Peter K Moldovan

US Patent:

6710688, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Apr 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/845519

Inventors:

Edward Louis Wellner - Colgate WI
Paul Jason Rollmann - Milwaukee WI
Thomas Michael Hall - Bradenton FL
Peter Lee Nerstrom - Sarasota FL
Michael Frederick Walz - Bradenton FL
Peter Klaus Moldovan - Cascade WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7700

US Classification:

335 35, 335172

Abstract:

A circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts mounted in the housing; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. An overcurrent assembly is responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts and actuates the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A bonnet forms a U-shape which surrounds the separable contacts and which cools and splits an arc when the operating mechanism trips open the separable contacts. A first bonnet piece forms a first leg of the bonnet, and a second bonnet piece forms a second leg and a base of the bonnet.

US Patent:

6864765, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Jul 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/196856

Inventors:

Edward Louis Wellner - Colgate WI, US
Paul Jason Rollmann - Milwaukee WI, US
Thomas Michael Hall - Bradenton FL, US
Peter Lee Nerstrom - Sarasota FL, US
Michael Frederick Walz - Bradenton FL, US
Peter Klaus Moldovan - Cascade WI, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H083/00

US Classification:

335 16, 335172, 335202

Abstract:

A circuit breaker includes a housing; separable contacts mounted in the housing; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the separable contacts. An overcurrent assembly is responsive to selected conditions of current flowing through the separable contacts and actuates the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A bonnet forms a U-shape which surrounds the separable contacts and which cools and splits an arc when the operating mechanism trips open the separable contacts. A first bonnet piece forms a first leg of the bonnet, and a second bonnet piece forms a second leg and a base of the bonnet.

US Patent:

7034644, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Jan 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/335664

Inventors:

Peter K. Moldovan - Cascade WI, US
Edward L. Wellner - Colgate WI, US
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI, US
Paul J. Rollmann - Brown Deer WI, US
Xin Zhou - Brookfield WI, US
John R. Skibinski - Hubertus WI, US
Randal D. Gazdecki - Monaca PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 9/00

US Classification:

335205, 335 17

Abstract:

The auxiliary switch includes a non-contact sensor, such as a Hall effect device, that is switched by the condition of a magnetic field. The magnetic field condition is effected by a movable contact indicator that moves between open and closed positions with the separable contacts of the electric power apparatus. A magnet may be attached to the movable contact indicator, or the movable contact indicator can be magnetized to form the magnet. Alternatively, the moving contact indicator can intercept or not intercept a magnetic field produced by a fixed magnet spaced from the sensor. The Hall effect device may be mounted on the outside of the nonmagnetically permeable housing of the electric power apparatus, or inside if there is sufficient room. In either case, no mechanical coupling is required for the sensor.

US Patent:

46723501, Jun 9, 1987

Filed:

Sep 29, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/912860

Inventors:

Peter K. Moldovan - Cascade WI
Michael R. Larsen - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7116

US Classification:

337 82

Abstract:

A bimetal operated latch subassembly (600) for an electrical device such as an overload/switch device which is a self-contained unit that can be mounted into operative position relative to the trippable member (012) of the electrical device. A bimetal assembly (660) and a pair of terminals (604,621) electrically connected thereto are mounted on a main insulating base (601). A vibration and shockproof latch assembly (610) is preassembled on a stainless steel sub-base (611) which is then secured by a single screw (605) to the main base (601) at the same time coupling the bimetal assembly (660) to the latch (610) in operative relationship. The latch (610) is rendered shockproof by providing a spring-biased linear slider (650) that latches to a transversely pivoted latch lever (613). The latch friction that must be overcome by the bimetal (608) is reduced to a minimum by providing the latch lever (613) with an adjustable bias (614,615) that almost balances the tripping force (Y) of the trippable member (012 ). Calibration for a desired trip curve is attained by providing a screw (664) adjustment of the linkage (661,662) between the bimetal assembly (660) and the spring-biased linear slider (650) thereby to set the tension force on the bimetal (608) at ambient room temperature whereby it will meet the hot and cold ambient temperature trip requirements also without the use of an ambient temperature compensating bimetal or the like.

