Patents by Inventor Steve Hinkel

Steve Hinkel 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).

  • Methods and apparatuses for robotic breaker racking
    Patent number: 11581713
    Abstract: Methods of operating a robotic breaker-racking apparatus are provided. A method of operating a robotic breaker-racking apparatus includes controlling a motor to drive the robotic breaker-racking apparatus to a first circuit breaker. The method includes accessing the first circuit breaker via remote or autonomous control of the robotic breaker-racking apparatus. Moreover, the method includes visually inspecting, via a camera of the robotic breaker-racking apparatus, a first relay of the first circuit breaker and/or a second relay of a second circuit breaker. Related robotic breaker-racking apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Duke Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Sandra Hall, Steve Hinkel, Doug Durst
  • METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ROBOTIC BREAKER RACKING
    Publication number: 20190280467
    Abstract: Methods of operating a robotic breaker-racking apparatus are provided. A method of operating a robotic breaker-racking apparatus includes controlling a motor to drive the robotic breaker-racking apparatus to a first circuit breaker. The method includes accessing the first circuit breaker via remote or autonomous control of the robotic breaker-racking apparatus. Moreover, the method includes visually inspecting, via a camera of the robotic breaker-racking apparatus, a first relay of the first circuit breaker and/or a second relay of a second circuit breaker. Related robotic breaker-racking apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Sandra Hall, Steve Hinkel, Doug Durst