies power to a second stack of meter modules. The device includes an incoming bus section for receiving power from the main box and an outgoing bus section for feeding power to the first stack of modules. In addition, the device includes a cross bus device connected to the incoming and outgoing bus sections and a circuit breaker connected to the cross bus device. When the circuit breaker is closed, power is supplied to the first and second stacks of modules. When the circuit breaker is opened, power to the first stack of modules is disconnected while power to the second stack of modules is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Rusch, Arthur Kevin Shumate, Gustavo Cortes Rico
  • Patent number: 8693169
    Abstract: A loadcenter is equipped with a unitary neutral bus bar capable of receiving AFI and GFI circuit breakers having either a plug-on-neutral connection or a wire-neutral connection. The neutral bus bar is connected to line neutral and has a rolled rail that is formed by rolling an end of a conductive plate and bending the plate at a transition portion to position the rolled rail above and at an angle of a major flat surface of an extension of the neutral bus bar. Wire-capture apparatuses secured along an edge of an extension of the neutral bus bar can capture wires from circuit breakers that lack an internal connection to a neutral plug-on mounting jaw or that lack a neutral plug-on mounting jaw altogether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Diaz, Hildegard Peralta, Ezequiel Salas
  • Patent number: 8681482
    Abstract: This disclosure describes examples of an apparatus to enclose components of a switching assembly of an automatic transfer switch. In one embodiment, the apparatus, or arc chamber cover, has a housing made of material with optical properties that permit observation of the interior of the housing. A mounting assembly couples to the housing. The mounting assembly secures the apparatus to the automatic transfer switch. In one example, the mounting assembly comprises feet comprising a material with mechanical properties that can withstand pressure and other forces inside of the interior chamber. The apparatus also includes one or more baffles to control the flow of gasses and control electric arcs within the switching assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh Srikantaiah, Arthur Michael Evans, Sudarshan Allada, Pravin Pralhad Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 8649160
    Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure within the housing, a number of first plug-in members coupled to the bus structure, and a number of insulative retainers coupled to the bus structure. A corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is operatively associated with a corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members. Each of a number of circuit breakers includes a manual operator and a number of second plug-in members disposed opposite the manual operator. The number of second plug-in members electrically engage a number of the number of first plug-in members. The corresponding one of the number of insulative retainers is disposed about the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, in order to insulate the corresponding number of the number of first plug-in members, and to retain the number of second plug-in members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Richard G. Benshoff
  • Patent number: 8648274
    Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus and devices for an arc resistant electrical enclosure that includes a duct system of adjacent pressure relief chambers separated by flame arresting ventilation partitions to provide a torturous mechanical maze to relieve internal pressure and extinguish internal hot flames within the flame arresting duct system prior to exiting the enclosure expelling gasses into the external environment. The adjacent partitioned pressure relief chambers for routing pressure and or flames through the duct system with ninety degree turns from one pressure relief chamber into the next adjacent pressure relief chamber. In an embodiment, a set of ventilation panels is located within one or more of the adjacent pressure relief chambers and each next pressure relief chamber can have a volume that is less than the volume in the preceding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: SMC Electrical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Nels Carlson, Gregory Allen Sanders
  • Patent number: 8593791
    Abstract: A sealed electrical enclosure used in hazardous locations for enclosing circuit breakers having a bottom housing and a removable top housing with a labyrinth joint or serrated joint formed therebetween, the bottom housing adapted to receive one or more circuit breakers, a first metal bus extending from a point internal to the bottom housing through a first end wall to a point external thereto, and a second metal bus extending from a point internal to the bottom housing through a second end wall to a point external to thereto, where the first and second metal buses are adapted to contact first and second electrical terminals of a circuit breaker when placed within the bottom housing, and a first lug retaining bracket secured to the bottom housing and extending to a position beneath the first metal such that a bottom portion of a connector assembly may fit within the space between the end of the lug retaining bracket and the bottom of the first metal bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: EGS Electrical Group, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Baird, Nabil Mina, Yogesh Kanole
