Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Karl Vick, Esq.
  • Patent number: 6668629
    Abstract: A controller for controlling and monitoring the operation of an engine-generator is disclosed. The controller includes a central processing unit, a power supply, an input/output system, a communication system, an annunciation system and mode control switches. The operational status of the engine-generator is displayed on a liquid crystal display and logged in a data storage system or communicated to an external system using a communications interface. The controller also incorporates a monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David S. Leslie
  • Patent number: 6664681
    Abstract: A mounting system for a motor assembly includes a plurality of fasteners for mounting a grill to a motor. The motor includes an endshield including a plurality of attachment points for attaching the endshield to the motor assembly and a plurality of openings for attaching the endshield to the grill. The grill is configured to be mounted to one of a first motor assembly and a second motor assembly. The endshield is formed with either a plurality of bosses including openings or a plurality of self-clinching nuts pressed into the plurality of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lester Bruce Ashe, Jr., Timothy Wilbur Carey, Michael Andrew Cook, Son Cao Huynh, Laura Ann Leany
  • Patent number: 6657338
    Abstract: A motor including a first compartment, a second compartment, a frame, a first end shield, a second end shield, an armature shaft, a stator winding, an armature, a cover, and a switchboard is provided. The first and second end shields are disposed adjacent opposing ends of the frame to define the first compartment. The armature shaft extends between the first and second end shields. The stator winding is supported by the frame within the first compartment. The armature is rotatably supported by the end shields and disposed within the first compartment adjacent the stator winding. The cover includes a first end, a peripheral edge, and ventilation openings. The cover peripheral edge is mounted to the motor adjacent the second end shield. The ventilation openings include a plurality of openings positioned along at least part of the cover peripheral edge and in the cover first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: L. Edwin Fisher, Mike A. Marks, Carlos G. Estrada
  • Patent number: 6636028
    Abstract: An electronic electricity meter includes voltage sensors configured to generate measurements of voltage at voltage elements, current sensors configured to generate measurements of current through current elements, a microcomputer coupled to the current and voltage sensors and configured to control operation of the meter, and a memory coupled to the microcomputer including calibration constants to compensate for instrument transformer ratio and phase angle errors. The microcomputer is configured to use the calibration constants, when so instructed, to correct for measurement errors that occur based upon instrument transformer ratios and phase angles and to correct metering quantities calculated by the microcomputer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory P. Lavoie, David D. Elmore, Larry A. Schmidt, Robert Edward Lee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6633097
    Abstract: A stator frame for an electric motor including a substantially cylindrical shaped body section having opposed ends, a cooling passageway extending through at least a portion of the body section, and at least one spacer bar. The cooling passageway includes a cooling conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port in flow communication with the cooling passageway. The spacer bar has a notched side and at least one finger extending therefrom such that the finger mechanically couples the spacer bar to the cooling conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Dunlap, James R. Crowell
  • Patent number: 6631310
    Abstract: Using a personal digital assistant (PDA) to collect operational data for analysis on computers from systems including engine-generator controllers and the downloading of operational parameters to engine-generator controllers is described. The engine-generator controllers control at least one engine-generator set. A method for using the PDA includes the steps of configuring the controller with a communications service manager to enable communications with the PDA and configuring the PDA to display engine-generator operational data. The method of collection and downloading continues by transferring operational parameters from the computer to the PDA, downloading the operational parameters from the PDA to the controller, uploading operational data from the controller to the PDA and transferring operational parameters from the PDA to the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David S. Leslie
  • Patent number: 6628101
    Abstract: A method for shorting rotor windings in a wound rotor induction machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of monitoring rotor current for a frequency indicative of a desired steady-state operating condition and electronically shorting the rotor windings when the monitored rotor current frequency reaches a defined threshold indicative of the desired steady-state operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James H. Dymond, Raymond K. J. Ong, Dale Derr
  • Patent number: 6612866
    Abstract: A voltage isolator connector is described for a printed circuit board. The connector includes an end wall; a first side wall extending from the end wall, and a second side wall extending from the end wall. The first and second side walls form an isolator compartment with the end wall, and the end wall and the first and second side walls are configured for attachment to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Patrick J. Horan
  • Patent number: 6604277
    Abstract: A method for locking contacts in an automatic transfer switch is provided. The automatic transfer switch includes a plurality of pole units including a plurality of contact pairs. The method includes mounting an interior locking device in at least one pole unit and locking at least one contact pair individually with the interior locking device housed in that contact pair's pole unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Schultz, Dariusz Fudala
  • Patent number: 6559631
    Abstract: An electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a temperature sensing unit for determining a signal representative of the temperature within the meter is described. In the one embodiment, the meter includes a current sensor, a voltage sensor and a processing unit. The current sensor generates an signal representative of a line current and the voltage sensor generates a signal representative of a line voltage. The current and voltage sensor and temperature sensing unit outputs are coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microcomputer. The digital outputs of the A/D converter are connected to the DSP. The outputs of the DSP are connected to the microcomputer. Temperature characteristics of the meter are stored within the DSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Balch, David D. Elmore
