Nataniel B Vicente

US Patent:

6788512, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Apr 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/063371

Inventors:

Nataniel B. Vicente - Bristol CT
Christopher Schnabel - Poughkeepsie NY
Mark Fredrick Culler - Kensigton CT

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02H 308

US Classification:

361 931, 361 936, 700293

Abstract:

A trip unit is provided with a microcontroller and non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or Flash memory, for storing trip setting values, including initializing parameters, boot code, and operational parameters being capable of analog or digital programming depending on a switching instruction. This configuration enables one to change the trip units trip setting values after it is manufactured either remotely or locally. The present invention provides thus increased functionality to trip units by enabling upgrades and servicing of the trip unit by downloading replacement trip setting values to it and having multiple operational parameters (trip setting values) available. This would include locally altering trip setting values and remotely downloading trip setting values when the electronic trip unit is connected to a host controller, such as a multi-purpose computer either directly, over the telephone lines, LAN or any other suitable connection such as the Internet.

US Patent:

7369389, May 6, 2008

Filed:

Dec 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/298277

Inventors:

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US
John J. Dougherty - Collegeville PA, US
Michael S. Tignor - Watertown CT, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361115, 361 75

Abstract:

An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, a real time clock chip, and a power source for powering the real time clock chip in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and productive of a trip signal for tripping the circuit breaker. The real time clock chip is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock chip is configured to generate time information for use by the processing circuit, which is configured to apply the time information to calculate a cooling effect arising from the circuit breaker being off, thereby providing for thermal memory.

US Patent:

7589625, Sep 15, 2009

Filed:

Dec 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/312032

Inventors:

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US
Charles Stephen Pitzen - Farmington CT, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G08B 29/00
G08B 1/08
H02B 1/00
H05K 5/00

US Classification:

340506, 340525, 3405391, 34053914, 340638, 34082572, 361600, 361679

Abstract:

A control system includes an enclosure, a control panel, and a plurality of controls, indicators, or both mounted on the control panel or in the enclosure. At least some of the plurality of controls, indicators, or both are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other inside the enclosure, and at least some controls including wirelessly controlled relays are configured to control devices outside the enclosure. Also, the wirelessly configured controls, indicators, or both are further configured to communicate with a plurality of other controls, indicators, or both in the control system.

US Patent:

7839617, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Mar 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/059674

Inventors:

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US
John J. Dougherty - Collegeville PA, US
Michael S. Tignor - Watertown CT, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361115, 361 75

Abstract:

An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, and a real time clock circuit that is operational in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and the real time clock circuit is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock circuit is configured to generate time information relating to the circuit breaker being off as a result of the off event for use by the processing circuit.

US Patent:

7936547, May 3, 2011

Filed:

Dec 4, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/949843

Inventors:

John James Dougherty - Collegeville PA, US
Geoff F. Butland - Farmington CT, US
Mark Fredrick Culler - Prospect KY, US
Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H01H 73/00

US Classification:

361 932, 361115

Abstract:

A method and apparatus providing automatic circuit breaker identification to an electronic trip unit includes a processor and a configuration module comprising configuration data identifying the particulars of a circuit breaker and that is in operable communication with the processor.

US Patent:

8014115, Sep 6, 2011

Filed:

Apr 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/103283

Inventors:

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US
Mark Fredrick Culler - Prospect KY, US
Marcelo Esteban Valdes - Burlington CT, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/08

US Classification:

361 931, 361 96

Abstract:

A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation.

US Patent:

8018092, Sep 13, 2011

Filed:

Apr 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/103312

Inventors:

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US
Stephen James West - Louisville KY, US
Todd Greenwood - Pewee Valley KY, US
Sreenivasulu R. Devarapalli - Louisville KY, US
Zubair Hameed - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02J 1/00

US Classification:

307 66

Abstract:

A system for controlling power in a circuit breaker trip unit is disclosed. The system includes: a user interface operably coupled to the trip unit and having a plurality of input keys; a power conditioner operably coupled to the user interface and operably coupled to a battery power source and an external power source; and a power control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to automatically electrically connect the battery power source to the power conditioner in response to activation of any of the plurality of input keys, and in the absence of an electrical connection between the external power source and the power conditioner.

US Patent:

8023238, Sep 20, 2011

Filed:

Apr 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/103150

Inventors:

Nataniel Barbosa Vicente - Prospect KY, US
Marcelo Esteban Valdes - Burlington CT, US
Rafael Gutierrez, Jr. - Farmington CT, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/08
H02H 9/02

US Classification:

361 932, 361 933, 702122, 700292

Abstract:

A universal trip unit for use with a circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a personality module of the circuit breaker apparatus and to thereby receive key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus, and a controller. The controller includes a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with information determined from the universal register, and components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage Within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.