  • Patent number: 8587243
    Abstract: A rotary breaker that interrupts a transmission of a driving force from a motor to a drive mechanism unit is provided between the motor having a permanent magnet incorporated therein and the drive mechanism unit of an electric vehicle. A second controller controls the rotary breaker based on operation states of a power converting unit that has a power converter that drives the motor by converting a direct-current voltage or an alternate-current voltage into an alternate-current voltage with an arbitrary frequency and a first controller that controls the power converter, operation states of the motor and the rotary breaker, and an operation state of the second controller itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Sakane, Kenta Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8582279
    Abstract: A load center assembly comprising a main circuit breaker configured to be connected with bus plates through side openings in the main circuit breaker is described. The openings in the main circuit breaker comprise plug-on clips by which the bus plates connect. The plug-on clips are configured to use friction to grasp the bus plates as the bus plates are slidably inserted between the jaws of the plug-on clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James Gerard Maloney, Eric Alan Samuelson
  • Patent number: 8576547
    Abstract: A safety module (24) is adapted to be connected to one or more smoke detectors (36) and mounted adjacent circuit breakers (12, 14) on a switch board (10). The safety module has an arm (26) that overlies the circuit breaker levers (28, 30) of the adjacent circuit breakers (12, 14). When a smoke alarm activates the arm (26) moves the circuit breaker levers (28, 30) to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Jayzi Innovation Pty Limited
    Inventor: Shaun William Garrard
  • Publication number: 20130265693
    Abstract: A medium or high-voltage circuit breaker is provided. An arc-extinguishing fluid is stored in a pressure chamber, which is made up by an arcing chamber of the circuit breaker where an electrical arc is extinguished. No tubings or other conduction devices for pressurized fluids are necessary during current interruption. This speeds up contact separation and arc extinguishing. In a first, closed position of the circuit breaker, the pressure chamber is delimited by a sealing wall which is fixed to a movable first arcing contact. The sealing wall acts as a valve and as a piston at the same time, because it opens the outflow of pressurized arc extinguishing fluid and it concurrently actuates arcing contact separation. The arcing chamber enables the stored pressurized arc extinguishing fluid to perform fast contact separation within a few milliseconds and extinguishing a gaseous arc on the same timescale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Emmanouil PANOUSIS, Marcelo BUFFONI, Markus BUJOTZEK, Bernardo GALLETTI
  • Publication number: 20130258558
    Abstract: A device for disconnecting electrical power from a first stack of meter modules, wherein the power is supplied by a main box that also supplies power to a second stack of meter modules. The device includes an incoming bus section for receiving power from the main box and an outgoing bus section for feeding power to the first stack of modules. In addition, the device includes a cross bus device connected to the incoming and outgoing bus sections and a circuit breaker connected to the cross bus device. When the circuit breaker is closed, power is supplied to the first and second stacks of modules. When the circuit breaker is opened, power to the first stack of modules is disconnected while power to the second stack of modules is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Rusch, Arthur Kevin Shumate, Gustavo Cortes Rico
  • Patent number: 8514551
    Abstract: An electrical panelboard enclosure includes a primary service panel configured to receive power from a main power source and an alternate power source, an alternate power source connector array, and a distribution panel that delivers main or alternate power to subsidiary load circuits. A service transfer switch unit includes a main power breaker and an alternate power breaker having mutually interlocked toggle switches for respectively activating/deactivating the main and alternate power. The panelboard enclosure further includes a power cutoff switch operable from outside a service entrance door of the enclosure to mechanically engage and deactivate the main power breaker toggle switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Diversified Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Cosley, Garrett Matheron, Alan Amoroso
  • Patent number: 8482905
    Abstract: A mounting module for a DC distribution assembly is provided. The module includes a base portion that holds at least first and second electrically conductive straps thereon. The straps are disposed on and coupled to the electrically non-conductive base portion. The module further includes a first breaker pole assembly having a first line side electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive strap. The mounting module further includes a second breaker pole assembly having a second line side electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Frederick Mooney, Mariusz Duda, Nicholas Ryan Goodine, Eric Duane Rowland, Ganesh Venkataraman, Michael Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 8456806
