General Electric Company

James I Smith

Joseph M Palmieri

Richard E Saunders

Linda Yvonne Jacobs

Dennis W Heath

Roger N Castonguay

Robert Allan Morris

John James Dougherty

David Arnold

Ronald D Ciarcia

Edward E Kim

Franco P Pardini

James M Mitsch

Paul A Raymont

Thomas F Papallo

Roger J Morgan

Richard A Menelly

David A Hibbert

Esteban Santos

Richard P Johnston

Irenaeus S Panus

Joseph B Kelaita

William H Calder

Larry J Newmark

Hemant K Mody

Karen Broadwell Lausier

Vincent P Acampora

Roy Watson

Anthony J Chamay

Peter C Wung

Thomas Neil Hull, Jr

Thomas G Hampton

David S Parker

Timothy C Brasel

Lloyd G Palmer

Nataniel De Jesus Barbosa Vicente

Donald McDonald

Transformers ( ) inject test voltage signals of know frequency to each phase of the load side of an electrical distribution circuit ( ). Processor ( ) waits for a delay period to allow transient effects of the injected signals to settle, and then accepts the sampled test current signals provided by current transformers ( ) through conditioning circuit ( ). This process is repeated by injecting test voltages at different frequencies, which are selected by processor ( ) based on stored instructions. Processor ( ) uses the sampled signals to determine a representative current for the load side of the distribution circuit ( ) and then compares the representative current with a predetermined current threshold value stored in non-volatile memory ( ). If the current is above this threshold, processor ( ) provides a lockout signal to the fault lockout device ( ) and fault lockout flag ( ). Upon receiving this lockout signal, fault lockout device ( ) prevents the closure of the breaker contacts ( ), and fault lockout flag ( ) provides for remote indication of breaker lockout. If the current is below the threshold value, fault lockout device ( ) is not activated, and the circuit breaker contacts ( ) are allowed to close.

Circuit breaker incorporating fault lockout protection

A residential load center includes an electronic trip unit as the main circuit breaker for overcurrent and arcing fault protection while connecting with thermal magnetic circuit breakers in each of the branch circuits for overcurrent protection within the individual branch circuits.

Residential load center with arcing fault protection

A circuit interrupter of the type including an electronic trip unit for overcurrent determination includes a separate circuit to power the trip unit along with a Hall Effect or GMR Device to sense the current flow within the protected circuit. A removable option plug electrically interconnects with the trip unit to enable ground fault and arcing fault protection.

Smart residential circuit breaker

An air circuit breaker closing spring charging mechanism includes a ratchet and pawl whereby the closing spring charging gear is protected from damage due to reverse rotation of the ratchet when the charged closing springs are later released. A locking latch prevents damage to the charging mechanism components and a latch release lever allows the charging mechanism to return to an operative position when the closing springs are later charged by a manually operated charging handle.

Manual charging mechanism for industrial-rated circuit breaker

A circuit breaker operating mechanism interacts with the circuit breaker movable contact arm by means of an electrically-insulative linkage. Tolerance adjustments are made within the linkage without requiring an additional electrically-insulative shield.

Operating mechanism linkage assembly for high ampere-rated circuit

Industrial-rated circuit breaker

An arc gas controller-insert is used with molded case circuit breaker covers to direct the flow of arc gases that occur during intense overcurrent circuit interruption. The gas controller-insert provides access to the line and load terminal lugs for connection with and disconnection from an associated electrical power distribution system while controlling the egress of the arc gases.

Molded case circuit breaker arc exhaust gas controller

Electronic-trip, molded-case circuit breaker

Electronic-trip molded-case circuit breaker

Electronic trip molded case circuit breaker

A combination panelboard-switchboard housing accepts plug-on connection with a plurality of modular electric switch-circuit breaker enclosures. The modular enclosure accepts circuit breakers or electric switches which can be field-installed with minor alteration to the enclosure. The modular switch enclosure further accepts a wide range of ampere ratings within a standard enclosure size. A mechanical latch arrangement on the bottom of the modular enclosure prevents the modular enclosure from being removed from the panelboard-switchboard housing. Controlled temperatures are achieved within the housing by optimized circulating air flow.

Molded case circuit breaker exhaust barrier

A combined arc gas controller-line terminal plug is used within molded case circuit breaker covers to direct the flow of arc gases that occur during intense overcurrent circuit interruption. The plugs simultaneously prevent access to the line terminal lugs while controlling the egress of the arc gases. Moreover, the plugs are removable for connection with and disconnection from an associated electrical power distribution system.

Molded case circuit breaker line terminal plug

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 from the environment. The accessory cover includes means for cooperating with a load center or panelboard circuit breaker enclosure to prevent access to the accessory components within the load center or panelboard interior.

Molded case circuit breaker accessory enclosure

A three-piece molded plastic enclosure for disconnect switches consisting of a base, cover, and door individually fabricated by means of an injection molding process. The base has integrally molded extension tabs cooperating with an integrally molded hasp on the door for allowing the enclosure to be padlocked. A two-part hinge wherein part of the hinge is integrally formed with the cover and the remaining part is integrally formed with the door allowing the door to be assembled to the cover in a hinge-like fashion. Electrical components are attached to the interior of the base and the base is secured to the cover by means of a screw. The screw is only accessible from behind the door when the compartment is unlocked. Besides providing a disconnect switch that is tamper-proof behind a locked door, the molded plastic enclosure is water-tight and environmentally secure.

Molded plastic enclosure for disconnect switches

Growing community of inventors

Avon, CT, United States of America

James I Smith