Patents by Inventor Alan Freeman

Alan Freeman 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: 12362543
    Abstract: A method for configuring electrical devices in an electrical panel includes acquiring machine-readable configuration data including a list of electrical devices to be installed; displaying a visual identifier on an electronic display screen associated with each device; acquiring an image showing the devices in the panel with the visual identifiers displayed by each of the devices; a processor comparing identification information of each device on the list with the identification information from the visual identifiers of the acquired image; and for each device on the list whose identification information corresponds to the information of one of the visual identifiers of the acquired image, sending a setting parameter to be applied to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Gilles De Vos, Alan Freeman
  • Publication number: 20240235169
    Abstract: A method for configuring electrical devices in an electrical panel includes acquiring machine-readable configuration data including a list of electrical devices to be installed; displaying a visual identifier on an electronic display screen associated with each device; acquiring an image showing the devices in the panel with the visual identifiers displayed by each of the devices; a processor comparing identification information of each device on the list with the identification information from the visual identifiers of the acquired image; and for each device on the list whose identification information corresponds to the information of one of the visual identifiers of the acquired image, sending a setting parameter to be applied to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Gilles DE VOS, Alan FREEMAN
  • Publication number: 20240152861
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a listing service for farmers in rural areas. A farmer may be able to “drop a pin” on an interactive map to a location, such as a barn, to where supplies may be delivered by a delivery driver. By providing such a map, natural barriers to entry into a marketplace may be broken down for suppliers, thereby enabling a marketplace to expand with suppliers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Brice Kelly
  • Patent number: 11962470
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to facilitate the commissioning of a distributed system. The method and system obtains a base configuration which defines an expected virtual topology for a distributed system, and identifies via a control device a physical network topology of the distributed system to commission the distributed system. The control device performs network discovery to identify a plurality of connected devices that are communicatively coupled thereto, and to collect device information for each connected device relating to its identity and relative position in the distributed system which has connected devices or associated subnetworks connected in a ring network topology. The collected device information for the plurality of connected devices is compared to the expected virtual topology from the base configuration to determine an identity and physical location of the plurality of connected devices and associated subnetworks in the physical network topology of the distributed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin Edwards, Matthew White
  • Patent number: 11775924
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a listing service for farmers in rural areas. A farmer may be able to “drop a pin” on an interactive map to a location, such as a barn, to where supplies may be delivered by a delivery driver. By providing such a map, natural barriers to entry into a marketplace may be broken down for suppliers, thereby enabling a marketplace to expand with suppliers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Agrellus, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Brice Kelly
  • Publication number: 20230102683
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to facilitate the commissioning of a distributed system. The method and system obtains a base configuration which defines an expected virtual topology for a distributed system, and identifies via a control device a physical network topology of the distributed system to commission the distributed system. The control device performs network discovery to identify a plurality of connected devices that are communicatively coupled thereto, and to collect device information for each connected device relating to its identity and relative position in the distributed system which has connected devices or associated subnetworks connected in a ring network topology. The collected device information for the plurality of connected devices is compared to the expected virtual topology from the base configuration to determine an identity and physical location of the plurality of connected devices and associated subnetworks in the physical network topology of the distributed system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin Edwards, Matthew White
  • Patent number: 11366142
    Abstract: A measurement module receives crosstalk compensation factors that include distance factors based on respective distances of a current sensor of the module from respective current sensors of other measurement modules and phase difference factors based on respective differences between the phase of a source current measured by the module and respective phases of source currents measured by the other modules. The module monitors messages reporting current measurements transmitted from the other modules connected to a broadcast bus, of current measurements made by respective current sensors of the other modules measuring other respective source currents. The module determines a reported current that is computed as a function of current measurement by the module's current sensor, reported current measurements monitored from the other modules, and the received crosstalk compensation factors. The module transmits the determined reported current over the broadcast bus to the other modules and a central controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Richard K. Weiler, Alan Freeman, Konstantin Filippenko
  • Publication number: 20210156895
    Abstract: A measurement module receives crosstalk compensation factors that include distance factors based on respective distances of a current sensor of the module from respective current sensors of other measurement modules and phase difference factors based on respective differences between the phase of a source current measured by the module and respective phases of source currents measured by the other modules. The module monitors messages reporting current measurements transmitted from the other modules connected to a broadcast bus, of current measurements made by respective current sensors of the other modules measuring other respective source currents. The module determines a reported current that is computed as a function of current measurement by the module's current sensor, reported current measurements monitored from the other modules, and the received crosstalk compensation factors. The module transmits the determined reported current over the broadcast bus to the other modules and a central controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Richard K. WEILER, Alan FREEMAN, Konstantin FILIPPENKO