    Abstract: An electrical panelboard enclosure includes an enclosure housing with an interior equipment chamber accessible by way of a service entrance door. A service panel is adapted for connection to a main power source in order to receive main power therefrom. A power supply is operatively connected to receive main power from the service panel and deliver it to a load. The power supply is also adapted for connection to a backup power source in order to receive backup power therefrom and deliver it to the load in the event of a main power cutoff. A load disconnector is operatively connected between the power supply and the load. The load disconnector is manually operable to disconnect the load from the power supply to prevent the power supply from delivering either main or backup power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Diversified Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Cosley, Aron J. King, David H. Halik
  • Patent number: 8378243
    Abstract: An arrangement including at least two separate switch pole housings and a joining facility for joining the switch pole housings. Each of the switch pole housings forms an insulating enclosure of a switching space for receiving a single switch pole of an electric switching device. A side wall of a first switch pole housing, facing a second one of the switch pole housings, includes at least one recess for receiving at least one joining device of the joining facility. The at least one recess forms a first undercut with respect to a side wall and a first locating surface in parallel with a front wall of the housing. The at least one joining device engages behind the first undercut and is braced against a first locating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Ahlert, Jörg-Uwe Dahl, Ludvik Godesa, Marc Liebetruth
  • Patent number: 8344258
    Abstract: An electric device, in particular a mechatronic gear, motor, or brake control device in a motor vehicle, includes an electronic component having at least one electric contact surface for electrically contacting the component. A flexible circuit board with a conduction path structure includes at least one contact pad and conduction lines between two flexible, non-conducting films. A respective contact pad of the flexible circuit board is electrically connected, in particular by welding, to a respective contact surface of the component for creating at least one contact point. A sealing element is disposed on a side of the flexible circuit board opposite the component and an internal space is bounded by a wall. The sealing element is pressed against the flexible circuit board at an edge of the wall so that the edge surrounds at least one of the contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Fischer, Oliver Graf, Hans-Werner Motsch
  • Publication number: 20120327563
    Abstract: A load center comprising a housing and, mounted within the housing as a single pre-fabricated unit of interconnected elements, two power buses, conductive paths branching off from each power bus, respective branch circuit breaker mounting sites each conductively linked to a corresponding one of the two power buses by a respective one of the conductive paths, and current sensors each association with a respective one of the conductive paths branching off from the power buses to provide an output responsive to current passing through said respective conductive path from the corresponding one of the two power buses to the respective branch circuit breaker mounting site. A processor in the housing receives current level signals indicative of the current passing through the conductive paths to produce, and preferably transmit, data for consideration in terms of power consumption by branch circuits fed through the load center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Darcy Cook
  • Patent number: 8339772
    Abstract: A thermally efficient electrical enclosure includes a busbar, a metallic heat sink, and an electrical insulator. The busbar is positioned entirely within the enclosure and electrically insulated from the enclosure. The metallic heat sink is attached to a wall of the enclosure. The electrical insulator physically contacts the busbar and is at least partially wrapped around at least two non-parallel surfaces of a portion of the metallic heat sink such that the metallic heat sink is electrically insulated from the busbar. The metallic heat sink is configured to transfer thermal energy or heat from the busbar to the enclosure such that the thermal energy is lost or transferred to the surrounding environment, which reduces the temperature of the busbar and the amount of copper needed for the busbar without reducing the rating of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hildegard Peralta, Ezequiel Salas, Mauricio Diaz
  • Patent number: 8328575
    Abstract: A device for connection of multiple switchgear devices having a first connection plane including at least one plug-in socket for receiving a switchgear device pluggable in a plug-in direction. The device includes a second protection plane with a removable cover having at least one opening for the control means of a device to pass through. The removable cover also includes at least a first pressing area for pressing against a second pressing area of at least one switchgear device, pressing of the first pressing area on the second pressing area at the time the removable cover is positioned providing a holding force for the at least one switchgear device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Crouzet Automatismes
    Inventors: Dominique Meux, Morgan Verdier
  • Patent number: 8305739
