Erich J Pannenborg

US Patent:

6437266, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Sep 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/667728

Inventors:

Erich John Pannenborg - San Juan PR
Joseph Criniti - New Britain CT
Javier Ignacio Larranaga - Bristol CT
Gerardo Rosario - Guaynabo PR

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H01M 102

US Classification:

200262, 200275

Abstract:

A contact arm assembly is provided having an electrical contact for making and breaking an electrical current, a contact arm for supporting the electrical contact, and a bond surface on the contact arm that is conditioned for improving the bond between the electrical contact and contact arm. Also provided is an electrical circuit breaker that utilizes the improved contact arm assembly. The bond surface of the contact arm is provided with pyramid-shaped serrations that serve to more uniformly distribute the electrical current during brazing, provide multiple areas of localized current constriction during brazing, and provide collector pockets for accumulating the molten braze alloy during brazing. The uniform distribution of electrical current during brazing serves to generate a uniform temperature gradient across the braze area for uniform melting of braze alloy. The multiple areas of localized current constriction during brazing serves to temporarily elevate the temperature of the braze joint during brazing by localizing the heat generation proximate the braze alloy, thereby effectively reducing annealing of the contact arm.

US Patent:

51736748, Dec 22, 1992

Filed:

Feb 25, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/841182

Inventors:

Erich J. Pannenborg - Southington CT
Joseph M. Palmieri - Southington CT
Raymond K. Seymour - Plainville CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 7512

US Classification:

335 35

Abstract:

A molded case thermal-magnetic circuit breaker having improved low current magnetic trip response pivotally arranges the magnet within the circuit breaker thermal-magnetic trip system for controllably moving toward the latching armature assembly. The movement of the magnet decreases the magnetic separation distance between the magnet and the latching armature to optimize the magnetic trip forces and thereby enhance low current magnetic trip response.

US Patent:

6137069, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Aug 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/292666

Inventors:

Robert Casagrande - Oxford CT
Erich J. Pannenborg - Southington CT
Andre J. M'Sadoques - Southington CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H01H 926

US Classification:

200 5032

Abstract:

Multi-pole circuit breakers are joined together to form a common assembly. The individual poles are in the form of compact circuit breakers having a pair of separable contacts controlled by a single externally-accessible operating handle. The individual circuit breakers are riveted together and are keyed such that the contacts open and close in unison. The individual handles are interlocked together by means of a unitary plastic handle tie.

US Patent:

58700080, Feb 9, 1999

Filed:

Feb 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/804045

Inventors:

Erich J. Pannenborg - Southington CT
Gary P. Michaelis - Oakville CT
Andre J. M'Sadoques - Southington CT
Robert Casagrande - Oxford CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schnectady NY

International Classification:

H01H 7512

US Classification:

335 35

Abstract:

A residential circuit breaker electromagnetic trip unit facilitates the assembly of the trip unit components by use of a pair of braid connectors for connection between the trip unit magnet and the circuit breaker contact arm. The trip unit bimetal is directly welded to the trip unit magnet and the braid connectors for reduction in material and labor costs. The contact arm and the magnet are shaped to present a parallel path connection between the contact arm and the magnet for close fit tolerance. The front surface of the magnet is configured to prevent magnetic adhesion between the magnet and the trip unit armature under intense short circuit overcurrent conditions.

US Patent:

52258009, Jul 6, 1993

Filed:

Jul 13, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/912393

Inventors:

Erich J. Pannenborg - Southington CT
Joseph M. Palmieri - Southington CT
Raymond K. Seymour - Plainville CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 7512

US Classification:

335 35

Abstract:

A molded case thermal-magnetic circuit breaker having improved low current magnetic trip response pivotally arranges the magnet within the circuit breaker thermal-magnetic trip system for controllably moving toward the latching armature assembly. The movement of the magnet decreases the magnetic separation distance between the magnet and the latching armature to optimize the magnetic trip forces and thereby enhance low current magnetic trip response.

US Patent:

51267080, Jun 30, 1992

Filed:

Jul 25, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/735746

Inventors:

Franklin P. Palaia - Bristol CT
Michael C. von Kannewurff - Middlebury CT
Joseph M. Palmieri - Southington CT
Richard E. Bernier - Southington CT
Erich J. Pannenborg - New Haven CT
Roger N. Castonguay - Terryville CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 7512

US Classification:

335 35

Abstract:

A molded case circuit interrupter of the type employing a thermal-magnetic trip unit to interrupt circuit current utilizes a flexible electrical braid conductor to connect between the thermal-magnetic trip unit and the movable contact arm. A helical spring arranged around the braid conductor at the welded connection with the movable contact arm provides long-term strain relief. A metal phosphate coating on the surface of the circuit breaker operating cradle and latch assembly eliminates polishing while insuring release of the cradle from the cradle-latch interface surfaces.

US Patent:

56867093, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

May 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/451588

Inventors:

Robert Casagrande - Oxford CT
Erich J. Pannenborg - Southington CT
Andre J. M'Sadoques - Southington CT
Gary Paul Michaelis - Oakville CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 7500

US Classification:

200 5032

Abstract:

A modular plastic trip bar assembly joins separate single pole molded case circuit breakers into a single multipole circuit breaker. The addition of the trip cam to the trip bar assembly allows four and five pole combinations to operate in unison.

US Patent:

52949028, Mar 15, 1994

Filed:

Jun 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/075439

Inventors:

Erich J. Pannenborg - Southington CT
Joseph M. Palmieri - Southington CT
Raymond K. Seymour - Plainville CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - New York NY

International Classification:

H01H 7512
H01H 7116

US Classification:

335 35

Abstract:

A molded case circuit breaker for residential use employs an additional safety feature to ensure a fail-safe condition in the event that the circuit breaker is installed within a circuit that may be subjected to an excessive over-current fault that disables the circuit breaker trip unit. The integral bimetal-fuse within the circuit breaker trip unit responds to interrupt circuit current before any damage can occur to the associated electrical wiring system.