Patents Assigned to ASCO AS
  • Patent number: 10357673
    Abstract: Example devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein relate to a controller configured to control pressure maintenance in a fire protection system. A controller may be configured to control a fire pump to provide a first level of water pressure and to control operation of a jockey pump that is coupled in parallel with the fire pump to provide a second level of water pressure that is less than the first level. The controller is further configured to receive, from a pressure sensor coupled to the fire protection system, an output representative of the water pressure. The controller is configured to provide instructions to initiate the jockey pump based on a pressure value associated with the output being below a first value, and to provide instructions to initiate the fire pump based on the pressure value being below a second value that is less than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel G. Scheffer
  • Patent number: 10345372
    Abstract: Example devices and methods for compensating for monitoring a surge protection device are provided. In some embodiments, a device is configured to couple to a surge protection device. The device comprises a processor that is capable of sending a DC current signal. A serial data interface is electrically connected to the processor and includes at least one shift register. The device also comprises a multiplexer coupled to the serial data interface. The serial data interface is operable to direct the DC current through the multiplexer. The device also comprises an analog to digital converter (optionally embedded within the processor) that is operable to output a digital signal corresponding to a voltage induced by the DC current signal. Returned DC signals represent surge protection device's health and a multitude of other surge module information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Asco Power Technologies L.P.
    Inventors: Glenn Edward Wilson, Matthew Arthur Scott, Daniel George Buchanan
  • Patent number: 10288187
    Abstract: A device for regulating the flow of a fluid id formed with a valve housing having at least two valve ports. A first fluid path that extends between the at least two valve ports is formed in the valve housing. A first valve seat is assigned to the first fluid path. A first closing element is arranged to be coupled to the first valve seat to block or release the first fluid path, and an electromagnetic actuating unit for actuating the closing element. The actuating unit has a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet that are coupled to the closing element via a coupling mechanism. The first and second electromagnets additively act on the closing element to displace the closing element between at least two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Asco Numatics GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Vogt, Max Leinen, Felix Ams
  • Patent number: 10240593
    Abstract: Controlling the operation of a jockey pump in a fire pump system including a jockey pump controller which includes an electronic circuit board configured to receive a signal indicating a pressure value, and compares the pressure value to a threshold for initiating operation of the jockey pump. The jockey pump controller may further include memory configured to store event statistics indicating information regarding past operation of the jockey pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10180191
    Abstract: A zoned fluid control system in a valve manifold system has a plurality of manifold blocks connected together and a plurality of control valves mounted to the manifold blocks with the control valves being electrically actuated and pilot pressure operated. The plurality of manifold blocks forms at least first and second separate pilot pressure passages of a respective first zone and second zone not connected to each other for supplying a respective first set and second set of control valves with independently controlled pilot pressure. A pilot supply valve selectively supplies pilot pressure and shuts off pilot pressure to the second pilot pressure passage without affecting the pilot pressure to the first pilot pressure passage thereby disabling the second set of control valves as a separate zone independent from the first set of control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Asco, L.P.
    Inventors: Bradly Joe Atkin, Enrico De Carolis, Michael W. Hundt
  • Patent number: 10179256
    Abstract: An example system in a fire pump room may comprise a monitoring component that is configured to receive data from two or more pump room devices of a fire pump room. The monitoring component may include a plurality of input ports and each of the two or more pump room devices may be communicatively coupled to the monitoring component via a corresponding input port. The system may further comprise a wireless network interface controller communicatively coupled to a server in a network via a wireless access point, and a memory configured to store subscription information for one or more subscribing parties. Additionally, the system may comprise a processing component configured to send an indication of the received data to at least one of the one or more subscribing parties via the wireless network interface controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventor: Douglas A. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10175718
    Abstract: A user interface for electrical components, such as a transfer switch, is presented having a first part mounted to an electrical enclosure and a second part that is removable from the first part without accessing the electrical enclosure or disconnecting power from the electrical components within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: John E. Hayes, Christian G. Hess
  • Patent number: 10151402
    Abstract: A pressure controlled valve assembly has a housing with a pressure controlled valve moveable between an open and closed position with respect to a valve seat for controlling communication between a pneumatic supply and a pneumatic pressure control source. The housing also has first and second passageways with a pair of check valves in each passageway. Each passageway is connectable to a reversible pump such that when the pump operates in one direction one pair of check valves allow flow while the other pair of check valves prevents backflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Asco, L.P.
