Andrew M Kralik

US Patent:

58942602, Apr 13, 1999

Filed:

Dec 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/772041

Inventors:

Stephen D. Cella - Tucker GA
Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. - Alpharetta GA

International Classification:

H01H 3752

US Classification:

337342

Abstract:

An actuator (144) for initiating a trip of a circuit breaker. Load current passes through a conductor (66) that is electrically coupled to a contact arm (56) by a braid (62). A thermally responsive bi-metal (64) has a first end portion which is disposed against a portion of the conductor (66) and through which at least a portion of load current carried by the contact arm, the braid, and the conductor passes. The bi-metal further has a second end portion that is disposed in spaced relation to the conductor and is cantilever-mounted on the portion of the conductor via the bi-metal's first end portion. The bi-metal is nominally flat and straight, but increasingly warps as thermal energy in the bi-metal increases. Upon attaining a certain degree of warping, the bi-metal initiates a trip of the circuit breaker by causing the contact arm to swing from a circuit-making to a circuit-breaking condition.

US Patent:

46085459, Aug 26, 1986

Filed:

Sep 24, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/779587

Inventors:

Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Siemens-Allis, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H01H 7500
H01H 7700
H01H 8300

US Classification:

335 16

Abstract:

A movable contact arm assembly is provided for a circuit breaker. The contact assembly includes a carrier which has first and second guide plates with aligned roller guides and bracket supports and a roller which has a middle portion extending between the guide plates and the end portions and engaging the roller guides. A bracket extends between the guide plates and engages the bracket supports. A spring is positioned between the bracket and roller which urges the roller along the roller guide. The contact arm has first and second cam surfaces and is positioned between the guide plates and pivotally connected thereto. The roller rides in the guide on the first and second cam surfaces and the roller moves from the first cam surface to the second cam surface as the contact arm moves from a closed position to an open position in response to preselected electromagnetic repulsion forces.

US Patent:

43000304, Nov 10, 1981

Filed:

Dec 17, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/104622

Inventors:

Bernard Dimarco - Bellefontaine OH
Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Gould Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

H01H 928

US Classification:

200 42T

Abstract:

A blocking attachment to limit movement of a circuit breaker operating handle consists of a single member constructed of material having the resilient properties of sheet steel. Outwardly extending tabs at opposite ends of the attachment are inwardly movable for mounting and dismounting the attachment with respect to a circuit breaker housing. An inverter L-shaped section of the attachment defines a freeway wherein the circuit breaker handle is movable from On to Trip positions and is readily viewable to determine when automatic tripping has taken place. Handle movement is limited to the freeway so that the circuit breaker may not be opened manually while the blocking attachment is operatively mounted to the circuit breaker.

US Patent:

40889734, May 9, 1978

Filed:

Apr 28, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/681243

Inventors:

Frank W. Kussy - Haverford PA
Bernard Dimarco - Bellefontaine OH
Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH
Keith T. Krueger - Bellefontaine OH

Assignee:

Gould Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

H01H 7300
H01H 8300

US Classification:

335 6

Abstract:

A unitized combination motor starter is provided with a single insulated housing wherein a plurality of pole units are disposed in side-by-side relationship. The pole units are electrically connected in series with an electromagnetic contactor disposed within the insulated housing and located at one end of the pole units. A spring powered contact operating mechanism for the pole units is disposed on one side of the pole units. An overload sensing electromagnet coil, provided for each of the pole units, is positioned for removal and replacement after opening the front cover of the insulated housing.

US Patent:

42662095, May 5, 1981

Filed:

Nov 9, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/092864

Inventors:

Bernard Di Marco - Bellefontaine OH
Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Gould Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

H01H 902
H01H 1304

US Classification:

335 6

Abstract:

A molded elongated arcuate shield is snap-fitted to a circuit breaker operating handle to achieve a lost motion connection thereto. The operating handle projects through an elongated wall opening in the circuit breaker housing and is movable longitudinally thereof. The shield is disposed between an arcuate interior surface of housing and an arcuate surface of an apron formed integrally with the handle. While the apron above is too short to close the wall opening for all positions of the handle, the apron in cooperation with the shield fully closes the wall opening for all positions of the handle. Latch tabs formed integrally with the shield engage a blocking formation internally of the housing to hold the shield stationary while the handle moves from its On to Trip position. In the former position ON indicia carried by the apron is viewable through an aperture in the shield through which the handle extends, and when the handle is in its Trip position the latched shield blocks the ON indicia from view. Labyrinth-type gas seals are provided adjacent the longitudinal edges of the wall aperture by longitudinally extending ribs formed integrally with the shield and extending into cooperating slots inside the housing wall.

US Patent:

44582242, Jul 3, 1984

Filed:

Apr 20, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/370008

Inventors:

Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH
Bernard DiMarco - Bellefontaine OH

Assignee:

Siemens-Allis, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H01H 7710

US Classification:

335 16

Abstract:

A current-limiting electrical apparatus is provided including a housing with first and second electrical terminals contained therein. A pair of electrical contacts is disposed within the housing and electrically connected in series with the first and second terminals. A biasing means applies a biasing force to the pair of electrical contacts to bias them to a closed position. The pair of electrical contacts is configured to cause the contacts to electromagnetically repel each other and to overcome the biasing force and open when the current flowing through the contacts exceeds a predetermined value. A mechanism is provided responsive to the current flowing through the pair of electrical contacts for decreasing the biasing force as the current flowing in the electrical contacts approaches the predetermined value, to thereby decrease the predetermined value causing the electrical contacts to immediately open. The housing is an insulating housing and is designed to connect with the insulating housing of a molded case circuit breaker so that the apparatus may be affixed thereto.

US Patent:

46492429, Mar 10, 1987

Filed:

Sep 24, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/779682

Inventors:

Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H01H 3320

US Classification:

200147R

Abstract:

A stationary contact assembly is provided for a circuit breaker which has a base, a line terminal and an arc chute. The stationary contact arm is J-shaped and formed from a single piece of conductive material which has a contact affixed to the short leg of the J and is connected to the line terminal. The short leg of the J has a length sufficient for creating electromagnetic blow open forces in response to current flow of a preselected magnitude. An arc runner is positioned between the legs of the J for drawing out an arc into the arc chute and intensifying the electromagnetic repulsion forces.

US Patent:

41444272, Mar 13, 1979

Filed:

Jul 20, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/817355

Inventors:

Carl E. Gryctko - Zanesfield OH
Andrew J. Kralik - Marysville OH

Assignee:

Gould Inc. - Rolling Meadows IL

International Classification:

H01H 346

US Classification:

200153G

Abstract:

A single pole molded case circuit breaker having a spring powered trip free contact operating mechanism including an extendable toggle connected at one end to a releasable cradle and connected at the other end to a movable contact, a latch for holding the cradle in reset position, and an automatic trip means for operating the latch to release the cradle upon the occurrence of predetermined overload conditions, is provided with anti-rebound means which prevents the movable contact from moving toward closed circuit position except under the influence of the operating mechanism. The anti-rebound means includes engaging formations of the cradle and toggle which cooperate to block the toggle from being extended unless the cradle is in its reset position. As the cradle moves to trip position it engages the toggle to kick the contact arm toward open position.