Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Wieloch
Christopher J. Wieloch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 9177731Abstract: A remote switching system for electronic switches in a cabinet provides an actuator assembly communicating through a flexible cable with a door handle. The actuator assembly on the electronic switch provides a rotatably captive threaded fastener holding the sheath of the flexible cable to the actuator assembly allow ring a simple single-point tuning of the actuator operation. This tuning may be facilitated by a visual scale showing relative positions between the actuator assembly and an internal slider communicating with the operator of the electronic switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shawn D. Cloran, Edward Byaliy, Jerry M. Watkins, Scott B. Lasko, James P. Miller, Christopher J Wieloch
-
Publication number: 20150131208Abstract: A remote switching system for electronic switches in a cabinet provides an actuator assembly communicating through a flexible cable with a door handle. The actuator assembly on the electronic switch provides a rotatably captive threaded fastener holding the sheath of the flexible cable to the actuator assembly allow ring a simple single-point tuning of the actuator operation. This tuning may be facilitated by a visual scale showing relative positions between the actuator assembly and an internal slider communicating with the operator of the electronic switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Shawn D. Cloran, Edward Byaliy, Jerry M. Watkins, Scott B. Lasko, James P. Miller, Christopher J. Wieloch
-
Publication number: 20150131209Abstract: A remote switching system for electrical switches in a cabinet provides an actuator frame and slider that may be assembled to the electrical switch to engage the switch actuator for remote control. The actuator frame includes an opening allowing insertion of a lock shank through the opening to block motion of the slider from an “off” state to an “on” state thereby allowing the actuator frame to also serve as a local lockout.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Shawn D. Cloran, Edward Byaliy, Jerry M. Watkins, Scott B. Lasko, Christopher J. Wieloch
-
Publication number: 20140266521Abstract: A method and apparatus using electromagnetic switching in a two-step connection process is provided to minimize surge currents and torque oscillations in three-phase motors during starts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: James J. Kinsella, Christopher J. Wieloch
-
Patent number: 7317264Abstract: A method and apparatus to independently control the closing or making of contactors in a modular contactor assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a contactor assembly having multiple contactors such that each contactor is separately controlled such that one contactor may be closed without the other contactors of the assembly being closed. The contactors are arranged such that a pair of contactors is caused to close following a zero-voltage crossing of a power signal. A third contactor is caused to close after the pair of contactors has closed.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: James Kinsella, Xin Zhou, Christopher J. Wieloch, Michael T. Little
-
Patent number: 7224557Abstract: Control of an induction motor is carried out to limit damaging arcing stress and mechanical stresses placed on the control contactor assembly and the induction motor resulting from the simultaneous or synchronous breaking and making of contactors employed to connect the windings of the motor to a power supply. Asynchronously connecting the windings to the power supply via the asynchronous or non-simultaneous closing of the contactors of a modular contactor assembly reduces the potentially damaging transient current, the associated torque oscillations, and mechanical stresses. The present invention is particularly applicable to delta motors that are started with its windings in a star or wye configuration followed by the reconnection of the windings in a delta configuration when the motor is at normal running speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: James J. Kinsella, Peter J. Unsworth, Xin Zhou, Christopher J. Wieloch, Michael T. Little
-
Patent number: 7196434Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical isolation apparatus having independently controllable contactors. The isolation apparatus includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device as well as each phase or pole of a load. Each contactor is constructed so that each includes multiple contact assemblies that may be independently controlled to open and close. Moreover, the contactors within a single contactor assembly or housing can be independently controlled so that the contacts of one contactor can be opened without opening the contacts of the other contactors in the contactor assembly. Additionally, the contactors are constructed and controlled such that a single line side contactor and a single load contactor open simultaneously when an open circuit condition is desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Xin Zhou, Michael T. Little, James Kinsella, Christopher J. Wieloch
-
Patent number: 6806669Abstract: A motor overload coil control is disclosed for use in a motor starter/relay contactor. The control includes an 8-bit, 8-pin microcontroller that together with an I/O reduction circuit, is capable of functioning 13 I/O's with only 5 I/O pins on the microcontroller. Three remote signals are prioritized and reduced on one input line to the microcontroller. The control includes three-phase current measurement from three Hall effect current sensors positioned one on each leg. The system includes current integration to provide a single current input to the microcontroller. A full load amperage (FLA) adjustment allows use on a wide range of motors. The microcontroller uses the FLA adjustment and the current signal to find an appropriate I2t value for real-time monitoring of the operating temperature of the motor. A status indicator is provided having an LED output to show the status of the system and indicate the motor temperature, when appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Griesemer, Christopher J. Wieloch, Kurt von Eckroth
-