    Inventors: Terry John Hessling, Scott Andrew Menko, Michael Paul Brown
  • Patent number: 10148072
    Abstract: An automatic autonomous redundant switch configured for providing energy from either a first power source or a second power source to a load is provided. The automatic switch includes a first automatic transfer switch (ATS) and a second ATS. The automatic switch further includes an interconnecting bus configured to connect the first ATS and the second ATS, and at least one controller configured to control the operation of the first ATS and the second ATS. Still further, the first ATS and the second ATS each include a respective transfer-switch mechanism, a respective bus attachment configured to connect to the interconnecting bus, and a respective motorized rack-out mechanism having a powered actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Dolinski, Donald K. Blackman, Victor E. Bonachea
  • Patent number: 10134550
    Abstract: A short circuit detection circuit for an electrical circuit includes a secondary power supply. The electrical switch is connected in series with a load and is selectively connected in series with a first power supply. The secondary power supply is limited in comparison to the first power supply in terms of voltage and/or current. A first resistance is electrically connected between the secondary power supply and a first terminal of the electrical switch. A voltage measurement circuit measures a voltage at the second end of the first resistance. A controller is configured to, while the electrical switch is controlled to an open state, energize the secondary power supply and obtaining a first voltage measurement. In response to the first voltage measurement indicating that a voltage across the first resistance is greater than a predetermined threshold, the controller identifies a low-resistance condition in the electrical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert W. Schicke, II
  • Patent number: 10113882
    Abstract: An indicating device, in particular a pressure gauge, including: a basic housing including a mechanism for driving a rotating needle indicator, movable relative to a dial, an interface housing attached to the basic housing, at least one rotary screen carried by the interface housing, for locating an operating area, of which the angular position can be adjusted about the axis of the needle, a protective cover removable attached to the interface housing and making it possible, when removed, to adjust the position of the rotary screen without separating the interface housing from the basic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO AS
    Inventors: Daniel Solet, Gonzague Longpre
  • Patent number: 10042413
    Abstract: Multiple bus generator and load control monitoring system for electrical switchgear is provided. In one arrangement, the system is designed to allow for the increased functionality of a single bus system to be used in multiple bus systems wherein the multiple buses are separated or combined together to act as a single bus. Each bus within the multiple bus system may be able to utilize increased functionality of a typical generator bus and load control system independently if separated. Separate bus structures may be separated by some sort of isolation device, for example: a circuit breaker, transfer switch, or the like. If the bus segments are connected together via isolation devices, then the combination of the overall connected bus structure will act as a single entity, while containing enhanced automation functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO POWER TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventor: William J. Dustman
  • Patent number: 10014712
    Abstract: Methods and systems for control of a power-quality measuring or monitoring device, such as a transfer switch, are provided. An example method includes a transfer-switch controller of a transfer switch receiving an input command from a user. The method further includes, in response to receiving the input command, the transfer-switch controller entering a safe state, wherein in the safe state operational settings of the transfer switch remain unchanged. Still further, the method includes, after entering the safe state, the transfer-switch controller providing, based on operational data specific to the transfer switch, information regarding a feature of the transfer switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew Scott, Mario Ibrahim, Victor E. Bonachea, Adrian Ramkelawan, Donald K. Blackman
  • Patent number: 10006557
    Abstract: A fluid control system has a first series of connected circuit boards that each actuate a respective valve unit mounted to a manifold block. A first communication module has a valve driver with a plurality of outputs for actuating the valve units connected to the first series of connected circuit boards. A serial control line extends through the first series of connected circuit boards and is connected to a second driver for actuating a second series of connected circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Asco, L.P.
