Patents Assigned to Metropolitan Industries
  • Patent number: 12147204
    Abstract: A panel monitor for retrofitting existing control panels is provided that includes a wide voltage range input. The wide voltage range input is capable of accepting digital signals ranging from 0V to about 500V. More particularly, the wide voltage range input can include at least one high voltage low current linear regulator coupled to a low input current opto-isolator. The panel monitor can further include a communication module that enables remote functionalities for the existing control panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Andrew Nimmer
  • Patent number: 11892889
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for network switching. The device includes an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) configured to provide electrical power from a power grid to a battery and a modem. The device further includes the battery configured to provide electrical power to a cellular modem. The device also includes the cellular modem configured to provide internet connection to a remote device. The device in addition includes a network switch configured to switch internet connectivity between the modem and the cellular modem. The network switch, when the power grid is interrupted, switches from the modem to the cellular modem to provide internet connectivity to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Nimmer, John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11385612
    Abstract: Systems and methods for setting up and operating a motor control system are provided. Such systems and methods can include a parent device that includes a digital library of control commands and a child device. A child device can transmit a unique identification code to the parent device and the parent device can identify, from the digital library, a group of control commands specific to the child device using the unique identification code, generate an address for the child device, and transmit a copy of the address to the child device for storage thereon. The parent device can transmit a control signal that includes the address and one of the control commands from the first group to the child device and, responsive thereto, the child device can perform an action when the address matches the copy of the address stored on the child device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: James Andrew Nimmer
  • Patent number: 11049678
    Abstract: A magnetic float switch is provided. The magnetic float switch can include a housing configured to float in a liquid, response circuitry located inside the housing, an internal chamber located inside the housing, a float state indicator housed within the internal chamber, and an actuating arm housed outside the internal chamber and coupled to the response circuitry. In operation, when a position of the housing changes so as to indicate an increasing level of the liquid, the float state indicator can move within the internal chamber from a first position to a second position to initiate a magnetic force between the float state indicator and the actuating arm so as to actuate the actuating arm from an inactive position to an active position. Then, when the actuating arm is in the active position, the response circuitry can initiate a response to the increasing level of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James Andrew Nimmer, Joseph Kenneth Burza
  • Patent number: 11008738
    Abstract: A pump control system receives inputs from a low level fluid level sensor, a high level fluid level sensor, and/or a temperature sensor. Based on inputs from the sensors, and in response to sensed trouble conditions, duplex pumping or pump specific simplex operation is restricted based on past and present pump current draws. Furthermore, using the temperature sensor and a temperature sensor output device, the temperature of the sump environment can be monitored at will from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10827053
    Abstract: A message projecting device is provided. The device comprises a lens, an optical display having light-modulating capability, a light source, a communication port and circuitry coupled to the communication port and optical display. Light generated by the light source can be directed through the optical display and lens. A communication port can be configured to electronically couple the projecting device to a nearby electronic device. A communication signal received by the electronic device can be relayed to the message projector and be received by the communication port, Information carried on the communication signal can be recovered and conveyed to the optical display via the circuitry. A virtual image embodying the information can be generated by the optical display and projected through the lens onto a nearby display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10526772
    Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising an electrically actuated flow control element and control circuits electrically coupled to the electrically actuated flow control element. The control circuits can receive wireless control signals from a displaced electronic device and responsive thereto, transmit electrical signals to the electrically actuated flow control element to actuate the electrically actuated flow control element from a current flow state to an alternate flow state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10323633
    Abstract: A pump control system receives inputs from a low level fluid level sensor and a high level fluid level sensor. Based on inputs from the sensors, and in response to sensed trouble conditions, duplex pumping or pump specific simplex operation is restricted based on past and present pump current draws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10291169
    Abstract: A high-efficiency control system and method is presented. The system can feature a gate drive circuit, a floating charge pump and pump circuitry, and a bootstrap capacitor circuit having a floating ground. The floating charge pump features a ground electrically coupled to a load. The bootstrap circuit can feature a floating ground, with a floating voltage being carried across the bootstrap circuit and delivered to the gate drive circuit to produce an indefinite on-time for switching a high-side of a power supply to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Kochan, Jr., James Andrew Nimmer, John Brian Dempster
  • Patent number: 10079567
