James M Niemira, 73Elma, NY

6714395, Mar 30, 2004

Jun 22, 2001

09/888263

James K. Niemira - Skokie IL

SC Electric Co. - Chicago IL

H02H 300

361 62, 361 64

System and equipment protection is provided for an electrical power distribution system via one or more protection arrangements for detecting and responding to faults in electrical power distribution systems. The one or more protection arrangements detect whether faults are external or internal to a distribution equipment configuration in a power system via directional sensing. The protection arrangements also detect and respond to faults in a power distribution system utilizing various combinations of primary and back-up protection arrangements that are operational simultaneously and in both closed-loop and open-loop configurations.

5521567, May 28, 1996

Apr 8, 1994

8/225218

David H. Devonald - Green Oaks IL
James A. Hansen - Morton Grove IL
Henry W. Kowalyshen - Niles IL
Chester H. Lin - Lincolnwood IL
Buddy B. McGlone - Lombard IL
James K. Niemira - Skokie IL
Edward J. Rogers - Chicago IL
Edward A. Steele - Gurnee IL

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

H01H 6702

335132

A switchgear module is provided that is assembled from one or more molded housing portions to provide a gas-tight volume for the housing of electrical components. The switchgear modules include provisions for assembly of various combinations of switchgear modules into a variety of electrical circuit configurations while maintaining a gas seal of the switchgear modules. In a preferred arrangement, the switchgear module includes bus conductors that are integrally incorporated during the molding of the switchgear module housing and that are accessible from opposite sides of the module. Further, the switchgear module includes integrally molded features for providing access to make electrical interconnections between the bus conductors of adjacently positioned switchgear modules. Thus, the finally assembled and tested switchgear modules with pressurized internal volume may be configured to provide a variety of different electrical circuit combinations of the internal components and are also capable of being reconfigured as desired into different configurations or lineups without the loss of the seal of the interior volume of the switchgear modules. The switchgear module includes a complete internal and integral system to satisfy desirable operating practices to deenergize, test and ground the circuit before working thereon.

5793594, Aug 11, 1998

Dec 21, 1995

8/576247

James K. Niemira - Skokie IL
Raymond P. O'Leary - Evanston IL

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

H02H 300

361 93

A control circuit and method are provided for a circuit interrupter that predicts the occurrence of fault-current zero crossings. This prediction is utilized to control the operation of a circuit interrupter at a desirable point in the periodic wave form of the fault current. For example, the control circuit is useful to control a synchronous interrupter by accurately generating a trip signal to the synchronous interrupter for operation in the vicinity of the zero crossing of the current wave form. In a preferred arrangement, the control circuit utilizes the quotient of a sensed current signal and the time rate of change of the sensed current signal. In one specific arrangement for circuit environments that might include conditions that could lead to false results, the time rate of change of the quotient is utilized to provide a control signal.

5464956, Nov 7, 1995

Apr 8, 1994

8/225221

Edward A. Steele - Gurnee IL
James K. Niemira - Skokie IL

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

H01H 944
H01H 3318
H01H 156

218 29

A loadbreak switch is provided that utilizes a pivotally mounted movable jaw contact and a main stationary contact that is positioned in the middle of an arc runner. For operation at voltages 15 kV and above, the switch utilizes a shunt contact that bridges the arc runner and that is above and coplanar with the main stationary contact. A magnetic field is developed by the current that flows through a coil of wire disposed around the arc runner. This configuration when utilized in an environment of insulating gas, provides efficient extinguishing of arcs upon opening of the contacts. Further, the open jaw contact is easily visible to establish an open gap.

D367267, Feb 20, 1996

Apr 8, 1994

D/021873

Buddy B. McGlone - Lombard IL
David H. Devonald - Green Oaks IL
James A. Hansen - Morton Grove IL
Henry W. Kowalyshen - Niles IL
Chester H. Lin - Lincolnwood IL
James K. Niemira - Skokie IL
Edward J. Rogers - Chicago IL
Edward A. Steele - Gurnee IL

S&C Electric Company - Chicago IL

D13164