Michael T Bauer

US Patent:

59108908, Jun 8, 1999

Filed:

Feb 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/024373

Inventors:

James E. Hansen - Oak Creek WI
Michael E. Bauer - Wauwatosa WI
Dale L. Gass - Brown Deer WI
William J. Janutka - West Allis WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H02M 112
H01H 900

US Classification:

363 41

Abstract:

A control circuit drives the coil of a contactor in response to a control voltage being applied. The control circuit includes a power supply that produces a regulated output voltage from the control voltage. The onset of the regulated output voltage starts a timer which controls the width of pulses produced by a PWM controller. The pulses control a transistor that applies the control voltage to the coil. Initially the pulses cause a high current to flow through the coil to close the contactor and after an interval of time the timer signals the PWM controller to shorten the pulses which applies lesser current to the coil to keep the contacts closed. A flyback circuit provides a relatively low reverse voltage drop path in parallel with the coil to maintain the electromagnetic field during the periods between the pulses. When the control voltage is removed to open the contactor, the flyback circuit provides a high reverse voltage drop path to promptly dampen the coil current.

US Patent:

58149554, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Mar 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/818186

Inventors:

Michael E. Bauer - Hartland WI
Michael A. Urbassik - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H02P 314

US Classification:

318376

Abstract:

A control circuit for an overhead crane motor includes a low supply voltage monitor to disconnect the motor from the control circuit and ensure brakes engage in the event of interruption of power supplied to the crane. A sensor circuit detects whether voltage supplied to the control circuit drops below a predefined threshold level which is greater than a voltage magnitude produced by the motorN operating in a regenerative mode during a power interruption. A switching circuit responds to sensing supply voltage below the threshold level by disconnecting electrical current to a relay coil which causes contacts to open which result in the motor being electrically disconnected from the control circuit. As a result of that disconnection, voltage produced by the motor operating in a regenerative mode does not inhibit electrically controlled mechanical brakes from engaging.

US Patent:

57420157, Apr 21, 1998

Filed:

Oct 7, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/726991

Inventors:

Peter K. Moldovan - Cascade WI
Michael E. Bauer - Hartland WI
Stephen R. Fiacchino - Saukville WI
Earl T. Piber - Oconomowoc WI
Brad L. Myers - Milwaukee WI
Kurt D. Matschull - Greendale WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

H01H 3300

US Classification:

218 1

Abstract:

A sealed contactor for switching electric current has a switching assembly that includes a movable contact which selectively bridges a pair of stationary contacts to provide an electrical path therebetween. The moveable and stationary contacts are mounted to a body of electrically insulating material to form a unitized structure. A separate actuator assembly has an enclosure which contains an electrically operated driver with a linkage that extends into the switching assembly to alternately operate the moveable contact into engagement with and disengagement from the stationary contacts. The switching assembly is sealingly attached to the actuator assembly in an interlocking manner that prevents arcs produced between the contacts from escaping outside the electric current switching apparatus. Nevertheless, the switching assembly is capable of being easily removed and replaced as a single unit from the actuator assembly when repairing the contactor.

US Patent:

55617344, Oct 1, 1996

Filed:

Aug 13, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/929101

Inventors:

Glenn H. Simonsen - Brookfield WI
Michael E. Bauer - Hartland WI

Assignee:

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Brookfield WI

International Classification:

H02P 700

US Classification:

388838

Abstract:

An electric tool including a variable speed switch assembly including a potentiometer having a central rotatable member defining a bore with a noncircular cross section and a molded plastic speed control wheel housing the potentiometer. The speed control wheel includes a central post with a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the central potentiometer bore such that the central post can be housed in the central bore in only one relative position with respect to the central rotatable member. The variable speed switch assembly also includes a switch cover having projections which snap into designated holes provided in a circuit board such that the switch cover and the circuit cannot be incorrectly assembled. The switch cover includes a stop member that extends into a semi-circular recess in the speed control wheel to provide mechanical stops so that rotational movement of the speed control wheel corresponds with the range of the potentiometer. The variable speed switch assembly also incorporates a detent arrangement integrated into the switch cover and the speed control wheel and including a resilient finger, the end of which is received in a series of detent grooves in the speed control wheel to maintain the speed control wheel in a desired angular position corresponding to a desired speed setting.