US Patent:

44867336, Dec 4, 1984

Filed:

Sep 29, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/428503

Inventors:

Peter K. Moldovan - Cascade WI
John C. Hohensee - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7116

US Classification:

337101

Abstract:

An electrothermal responsive protective mechanism for an electrically powered load wherein the overload tripping force is provided by the cool, ambient temperature compensating bimetal (12) rather than the hot electrically heated bimetal (6) to prevent over-stress. The bimetal members (6,12) are preloaded by a link actuator (22) having a positive temperature coefficient of expansion to minimize unloading of the bimetal members due to ambient temperature change thereby to prevent tripping motion. A screw (16) adjusts the preload and a screw (24) provides a coupling gap in the tripping linkage to prevent shock or vibration propagation therethrough. An insulating base (2) and carrier (14) provide thermal and electrical isolation of the bimetal members. Identical bimetal members (6,12) are used to prevent any actuator motion under ambient temperature changes.

US Patent:

50048740, Apr 2, 1991

Filed:

Nov 13, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/435228

Inventors:

Peter J. Theisen - West Bend WI
Daniel A. Wycklendt - Milwaukee WI
Mark A. Juds - New Berlin WI
Peter K. Moldovan - Cascade WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 3304
H01H 3318

US Classification:

200144R

Abstract:

Direct current switching apparatus having two arc extinguishing chambers each comprising a pair of spaced conductors providing cooperable arc runners divergent toward a row of non-ferromagnetic splitter plates and a stationary contact conductively mounted on one conductor, the stationary contacts of respective chambers being mounted on respectively opposite conductors, corresponding conductors in respective chambers being conductively connected to each other and to power terminals of the apparatus, permanent magnets applying a magnetic field across the respective chamber for moving an arc within the chamber, ferromagnetic plates providing flux return paths to optimize and maximize the magnetic field, a movable contact extending into each chamber bridging the stationary contacts and movable to separate from the stationary contacts, drawing an arc therebetween in each chamber, the arc in one chamber bridging the pair of conductors within that chamber establishing a circuit comprising the arc between the conductors and the power terminals in shunt of the movable contact, thereby eliminating the arc in the other chamber, the bridging arc being extinguished in the splitter plates, interrupting the circuit. The magnetic fields are applied in opposite directions in the respective chambers for non-polarized operability of the apparatus and are distorted within the splitter plate area to drive and maintain an arc at a stable arc position against a thickened sidewall portion to withstand erosion.

US Patent:

62258834, May 1, 2001

Filed:

Feb 15, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/504421

Inventors:

Edward Louis Wellner - Colgate WI
Paul Jason Rollmann - Milwaukee WI
Peter Klaus Moldovan - Cascade WI
Thomas Michael Hall - Bradenton FL
Steven Christopher Schmalz - Greenfield WI
Michael Frederick Walz - Bradenton FL
James McCormick - Bradenton FL
Engelbert Hetzmanseder - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 900

US Classification:

335172

Abstract:

The toggle mechanism of a circuit breaker is connected at one end to the pivoted contact arm and at the other end to a pivoted latch lever which is engaged to latch the toggle mechanism by a latch member pivoted for movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the toggle mechanism. The latch member serves as an armature for a trip motor energized by a trip circuit responsive to an arc fault and/or a ground fault to unlatch the toggle mechanism and trip the circuit breaker open. The latch member is also tripped by a helical bimetal responsive to persistent overcurrents and coupled to the latch member through an ambient compensator bimetal cantilevered from the latch member. A flexible shunt connected between the helical bimetal and contact arm passes through an extension of the magnetic circuit of the trip motor to generate a magnetic field of sufficient strength to trip the latch member instantaneously in response to a short circuit.

US Patent:

51324970, Jul 21, 1992

Filed:

Aug 26, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/749777

Inventors:

Peter K. Moldovan - Cascade WI
John M. Reske - Greenfield WI

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 944
H01H 930

US Classification:

200147A

Abstract:

A Hall effect device is located in a focused gap of a flux concentrator disposed over one power terminal of a D. C. switching contactor to monitor flux induced by current flow. Magnetic fields from permanent magnets of the switching apparatus are shielded from the flux concentrator by a cup-shaped magnetic ring surrounding the concentrator, magnetically spaced therefrom, and a magnetic plate of the apparatus which is modified to accept more flux in a localized area of the sensor before saturation. The gap of the concentrator in which the Hall effect device is located is particularly positioned at a point where the magnetic field gradient from the permanent magnet field is minimum.