Edward R Howell

US Patent:

47148071, Dec 22, 1987

Filed:

Mar 2, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/021364

Inventors:

Edward K. Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 3366

US Classification:

200144B

Abstract:

A solid state switch connected across a pair of separable contacts for eliminating arcing across the contacts allows the contacts and the contact driver to be enclosed within an evacuated envelope. The vacuum environment allows the use of an inexpensive, highly conductive contact material, such as copper, without fear of chemical reaction.

US Patent:

39537668, Apr 27, 1976

Filed:

Sep 16, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/506272

Inventors:

Edward Keith Howell - Simsbury CT
Donald Leland Watrous - Liverpool NY
Robert George Hodgins - Canastota NY

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H02H 326

US Classification:

317 18D

Abstract:

An electronic module for ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in both circuit breaker and receptacle configurations includes a signal processor having a plurality of fault signal threshold stages for differentially charging an integrating capacitor in accordance with the magnitude of the fault signal as amplified by a high gain differential amplifier. The accumulated charge on the integrating capacitor controls the generation of a trip signal. The processor also includes a highly stable grounded neutral excitation oscillator and a noise rejection network to combat nuisance tripping.

US Patent:

46986073, Oct 6, 1987

Filed:

Oct 16, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/919415

Inventors:

Edward K. Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 5300

US Classification:

335195

Abstract:

A bridging contact is arranged across two fixed contacts with a pair of parallel, closely spaced conductors serving as the bridging contact carrier. The conductors each form a pair of upper and lower links joined by means of a toggle pivot pin and are refrained from movement by means of a pair of tension springs. A high current pulse in opposite direction within the parallel conductors generates electromagnetic forces which propels the conductors apart. The bridging contact carried by the parallel conductors is thereby rapidly driven out of contact relation with the fixed contacts to interrupt the circuit.

US Patent:

40016463, Jan 4, 1977

Filed:

Jun 16, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/586864

Inventors:

Edward Keith Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H02H 326

US Classification:

317 18D

Abstract:

A GFCI utilizes a single transformer in responding to ground faults on either of the line and neutral conductors of a distribution circuit. The transformer, a differential current transformer, has a secondary winding which is periodically strobed during a first sampling interval for the presence of a fault signal indicative of a line-ground fault. During a second sampling interval, a negative resistance network sets up a ringing oscillation in the transformer secondary circuit. If the neutral conductor is grounded through a low impedance ground fault, the oscillation is damped, and circuit interruption is initiated. Absent a low impedance ground fault on the neutral conductor, the oscillation amplitude increases to exceed a predetermined threshold level during the second sampling interval, and circuit interruption is not initiated.

US Patent:

42165164, Aug 5, 1980

Filed:

Oct 26, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/955036

Inventors:

Edward K. Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H02H 326

US Classification:

361 45

Abstract:

In the absence of a ground fault, a triac completes an AC energization circuit for a relay whose contacts then close to provide load circuit continuity. Gate drive for the first triac is obtained from a secondary winding of a transformer whose primary is driven by an oscillator for the purpose of producing a differential transformer unbalancing current signal in the event of a desensitizing ground fault on the load circuit neutral conductor. When the differential transformer senses a ground fault, the oscillator is disabled, and the resulting loss of gate drive renders the triac non-conductive to drop out the relay.

US Patent:

39731715, Aug 3, 1976

Filed:

May 19, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/578656

Inventors:

Edward Keith Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H02H 328

US Classification:

317 18D

Abstract:

The secondary winding of the differential current transformer in a ground fault circuit interrupter is normally short circuited through an electronic switch. A relaxation oscillator, including a timing capacitor, acts to periodically open the switch and divert any secondary current through a burden resistor, developing thereacross a relatively high amplitude fault signal voltage indicative of a liine ground fault. The timing capacitor discharges through the primary winding of a second transformer coupled with the neutral conductor to develop, in the event of a desensitizing neutral ground fault, a fault signal voltage across the burden resistor.

US Patent:

46879501, Aug 18, 1987

Filed:

Mar 14, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/839400

Inventors:

Edward K. Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H03K 1772

US Classification:

307642

Abstract:

A commutating circuit in combination with a snubber circuit are employed to switch a thyristor from a conducting state to a non-conducting state. The snubber circuit is connected across the cathode and anode of the thyristor to absorb system energy when the thyristor is switched. The commutating circuit is coupled in series with the cathode of the thyristor by means of a current transformer for increasing the cathode resistance, causing the cathode current to immediately transfer to the gate.

US Patent:

46458891, Feb 24, 1987

Filed:

Mar 14, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/839397

Inventors:

Edward K. Howell - Simsbury CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 3316

US Classification:

200144AP

Abstract:

A varistor quenched arc chute for current limiting circuit interrupters utilizes the combination of a plurality of stacked metal plates for attracting the arc that forms upon separation of the current limiting contacts with interspersed varistor elements for dissipating the system stored energy. The number of metal plates and the clamping voltage of the varistors is adjusted for optimum arc de-ionization. After arc extinction, the metal plates serve as cooling fins for the varistors.