Thomas O Fanta

US Patent:

6646216, Nov 11, 2003

Filed:

Sep 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/955322

Inventors:

Thomas O. Fanta - Lake Zurich IL

Assignee:

SC Electric Co. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 340

US Classification:

200400

Abstract:

A compact operating mechanism for switches and circuit interrupters provides improved input drive arrangement and more particularly to a quick-make quick-break operating mechanism for electrical circuit interrupters, i. e. load-interrupter switches and fault interrupters, the drive input arrangement being capable of either power or manual operation without the necessity of any coupling/decoupling or mode selection.

US Patent:

20130026018, Jan 31, 2013

Filed:

Oct 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/647937

Inventors:

Thomas Fanta - Lake Zurich IL, US

Assignee:

S&C ELECTRIC COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01R 13/04
H01H 3/42
H01R 13/62

US Classification:

200324, 439884, 439350

Abstract:

An electric power distribution switch incorporates a stress-relieving connection structure, a closing guiding structure, a weather shield structure and a contact structure.

US Patent:

50345842, Jul 23, 1991

Filed:

Sep 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/411425

Inventors:

Thomas O. Fanta - Melrose Park IL
Joel A. Ramos - Chicago IL

Assignee:

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 304

US Classification:

200329

Abstract:

A switch operator is provided that is capable of field retrofit installation by being affixed to manually operable switchgear to provide power operation thereof. The switch operator includes provisions for connecting the drive output of the switch operator to a switch-operating shaft of a manually operable switch within the switchgear. The drive output provisions of the switch operator include a selectively operable decoupling arrangement which is operable without the need for tools. The switch operator also provides for manual operation without the need for decoupling or the disconnection of parts. The drive output of the switch operator is defined at an output shaft of a motor/gear train. Two coaxially arranged levers, an operator drive lever and a switch drive lever, are selectively coupled to transmit the drive output of the switch operator to the switch-operating shaft. A manual drive connection is affixed to the output shaft which is rotatable to provide manual operation via a handle.

US Patent:

50251716, Jun 18, 1991

Filed:

Sep 22, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/411274

Inventors:

Thomas O. Fanta - Melrose Park IL
Leonard V. Chabala - Maywood IL

Assignee:

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H02B 104

US Classification:

307150

Abstract:

A method and arrangement are provided for power operation of manually operable switchgear. The capability for power operation may be provided either during manufacture or as a retrofit to installed switchgear. The apparatus includes a switch-operator unit which is attached to the switchgear. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a device for providing power to a rechargeable power supply of the switch-operator unit from the energized portions of the switchgear; the power-providing device being efficiently installed in either a field retrofit operation to installed switchgear or during manufacture of the switchgear. The apparatus also includes provisions for providing operating power from the rechargeable power supply of the switch operator to a second, separately housed switch-operator unit that is attached to the switchgear.

US Patent:

50755218, Dec 24, 1991

Filed:

Oct 1, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/591187

Inventors:

Edward J. Rogers - Chicago IL
Thomas O. Fanta - Melrose Park IL
John Urbanek - Evanston IL

Assignee:

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 3342
H01H 3370

US Classification:

200148F

Abstract:

An arrangement is provided that includes a coordinating input for a mechanism of an interrupter switch; the coordinating input being derived from sensed movement of an element away from a first position and toward a second position. The coordinating input is utilized to trip the interrupters if they are closed. In a specific arrangement, a stored-energy mechanism is tripped to provide opening and closing of the interrupters via a high-speed interrupter drive train. The tripping arrangement is operable via a first input to cause movement of a latch member to release the stored-energy mechanism to operate the interrupter drive train. The first input may be actuated via open or close instructions, including both local and remote capabilities. The latch for the stored-energy mechanism is reset after each actuation. An output shaft of the mechanism is connected to drive the interrupter drive train.

US Patent:

20200335293, Oct 22, 2020

Filed:

Apr 14, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/848409

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Thomas Fanta - Lake Zurich IL, US

Assignee:

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 33/666
H01H 33/662

Abstract:

A guiding pull ring member for guiding a unit top contact in a switch assembly into a mounting contact. The guide ring member includes a mounting ring defined in a first plane, a grasping ring coupled to one side of the mounting ring and being defined in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, and a V-shaped guide piece coupled to the mounting ring at a side opposite from the grasping ring and extending perpendicular to the first plane. The guiding pull ring member has particular application for a solenoid operated vacuum interrupter recloser switch mounted to a utility pole.

US Patent:

20150155119, Jun 4, 2015

Filed:

Jan 28, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/607765

Inventors:

- Chicago IL, US
Thomas Fanta - Lake Zurich IL, US

Assignee:

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01H 31/02
H01H 31/30
H01H 31/28

Abstract:

An electric power distribution switch incorporates a stress-relieving connection structure, a closing guiding structure, a weather shield structure and a contact structure.