    Abstract: A system monitors physical characteristics of or near a motor shaft, such as strain, temperature, voltage, and/or stress. The sensors can sense or measure these characteristics and transmit the measured values wirelessly to a remote user, who can monitor the motor shaft for signs of inefficiency or malfunction. Furthermore, the system can support communications between the remote user and a controlling element of the motor to monitor and adjust the motor shaft to operate with greater efficiency and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9989394
    Abstract: A shut off valve featuring a flow conduit with a fluid inflow end and a fluid outflow end, at least one electrically actuated flow control element coupled to the conduit with a blocking state and a flow state, control circuits coupled to the element and a local power source coupled at least to the control circuits. Wherein, in response to a received signal from a displaced source, the control circuits switch the element from the flow state to the blocking state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: John R. Kochan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9958878
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined, prioritized, faults and to emit a wired or wireless fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey W. Barker, Anton Belehradek
  • Patent number: 9923506
    Abstract: A high-efficiency motor control system and method is presented for controlling an electric motor. The system can feature a multi-phase inverter having a logic control device and associated control circuity, a plurality of floating charge pumps and pump circuitry, a multi-phase bridge having a plurality of power switching devices and a bootstrap capacitor circuit having a floating ground. The floating charge pumps feature grounds electrically coupled to motor phase leads. The bootstrap circuit can feature a floating ground, with a floating voltage being carried across the bootstrap circuit and delivered to the switching devices to produce an indefinite on-time for the switching devices for switching the high-side of a power supply to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Kochan, Jr., James Andrew Nimmer, John Brian Dempster
  • Patent number: 9791296
    Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronously switching electrical phases of a permanent magnet synchronous motor are provided. Some embodiments can include switching the phase of the motor by employing an encoder that includes a tone wheel affixed to a rotor such that the tone wheel redirects a magnetic field away from Hall effect sensors in a timed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., John Brian Dempster, James A. Nimmer
  • Patent number: 9680401
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Casey Barker
  • Patent number: 9379580
    Abstract: An apparatus including a plurality of transformers each having a primary winding and a secondary winding where the secondary windings are connected in series, a battery, a plurality of switches, each coupled to one of the plurality of transformers, the switches intermittently closes to complete a circuit between the battery and the primary winding of the one transformer and a processor that individually activates the respective switches of the plurality of transformers in a predetermined order to generate an alternating current voltage across an output of the series connected secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES
    Inventor: Wayne Joseph Barkley, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150311817
    Abstract: An apparatus including a plurality of transformers each having a primary winding and a secondary winding where the secondary windings are connected in series, a battery, a plurality of switches, each coupled to one of the plurality of transformers, the switches intermittently closes to complete a circuit between the battery and the primary winding of the one transformer and a processor that individually activates the respective switches of the plurality of transformers in a predetermined order to generate an alternating current voltage across an output of the series connected secondary windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Metropolitan Industries
    Inventor: Wayne Joseph Barkley, JR.
  • Patent number: 8979503
    Abstract: A control switch incorporates a solid state transducer, a strain gauge. The transducer responds to a local environmental condition, such as fluid level, or pressure and exhibits a parameter change which can be detected as an electrical output. Control circuits coupled to the transducer can sense the parameter change and switch a source of electrical energy to a load in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey Barker
  • Patent number: 8907789
    Abstract: A pump control system includes a controller coupled to first and second pressure sensors. The sensors couple serial pressure related information to the controller. The controller can evaluate respective liquid levels, in response to received pressure related information from the sensors. A current sensor coupled to the controller can provide signals indicative of operation of one or more pumps coupled to the controller. The controller includes circuits to detect the presence of predetermined faults and to emit an audible fault indicator in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Metropolitan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Kochan, Jr., Casey W. Barker, Anton Belehradek
  • Publication number: 20140266231
    Abstract: An ionized gas detector includes at least a pair of ion detecting electrodes that detect ions of the ionized measuring-subject gas, an electrode-voltage applying unit that applies a given voltage to the ion detecting electrodes, the electrode-voltage applying unit being configured to be capable of reversing its voltage polarity, a charge amplifier circuit having a charge capacitor that accumulates electric charges generated by voltage application by the electrode-voltage applying unit, an ion current calculating unit that calculates the value of an ion current of ions of the measuring-subject gas, based on a time-dependent change of the volume of electric charges accumulated in the charge capacitor of the charge amplifier circuit, and a concentration determining unit that determines the concentration of the measuring-subject gas, based on an ion current value calculated by the ion current calculating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Haramoto, Yasuyuki Hirano, Hiromichi Yoshida