Patents by Inventor Nataniel Barbosa Vicente
Nataniel Barbosa Vicente 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).
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Patent number: 9146278Abstract: A control module coupled to a switching device that is switchable between an open state and a closed state as part of a switching event is provided. The control module includes a communication interface configured to issue a control signal to the switching device that triggers the switching device to switch between the open state and the closed state, and receive a feedback signal from the switching device indicating that the switching device has switched between the open state and the closed state. The control module further includes a processing device coupled to the communication interface and configured to calculate a characteristic time interval associated with the switching event, wherein the characteristic time interval is indicative of a mechanical switching time of the switching device, and a memory device coupled to the processing device and configured to store the calculated characteristic time interval.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Nataniel Barbosa Vicente
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Publication number: 20140361780Abstract: A control module coupled to a switching device that is switchable between an open state and a closed state as part of a switching event is provided. The control module includes a communication interface configured to issue a control signal to the switching device that triggers the switching device to switch between the open state and the closed state, and receive a feedback signal from the switching device indicating that the switching device has switched between the open state and the closed state. The control module further includes a processing device coupled to the communication interface and configured to calculate a characteristic time interval associated with the switching event, wherein the characteristic time interval is indicative of a mechanical switching time of the switching device, and a memory device coupled to the processing device and configured to store the calculated characteristic time interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Nataniel Barbosa Vicente
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Patent number: 8788233Abstract: A diagnostic system and a diagnostic method for a thermistor amplifier circuit are provided. The system includes a transistor electrically coupled to a controllable variable resistor having a predetermined resistance. The transistor applies a test voltage signal to the circuit indicative of a first temperature value. An amplitude of the test voltage value is indicative of a simulated thermistor temperature value. The microprocessor determines a test temperature value based on the amplitude of an output voltage of the circuit. The microprocessor also determines an inaccuracy value based on the test temperature value and the simulated thermistor temperature value.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Todd Elliott Greenwood, Craig Benjamin Williams
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Patent number: 8589094Abstract: A method of setting a ground fault trip response function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, setting the ground fault trip response function for the trip unit, wherein the ground fault trip response function is a double knee time current function.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carmine Giglio, Todd Greenwood, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Craig B. Williams
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Patent number: 8536815Abstract: A method for operating a controller includes receiving a first accumulated thermal value of an electrical machine and an associated first time stamp from a memory, initializing a processor of the controller with the first accumulated thermal value and the associated first time stamp, determining whether a second time stamp has been received, calculating a difference between the second time stamp and the first time stamp responsive to determining that the second time stamp has been received, calculating a second accumulated thermal value as a function of the first accumulated thermal value, the first time stamp, and the second time stamp, and updating the first accumulated thermal value with the second accumulated thermal value.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Torsten Brandt, Todd Elliott Greenwood, Joachim Mueller, Srinath Topucharla
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Patent number: 8390973Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Mark Fredrick Culler, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr., Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Publication number: 20120310429Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Mark Fredrick Culler, Brian Patrick Lenhart, JR., Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Patent number: 8270136Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event a first or second fault condition is detected. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the response of the second circuit breaker depending on whether the first or second fault condition has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Mark Fredrick Culler, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr., Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Publication number: 20120194118Abstract: A method for operating a controller includes receiving a first accumulated thermal value of an electrical machine and an associated first time stamp from a memory, initializing a processor of the controller with the first accumulated thermal value and the associated first time stamp, determining whether a second time stamp has been received, calculating a difference between the second time stamp and the first time stamp responsive to determining that the second time stamp has been received, calculating a second accumulated thermal value as a function of the first accumulated thermal value, the first time stamp, and the second time stamp, and updating the first accumulated thermal value with the second accumulated thermal value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Torsten Brandt, Todd Elliott Greenwood, Joachim Mueller
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Patent number: 8228653Abstract: An electronic control for a circuit breaker with automatic breaker rating is disclosed. The electronic control includes a memory to store circuit breaker ratings, a breaker rating switch to select circuit breaker ratings, and a microprocessor operatively coupled to the breaker rating switch and the memory. The microprocessor is configured to interpret a selected circuit breaker rating of the breaker rating switch, set an amplifier gain adjustment for the circuit breaker based on the selected circuit breaker rating, and transmit the selected circuit breaker rating to the memory for storage in the memory.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Sreenivasulu Reddy Devarapalli, Todd Elliott Greenwood, Zubair Hameed, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr., Stephen James West
