Patents Represented by Attorney Robert E. Brunson
  • Patent number: 5555840
    Abstract: A dart game score board includes a case having a plurality of walled compartments therein. A removable front cover of the case forms one wall of the compartments, with the front cover having formed therein a plurality of groups of window openings arranged in a prescribed pattern and the window openings of each group aligned with a corresponding one of the walled compartments. A plurality of scoring modules are removably inserted in each of the walled compartments, with one scoring module aligned with a corresponding window opening. Each scoring module has a rotatable spool extending through a window opening to enable indicia on the spools to be displayed to keep score during play by one or more players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Willard F. Fougere
  • Patent number: 5228770
    Abstract: A hand held search light includes a miniaturized electronic control circuit for igniting and operating an arc lamp in the light. A lamp mounting arrangement is disclosed for shock mounting the arc lamp, including arrangement to center and focus the light beam emitted by the search light. The search light is modularized for ease of field maintenance by unskilled personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Inventor: Robert L. Brunson
  • Patent number: 5144207
    Abstract: A miniaturized electronic control circuit and method for igniting and controlling the operation of an arc lamp in a hand held search light is disclosed. A modulator provides output pulses at a variable duty cycle to a switched regulator which provides an output voltage to a first electrode of the arc lamp. The magnitude of the output voltage of the regulator varies in accordance with the duty cycle of the output pulses from the modulator. A lamp igniter is coupled between a first control input to the modulator and a second electrode of the arc lamp. The lamp igniter, in response to a first magnitude in the output voltage from the switched regulator, effects the generation of a high voltage pulse to ignite the arc lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: Robert L. Brunson
  • Patent number: 5142458
    Abstract: A hand held search light includes a miniaturized electronic control circuit for igniting and operating an arc lamp in the light. A lamp mounting arrangement is disclosed for shock mounting the arc lamp, including an arrangement to center and focus the light beam emitted by the search light. The search light is modularized for ease of field maintenance by unskilled personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Inventor: Robert L. Brunson
  • Patent number: 5115190
    Abstract: An electronic register for an electric watthour metering system includes a display buffer for receiving, at substantially the same time, all data items to be displayed. The data items in the display buffer are scrolled to a display in sets appropriate for the capacity of the display. Each set is maintained on the display for as long as required for human reading. The displayed items, having been taken into the display buffer at the same instant, are consistent with each other regardless of the length of time required to complete the display sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Albert R. Varney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5113130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the proper operation of the optical elements in the optical detection circuit of an electronic register in an energy meter. The light emitter circuit is periodically pulsed adequately to turn the emitters to the on condition, and a comparison circuit is provided in which the voltage across a monitor point in circuit with the light emitters and a switching circuit is monitored both before and after each pulse. The absence of a voltage change upon pulsing the light emitter circuitry is used to generate a first error or failure signal. The light detector is read prior to each pulse to determine if unprogrammed light is being received prior to the pulsing of the light emitter as an indication of tampering with the accurate reading of the energy meter, and a second error signal is generated in response to unprogrammed light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Balch
  • Patent number: 5107204
    Abstract: A current sensor employs a main resistor of a low temperature-coefficient material for producing a voltage drop proportional to a load current therein. A second resistor, also of a low temperature-coefficient material, and preferably having a resistance substantially exceeding that of the main resistor, is connected in parallel with the main resistor. The current divides between the main and the second resistors according to the ratio of their resistances. An output signal, reduced at least in accordance with a ratio of resistances of the first and second resistors, is obtained from the second resistor. Resistive heating of the main resistor is reduced by using a short path length in the direction of current flow and as large an area transverse to the direction of current as possible. A current transformer may employ the second resistor as a primary to step down further the current in the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Bullock, Warren R. Germer, Maurice J. Ouellette
  • Patent number: 5087875
    Abstract: An electronic register in an electric energy meter includes a power supply transformer mounted on and through the register circuit board which is positioned between the base of the meter and the register indicator. Shrouds isolate and insulate the connections within the shrouds to the primary winding of the transformer, and positioning members are provided to secure the transformer to the circuit board while at the same time providing positioning for the secondary winding terminal pins which pass through the circuit board to enable their proper connection, such as by soldering, to the circuit board. A unitary molded bobbin provides a spool for the transformer windings and core, the positioning members, the shrouds, and securing of the secondary winding terminal pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Balch, Andrius A. Keturakis, Scott D. Velte
  • Patent number: 5079508
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjustment of the assembly of an electric power meter which rotates in response to power consumption which enables successive test positions to temporarily support the assembly without marking the bearing, and provides only a single mark on the bearing at the final factory adjustment position with an indication on the bearing of any subsequent tampering with that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph N. Corain, Reginald E. Grenier
  • Patent number: 5072347
    Abstract: A hand held search light includes a miniaturized electronic control circuit for igniting and operating an arc lamp in the light. Lamp mounting means is disclosed for shock mounting the arc lamp, including means to center and focus the light beam emitted by the search light. The search light is modularized for ease of field maintenance by unskilled personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Robert L. Brunson
  • Patent number: 5068962
    Abstract: An output connection and signal conditioning circuit board is selected and detachably connected to an electronic energy meter to customize its functions. Connectors are provided at the ends of the circuit board to mate with an edge connector in the bezel of the register and spaced holes in the base. A separate flexible connection to the KYZ terminals is provided, along with an intermediate tab and slot to position the circuit board and strengthen the meter. A selected circuit board is added to the manufactured meter to meet customer requirements by inserting a pin connector at the bottom of the circuit board through the spaced holes, and rotating the circuit board to mate with the tab and the edge connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Peter F. Coryea, Jacob M. Stillwagon
