Patents by Inventor Gabriele Valentino De Natale

Gabriele Valentino De Natale 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).

  • Publication number: 20230335322
    Abstract: Coil for an electromagnetic actuator, comprising: a support; an electrical winding comprising a plurality of turns wound around the support; an electronic circuit which comprises a flexible printed circuit board on which there are arranged one or more electronic components and which is wound, at least in part, around the electrical winding. The disclosure further relates to an electromagnetic actuator comprising such a coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino DE NATALE, Fedele D'ALESSANDRO
  • Patent number: 11521775
    Abstract: A device for the command and control of the electric power supply of windings of an electromagnetic actuator, comprising a plurality of electronic means configured to receive at the input either a direct current feeding voltage or alternatively an alternating current feeding voltage and to generate at the output a first digital command signal triggering an activation phase of the electromagnetic actuator in which at least one of the windings is powered, for a first predefined and adjustable time interval, with an activation current, a second digital command signal triggering a maintenance phase of the electromagnetic actuator in which the windings are powered with a maintenance current having an intensity lower than the activation current, and a third digital command signal triggering a third phase of deactivation of the electromagnetic actuator in which the power supply of the windings is interrupted for a second predefined and adjustable time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LMP SRL
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Fedele D'alessandro
  • Publication number: 20220044856
    Abstract: Device for the command and control of the electric power supply of one or more windings of an electromagnetic actuator, comprising a plurality of electronic means configured to receive at the input either a direct current feeding voltage or alternatively an alternating current feeding voltage and to generate at the output a first digital command signal suitable for triggering an activation phase of the electromagnetic actuator in which at least one the one or more windings is powered, for a first predefined and adjustable time interval, with an activation current, a second digital command signal suitable for triggering a maintenance phase of the electromagnetic actuator in which the one or more windings are powered with a maintenance current having an intensity lower than the activation current, and a third digital command signal suitable for triggering a third phase of deactivation of the electromagnetic actuator in which the power supply of the one or more windings is interrupted for a second predefined and
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino DE NATALE, Fedele D'ALESSANDRO
  • Patent number: 10944333
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an IED for LV or MV electric power applications characterized in that it comprises: a power transformer stage, which is operatively coupled to a feeding conductor to harvest electric power from said feeding conductor; a first storage stage, which is electrically connected to said power transformer stage to store electric energy; a first step-down conversion stage, which is electrically connectable/disconnectable to/from said first storage stage; a switching stage adapted to electrically connect/disconnect said first step-down conversion stage with/from said first storage stage; and a second storage stage, which is electrically connected to said first step-down conversion stage to store electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Luciano Di Maio, Massimiliano Villano
  • Patent number: 10788535
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the operating status a MV switching apparatus. The method includes providing a test signal to the test winding for an observation period of time, the test signal having a waveform capable of exciting the magnetic element; obtaining first measuring data indicative of a voltage at first terminals of the capacitor bank during the observation period of time; obtaining second measuring data indicative of a voltage at second terminals of the test winding and indicative of a current circulating along the test winding during the observation period of time; and, calculating estimation data indicative of the operating status of the capacitor bank at the end of the observation period of time on the basis of the first and second measuring data, the first estimation data comprising a first estimation value indicative of the capacitance of the capacitor bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Marco Testa, Andrea Ricci, Andrea Bianco
  • Patent number: 10707041
    Abstract: A switching device including: one or more fixed contacts and one or more movable contacts, each movable contact being reversibly movable between an opening position, at which the movable contact is decoupled from a corresponding fixed contact, and a closing position, at which the movable contact is coupled with the corresponding fixed contact; an electromagnetic actuator adapted to actuate the movable contacts between the opening and closing positions, the electromagnetic actuator including a fixed yoke and a movable armature operatively associated with the fixed yoke to form a magnetic circuit, the movable armature being reversibly movable between a first position, which corresponds to the opening position of the movable contacts, and a second position, which corresponds to the closing position of the movable contacts; and a kinematic chain to operatively connect the movable armature with the movable contacts, wherein the electromagnetic actuator includes a first excitation coil and a second excitation coil
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Christian Reuber, Luciano Di Maio, Gabriele Valentino De Natale
  • Patent number: 10574083
