Jeffrey A Gibson

US Patent:

6614334, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Jun 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/185560

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. Gibson - Hookstown PA
Craig A. Rodgers - Butler PA
Lance Gula - Clinton PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 902

US Classification:

335202, 335159, 335132

Abstract:

A circuit breaker includes a housing, line and load terminals, first and second circuit breaker mechanisms, an operating handle having on and off positions, and first and second links from the operating handle to the respective first and second operating mechanisms. Each of the circuit breaker mechanisms includes a set of separable contacts in series with the other separable contacts between the line and load terminals, an operating mechanism for moving the corresponding separable contacts between open and closed positions, and a trip mechanism cooperating with the corresponding operating mechanism for moving the corresponding separable contacts from the closed to the open position thereof. The first and second links engage the first and second operating mechanisms to move the first and second separable contacts, respectively, between the corresponding closed and open positions thereof responsive to the on and off positions, respectively, of the operating handle.

US Patent:

6661329, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/170890

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. Gibson - Hookstown PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7174

US Classification:

337 84, 337 82, 337 57, 337 13, 335 45, 335 35

Abstract:

The circuit breaker current/time characteristic value at which the bimetal in a thermal trip assembly actuates a trip mechanism is adjusted by an adjustable coupler that includes first and second pivoted members separately rotatable about a common pivot axis. Deflection of the bimetal by an overload current causes rotation of the first pivoted member, which is coupled by a coupling member extending parallel to the common axis into the second pivoted member which rotates to actuate the trip mechanism. A positioner moves the coupling member toward and away from the common pivot axis to adjust the amount of deflection of the bimetal needed to actuate the trip mechanism.

US Patent:

6667675, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

May 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/136179

Inventors:

Jeffrey Scott Gibson - Hookstown PA
Craig Allen Rodgers - Butler PA
Erik Stephen Lake - Groton CT

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 7174

US Classification:

335172, 335 42, 335171, 335176, 335274

Abstract:

An adjustable magnetic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a torsion spring which applies a bias force to the plunger of a trip solenoid. The torsion spring is mounted on a driven bevel gear and wound by an adjustment knob coupled to a driving bevel gear to adjust the current at which the solenoid is activated. An indexer having peripheral flats which engage a seat in the circuit breaker housing provides a plurality of discrete positions of the adjustment knob. Depressing the adjustment knob against a second spring unseats the indexer for rotation of the adjustment knob between settings. In addition, a slide with an inclined surface bearing against the plunger and coupled to the driven bevel gear, provides simultaneous adjustment of plunger gap with adjustment of the torsion spring force to increase the range of adjustment.

US Patent:

6667680, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/185858

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. Gibson - Hookstown PA
Craig A. Rodgers - Butler PA
Lance Gula - Clinton PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01F 900

US Classification:

336172, 336167

Abstract:

A circuit breaker includes a handle having OFF, ON and intermediate positions, and an extension. A blocking disk has a spring, and first, second and third surfaces. The handle and disk are co-pivotally mounted. The extension engages the third surface for rotation therewith. A pivot lever includes a first end adapted for engagement with a movable contact arm, and a second end adapted for engagement with the first and second surfaces. The first surface blocks the second end as the handle moves from OFF toward the intermediate position, and releases the second end to the second surface at the intermediate position. The first end blocks movement of the movable contact arm when the first surface blocks the second end, and releases the movable contact arm when the first surface releases the second end, thereby moving a movable contact toward a fixed contact in response to the bias of a spring.

US Patent:

6700082, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325562

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. Gibson - Aliquippa PA
Craig A. Rodgers - Butler PA
John A. Wafer - Moon Township PA
Kathryn A. Miles - Auburn IN

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01R 13447

US Classification:

200 501, 200 5008

Abstract:

A plunger mechanism provides for automatic tripping of a circuit breaker upon the opening of a cover of electrical equipment connected adjacent to the circuit breaker. One end of the plunger mechanism protrudes from the circuit breakers housing adjacent to the cover, and the other end of the plunger mechanism engages the latch within the trip mechanism of the circuit breaker. Upon opening the cover, the plunger is depressed by the cover, rotating the latch, thereby tripping the circuit breaker.

US Patent:

6728085, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

May 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/862157

Inventors:

Tejal Navin Dudhwala - Coraopolis PA
Jeffrey Scott Gibson - Aliquippa PA

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H02H 908

US Classification:

361 42

Abstract:

A circuit breaker that is capable of detecting ground faults as well as arc faults includes a at least a first current transformer, a line conductor extending through the current transformers, a circuit board, and a pair of sensing leads extending between the line conductor and the circuit board. In a first embodiment the line conductor is a relatively rigid line bus bar, and in a second embodiment the line conductor is a relatively flexible line shunt. The circuit board is disposed adjacent a first side of a separating wall within the circuit breaker, and the line conductor extends along the first side such that the sensing leads that extend between the line conductor and the circuit board do not pass through a plane defined by the separating wall. The circuit breaker includes a bimetal strip that is free of sensing leads that extend between the bimetal strip and the circuit board.

US Patent:

6879228, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/359006

Inventors:

Edward E. Lias - Aliquippa PA, US
Michael J. Whipple - Rochester PA, US
Jeffrey S. Gibson - Hookstown PA, US
Michael W. Nordmeyer - Glen Gardner NJ, US
Ronald D. Smiddle - Canonsburg PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H075/12

US Classification:

335 35, 335172

Abstract:

A circuit breaker includes separable contacts and an operating mechanism having a cradle for opening and closing the separable contacts. A trip mechanism cooperates with the cradle of the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes a bimetal conductor, which is electrically connected in series with the separable contacts. The trip mechanism is responsive to a predetermined condition of current flowing in the bimetal conductor. The trip mechanism also includes a magnetic yoke coupled to the bimetal conductor, an armature pivotally mounted to the magnetic yoke, and a spring biasing the armature away from the magnetic yoke. The spring is set apart from the bimetal conductor. The spring is coupled to the armature and engages the magnetic member.

US Patent:

7358838, Apr 15, 2008

Filed:

Feb 24, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/361609

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. Gibson - Hookstown PA, US
Jeffrey W. Lockhart - Pittsburgh PA, US

Assignee:

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

H01H 73/12
H01H 75/00
H01H 77/00
H01H 83/00

US Classification:

335 17

Abstract:

A trip indicator is for a circuit breaker having a housing including first and second openings, separable contacts and an operating mechanism having an operating handle protruding from the first opening. The trip indicator includes a one-piece flag member with a first end having a trip flag and a second end with first and second integral legs. The first leg biases the trip flag away from the second opening when the separable contacts are not tripped open, and includes a latching portion to maintain the flag in a viewable position to indicate the trip condition regardless of the operating mechanism position. The second leg is disposed proximate first leg and biases the operating handle toward the OFF position, thereby assisting the handle to move from the ON position in response to the trip condition.