General Electric Company

George J Boucher

Joseph M Palmieri

J Peter McCuin

Robert G Markowski

Edward E Kim

Marshall B Hart

Jon P McCuin

Gary Paul Michaelis

Denis A Perzan

Randall D Wise

Peter F Cavanaugh

Michael Thomas Gerken

Richard W Schumacher

Hermann F Tremmel

Dominick Paul Squillace

A molded plastic enclosure of an electrical disconnect is presented. The disconnect has a switch mounted within the enclosure for manually disconnecting electrical equipment from a source of power. The disconnect enclosure includes a molded base hingedly attached to a cover. The base includes an interior compartment for mounting the disconnect switch therein. The base also includes a plurality of knockouts, which can be removed (knocked out) to provide access for electrical wiring. Each knockout has a plurality of concentric circular sections, each having an angular groove formed on their circumference. The smallest-diameter section includes a groove with a cross-sectional shape having a sharp corner (knife-edge) while the larger-diameter sections include grooves with cross sections having radiused corners. Additionally, the depth of the groove for smaller-diameter sections is greater than the depth of the groove for larger diameter sections.

Molded plastic enclosure

A ferromagnetic structure for use in a circuit interruption mechanism, the, ferromagnetic structure has a first ferromagnetic layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, a second ferromagnetic layer having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one ferromagnetic layer being positioned within the first and second ferromagnetic layers and having a lower surface and an upper surface, at least one recess in the lower surfaces of the ferromagnetic layers; and at least one protrusion in the upper surfaces of the ferromagnetic layers, the protrusions are received into the recesses.

Magnetic shunt assembly

An electronic circuit interrupter is protected against thermal damage upon loosening of the lug connectors that connect the circuit interrupter with the load circuit. Thermal sensing elements attached to the lugs connect with the circuit interrupter trip unit to initiate circuit interruption when the temperature sensed exceeds a predetermined value.

Digital circuit interrupter thermal protection circuit

An arc isolation shield for molded case circuit breakers is inserted between the circuit breaker case and cover and attached to one leg of the operating cradle. The knee of the circuit breaker moveable contact arm contacts the bottom of the shield and moves the shield in unison with the contact arm to protect the contact arm, contact braid and operating spring upon contact separation under severe overcurrent conditions.

Circuit breaker contact arm and spring shield

An electric disconnect switch enclosure for outdoor applications includes a viewing window to visually ascertain the ON-OFF conditions of the switch contacts without having to motivate the switch handle or open the enclosure door. The viewing window can be formed in the enclosure door in an automated manufacturing process.

Environmental electric switch enclosure with viewing window

A molded case circuit breaker support and a circuit breaker enclosure are arranged with air transfer slots and passages to promote chimney effect cooling of the circuit breaker components. The slots in the circuit breaker support direct ambient cooling air onto the circuit breaker terminals while the passages through the enclosure direct the ambient air flow from the bottom to the top of the enclosure.

Growing community of inventors

Plainville, CT, United States of America

George J Boucher