Patents by Inventor Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
Robert W. Johnson, Jr. 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: 8415828Abstract: Apparatus includes a segment loading indicator configured to be electrically coupled to a load segment output of a power supply, such as a UPS, and operative to provide an indication of a loading of the load segment output. For example, the segment loading indicator may be operative to provide an indication of a loading of the load segment output with respect to load rating of the load segment output. A UPS may include a loading indicator is coupled to a power output and operative to provide rear-panel indication of a loading of the power output.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert W. Johnson, Jr., Dinesh Shah
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Patent number: 8025437Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is configured to be coupled to a power source at an input node and to a load at an output node. The UPS is synthetically loaded (e.g., to a maximum rated load) by transferring current from the output node to the input node. Concurrent with synthetically loading the UPS, a temperature of an electrical conductor of the UPS is monitored. The monitoring of the temperature of the electrical conductor may include receiving a temperature sensor signal representative of the temperature of the electrical conductor from a temperature sensor (e.g., a self-powered wireless temperature sensor) mounted on the electrical conductor. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer-readable media.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7760516Abstract: A modular uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes a plurality of UPS system component modules, each configured to be arranged in at least one equipment rack, each of the UPS system component modules having at least one flexible power cable extending therefrom and having a pluggable first connector at an end thereof. The system also includes a modular power interconnect assembly configured to be attached to at least one equipment rack, the modular power interconnect assembly including a housing, a plurality of bus bars positioned within the housing, and a plurality of second connectors positioned at a face of the housing, electrically connected to the plurality of bus bars and configured to pluggably mate with the first connectors to provide electrical interconnection among the plurality of UPS system component modules.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert W. Johnson, Jr., Lennart Rune Jonsson
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Patent number: 7723863Abstract: A loss of a power source for a bus is detected. Responsive to detecting the loss of the power source, a voltage is generated on the bus using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A generator is transitioned to a desired output state concurrent with generating the voltage on the bus using the UPS. The generator is coupled to the bus responsive to the generator attaining the desired output state. The UPS may be used to provide power to a load connected to the bus while the generator is in transition. For example, detecting the loss of the power source may be preceded by operating a converter of the UPS coupled to the bus as a rectifier and generating the voltage on the bus using the UPS may include operating the converter of the UPS as an inverter.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert W. Johnson, Jr., Ian T. Wallace, Rune Lennart Jonsson, David G. Loucks, Timothy Hedquist
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Publication number: 20100008397Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is configured to be coupled to a power source at an input node and to a load at an output node. The UPS is synthetically loaded (e.g., to a maximum rated load) by transferring current from the output node to the input node. Concurrent with synthetically loading the UPS, a temperature of an electrical conductor of the UPS is monitored. The monitoring of the temperature of the electrical conductor may include receiving a temperature sensor signal representative of the temperature of the electrical conductor from a temperature sensor (e.g., a self-powered wireless temperature sensor) mounted on the electrical conductor. The invention may be embodied as methods, apparatus and computer-readable media.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventor: Robert W. Johnson, JR.
