Patents by Inventor Steven Lee Bietz

Steven Lee Bietz 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).

  • Patent number: 8996144
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a remote disconnect switch assembly. In one embodiment, the remote disconnect switch assembly comprises: an actuator; a shuttle that is operably moved by the actuator; one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle; one or more sensors; a communication interface; and a processor, wherein the processor is operably connected with the actuator, the one or more sensors and the communication interface, and wherein the processor is configured to: communicate with one or more other computing devices over a network using the communication interface; receive signals from the one or more sensors; and cause the actuator to operate in accordance with the signals received from the one or more sensors or the communications with the one or more other computing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ryan Marc LaFrance, Scott Michael Shill, Steven Lee Bietz, Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti
  • Publication number: 20150080021
    Abstract: A mobile device case for functional connection and physical attachment to a mobile device, the mobile device case comprises an application adapted to run in the mobile device and a cradle configured for removable attachment with the mobile device, the cradle comprising a controller capable of functional connection with the application, where the cradle is adapted to protect the mobile device while attached to the mobile device and the cradle is adapted to functionally pair with the application to create at least a portion of a mesh network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Jesus Acosta-Cazaubon
  • Patent number: 8912807
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a Rogowski coil defining an aperture and a dielectric material at least partially enclosing the Rogowski coil. The dielectric material has a dielectric constant of at least about 3.5. The dielectric material is configured such that, when a conductor is at least partially inserted within the aperture, at least a portion of the dielectric material is positioned between the Rogowski coil and the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Subramanvam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Publication number: 20140340072
    Abstract: A utility meter and related methods are disclosed. The utility meter includes a sensor device positioned around a conductor to sense current flowing through the conductor. The sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about the substrate, and a dielectric material having a dielectric constant and positioned between the coil and the conductor. The utility meter also includes a meter control board in communication with the sensor device to determine an amount of electricity transmitted through the conductor from the power source to the user over time. The dielectric constant of the dielectric material is selected to reduce a capacitive coupling between the coil and the conductor and to reduce a sensitivity of the sensor device such that the meter control board comprises only one calibration coefficient for calibrating the sensor device over a current range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Patent number: 8872506
    Abstract: An electricity meter is provided. The electricity meter includes a body and a cover including at least one mount for coupling the cover to the body. The at least one mount includes a receiving portion on an exterior surface of the cover and having an aperture extending therethrough, the receiving portion including a top, a bottom, and at least one cutout extending from the top towards the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Sven Walser, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Patent number: 8829888
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about the substrate, the coil defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein; and a dielectric material positioned adjacent to the coil and at least partially within the aperture such that the dielectric material is between the coil and a conductor positioned in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Patent number: 8786386
    Abstract: In one aspect, a modular meter disconnect relay is described. One embodiment of the relay is comprised of a base; a solenoid situated within the base, wherein the base maintains a portion of the solenoid stationary and allows a plunger of the solenoid to move within the base; a shuttle, wherein the shuttle is operably connected to and moved by the plunger of the solenoid and wherein the shuttle can be moved within the base; and, one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle, wherein the solenoid comprises a solenoid body, a spring and a magnet, wherein the spring is used to provide additional force to the plunger when moving out of the solenoid body and the magnet is used to latch the plunger when the plunger is forced to within close proximity of the magnet within the solenoid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Rathindra Nahar, Bruce Joni Tomson
  • Publication number: 20140028463
    Abstract: A system includes a utility meter, which includes a first sensor configured to detect usage of electric power, and a tamper detection system configured to detect an abnormality with an electrical current measurement from the first sensor as an indication of a tamper event associated with the first sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Mofeez Murtaza, Steven Lee Bietz, William Frederick Ansell, III
  • Publication number: 20130088214
    Abstract: An electricity meter is provided. The electricity meter includes a body and a cover including at least one mount for coupling the cover to the body. The at least one mount includes a receiving portion on an exterior surface of the cover and having an aperture extending therethrough, the receiving portion including a top, a bottom, and at least one cutout extending from the top towards the bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Sven Walser, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Publication number: 20130090748
