Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael J. Femal
  • Patent number: 6320732
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power distribution system with a split section panelboard that provides two interior sections. Each section is supplied power from a separate power source. A common bus bridges the two sections. Remotely-operated circuit breakers for both the sections are connected to the common bus. A power interface unit converts power from one of the power sources to provide low voltage power for the circuit breaker motors and a control unit. The control unit in the panelboard controls the operation of the circuit breakers of both the sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Charles C. Norman, Todd M. Munyon, Scott Jordan
  • Patent number: 6321272
    Abstract: An interface allows for the transfer of real time control data with guaranteed delivery times between devices on a general purpose network and an industrial control system. A proxy server takes the role of a TCP/IP router and is configured to control the rate at which messages are forwarded from the non-real time to the real time portion of the network, keeping the loading of the real time portion stable regardless of the external non-real-time communication demand. Real time data is preconfigured and exchanged in a regular sequence, with the cyclic update period known. The length of any communication message necessary to transmit this information, plus any sequencing and acknowledgment overhead, is calculated in advance and aggregated. Each device with authority to transmit on the shared medium is given a time budget, calculated so that the total transmission quantity in unit time is deliberately limited to some fraction of the maximum transmission capability of the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Swales
  • Patent number: 6282454
    Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: A. Dean Papadopoulos, Allan Tanzman, Richard A. Baker, Jr., Rodolfo G. Belliardi, Dennis J. W. Dube
  • Patent number: 6278355
    Abstract: A transformer including a core having first and second portions, and first and second primary winding sections. The first primary winding section includes a plurality of winding layers (L1−Ln) about the first portion of the core, and the second primary winding section includes a plurality of winding layers (L1−Ln) about the second portion of the core. Corresponding winding layers of the first and second winding sections are separated by a distance (D1−Dn). The distance (D1−Dn) between the corresponding layers of first and second primary winding sections increases as the number of winding layers (L1−Ln) increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Hopkinson, Dilip R. Purohit, Gary D. King
  • Patent number: 6239682
    Abstract: An expandable transformer housing having a first housing member with a hollow cavity therein, a second housing member with a hollow cavity therein, and at least one exterior insert member therebetween in a stacked formation. The exterior insert member has a first end and a second end. A portion of the first end of the exterior insert member is adapted to engage the first housing member and a portion of the second end of the insert member is adapted to engage the second housing member. An interior insert member is also provided having a first end and a second end. A portion of the first end of the interior insert member is similarly adapted to engage the first housing member and a portion of the second end of the interior insert member is adapted to engage the second housing member. The interior insert provides insulation between the current source and the second windings of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Scott C. McCloskey
  • Patent number: 6233626
    Abstract: A communications adapter is provided for interfacing between a master device and an I/O device (body) having an output and/or an input. In the case of the I/O body having an output, the adapter has a TCP port for coupling to the master device via a transmission path for receiving a request message. The adapter also has a connector for operable coupling to the I/O device for receiving the output of the I/O device. The adapter further has an interface circuit operably connected to the TCP port and the connector for transmitting a response message over the transmission path in response to the request message, the response message correlating to the output received from the I/O device. The request message and the response message is limited to a length that is less than a TCP transaction length and/or a maximum transmission unit limit, or both, depending on the embodiment of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Swales, A. Dean Papadopoulos, Allan Tanzman
  • Patent number: 6188298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformer having a conductive element spiraling along the length of an insulated wire of the coil. When formed into plurality of adjacent turns, the conductive element couples one of the plurality of turns with another of the plurality of turns. The conductive element increases the series capacitance of the transformer circuit. A resistive element may also spiral along the length of the insulated wire to couple one of the plurality of turns with another of the plurality of turns. The resistive element not only increases the series capacitance of the transformer, but also increases the series conductance of the transformer circuit. The increase in the series resistance increases the dampening of the switching resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Hopkinson, David L. Swindler
  • Patent number: 6177848
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformer comprising a coil having an insulated wire formed into a plurality of turns defining a layer and a resistive element wrapped around the outer surface of the layer. The resistive element couples one of the plurality of turns with another of the plurality of turns. The resistive element not only increases the series capacitance of the transformer, but also increases the series conductance of the transformer circuit. The increase in the series resistance increases the dampening of the switching resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Hopkinson, Richard R. Rettew
  • Patent number: 6157282
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cooling system for a transformer. A winding defining a coil, including a duct having an open top and bottom, is sealed to a sleeve, thus forming a closed circulatory path. A fluid is retained and circulated within the circulatory path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Philip J. Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 6152789
    Abstract: A battery terminal contactor for attachment to a battery housing is disclosed. The battery terminal contactor comprises a contactor portion and a base portion flexibly secured to the contactor portion. The base portion includes a fixed portion and a latch portion. The latch portion is resiliently connected to the fixed portion. The latch portion has a beveled hook portion for engaging an abutment on the battery housing as the battery terminal contactor is inserted in the housing, to bias the hook portion around the abutment to permit the hook portion to securely engage the abutment and secure the battery terminal contactor to the battery housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Byrd, Robert A. Orlando
  • Patent number: 6151625