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Patent number: 7561411Abstract: A system includes a plurality of equipment racks and a plurality of PDUs mounted in respective ones of the plurality of equipment racks and configured to distribute power via plural branch circuit outputs. The system further includes a UPS rack, a plurality of UPSs mounted in the UPS rack and a plurality of power cables directly coupling outputs of respective ones of the UPSs to inputs of respective ones of the PDUs. Each UPS may include a first output connector directly connected to a PDU via a power cable, and a second output connector coupled to a second connector of another UPS to provide output paralleling. For example, a connectorized bus assembly may be mounted in the UPS rack and may include a UPS output bus and a plurality of connectors, respective ones of the connectors coupling the UPS output bus to the outputs of respective ones of the UPSs.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7542268Abstract: A modular electronic equipment system includes a plurality of equipment racks. Each equipment rack includes a equipment rack frame configured to receive and support electronic equipment, a power input cable having a first end fixedly attached to the equipment rack frame and configured to be electrically coupled to electronic equipment supported by the equipment rack frame to provide power thereto and a first connector attached to a second end of the power input cable. The system further includes a power distribution rack. The power distribution rack includes a power distribution rack frame and a plurality of second connectors supported by the power distribution rack frame and configured to pluggably mate with the first connectors of the equipment racks.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7508094Abstract: A power supply system includes an AC input configured to be coupled to an AC source, an AC output configured to be coupled to a load, a UPS having an input coupled to the AC input and an output coupled to the AC output and a bypass circuit coupled between the AC input and the AC output and configured to open and close a bypass path therebetween. The system further includes a controller configured to control the UPS and the bypass circuit such that the UPS operates as an online UPS for a first input voltage magnitude condition at the AC input and as a standby UPS for a second input voltage magnitude condition at the AC input. A multi-mode converter may be coupled to a DC link of the UPS and configured to be selectively coupled to a battery and the AC input to respectively support battery conversion and current control at the AC input in respective first and second modes of operation of the UPS.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Robert W. Johnson, Jr., Rune Lennart Jonsson, Ove Ohman, Joseph Charles Paulakonis, Kevin Lee, Pasi Sakari Taimela
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Publication number: 20090021079Abstract: A loss of a power source for a bus is detected. Responsive to detecting the loss of the power source, a voltage is generated on the bus using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). A generator is transitioned to a desired output state concurrent with generating the voltage on the bus using the UPS. The generator is coupled to the bus responsive to the generator attaining the desired output state. The UPS may be used to provide power to a load connected to the bus while the generator is in transition. For example, detecting the loss of the power source may be preceded by operating a converter of the UPS coupled to the bus as a rectifier and generating the voltage on the bus using the UPS may include operating the converter of the UPS as an inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Robert W. Johnson, JR., Ian T. Wallace, Rune Lennart Jonsson, David G. Loucks, Timothy Hedquist
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Patent number: 7403368Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a power conversion circuit and a relay. The relay is configured to couple and decouple a power source to and from an input of the power conversion circuit. The control circuit is operative to apply a coil current to the relay to sense the coil current and to detect an operational failure of the relay from the sensed coil current. Related methods of operating such UPSs are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7252524Abstract: Power interconnect assemblies include a longitudinally extending base member including a plurality of longitudinally extending bus bar receiving channels configured to receive longitudinally extending bus bars. An interconnect module is configured to be coupled to the base member. The interconnect module is configured to receive a connector member that is configured to receive a pluggable connectorized cable from a power component. The base member is configured so that ones of a plurality of electrical connectors of the connector member may be coupled to corresponding ones of the bus bars with the bus bars inserted in the channels.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Eaton Power Quality CorporationInventors: Robert W. Johnson, Jr., Lennart Rune Jonsson
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Patent number: 7082040Abstract: An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device with uninterrupted neutral from input to output utilizes the same converter for converting rectified AC power and battery power to positive and negative high voltage (HV) rails. A simple circuit is utilized for connecting the battery to the conversion components of the PFC circuit without adverse affect on the performance of the PFC circuit, and while holding the battery substantially connected to neutral. In a first embodiment, the circuit comprises a simple combination of four diodes and a pair of high pass capacitors arranged so that in both power line and battery supply modes the battery is balanced around neutral. In a second, preferred embodiment, one terminal of the battery is connected directly to neutral.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Eaton Power Quality CorporationInventors: William J. Raddi, Joseph C. Paulakonis, Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 7050312Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a first bidirectional power converter circuit having first and second ports and a second bidirectional power converter circuit having first and second ports. The apparatus further includes a DC link that couples the second port of the first bidirectional power converter circuit to the first port of the second bidirectional power converter circuit. A first load port is coupled to the second port of the second bidirectional power converter circuit and a second load port is coupled to the first port of the first bidirectional power converter circuit. The apparatus further includes a control circuit that is configured to control the first and second bidirectional power converter circuits such that each of the first and second bidirectional power converter circuits can generate and/or condition AC power at each of the first and second load ports.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Eaton Power Quality CorporationInventors: John G. Tracy, Miguel E. Chavez, Robert W. Johnson, Jr., Rune Lennart Jonsson