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Publication number: 20120185196Abstract: A diagnostic system and a diagnostic method for a thermistor amplifier circuit are provided. The system includes a transistor electrically coupled to a controllable variable resistor having a predetermined resistance. The transistor applies a test voltage signal to the circuit indicative of a first temperature value. An amplitude of the test voltage value is indicative of a simulated thermistor temperature value. The microprocessor determines a test temperature value based on the amplitude of an output voltage of the circuit. The microprocessor also determines an inaccuracy value based on the test temperature value and the simulated thermistor temperature value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Todd Elliott Greenwood, Craig Benjamin Williams
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Patent number: 8116054Abstract: A rating plug for an electronic trip unit is disclosed. The rating plug has a housing with a plurality of switches disposed within the housing, each of the switches positionable in one of two positions. The settings of the switches establish a digital signature associated with the rating plug, providing for a universal rating plug that can be used on any circuit breaker that is accepting of the rating plug and that has a sensor value equal to or greater than the rating plug current rating. For instance, a rating plug having a 1000 Amp rating can be used on any circuit breaker sensor for use at or above 1000 A.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Stephen James West, Todd Greenwood
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Patent number: 8023238Abstract: A universal trip unit for use with a circuit breaker apparatus is provided and includes a communication unit configured to communicate with a personality module of the circuit breaker apparatus and to thereby receive key breaker personality parameters that relate to operational characteristics of the circuit breaker apparatus, and a controller. The controller includes a memory on which a universal register, previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters are stored, the controller being configured to control the communication unit to receive the key breaker personality parameters in accordance with information determined from the universal register, and components to execute trip protection when at least one of a current and a voltage Within the circuit breaker apparatus exceeds a respective predetermined threshold as defined by the previously stored key parameters and the received key breaker personality parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Rafael Gutierrez, Jr.
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Patent number: 8018092Abstract: A system for controlling power in a circuit breaker trip unit is disclosed. The system includes: a user interface operably coupled to the trip unit and having a plurality of input keys; a power conditioner operably coupled to the user interface and operably coupled to a battery power source and an external power source; and a power control circuit. The power control circuit is configured to automatically electrically connect the battery power source to the power conditioner in response to activation of any of the plurality of input keys, and in the absence of an electrical connection between the external power source and the power conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr., Stephen James West, Todd Greenwood, Sreenivasulu R. Devarapalli, Zubair Hameed
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Patent number: 8014115Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Mark Fredrick Culler, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr., Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Patent number: 7936547Abstract: A method and apparatus providing automatic circuit breaker identification to an electronic trip unit includes a processor and a configuration module comprising configuration data identifying the particulars of a circuit breaker and that is in operable communication with the processor.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John James Dougherty, Geoff F. Butland, Mark Fredrick Culler, Nataniel Barbosa Vicente
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Publication number: 20110054713Abstract: A method of setting a ground fault trip response function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, setting the ground fault trip response function for the trip unit, wherein the ground fault trip response function is a double knee time current function.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Carmine Giglio, Todd Greenwood, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Craig B. Williams
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Patent number: 7839617Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, and a real time clock circuit that is operational in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and the real time clock circuit is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock circuit is configured to generate time information relating to the circuit breaker being off as a result of the off event for use by the processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, John J. Dougherty, Michael S. Tignor
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Publication number: 20090257157Abstract: A circuit breaker system and method having zone selective interlock features with separate restrained and unrestrained setting capability is provided. The system and method include the transmission of a selective interlock signal from a downstream circuit breaker to an upstream circuit breaker in the event of a fault condition. The upstream circuit breaker upon receipt of this signal changes the tripping response of the second circuit breaker to a restrained mode. The circuit breakers include features enabling the user to modify and adjust both the restrained and unrestrained trip curves associated with both the restrained and unrestrained modes of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Mark Fredrick Culler, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Jr., Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Publication number: 20090257156Abstract: A method of setting a trip ground fault trip function for a trip unit includes enabling a ground fault protection mode for the trip unit, and setting one of a plurality of a trip functions for the trip unit. At least one of the plurality of trip functions being an I?4t inverse time function that establishes a trip characteristic to interrupt current upon sensing a ground fault indication. The method further includes monitoring an electrical circuit for a ground fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Mark Culler, Brian Lenhart, JR., Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Todd Greenwood