    Abstract: A control system includes an Internet web interface to a network of at least one programmable logic control system running an application program for controlling output devices in response to status of input devices. The Web interface runs Web pages from an Ethernet board coupled directly to the PLC back plane and includes an HTTP protocol interpreter, a PLC back plane driver, a TCP/IP stack, and an Ethernet board kernel. The Web interface provides access to the PLC back plane by a user at a remote location through the Internet. The interface translates the industry standard Ethernet, TCP/IP and HTTP protocols used on the Internet into data recognizable to the PLC. Using this interface, the user can retrieve all pertinent data regarding the operation of the programmable logic controller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew G. Swales, Ronald Naismith, Richard Breinlinger, Richard Albert Baker, Jr., A. Dean Papadopoulos, Allan Tanzman, Rodolfo G. Belliardi, Dennis J. W. Dube
  • Patent number: 6151640
    Abstract: A field bus network of input and output devices is coupled to a control system through an I/O interface module, regardless of their data structures. The I/O interface module is coupled to the control systemthrough a serial communication port. Local input and output devices are coupled to the interface I/O module through a local I/O interface and networked input and output devices are coupled to the interface I/O module through a field bus communication adapter. A different adapter is required for each type of field bus protocol. The interface I/O module includes a microprocessor based device to generate and control the various interactions between the local devices, networked devices, and the controllsystem and also to provide for a visual and status display of the fieldbus and local I/O data local.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Buda, Jonathan H. Bailey, Larry A. Dew, Gene Steifelmeyer
  • Patent number: 6147580
    Abstract: An improved low voltage winding for dry insulated transformer has its windings resin encapsulated. The winding is constructed with flexible sheet conductors wound coincident with an insulating sheet material. Insulating spacers provide a means to form air channels in the windings during the coil forming process. A sealant is applied to openings at the lower ends and along vertical seams of the coil prior to the resin impregnation and encapsulation process. This will prevent drainage of the resin during a curing cycle. The result is a coil that exhibits high short circuit protection due to the tightly bond sheet conductors which will prevent movement of the conductors during short circuit conditions and also increases the radial compressive strength of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Richard Raymond Rettew, Scott Frederick Lett, Philip John Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 6135787
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device for connecting two circuit boards together. The device constitutes four side walls joined to define an aperture, a pin array disposed completely within the aperture, at least one resilient finger which acts to retain said pin array within the aperture, and a shoulder on at least one of the four side walls which prevents the pin array from passing through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Byrd, Robert A. Orlando
  • Patent number: 6107769
    Abstract: A motion controller and a method of controlling the motion of a plurality of axes which prevents a discontinuous position command being generated to a follower axis. A follower mode transfer function circuit or routine generates a position command in response to a master axis position. This function can be in the form of electronic gearing or camming. A bias latch is utilized to offset any change in position resulting from a change in mode, such as changing from electronic gearing to electronic camming, changing cam profiles or gearing ratios, or changing the master axis. The latch is summed with the transfer function position command and a standard move command profile generator position command to provide the follower axis position command. The latch is recalculated each time the follower mode is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Saylor, Nathan H. Pillsbury
  • Patent number: 6105269
    Abstract: A osteological instrument having an unique dual rod and bearing linear motion mechanisms incorporating multiple measuring features and functions providing stable, rigid and generally fluidity of movement of horizontal and vertical caliper arms thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: James W. Kondrat
  • Patent number: 6104612
    Abstract: The heat sink (10) of the present invention is used to absorb and dissipate heat from a solid-state device. The heat sink (10) comprises a generally U-shaped body (18) of a thermally conductive material. The U-shaped body (18) comprises two continuous legs (20, 22) having widths greater than the width of the solid-state device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Schneider Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth John Holland
  • Patent number: 6100783
    Abstract: A hybrid transformer core assembly having a first leg having a first end and a second end, a second leg having a first end and a second end, and opposing first and second yokes coupling the first and second legs to the first and second yokes to create a closed core. The first leg and second legs are made of a plurality of packets of laminations having a high grain orientation, and the first and second yokes are made of a plurality of packets of laminations having a lower grain orientation than the material of the first and second legs. Alternating laminations of the first and second legs are staggered to alternately extend beyond adjacent laminations of the respective leg at first and second ends thereof. A portion of the laminations of the first and second legs which extend beyond adjacent laminations of the first and second legs, respectively, overlaps portions of alternating laminations of the yokes and couples with notches of alternating laminations of the yokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Hopkinson, Wesley W. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 6087613
    Abstract: A weld controller maintains an internal dynamic model of load impedance, which tracks normal impedance variations that occur as the weld tooling degrades. The weld controller contains a weld process monitor function that tests an estimated load impedance of a weld schedule presently under execution against an internal dynamic model and generates events when characteristics of the estimated load impedance of the present weld falls outside an operator definable band, indicating a problem with the workpiece presently being welded. The weld controller further includes the capability to accept a static model of the load impedance that is used as the reference impedance for the weld control and tooling. The weld controller also includes means to declare an event when characteristics of the dynamic model differ from the static model by an operator-defined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Paul R. Buda, Jonathan H. Bailey, Larry A. Dew, Robert M. Slazinski
  • Patent number: D442554
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Schneider Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Byrd, Robert A. Orlando, Helmut Zimmermann