Publication number: 20030146725Abstract: A motor overload coil control is disclosed for use in a motor starter/relay contactor. The control includes an 8-bit, 8-pin microcontroller that together with an I/O reduction circuit, is capable of functioning 13 I/O's with only 5 I/O pins on the microcontroller. Three remote signals are prioritized and reduced on one input line to the microcontroller. The control includes three-phase current measurement from three Hall effect current sensors positioned one on each leg. The system includes current integration to provide a single current input to the microcontroller. A full load amperage (FLA) adjustment allows use on a wide range of motors. The microcontroller uses the FLA adjustment and the current signal to find an appropriate I2t value for real-time monitoring of the operating temperature of the motor. A status indicator is provided having an LED output to show the status of the system and indicate the motor temperature, when appropriate.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2003Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Patrick J. Griesemer, Christopher J. Wieloch, Kurt von Eckroth
-
Patent number: 6522094Abstract: A motor overload coil control is disclosed for use in a motor starter/relay contactor. The control includes an 8-bit, 8-pin microcontroller that together with an I/O reduction circuit, is capable of functioning 13 I/O's with only 5 I/O pins on the microcontroller. Three remote signals are prioritized and reduced on one input line to the microcontroller. The control includes three-phase current measurement from three Hall effect current sensors positioned one on each leg. The system includes current integration to provide a single current input to the microcontroller. A full load amperage (FLA) adjustment allows use on a wide range of motors. The microcontroller uses the FLA adjustment and the current signal to find an appropriate I2t value for real-time monitoring of the operating temperature of the motor. A status indicator is provided having an LED output to show the status of the system and indicate the motor temperature, when appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Griesemer, Christopher J. Wieloch, Kurt von Eckroth
-
Patent number: 6493202Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard W. Waltz, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch, Jeffrey R. Annis
-
Patent number: 6417749Abstract: A unitary housing structure is provided for an electrical switching device such as a three-phase contactor. The housing includes internal partitions for separating an operator section from contact sections, and for isolating phase sections from one another. The partitions are contiguous with one another and with side walls of the housing, inhibiting plasma flow within the housing cavities. The housing is made of a thermoplastic material which is molded as a single piece. The thermoplastic may be partially protected from plasma and arcs by shields within the phase sections, such as splitter plate supports.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch
-
Patent number: 6411489Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard W. Waltz, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch, Jeffrey R. Annis
-
Patent number: 6351113Abstract: A solid state motor starter, commonly referred to as a soft starter, is constructed in a manner to be easily manufacturable while at the same time combining all the required components in a relatively small package. A solid state power switch is clamped between a pair of bus bars in an offset manner to accommodate a discrete switching relay mounted in an inverted manner between the line input and the bus bar in communication with the load outputs. When in a motor run mode, current is shunted away from the solid state power switching device and through the switching relay, a substantially linear current path is achieved to reduce power loss and heat buildup. The arrangement allows for a heat sink mounted to one of the bus bars with adequate spacing between the heat sink and the discrete relay for insertion of a cooling fan. Current sensing is achieved with a Hall effect sensor mounted to the bus bar in a small current sensing region that is created by having a pair of slots in the bus bar to direct current.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: James A. Becker, Kurt von Eckroth, Christopher J. Wieloch
-
Patent number: 6282076Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Rockwell Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard W. Waltz, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch, Jeffrey R. Annis
-
Publication number: 20010009496Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially. An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2001Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard W. Waltz, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch, Jeffrey R. Annis
-
Patent number: 6233131Abstract: An electromagnetic operator includes first and second coils wound coaxially An armature partially surrounds the coils for channeling flux during energization of the coils. The armature may be formed of a bent plate and secured to a ferromagnetic support. A control circuit applies energizing signals to the coils during operation. Both coils are energized during an initial phase of operation. One of the coils is subsequently released or de-energized automatically. A timing circuit removes current from the second coil after a variable time period. The time period may be a function of the configuration of the timing circuit, such as an RC time constant, and of the energizing signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Rockwell Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark A. Kappel, Richard W. Waltz, Richard G. Smith, Donald F. Swietlik, Raymond H. Hannula, Christopher J. Wieloch, Jeffrey R. Annis
-
Patent number: 6208100Abstract: A motor overload coil control is disclosed for use in a motor starter/relay contactor. The control includes an 8-bit, 8-pin microcontroller that together with an I/O reduction circuit, is capable of functioning 13 I/O's with only 5 I/O pins on the microcontroller. Three remote signals are prioritized and reduced on one input line to the microcontroller. The control includes three-phase current measurement from three Hall effect current sensors positioned one on each leg. The system includes current integration to provide a single current input to the microcontroller. A full load amperage (FLA) adjustment allows use on a wide range of motors. The microcontroller uses the FLA adjustment and the current signal to find an appropriate I2t value for real-time monitoring of the operating temperature of the motor. A status indicator is provided having an LED output to show the status of the system and indicate the motor temperature, when appropriate.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Griesemer, Christopher J. Wieloch, Kurt von Eckroth
-
Patent number: D727855Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shawn D. Cloran, Edward Byaliy, Christopher J Wieloch
-
Patent number: D731441Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Shawn D. Cloran, Edward Byaliy, Christopher J Wieloch