    Abstract: A panelboard supplies electricity to multiple loads, such as lighting fixtures and/or other electrical devices via one or more high-amperage circuit breakers and one or more low-amperage circuit breakers. The panelboard includes one or more vertical busbars and one or more horizontal busbars coupled together in a single housing. The one or more horizontal busbars are coupled to a main input breaker that receives electricity from a source. The main input breaker distributes the electricity to the horizontal busbars. The horizontal busbars distribute the electricity to the high-amperage circuit breakers coupled thereto and to the vertical busbars. The vertical busbars distribute the electricity to the low-amperage circuit breakers coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven W. Dozier
  • Patent number: 8284542
    Abstract: Electrical circuit breakers in an electrical panelboard are equipped with tie-down devices to secure the circuit breakers to the panelboard. Each circuit breaker includes a standard housing or case having a raised portion that forms a pair of end walls and a slot at the base of each of the end walls. The panelboard includes mounts for attaching the tie-down devices to the panelboard. Each tie-down device includes (1) a breaker-attachment portion adapted to be mounted on the circuit breaker housing around the raised portion and having a pair of mounting hooks adapted to fit into the slots for attaching the tie-down device to the circuit breaker housing, and (2) a panelboard attachment portion extending beyond the circuit breaker housing for attachment to the panelboard mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy L. Siebels, William J. Broghammer
  • Patent number: 8228665
    Abstract: The object is to provide ring-bus-type gas insulated switchgear that ensures maintenance and inspection performance, reduces the installation space, and further reduces costs. Each of a plurality of breaker units is formed by connecting an instrument current transformer and a disconnector to each of the upper and lower branch ports drawn horizontally from the side surface of a vertical breaker in the same direction, and the breaker units are arranged in parallel. Adjacent disconnectors are connected to each other by a connection bus, so that the bus route runs alternately at upper and lower levels. Furthermore, the breaker units positioned at the two ends are connected linearly to each other by a communication bus. In addition, the line-side devices are arranged to face the corresponding breaker units across the disconnectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujita, Takuya Otsuka, Hitoshi Sadakuni
  • Patent number: 8169775
    Abstract: A cooling device for a circuit breaker which comprises a case having a front wall, a rear wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, two flanks, and a first series of side-by-side terminals and a second series of side-by-side terminals that protrude outside from the case for the connection of the circuit breaker with an electrical circuit. The cooling device includes at least one first body made of a thermal conducting material and which has a central portion suitable for being positioned transversally along and facing the first series of terminals so as to absorb heat generated at the first series of terminals, and a first end portion and a second end portion that protrude from the central portion and are configured so as to receive the heat absorbed by the central portion and to diffuse it outside the cooling device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mario Bortoli, Alessio Bergamini, Bruno Agostini, Francesco Agostini, Daniel Chartouni, Tilo Buehler
  • Patent number: 8111504
    Abstract: A current-sensing assembly comprising a housing and first and second current transformers contained in and fixed in position by the housing. The assembly includes at least one conducting pin corresponding to each of the first and second current transformers and inserted through the housing to expose a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the pin is electrically coupled to an end of the conducting wire of the corresponding current transformer through a window in the housing coinciding with the current transformer. The top end of a common pin is electrically coupled through the window to the opposite end of the coil conductor. The bottom end of each pin is configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board. The housing includes first and second elongated rings passing substantially through the centers of the current transformers and configured to accept first and second current lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Powell, Jerry Scheel, Randall J. Gass
  • Patent number: 8094436
    Abstract: A circuit breaker assembly includes a housing, an electrical bus structure coupled to the housing, and a number of first plug-in members coupled to the electrical bus structure. A number of circuit breakers include a first surface and a second plug-in member disposed opposite the first surface. The second plug-in member of each of the number of circuit breakers is mated with a corresponding one of the number of first plug-in members. A plate member is removably coupled to the housing. The plate member includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first surface of the number of circuit breakers engages the opposite second surface of the plate member in order to maintain mating of each of the number of circuit breakers with the corresponding one of the number of first plug-in members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Mills, James M. McCormick, Kevin F. Hanley, Timothy R. Budd