  • Patent number: 6558025
    Abstract: A method for restricting removal of a electrical lamp in a mounting bracket is provided. The mounting bracket including a first opening, a second opening and a mounting face. The method includes providing an electrical lamp including a lamp length and a plurality of lamp diameters and inserting the electrical lamp at least partly though the mounting bracket. The method further includes positioning the mounting bracket first opening adjacent a first surface such that the first surface is in close proximity to the first opening and securing the mounting face to a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Bellig, Peter Skadahl, Steve Stenzel, Randy Wise
  • Patent number: 6544079
    Abstract: A terminal including a connector plate having raised surfaces which provide the terminal with the required thickness is described. The terminal also includes a slot extending from the connector plate leading edge to facilitate pushing a locking type or quick connect type connector thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Renkes, Robert W. Damerow
  • Patent number: 6541957
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-contact testing of a rotating shaft includes first and second proximity sensors coupled to an automated shaft testing system. Output signals from the proximity sensors are compared to empirically determined threshold values to determine the presence or absence of a shaft coupling characteristic, the speed of the rotating shaft, and the direction of rotation of the shaft when the shaft is oriented proximally to the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Zick
  • Patent number: 6531863
    Abstract: A disk analog display for a solid state electricity meter includes a series of segments that illuminate sequentially to indicate the direction of current flowing through the meter and the rate at which energy is being consumed by the load. The sequential illumination provides notice to a technician that the meter is completing the measurement of one energy consumption unit so that the measurement by the meter of one energy consumption unit can be accurately timed. In one embodiment, there are three segments that illuminate sequentially to indicate that the meter is completing measurement of one energy consumption unit. The segments then simultaneously blank to indicate that the meter has completed the measurement of one energy consumption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manjunath Garalapuraiaha, Matthew D. Marple, Karl Pedersen, Eric B. Reed, Leslie Rosenau
  • Patent number: 6529020
    Abstract: A system for measuring electromagnetic emissions from electronic devices includes an semi-anechoic chamber, a computer, an EMI receiver, and a multi-device controller. The chamber houses devices being tested and test equipment for automated emissions scanning. The computer receives emissions data from test equipment housed within and outside the chamber and operates a multi-device controller which controls the test equipment. The method includes wide-band measurements of emissions, narrow-band measurements of emissions chosen from the wide-band measurement, determining a maximum quasi-peak value for optimal cable and wiring position, and communicating results to a word-processing program to report measured values against testing limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: GE Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Terrell
  • Patent number: 6529032
    Abstract: An input/output (I/O) port designed for electrical interconnection with multiple similar ports includes an input read circuit, an output drive circuit, and a circuit to control the port for input or output mode by electrically disconnecting the output drive circuit from the port. Also included is a back drive current protection circuit placed in series in between an external I/O line and the input read and output drive circuits which blocks backdrive currents from other active processors when the processor that includes the protection circuit is in a powered down state while still allowing full input/output functionality in a powered up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ancil B. Cruickshank, A. Alan Tuten, Michael G. Smith, Joseph J. Cieri, Ronald E. Gareis
  • Patent number: 6525641
    Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a defrost terminal for completing a defrost circuit on demand without requiring a separate switch. The movable contact engages and disengages the defrost contact to cycle a defroster on and off in response to temperature changes in an evaporator tube, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a compressor circuit and cycle a compressor on and off in response to changes in an evaporator tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James P. Frank
  • Patent number: 6494681
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a motor assembly includes a shaft and a compound fan assembly that provides axial and centrifugal air flow. The fan assembly includes a body including an outer surface, a cavity defined by the body outer surface, a plurality of first blades extending radially outwardly from the body outer surface, and a plurality of second blades disposed within the cavity. The shaft is concentric with the body and the second blades are rotatably coupled to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew C. Barry, Timothy O. Williams, Ricky R. Haynie, Jon Schlemmer
  • Patent number: 6496097
    Abstract: A temperature responsive switch includes a housing, an actuator arm for movement in response to temperature conditions, a movable contact, and an adjustable contact connected to a auxiliary terminal for completing an auxiliary circuit. The movable contact engages and disengages the auxiliary contact to cycle a first element on and off in response to exceedingly large temperature swings a specified location, and also engages a stationary contact to complete a main circuit and cycle a different electrical element on and off in response to relatively modest changes in temperature changes at the same specified location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James P. Frank
  • Patent number: 6492626
    Abstract: A method for regulating a coupling formation includes sensing a temperature of a coupling with a non-contact sensor and sending the temperature to a control unit that regulates the temperature of the coupling formation. In addition, a system for regulating a temperature of a coupling formation includes a temperature control unit and a non-contact sensor in flow communication with the temperature control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Michael Sedlak, David Michael Prough