Patents Assigned to Bentek Corporation
-
Patent number: 10554029Abstract: An enclosure has one or more panels produced by extruding and cut to desired length. An extruded panel of the enclosure may integrate heat sinks, threaded rod locations, and internal grooves to attach adjacent panels. Top and bottom plates may be joined to the panels by threaded rods passing from the top plate through to the bottom plate via the threaded rod locations engineered into the extrusion, enabling the panels and plates to be pulled together by turning the threaded rods. Once assembled, the enclosure may accommodate a variety of electrical equipment at time of assembly and/or at the enclosure installation site. The enclosure has applicability in electrical power distribution, for example as a combiner box in a solar power distribution system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: BENTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Robert J. Hannum, Douglas E. McCracken
-
Patent number: 10038317Abstract: A system and method for providing a rapid disconnect safety system (RDSS) are disclosed. In a first aspect, the system comprises a rapid shutdown module (RSM) located within a predetermined distance to a photovoltaic (PV) array system and a rapid shutdown controller (RSC) coupled to the RSM, wherein the RSM is remotely located relative to the RSC. When activated, the RSC opens at least one contactor of the RSM to disconnect a PV source circuit of the PV array system. In a second aspect, the method comprises providing a rapid shutdown module (RSM) located within a predetermined distance to a PV array system, coupling a rapid shutdown controller (RSC) to the RSM wherein the RSM is remotely located relative to the RSC, activating the RSC to open at least one contactor of the RSM, and disconnecting a PV source circuit of the PV array system.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: BENTEK CORPORATIONInventors: Douglas Eugene McCracken, John Herbert Buckley, Mitchell Schoch
-
Patent number: 9899869Abstract: The present invention provides for a photovoltaic system and circuit having array shedding functionality. The system and circuit, in general, have at least two photovoltaic strings, at least one inverter; and, an array shedding and harvesting functionality configured to monitor the inverter and either disconnect or connect inputs of the at least two photovoltaic strings as needed to produce power for the at least one inverter or to produce power for storage. The array shedding and harvesting functionality is preferably integrated between photovoltaic (PV) strings and the output of the inverter. Various embodiments provide for sensors integrated on each of the inputs of a power assembly combiner, current sensors used to sense current provided on each of multiple inputs from power sources (PV arrays or combiners), and direct current (DC) contactors used to control connection of power source inputs.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Bentek CorporationInventors: Douglas Eugene McCracken, Louis David Marzano, John Herbert Buckley
-
Patent number: 9711953Abstract: Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety switch system and method for a power system, including a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of being operated in a predetermined sequence to isolate one or more fuses, is provided. The described safety switch system is a convenient and sequential approach to safely remove power from a system and access associated fuses.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Bentek CorporationInventors: James Peplinski, Mitchell Schoch
-
Patent number: 9478950Abstract: Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety disconnect system includes an enclosure operative to receive a plurality of input power lines into the enclosure and provide a plurality of output power lines out of the enclosure. Each input power line is coupled to and paired with a corresponding one of the output power lines, where each input power line and output power line is operative to provide power from a power source. A plurality of switches are provided in the enclosure, each of these switches coupled between an associated one of the pairs of input power line and output power line, and each switch operative to disconnect the associated input power line from the corresponding output power line.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Bentek CorporationInventors: James Peplinski, David A. Chan, Mitchell Schoch
-
Patent number: 9214791Abstract: Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety switch system and method for a power system, including a plurality of sequentially interlocked switches capable of being operated in a predetermined sequence to isolate one or more fuses, is provided. The described safety switch system is a convenient and sequential approach to safely remove power from a system and access associated fuses.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: BENTEK CORPORATIONInventors: James Peplinski, Mitchell Schoch
-
Publication number: 20140313640Abstract: Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety disconnect system includes an enclosure operative to receive a plurality of input power lines into the enclosure and provide a plurality of output power lines out of the enclosure. Each input power line is coupled to and paired with a corresponding one of the output power lines, where each input power line and output power line is operative to provide power from a power source. A plurality of switches are provided in the enclosure, each of these switches coupled between an associated one of the pairs of input power line and output power line, and each switch operative to disconnect the associated input power line from the corresponding output power line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Bentek CorporationInventors: James PEPLINSKI, David A. CHAN, Mitchell SCHOCH
-
Patent number: 8687348Abstract: Various embodiments provide safety disconnect systems for a power system. In one aspect, a safety disconnect system includes an enclosure operative to receive a plurality of input power lines into the enclosure and provide a plurality of output power lines out of the enclosure. Each input power line is coupled to and paired with a corresponding one of the output power lines, where each input power line and output power line is operative to provide power from a power source. A plurality of switches are provided in the enclosure, each of these switches coupled between an associated one of the pairs of input power line and output power line, and each switch operative to disconnect the associated input power line from the corresponding output power line.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Bentek CorporationInventors: Jim Peplinski, David A. Chan, Mitchell Schoch
-
Patent number: D739346Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: BENTEK CORPORATIONInventor: Robert Joseph Hannum
-
Patent number: D739819Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: BENTEK CORPORATIONInventor: Robert Joseph Hannum