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a remote disconnect switch assembly. In one embodiment, the remote disconnect switch assembly comprises: an actuator; a shuttle that is operably moved by the actuator; one or more disconnect switches that are opened or closed by movement of the shuttle; one or more sensors; a communication interface; and a processor, wherein the processor is operably connected with the actuator, the one or more sensors and the communication interface, and wherein the processor is configured to: communicate with one or more other computing devices over a network using the communication interface; receive signals from the one or more sensors; and cause the actuator to operate in accordance with the signals received from the one or more sensors or the communications with the one or more other computing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan Marc LaFrance, Scott Michael Shill, Steven Lee Bietz, Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti
  • Publication number: 20130063125
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate, a coil comprising a plurality of turns wound about the substrate, the coil defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein; and a dielectric material positioned adjacent to the coil and at least partially within the aperture such that the dielectric material is between the coil and a conductor positioned in the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Publication number: 20130063129
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a substrate comprising a plurality of bobbins, the plurality of bobbins define an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil comprising a plurality of coil turns wound about each of the plurality of bobbins, a first shield extending between each of the plurality of bobbins and the plurality of coil turns; and a second shield positioned proximate to the plurality of coil turns, opposite the first shield such that the plurality of coil turns is between the first shield and the second shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz, Loc Van Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130063161
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a Rogowski coil defining an aperture and a dielectric material at least partially enclosing the Rogowski coil. The dielectric material has a dielectric constant of at least about 3.5. The dielectric material is configured such that, when a conductor is at least partially inserted within the aperture, at least a portion of the dielectric material is positioned between the Rogowski coil and the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Publication number: 20130063131
    Abstract: Sensor devices and related methods disclosed. One example sensor device includes a non-magnetic substrate defining an aperture structured to receive a conductor therein, a coil including a plurality of coil turns wound about at least a portion of the substrate, a first shield between the substrate and the plurality of coil turns, a second shield disposed proximate to the plurality of coil turns, opposite the first shield, such that the plurality of coil turns is disposed between the first shield and the second shield, and a filter element coupled to at least one of the first and second shields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Subramanyam Satyasurya Chamarti, Steven Lee Bietz
  • Patent number: 8354903
    Abstract: In one aspect, a meter disconnect relay is described that is comprised of a base, an actuator, a shuttle and one or more disconnect switches. The shuttle is operably connected to and moved by a plunger of the actuator. The one or more disconnect switches can be opened or closed by movement of the shuttle, wherein each disconnect switch is comprised of a rigid, conductive bridging section comprising at least two contacts; a conductive source portion having a source contact and a conductive load portion having a load contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Rathindra Nahar, Bruce Joni Tomson
  • Patent number: 8339223
    Abstract: An electric solenoid embodiment is comprised of a plunger, a solenoid body, a spring, and a magnet. An area of the solenoid body is configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger and electrical windings within the solenoid body substantially surround the area configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger such that an electrical current through the electrical windings applies force to move the plunger out of the solenoid body or to draw it within the solenoid body. The spring adaptively fits within the area configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger and within a portion of the plunger. The spring provides additional force to the plunger when moving out of the solenoid body and the magnet is used to latch the plunger when the plunger is forced to within close proximity of the magnet within the solenoid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Rathindra Nahar, Bruce Joni Tomson
  • Patent number: 8314668
    Abstract: In one aspect, a meter disconnect relay is described that is comprised of a base, an actuator, a shuttle and one or more disconnect switches. The shuttle is operably connected to and moved by a plunger of the actuator. The one or more disconnect switches can be opened or closed by movement of the shuttle, wherein each disconnect switch is comprised of a rigid, conductive bridging section comprising at least two contacts; a conductive source portion having a source contact and a conductive load portion having a load contact, wherein one or more of the source contact, the load contact and the at least two contacts of the bridging portion are at least partially comprised of silver refractory materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Lee Bietz, Rathindra Nahar, Bruce Joni Tomson