  • Patent number: 5066904
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring large magnitudes of A.C. current utilizes a current divider having parallel conductors and a current comparator coupled to one of the conductors so arranged as to perform first and second stages of scaling of the A.C. current to obtain an output signal from the sensor proportional to the A.C. current. The overall sensor ratio is the product of the ratios of the first and second stages, thereby permitting very large ratios to be obtained. Components of the sensor are arranged so as to cause cancellation of magnetic fields by the sensor and to make the sensor immune from incident magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Donald F. Bullock
  • Patent number: 5059896
    Abstract: An electronic watthour meter is digitally configurable to operate as several different types of watthour meters for metering electrical energy from a variety of different electric utility services. Automatic scaling of line input currents is provided to scale the voltage input to an analog to digital converter over selected ranges such that low level and high level input signals are measured in an optimum range. A digital signal processor is employed to calculate values for metered electrical energy and output pulses, each proportional to a quantum of energy flowing in the circuit being metered. The processor calculates the value of DC offset errors inherent in the various analog circuits of the meter and uses that value in the calculation of metered electrical energy to compensate for such offset errors. The meter employs automatic and manually initiated test functions for testing the operation of the processor and other critical circuits in the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Maurice J. Ouellette, Mehrdad N. Hagh, Bertram White
  • Patent number: 5057767
    Abstract: An optical communications shielded link assembly is provided from outside the cover of an electronic power meter to the register assembly without connecting cables and including an optical coupler on the exterior of the cover and an optical shroud assembly between the cover and a light emitter and detector positioned within the power meter around a light emitter and light detector. The optical shroud includes a spring loaded sleeve to fill the space between the cover and the register assembly and shield against ambient light. The sleeve includes projections moving within an annular slot with sufficient looseness to enable 3 axes positioning. Retaining and positioning means are provided for the components of the assembly. A detachable magnetic coupler can be connected to the cover mounted coupler or through a programming adapter detachably connected when the cover is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrius A. Keturakis, Scott D. Velte
  • Patent number: 5034682
    Abstract: A disk sensing optics assembly is mounted directly on the register circuit board of an electronic energy meter. The molded optics assembly includes an central cavity adapted to receive a discontinuous rotating shutter, and pockets on either side dimensioned to hold and position pairs of light emitters and detectors on opposite sides of the shutter to detect speed and direction of rotation of the shutter. Apertures through the rear of the housing are adapted to position and secure the electrical leads from the light emitters and detectors within the housing and are soldered to the register printed circuit board. Positioning means integral with the housing and register circuit board space, position, and secure the disk sensing optics and the assembly to the register circuit board with the electrical leads properly positioned for soldering to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Mayo, Andrius A. Keturakis, Scott D. Velte
  • Patent number: 5027061
    Abstract: An electromagnetic and thermal shield for an electronic energy meter which includes a base, a register and intermediate electronics. The tapered form fitting shield extends from the register to the base and includes intermediate resilient fasteners formed from the shield to position, secure, and shield the components of the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ansell W. Palmer, Peter F. Coryea
  • Patent number: 5027056
    Abstract: An electronic time of use or demand register is provided for selective addition to a watthour meter in an energy meter. The electronic register is configured for parallel mounting beside the watthour meter to minimize space and includes an integral register enclosure for properly assembling and securing various components in positive operational relationships such as positioning the optical detection assembly relative to the rotating castellated shutter and in turn positioning the optical communications link relative to the optical detection assembly. The register enclosure additionally includes integral means for mounting the electronic register within the energy meter and for selectively adding and positioning a plurality of optional features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph G. Russillo, Jr., Richard A. Balch, Andrius A. Keturakis, Scott D. Velte
  • Patent number: 5025206
    Abstract: A unitary combination actuator and indicator flag for an electronic energy meter. The integral actuator and mode indicator is slidable within the bezel of the meter and in the off position is not visible. Sliding the actuator simultaneously moves a camming surface over an axially moveable switch to connect the meter test mode, and slides a visible "TEST" flag over the digital readout window to indicate that the watthour meter is in the test mode. Positive actuation and positioning members are included for both the off and on positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Peter F. Coryea, Andrius A. Keturakis, David H. Masury, Thomas H. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5017860
    Abstract: An electronic watthour meter for metering the consumption of electrical energy on power lines includes phase compensation means for compensating for leading and lagging phase differences between line current and voltage, whereby sampling times of the current and voltage are shifted to compensate for phase errors between the current and voltage by controlling timing signals provided to current and voltage analog to digital converters. Digital output signals from the analog to digital converters proportional to current and voltage are multiplied to provide an accurate representation of energy consumption as a result of the compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Maurice J. Ouellette, Mehrdad Negahban-Hagh
  • Patent number: 5001420
    Abstract: A modular versatile electronic energy meter is provided with current voltage and register modules which may be selected and readily interconnected along with a selected output circuit board and including a plurality of features which may be customized late in the manufacturing cycle or after manufacture, including jumpers adapted to be selectively cut and attachable switch restrictors. Reduction and standarization of components and uncomplex interconnections are provided, along with apparatus to assure proper assembly and testing of the modular meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Maurice J. Ouellette, Donald F. Bullock, Ansell W. Palmer