    Inventors: Enrico De Carolis, Scott Heriot, Brian Grissom
  • Patent number: 9989948
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transfer-switch controller backup and transfer-switch controller operation are provided. An example backup apparatus includes a memory configured to store transfer-switch data related to a first transfer-switch controller, wherein the first transfer switch-controller is a controller for a given transfer switch. The apparatus is capable of interfacing with a communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller. The apparatus is further capable of being removed from the communication interface of the first transfer-switch controller and thereafter interfacing with a communication interface of a second transfer-switch controller, wherein the second transfer-switch controller is a replacement controller for the given transfer switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Mario Ibrahim, Robert Siciliano, John Hayes
  • Patent number: 9954364
    Abstract: A transfer switch including a lockout-tagout assembly and lockout-tagout method are provided. An example method includes a latch of a transfer switch actuating a first switch, wherein actuating the first switch sends an inhibit signal to an electronic controller of the transfer switch. The example method further includes the latch actuating a second switch, wherein actuating the second switch opens operator cutoff thereby preventing function of an operator assembly of the transfer switch. Still further, the example method includes, after the latch actuating the first switch and the second switch, locking the latch so as to mechanically prevent the source contact from closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Walter Dolinski, Matthew A. Tyler
  • Patent number: 9841112
    Abstract: A three-position booster valve mechanism includes an operating member for moving a supply and exhaust valve. A piston-cylinder control system is provided for moving the operating member between a first position in which the supply and exhaust valve are closed, a second position in which the supply valve is open and the exhaust valve is closed, and a third position in which the supply valve is closed and the exhaust valve is open. A pilot port is provided for moving the operating member in between the first, second and third positions in dependence of a pilot pressure. The piston-cylinder control system connects to the operating member at a central point of application in between the supply and exhaust valve. The operating member extends in opposing directions from the central point of application towards the supply and exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Asco Controls B.V.
    Inventor: Henk Bakker
  • Patent number: 9835235
    Abstract: A lead screw operated drawout mechanism for an electrical system is disclosed. The lead screw operated drawout mechanism includes a lead screw, a nut, a drive shaft and a connecting mechanism. The lead screw is supported on a support frame in a way such that the lead screw rotates with respect to the support frame. The nut is disposed on the lead screw, wherein rotary motion of the lead screw facilitates linear motion of the nut on the lead screw. The drive shaft is rigidly disposed on the nut and configures linear motion along with the nut. The connecting mechanism is functionally connected to the drive shaft and the electrical system for facilitating activation and de-activation of the electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ASCO POWER TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventors: Gole Devanand, Shah Sachin
  • Patent number: 9803756
    Abstract: A device for controlling fluid media, such as a directional control valve, includes a molded part made from an elastomeric material in which at least one line section is formed. The line section connects at least two connections to one another, between which at least one flow path extends. The device or valve has a control unit that includes an actuator coupled to at least one blocking element. The at least one blocking element is displaced by the actuator between a blocking position and a release position. In the blocking position, the at least one blocking element deforms the at least one line section in order to block the at least one flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ASCO NUMATICS GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Spittelmeister, Felix Ams
  • Patent number: 9784785
    Abstract: An example method for monitoring the operation of a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) may involve monitoring an operating value of at least one parameter of the MOV using at least one sensor. Further, the method may involve determining, using one or more processors, that a difference between the operating value and a reference value corresponding to the at least one parameter satisfies a predetermined threshold condition corresponding to the at least one parameter. And the method may involve responsive to determining that the difference between the operating value and the reference value satisfies the predetermined threshold condition, transmitting a notification indicative of a potential failure of the MOV to at least one device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Louis A. Farquhar, III, Michael J. Gerlach