    Abstract: An electronic charger for electric power distribution installations is provided. The electronic charger includes a DC/DC converter of the SEPIC type including an input stage, an output stage and a coupling capacitor. The input stage is electrically connected with input terminals and includes an input inductor and a switching device. The output stage is electrically connected with output terminals and includes an output inductor, an output capacitor and a blocking device. The coupling capacitor is configured to electrically couple the input stage and the output stage with a capacitive coupling. A first sensor provides a first sensing signal indicative of a charging current. A first controller receives the first sensing signal and a reference signal and provides a driving signal to control the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Andrea Ricci, Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Marco Testa
  • Patent number: 10395868
    Abstract: A method for determining the operating status of a MV switching device is provided. The method includes providing a test signal to said test coil for an observation period of time. Measuring data is obtained which is indicative of the voltage at the terminals of the test coil and of the current circulating along the test coil during the observation period of time. Observation data is calculated which is indicative of the electric behavior of the test coil at the end of said observation period of time. A transformation function is selected which is indicative of the electromagnetic behavior of the electromagnetic actuator. First estimation data is calculated which is indicative of the operating status of the electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Andrea Ricci, Marco Testa
  • Patent number: 10338623
    Abstract: A power and control device (1) for medium voltage applications characterized in that it comprises a power and control unit (2) having a first feeding port (21) electrically coupleable with electric power supply means (60), a first control device (3) operatively coupled to said first feeding port, said first control device being adapted to prevent the electrical feeding of said power and control unit through said first feeding port, when the operating temperature of said power and control device is lower than a first threshold value (TH1) indicative of a minimum operating temperature provided for said power and control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Luciano Di Maio, Marco Testa
  • Patent number: 10262811
    Abstract: A control system for an electrical switching apparatus adapted to be installed in a medium voltage or high voltage electrical circuit. The control system includes at least a first module with first control means which are adapted to execute a first control logic, and a second module with second control means which are adapted to execute a second control logic; and at least one communication bus. The first control means and the second control means are adapted to be operatively connected to the at least one communication bus, and to share values of variables associated to the first control logic and to the second control logic through the at least one communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Fabio Mannino, Andrea Ricci, Andrea Crespi
  • Patent number: 10209308
    Abstract: A MV switching device (100) comprising: one or more electric poles, each comprising a movable contact (16) and a fixed contact (17) adapted to be coupled or uncoupled during the switching operations of said switching device; and an electromagnetic actuator (13) operatively coupled to the movable contacts of the electric poles, said electromagnetic actuator having at least an excitation winding (152); power supply means (60) for supplying electric power to said electromagnetic actuator; a power drive circuit (1) for driving said electromagnetic actuator, said power drive circuit comprising sensing means for providing signals indicative of the currents flowing along the circuit branches of said power drive circuit and of the voltages at the terminals of said power drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Andrea Ricci, Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Marco Testa
  • Publication number: 20180267103
    Abstract: A method for determining the operating status a MV switching apparatus, which comprises: one or more electric poles, each comprising a movable contact and a fixed contact adapted to be coupled or uncoupled during the switching operations of the switching apparatus; an electromagnetic actuator for actuating one or more movable contacts of the electric poles, the electromagnetic actuator having at least a test winding wound around a magnetic element; a capacitor bank for providing electric power to the electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Marco Testa, Andrea Ricci, Andrea Bianco
  • Publication number: 20180261416
    Abstract: A switching device including: one or more fixed contacts and one or more movable contacts, each movable contact being reversibly movable between an opening position, at which the movable contact is decoupled from a corresponding fixed contact, and a closing position, at which the movable contact is coupled with the corresponding fixed contact; an electromagnetic actuator adapted to actuate the movable contacts between the opening and closing positions, the electromagnetic actuator including a fixed yoke and a movable armature operatively associated with the fixed yoke to form a magnetic circuit, the movable armature being reversibly movable between a first position, which corresponds to the opening position of the movable contacts, and a second position, which corresponds to the closing position of the movable contacts; and a kinematic chain to operatively connect the movable armature with the movable contacts, wherein the electromagnetic actuator includes a first excitation coil and a second excitation coil
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Christian Reuber, Luciano Di Maio, Gabriele Valentino De Natale
  • Patent number: 10063045
