Patents by Inventor Sara D. Pfannenstiel
Sara D. Pfannenstiel 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: 9618148Abstract: The invention comprises dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of fittings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W. S. Bryant
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Patent number: 9234615Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W. S. Bryant
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Publication number: 20150123394Abstract: The invention comprises dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of fittings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W.S. Bryant
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Patent number: 8956556Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of fittings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2008Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W. S. Bryant
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Publication number: 20120012219Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W. S. Bryant
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Patent number: 8003014Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W. S. Bryant
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Publication number: 20100003840Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W.S. Bryant
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Publication number: 20100001512Abstract: The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of fittings attached to opposing ends of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Clifton P. Breay, Sara D. Pfannenstiel, Stephen C. Matthews, Edward W.S. Bryant