William R Bentley

US Patent:

6480079, Nov 12, 2002

Filed:

Apr 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/132559

Inventors:

William J. Bentley - North Attleboro MA
Eric W. Morrison - Pawtucket RI
Christian V. Pellon - Norton MA
Nicholas V. Pellon - Norton MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01H 332

US Classification:

335 6, 335191, 200401

Abstract:

An electric circuit breaker ( ) has a toggle mechanism ( ) having two movable over center joints ( ) connected between a push-button ( ) and a movable contact mechanism ( ). When the push-button is depressed a first link rotates bringing the first movable over center joint ( ) across a center position represented by a first imaginary straight line ( ) to a stop surface ( ). A spring member ( ) provides a bias which acts on the second movable over center joint ( ) normally maintaining the second movable joint against the stop surface so that with the two movable over center joints biased against the stop surface the movable contact mechanism is moved to a closed contact position when the push-button is depressed. An overload responsive member transfers motion to the second movable over center joint ( ) upon the occurrence of a selected overload and moves the second over center joint across a center position represented by a second imaginary straight line ( ) allowing the contacts opening spring ( ) to move the movable contact mechanism to the open contacts position providing a trip free operation. The circuit breaker can be formed for a single phase or it can be formed for multiphase operation in which additional ganged phases have no toggle mechanism but do have separate ambient temperature compensated trip arms and overload responsive members which operate through the single toggle mechanism.

US Patent:

6720856, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325252

Inventors:

Christian V. Pellon - Norton MA
Nicholas V. Pellon - Norton MA
William J. Bentley - North Attleboro MA
Eric W. Morrison - Woonsocket RI

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01H 7330

US Classification:

337 82, 337 84, 337 66, 337 94, 200286

Abstract:

A thermally compensated circuit breaker has a movable contact assembly ( ) which mounts a movable electrical contact ( ) for movement between open and closed contacts positions with a stationary electrical contact ( ). The contacts are maintained in the closed circuits position by a latching mechanism ( ) which prevents opening of the contacts through an opening contacts force provided by a spring ( ). A current carrying trip arm ( ) deflects upon sufficient I R heating to transfer motion to the latch to separate the latch ( ) from the latch receiving catch ( ) to trip the circuit breaker. The trip arm ( ) is part of a pivotably mounted actuator assembly ( ) having a movable end portion spaced from the pivot disposed adjacent a motion transfer member ( ). A calibration screw ( ) is located so that the longitudinal axis is in line with a movable end portion of the actuator assembly and the motion transfer member. In one embodiment the head of the calibration screw is captured in a slot in the free end of a calibration base ( ) attached to the trip arm so that deflection of the trip arm directly transfers motion to the motion transfer member and in another embodiment the calibration screw head is captured in a slot in the free end of the trip arm so that a bowing deflection of the trip arm causes a calibration base ( ) to which it is attached at an end thereof to rotate with the calibration base directly transferring motion to the motion transfer member.

US Patent:

8536475, Sep 17, 2013

Filed:

Dec 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/325893

Inventors:

Keith Richard Washburn - Natick MA, US
Stephen J. Bryant - Coventry RI, US
William John Bentley - North Dartmouth MA, US

Assignee:

Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc. - Attleboro MA

International Classification:

H01H 1/64

US Classification:

200293

Abstract:

Techniques disclosed herein include a conversion technique that converts an aircraft circuit breaker having male auxiliary connectors (micro switch connectors) to an aircraft circuit breaker having female auxiliary connectors, such as those conventionally used on European-made aircraft. Techniques include adding a barrier to a conventional aircraft circuit breaker approved for U. S. markets. This barrier includes female auxiliary connectors integrated with the barrier, as well as a flexible circuit that connects the male connectors with the female connectors such that the female connectors can still receive separate male connectors in the female receptacles. Such a technique converts conventional aircraft circuit breakers into a European-style breaker without requiring a full European rebuild and re-qualification. Embodiments can include single and multiple phase versions, and configurations for use with high and low amperage.

US Patent:

20070115089, May 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/284169

Inventors:

Anand Krishnamurthy - Norwood MA, US
Stephen Bryant - Coventry RI, US
William Bentley - North Attleboro MA, US

International Classification:

H01H 71/16

US Classification:

337053000

Abstract:

A switchable thermal circuit breaker () has an automatically resettable, current carrying thermostatic disc () cantilever mounted in a housing () and carries a movable contact () into and out of electrical engagement with a stationary contact (). A disc coupling member () is pivotally mounted above the disc and has fingers () to capture opposed sides of the disc so that the disc coupling member pivots concomitantly with movement of the disc. A radially extending blade () of a pivot member is biased by a spring () into engagement with a stop surface () of the disc coupling member when the contacts are in the engaged position and is movable under the stop arm () when the disc moves to the contacts disengaged position to prevent reengagement of the contacts. Also, mounted on an end of the pivot body is a reset lever and indicator flag () that moves to a position indicative of the contacts disengaged position and can be moved, against to the bias of the spring, to a position in which the blade is moved from under the stop arm to allow the disc to move to the contacts engaged position, assuming the disc is at a suitable temperature. According to a feature of the invention, a pushbutton () can be provided to apply a force to the disc coupling member causing it to pivot in a contacts opening direction to manually switch the circuit breaker to the open circuit position.

US Patent:

61880337, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Jan 7, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/479082

Inventors:

William J. Bentley - Cumberland RI
Peter G. Berg - Attleboro Falls MA
David A. Koczwara - Bussards Bay MA

Assignee:

Texas Instruments Incorporated - Dallas TX

International Classification:

H01H 1340

US Classification:

200468

Abstract:

A switching element (40, 40') for use in a snap-acting electrical switch (10) has a pair of outer legs (40a, 40b; 40a', 40b') and a center leg (40c) extending in substantially the same direction from a junction portion. The outer legs have a semi-annular band portion which blend together at the junction portion and a center leg at one end of the band portion. A mounting portion extends from the other end of the semi-annular band portion and is provided with mounting apertures (40k, 40l) for placement on mounting posts (18, 20) in a warped, stressed condition. A strengthening portion (40n, 40r) is formed in each semi-annular band portion, preferably along the outer portion thereof, i. e. , the outer portion being away from the junction portion. An electrical contact (32) is mounted on the distal free end of the center leg for snap-movement between a pair of stationary electrical contacts (28b, 30b).