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Patent number: 6944035Abstract: An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device with uninterrupted neutral from input to output utilizes the same converter for converting rectified AC power and battery power to positive and negative high voltage (HV) rails. A simple circuit is utilized for connecting the battery to the conversion components of the PFC circuit without adverse affect on the performance of the PFC circuit, and while holding the battery substantially connected to neutral. In a first embodiment, the circuit comprises a simple combination of four diodes and a pair of high pass capacitors arranged so that in both power line and battery supply modes the battery is balanced around neutral. In a second, preferred embodiment, one terminal of the battery is connected directly to neutral.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Eaton Power Quality CorporationInventors: William J. Raddi, Joseph C. Paulakonis, Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6856524Abstract: An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device with uninterrupted neutral from input to output utilizes the same converter for converting rectified AC power and battery power to positive and negative high voltage (HV) rails. A simple circuit is utilized for connecting the battery to the conversion components of the PFC circuit without adverse affect on the performance of the PFC circuit, and while holding the battery substantially connected to neutral. In a first embodiment, the circuit comprises a simple combination of four diodes and a pair of high pass capacitors arranged so that in both power line and battery supply modes the battery is balanced around neutral. In a second, preferred embodiment, one terminal of the battery is connected directly to neutral.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventors: William J. Raddi, Joseph C. Paulakonis, Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6819576Abstract: A power conversion apparatus, such as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), includes an input port, an output port, and first and second busses. An output circuit, for example, a half-leg inverter, is coupled to the first and second busses and to the output port and operative to transfer power therebetween. An auxiliary DC voltage generator circuit, for example, a battery converter circuit, is operative to generate DC voltages on the first and second busses. A multifunction rectifier circuit is coupled to the input port and to the first and second busses, the multifunction rectifier circuit operative to generate DC voltages on the first and second busses from an AC power source at the input port when the apparatus is operating in a first mode (e.g., an AC powered operational mode). The multifunction rectifier circuit is operative to control relative magnitudes of the DC voltages generated by the auxiliary DC voltage generator circuit when the apparatus is operating in a second mode (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventor: Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6661678Abstract: An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device with uninterrupted neutral from input to output utilizes the same converter for converting rectified AC power and battery power to positive and negative high voltage (HV) rails. A simple circuit is utilized for connecting the battery to the conversion components of the PFC circuit without adverse affect on the performance of the PFC circuit, and while holding the battery substantially connected to neutral. In a first embodiment, the circuit comprises a simple combination of four diodes and a pair of high pass capacitors arranged so that in both power line and battery supply modes the battery is balanced around neutral. In a second, preferred embodiment, one terminal of the battery is connected directly to neutral.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventors: William J. Raddi, Joseph C. Paulakonis, Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6483730Abstract: A power converter suitable for use in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes first and second voltage busses, an input port having a first terminal coupled to one of the first and second voltage busses, a neutral bus and an output terminal. A first switching circuit selectively couples a second terminal of the input port to the first and second voltage busses. A second switching circuit selectively couples the first and second voltage busses to the output terminal. A third switching circuit selectively couples the first and second voltage busses to the neutral bus. Preferably, the first, second and third switching circuits are operative to produce an AC output voltage at the output terminal from a DC input voltage at the input port such that alternating ones of the first and second terminals of the first input port are referenced to the neutral bus for successive first and second half cycles of the AC output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventor: Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6400586Abstract: An uninterrupted power supply (UPS) device with uninterrupted neutral from input to output utilizes the same converter for converting rectified AC power and battery power to positive and negative high voltage (HV) rails. A simple circuit is utilized for connecting the battery to the conversion components of the PFC circuit without adverse affect on the performance of the PFC circuit, and while holding the battery substantially connected to neutral. In a first embodiment, the circuit comprises a simple combination of four diodes and a pair of high pass capacitors arranged so that in both power line and battery supply modes the battery is balanced around neutral. In a second, preferred embodiment, one terminal of the battery is connected directly to neutral.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventors: William J. Raddi, Joseph C. Paulakonis, Robert W. Johnson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6314007Abstract: A power converter includes first and second voltage busses and a neutral bus. A first switching circuit, e.g., a rectifier circuit, is operative to selectively couple an input node thereof to the first and second voltage busses. A balancer circuit is operative to selectively couple the neutral bus to the first and second voltage busses such that relative magnitudes of respective first and second voltages on the first and second voltage busses are controlled responsive to respective first and second rates at which the balancer circuit couples the first and second voltage busses to the neutral bus. A second switching circuit, e.g., an inverter circuit, is operative to selectively couple the first and second voltage busses to a load connected at an output node thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2001Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Powerware CorporationInventors: Robert W. Johnson, Jr., William J. Raddi