James F Richter

US Patent:

7136266, Nov 14, 2006

Filed:

Sep 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/664851

Inventors:

Bernard J. Gershen - Centerport NY, US
Steve Campolo - Malverne NY, US
James Richter - Bayside NY, US
Lester Rivera - Glendale NY, US
David Herzfeld - Huntington NY, US
Roger M. Bradley - North Bellmore NY, US

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Little Neck NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361 42

Abstract:

In the present invention the basic detection and interruption components of an Immersion Detection Circuit Interrupter (IDCI), in combination with the line, neutral and shield conductors of an extension or appliance cord provides a new improved type of detector, a Leakage Current Detector Interrupter (LCDI) which interrupts current to a load when current leakage is detected between the line or neutral conductors of the cord and the shield conductor. The new improved LCDI detector provides, either singularly or in combination, the following advantages: Prevents the LCDI from being reset should the device become inoperative (reset lockout); Provides an indication of the integrity of the shield in the extension or appliance cord; Tests the integrity of the shield within the extension or appliance cord, in addition to testing the functionality of the LCDI; Interrupts current to the load if an electrical connection is detected between the shield and neutral, or the shield and ground, in addition to the existing detection of leakage current from the phase conductor; Allows the LCDI to trip during an open neutral condition by utilizing the ground connection as a return wire for the trip coil; and/or Provides immersion detection at the receptacle end of the extension cord in addition to protection from leakage faults.

US Patent:

7990663, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Jul 6, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/498073

Inventors:

William Ziegler - East Northport NY, US
James Richter - Bethpage NY, US
Benjamin Moadel - New York NY, US
Michael Kamor - North Massapequa NY, US
James Porter - Farmingdale NY, US
David Chan - Bellrose NY, US
Mario Angelides - Oceanside NY, US

Assignee:

Leviton Manufucturing Co., Inc. - Melville NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361 42

Abstract:

A circuit interrupting device is disclosed that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a switch between the first conductor and the second conductor wherein the switch is disposed to selectively connect and disconnect the first conductor and the second conductor, a circuit interrupter disposed to generate a circuit interrupting actuation signal, a solenoid coil and plunger assembly disposed to open the switch wherein the solenoid coil and plunger assembly is actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal wherein movement of the plunger causes the switch to open, and a test assembly that is configured to enable a test of the circuit interrupter initiating at least a partial movement of the plunger in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, without opening the switch.

US Patent:

8393747, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Mar 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/725991

Inventors:

Adam Kevelos - Coram NY, US
James Richter - Bethpage NY, US

Assignee:

Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. - Melville NY

International Classification:

F21V 8/00

US Classification:

362 95, 362602, 362551, 362558

Abstract:

A faceplate lighting system and method for illuminating a faceplate that provides substantial illumination of the faceplate to provide a guidelight or nightlight effect for environments without providing electrical power to or through the faceplate itself. The faceplate comprises an assembly including: a clear or translucent or transparent outer faceplate, and, a lightpipe membrane disposed beneath the clear or translucent or transparent outer faceplate. A wall-mounted electrical device is configured to include a light source(s) integrated within the device itself, to provide light under certain operating conditions. The light source is disposed in a manner such that when the faceplate assembly is overlayed onto a surface-mounted electrical device, the clear lightpipe membrane is aligned to directly receive light from the electrical device light source(s). The lightpipe membrane incorporates light pipe features that distribute received light across the surface of the faceplate. Alternately, the faceplate for a wall-mounted electrical device comprises a single plastic lightpipe having a first translucent or transparent surface that is exposed when overlayed onto the wall-mounted electrical device, and receiving light from the wall-mounted device for illuminating the exposed surface without transmitting electrical power to or through the faceplate itself.

US Patent:

20040070895, Apr 15, 2004

Filed:

Oct 9, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/267424

Inventors:

Bernard Gershen - Centerport NY, US
Steve Campolo - Malverne NY, US
James Richter - Bayside NY, US
Lester Rivera - Glendale NY, US
David Herzfeld - Huntington NY, US
Roger Bradley - North Bellmore NY, US

International Classification:

H02H003/00

US Classification:

361/042000

Abstract:

With prior art Immersion Detection Circuit Interrupters (IDCI), the firing of the trip coil to open the contacts which interrupts the flow of current to a load uses the neutral conductor as the return path when leakage is detected. If, however, the neutral conductor should become open, there is no return path present to fire the coil. An unsafe condition because the voltage that is present cannot be disconnected from the load. With this invention the SCR, which is used to fire the coil, now uses the ground conductor and diodes as the return path to fire the coil to interrupt the voltage from the load. A fully shielded cord is used to detect a break in a conductor. An LED indicator in either the plug or the receptacle of the extension cord verifies that protection is available. A test button is provided to test shield continuity and to verify proper circuit operation.