    Abstract: A coil actuator for a low and medium voltage switching apparatus comprising a coil electromagnet (2), a power and control unit (3), which comprises a power circuit (31) operatively connected to said coil electromagnet (2) and a processing unit (32) operatively connected to said power circuit and controlling the trip of said coil electromagnet (2) through said power circuit (31). The power and control unit (3) comprises an optical port (30), which is suitable to be operatively connected to an optical fiber cable (112), and a first detection unit (33), which is operatively connected to said optical port and to said processing unit. The first detection unit (33) is suitable to receive a light signal (L) from said optical port and to output a first detection signal (D1) indicative of the presence of an arc fault, depending on said light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Carlo Gemme, Gabriele Valentino De Natale
  • Publication number: 20180138734
    Abstract: An electronic charger for electric power distribution installations is provided. The electronic charger includes a DC/DC converter of the SEPIC type including an input stage, an output stage and a coupling capacitor. The input stage is electrically connected with input terminals and includes an input inductor and a switching device. The output stage is electrically connected with output terminals and includes an output inductor, an output capacitor and a blocking device. The coupling capacitor is configured to electrically couple the input stage and the output stage with a capacitive coupling. A first sensor provides a first sensing signal indicative of a charging current. A first controller receives the first sensing signal and a reference signal and provides a driving signal to control the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Andrea Ricci, Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Marco Testa
  • Patent number: 9899161
    Abstract: A method controls a switching device having at least one phase comprising at least one couple of contacts which can be actuated for switching between a closed condition and an open condition. The method provides control means for controlling the actuation of the at least one couple of contacts, such control means being adapted to operate using time cycles; set the time cycles with a predetermined time duration; detects a difference of a value of a parameter associated to the phase with respect a preset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Andrea Ricci, Fabio Mannino, Gabriele Valentino De Natale
  • Publication number: 20180033567
    Abstract: A control system for an electrical switching apparatus adapted to be installed in a medium voltage or high voltage electrical circuit. The control system includes at least a first module with first control means which are adapted to execute a first control logic, and a second module with second control means which are adapted to execute a second control logic; and at least one communication bus. The first control means and the second control means are adapted to be operatively connected to the at least one communication bus, and to share values of variables associated to the first control logic and to the second control logic through the at least one communication bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Fabio Mannino, Andrea Ricci, Andrea Grespi
  • Publication number: 20170324271
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an IED for LV or MV electric power applications characterized in that it comprises: a power transformer stage, which is operatively coupled to a feeding conductor to harvest electric power from said feeding conductor; a first storage stage, which is electrically connected to said power transformer stage to store electric energy; a first step-down conversion stage, which is electrically connectable/disconnectable to/from said first storage stage; a switching stage adapted to electrically connect/disconnect said first step-down conversion stage with/from said first storage stage; and a second storage stage, which is electrically connected to said first step-down conversion stage to store electric energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Luciano Di Maio, Massimiliano Villano
  • Patent number: 9805896
    Abstract: An exemplary mechanically operated switching device includes at least one movable contact and an operating mechanism for coupling/separating the movable contact to/from a corresponding fixed contact. The operating mechanism includes first elastic mechanism for, upon release, providing the energy to separate the movable and fixed contacts. At least one shunt release having: a member movable between first and second stable positions, wherein movement from the first stable position to the second stable position releases the first elastic mechanism; at least a permanent magnet generating a force for holding the movable member in the first stable position, wherein the movable member held in the first stable position compresses a second elastic mechanism; and at least one electrical winding associated with the movable member and the electronic mechanism, which is configured to electrically drive the winding to generate a magnetic force that releases of the compressed second elastic mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Bianco, Gabriele Valentino De Natale
  • Patent number: 9755635
    Abstract: An electronic system is disclosed for an associated electrical apparatus, the system having at least a binary input adapted to receive one or more candidate signals; at least an electronic active load having one or more electronic active devices and operatively connected to the binary input; and a controller operatively associated to the binary input and to the active load. The controller can detect application of a candidate signal to the binary input and electrically drive the active load upon such detection; and after absorption of a predetermined amount of energy, validate the candidate signal if its residual content of energy exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gabriele Valentino De Natale, Luciano Di Maio, Andrea Bianco