David J Benard

US Patent:

6594126, Jul 15, 2003

Filed:

Sep 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/676204

Inventors:

Edward A. Mallonen - New Berlin WI
David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA
Paul T. Nolden - Racine WI
Mark Clayton - Camarillo CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 930

US Classification:

361 13, 361 8, 218 38, 218158

Abstract:

A technique is provided for forcing greater voltage investment in an arc developed during interruption of a current carrying path. A source element is provided in a secondary current carrying path parallel to a primary path through the device. Upon interruption of the primary current carrying path, an arc is forced to migrate towards a dissipating structure under the influence of an electromagnetic field. The source material then begins to carry current and undergoes surface ablation, releasing gas which is directed towards the migrating arc. The arc is thus caused to expand further, increasing voltage investment and resulting in more rapid extinction and reduction in let-through energy.

US Patent:

6631058, Oct 7, 2003

Filed:

Sep 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/675600

Inventors:

Edward A. Mallonen - New Berlin WI
David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA
Paul T. Nolden - Racine WI
Mark Clayton - Camarillo CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 930

US Classification:

361 13, 218 34, 218158

Abstract:

A technique for reducing arc retrogression in a circuit interrupter includes providing a source material in a parallel current carrying path in the interrupter. The source material and parallel current carrying path support no current during normal operation. Upon interruption of a primary current carrying path, current flows through the source material, causing surface ablation of material which enhances the dielectric of the arc plasma, permitting more rapid entry of the arc into a dissipating structure such as a splitter plate stack. The source material transitions to a higher resistance level by heating to limit current flow during interruption.

US Patent:

6665157, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Dec 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/219143

Inventors:

David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA
Paul T. Nolden - Racine WI
Edward A. Mallonen - New Berlin WI
Mark A. Clayton - Camarillo CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 930

US Classification:

361 13

Abstract:

An electrical circuit interrupter includes a primary or normal current carrying path and a transient or alternative current carrying path. The normal current carrying path is established by a movable spanner extending between stationary contacts during normal operation. The transient current carrying path includes at least one variable resistance element which transitions from a lower resistance to a higher resistance during interruption. The transient current carrying path forms an open circuit in parallel with the normal current carrying path during normal operation. Upon interruption, the transient current carrying path is favored for the fault current, completely interrupting the normal current carrying path. The variable resistance elements increase their resistivity during this phase of operation to aid in providing high levels of back-EMF for complete interruption of fault current through the device and limitation of let-through energy.

US Patent:

6667863, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Sep 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/676547

Inventors:

Edward A. Mallonen - New Berlin WI
David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA
Paul T. Nolden - Racine WI
Mark Clayton - Camarillo CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 930

US Classification:

361 13

Abstract:

A technique is provided for enhancing performance of a circuit interrupter by deionizing arc plasma developed during an interruption event. A source material is disposed in a secondary current carrying path parallel to a primary current carrying path through the device. Upon movement of a movable contact in the primary current carrying path, current begins to flow through the source material, causing surface ablation of a material which deionizes arc plasma, resulting in greater voltage investment in the arc and more rapid extinction.

US Patent:

6674619, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/219726

Inventors:

David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA
Paul T. Nolden - Racine WI
Edward A. Mallonen - New Berlin WI
Mark A. Clayton - Camarillo CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 930

US Classification:

361 13

Abstract:

A method for interrupting current is provided wherein substantially all current is conveyed through a normal current carrying path in a circuit interrupter. A movable element is displaced for interruption of the current, and a balance is struck between the normal current carrying path and a parallel alternative or transient current carrying path. The transient current carrying path includes at least one variable or controllable resistance element. The transient current carrying path presents a substantially open circuit during normal operation. The variable resistance elements have a lower resistance during initial phases of circuit interruption, favoring transition of all current from the normal current carrying path to the transient path. Thereafter, the variable resistance elements increase in resistivity, producing additional back-EMF to drive the fault current to a zero level and to limit let-through energy.

US Patent:

6741237, May 25, 2004

Filed:

Aug 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/938095

Inventors:

David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA
Robert C. Addison - Thousand Oaks CA

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G06K 1106

US Classification:

345173, 178 1801

Abstract:

A plurality of acoustic wave transducers are coupled to a substrate at predetermined spaced apart locations. At least one of the transducers is operative to emit an acoustic wave that propagates along the substrate, with the other transducers operating as receivers of acoustic waves. The receivers are coupled to a control system that is operative to determine a location at which the substrate is perturbed based on time associated with travel of an acoustic wave from a transmitter, to the location of the perturbation, and from the perturbation to each of the respective receivers.

US Patent:

7079118, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Feb 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/784627

Inventors:

David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA, US
Robert C. Addison - Thousand Oaks CA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345173, 345177

Abstract:

A plurality of acoustic wave transducers are coupled to a substrate at predetermined spaced apart locations. At least one of the transducers is operative to emit an acoustic wave that propagates along the substrate, with the other transducers operating as receivers of acoustic waves. The receivers are coupled to a control system that is operative to determine a location at which the substrate is perturbed based on time associated with travel of an acoustic wave from a transmitter, to the location of the perturbation, and from the perturbation to each of the respective receivers.

US Patent:

7138892, Nov 21, 2006

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/954730

Inventors:

David J. Benard - Newbury Park CA, US
Mark A. Clayton - Simi Valley CA, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01H 75/00
H01H 77/00

US Classification:

335 16, 335195

Abstract:

In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a circuit interrupter. The exemplary circuit interrupter includes conductive spanner that completes an electrical pathway between first and second electrical conductors. To facilitate a good electrical connection between the conductive spanner and the first and second conductors, the exemplary interrupter includes a biasing mechanism that biases the conductive spanner toward the first and second conductors. However, in the event of a fault condition, for instance, the conductive spanner is displaced away from the first and second conductors by magnetic forces, and the electrical path is interrupted. To facilitate this displacement, the biasing mechanism presents an opposing force to displacement relationship with a negative slope. That is to say, the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism decreases as the distance between the conductive spanner and the first and second electrical conductors increases. Additionally, pistons driven by arc heated gases engage the biasing mechanism to assist the magnetic forces during the interruption of soft faults.