STEPHEN A MRENNA
Engineers in Beaver, PA

6483408, Nov 19, 2002

Oct 12, 2000

09/689497

Stephen Albert Mrenna - Beaver PA
Michael Joseph Erb - Fombell PA

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

H01H 930

335201, 335 6, 335156

A bypass conductor is provided for use in a miniature type circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the bypass conductor can include an elongated flat strap positioned in a circuit breaker housing. A first end of the bypass conductor is positioned to be adjacent to a contact arm in an open circuit position of the circuit breaker to receive current flow, especially high transient current flow. A second end of the bypass conductor is electrically coupled and/or mechanically connected to a load terminal of the circuit breaker to provide a path for current between the first and second ends. In this manner, the bypass conductor provides an alternate path for electrical current through the circuit breaker. The bi-metallic components and other sensitive elements within the circuit breaker can therefore resist the loss of useful life and other adverse operational effects caused by a high transient current event.

4503408, Mar 5, 1985

Nov 10, 1982

6/440681

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
Glenn R. Thomas - Brighton Township, Beaver County PA
Charles E. Haugh - Daugherty Township, Beaver County PA

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

H01H 7348

335 35

A molded case circuit breaker apparatus is taught with an operating mechanism which is triggered in response to the movement of a trip bar. The trip bar in turn is responsive to current flowing in the main terminals of the circuit breaker apparatus. The trip bar is responsive to electrothermal conditions as a gradual overload increases. It is also responsive to a short circuit condition due to a magnetic reaction between an armature and an electromagnet. The armature is flexibly attached to the trip bar for flexible movement in one direction and non-flexible movement in the other direction so that a short circuit may be accommodated by a relatively small air gap by non-flexible movement of the armature and the trip bar to cause a tripping operation. On the other hand, a wide range of angular movement is available for a high degree of calibrated reaction to a wide range of overload currents because the armature member is flexibly attached to the trip bar in one direction and is held stationary against the facing magnet even after the trip bar continues movement for an otherwise non-allowable increment of electrothermal calibration.

3984801, Oct 5, 1976

Sep 29, 1975

5/617618

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
Zelko J. Kruzic - New Brighton PA

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

H01H 8516

337252

A fuse clip for cartridge type fuses which permits the insertion of a proper fuse while preventing the insertion of improper fuses. The clip permits the insertion of fuses having an annular groove around one of the end terminals while prohibiting the insertion of fuses without such annular groove. A main body member has a pair of flexible clamping arms which receive the cartridge-type fuse, and the clamping arms have aligned slots therein. A rejection member comprised of a C-shaped configuration, with inward extensions formed on the legs of the C, is inserted into the main body member, with the inward extensions extending through the slots of the clamping arms. The inward extensions are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the annular groove, but less than the diameter of the remainder of the end terminal. The rejection member prevents the insertion of fuses unless an annular groove on the end portion is positioned between the two inward extensions.

5546060, Aug 13, 1996

Dec 22, 1994

8/362402

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

H01H 7512

335 35

A support plate for a circuit breaker has a longitudinal slot centrally located in the support plate, a free end with a tab for affixing an elongated bimetal of a trip assembly, a longitudinal edge opposite to the free end and terminating in proximity to a latch ledge of a cradle of an operating mechanism, opposed lobes each having a transverse edge, and an opening in each of the transverse edges. The support plate extends partially along a planar wall of a base of a housing for the circuit breaker. Molded pins in the base of the housing of the circuit breaker enter the openings in the transverse edges of the support plate for securing the support plate to the base. These molded pins extend outwardly to space the support plate away from the cradle of the operating mechanism. Bent over tabs are provided in one of the lobes for abutting a cover of the circuit breaker to maintain the fixed position of the support plate in the housing base.

RE30862, Feb 9, 1982

Jun 12, 1978

5/914464

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
Zelko J. Kruzic - New Brighton PA

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

H01C 102

339258R

A fuse clip for cartridge type fuses which permits the insertion of a proper fuse while preventing the insertion of improper fuses. The clip permits the insertion of fuses having an annular groove around one of the end terminals while prohibiting the insertion of fuses without such annular groove. A main body member has a pair of flexible clamping arms which receive the cartridge-type fuse, and the clamping arms have aligned slots therein. A rejection member comprised of a C-shaped configuration, with inward extensions formed on the legs of the C, is inserted into the main body member, with the inward extensions extending through the slots of the clamping arms. The inward extensions are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the annular groove, but less than the diameter of the remainder of the end terminal. The rejection member prevents the insertion of fuses unless an annular groove on the end portion is positioned between the two inward extensions.

5805038, Sep 8, 1998

Apr 29, 1997

8/841731

Kathryn M. Palmer - Sewickley PA
Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
Kevin A. Simms - Eighty-four PA

Eaton Corporation - Cleveland OH

H01H 7510

335 42

A circuit breaker has a shock absorber to prevent nuisance tripping which results from shock generated during ON to OFF operation of the circuit breaker. The shock is primarily caused by a snap action which occurs within the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker when the handle is moved from the ON to OFF position. The snap action results from the circuit breaker employing, as part of the operating mechanism, a toggle mechanism within an over center tension spring as a means for imparting motion in the operating mechanism. By strategically positioning the shock absorber for engagement with the operating mechanism when the circuit breaker is in the OFF position, the shock may be effectively absorbed thereby preventing the undesirable nuisance tripping.

3950714, Apr 13, 1976

Sep 18, 1974

5/507165

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
Alfred E. Maier - Beaver Falls PA

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

H01H 7512

335 35

A molded case circuit breaker is described including a U-shaped thermal and magnetic trip assembly pivotally supported by an insulating housing. A compression spring biases the trip assembly against a releasable cradle which is engaged by a latch. The biasing action of the spring against the pivoting trip assembly maintains a constant latch bite despite warping or other mechanical distortion of the insulating housing.

4030060, Jun 14, 1977

Feb 26, 1976

5/661592

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
Charles E. Haugh - New Brighton PA
Glenn R. Thomas - Beaver PA

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

H01H 7114

337 50

A multi-pole circuit breaker characterized by a circuit breaker structure including a releasable arm for opening a circuit through the breaker, a bimetal element for each pole which is responsive to an overload current condition to effect release of the releasable arm, a latch bracket and a trip bar coaxially mounted and having an adjustment screw to vary the position of the trip bar in relation to the bimetal to change thermal rating of the circuit breaker.

3959754, May 25, 1976

Sep 25, 1974

5/509169

Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA

Westinghouse Electric Corporation - Pittsburgh PA

H01H 7512

335 35

An improved circuit breaker comprises a thermal trip that comprises a current carrying bimetal, and a magnetic trip that comprises a magnetic yoke and armature supported on the bimetal with a multi-turn energizing coil supported on the yoke to enhance the magnetic tripping action.

4725800, Feb 16, 1988

Jan 15, 1987

7/003531

Kurt A. Grunert - Beaver PA
Stephen A. Mrenna - Beaver PA
James P. Ellsworth - Beaver PA

Westinghouse Electric Corp. - Pittsburgh PA

H01H 7510, H01H 7336

335 38

A circuit breaker structure having a faster trip unit characterized by a circuit breaker operator and a trip unit comprising a coil, a core, and an armature, and a hold-back bracket extending from and retaining the armature in a spaced position from the core so as to cause the magnetic field lines to flow through the bracket and the armature.