  • Patent number: 10594232
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hybrid motor starter that extends the expected life of the main motor contacts of a standard contactor by reducing arcing during opening and closing of the main motor contacts and permits the use of physically smaller solid state switching devices and secondary contacts that have electrical ratings significantly lower than the standard contactor. The use of smaller solid state switching device and secondary contacts that have lower electrical ratings is permitted by minimizing the time at which these devices are exposed to full motor currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M Jefferies, Benjamin W Edwards, Alan Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Publication number: 20190199247
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hybrid motor starter that extends the expected life of the main motor contacts of a standard contactor by reducing arcing during opening and closing of the main motor contacts and permits the use of physically smaller solid state switching devices and secondary contacts that have electrical ratings significantly lower than the standard contactor. The use of smaller solid state switching device and secondary contacts that have lower electrical ratings is permitted by minimizing the time at which these devices are exposed to full motor currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M Jefferies, Benjamin W Edwards, Alan Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Publication number: 20170178847
    Abstract: A three phase switching device and method for reducing arc energy and contact erosion during the opening and closing of electrical contacts, the device having one electromagnet and one armature. The device and method permits the closing of all three phases at calculated target points immediately prior to their current zero crossing by controlling the velocity at which the armature travels during the opening and closing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELETRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Alan Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Publication number: 20170180007
    Abstract: A system and method for fast device replacement (FDR), where direct replacement of an electronic and/or control device is required with minimum downtime. The electronic or control device to be replaced includes a near field communication (NFC) reader/writer and is located at a specific physical location within the equipment. The system also includes a NFC tag placed at the same specific physical location as the electronic/control device to be replaced. The NFC tag file containing a data parameter set of the electronic/control device most recently associated with the specific physical location. The direct replacement electronic/control device also having a NFC reader/writer and an algorithm for obtaining the NFC tag data parameter set and determining whether to use the data parameter set from the most recent electronic/control device associated with the specific physical location or the local data set of the new direct replacement device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Alan Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Publication number: 20170140478
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a listing service for farmers in rural areas. A farmer may be able to “drop a pin” on an interactive map to a location, such as a barn, to where supplies may be delivered by a delivery driver. By providing such a map, natural barriers to entry into a marketplace may be broken down for suppliers, thereby enabling a marketplace to expand with suppliers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Brice Kelly
  • Patent number: 9554480
    Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for an electrical enclosure. The operating mechanism includes a switch operator, and a housing to house the switch operator. The switch operator includes a portion which extends through one of one or more holes in the electrical enclosure, and can be manipulated by an external handle to operate an electrical switching device, such as a circuit breaker, that is housed in the electrical enclosure. The housing includes a cavity to house and protect an external antenna or other electrical device, which is connectable to an electrical cable that extends from the cavity into an interior of the electrical enclosure via the hole(s). The electrical cable can be connected to a monitoring system inside of the electrical enclosure. The housing is mountable onto an exterior surface of a wall of the electrical enclosure to cover the hole(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Freeman
  • Publication number: 20160135313
    Abstract: An operating mechanism is provided for an electrical enclosure. The operating mechanism includes a switch operator, and a housing to house the switch operator. The switch operator includes a portion which extends through one of one or more holes in the electrical enclosure, and can be manipulated by an external handle to operate an electrical switching device, such as a circuit breaker, that is housed in the electrical enclosure. The housing includes a cavity to house and protect an external antenna or other electrical device, which is connectable to an electrical cable that extends from the cavity into an interior of the electrical enclosure via the hole(s). The electrical cable can be connected to a monitoring system inside of the electrical enclosure. The housing is mountable onto an exterior surface of a wall of the electrical enclosure to cover the hole(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Alan FREEMAN
  • Publication number: 20070280836
    Abstract: A pressure intensifier assembly comprising:—(i) a high-pressure barrel assembly; (ii) pressurizing means; (iii) a first and a second end closure assembly; (iv) a tension frame assembly adapted to resist axial load exerted, in use, along the longitudinal axis of the high-pressure barrel assembly; characterised in that the intensifier assembly further comprises at least one clamping piston adapted to preload the end closure(s) and the high-pressure barrel assembly against the tension frame assembly in order to overbalance anticipated internal end loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Alan Freeman
  • Patent number: 6519576
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for predicting a transaction a customer may wish to make. In, for example, an Internet banking system, when the customer clicks to bring up an “inter-account transfer” panel, the system may recognise that usually, with a given balance in their savings and cheque accounts, and at this time of the month, at this point in the financial year, the customer will want to transfer a given amount to their cheque account. So, as well as providing a window enabling the customer to manually enter the details for an inter-account transfer, the system also provides a personalised window containing the system's anticipated transaction so that with a single-click the customer can complete the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Clive Alan Freeman
  • Patent number: 6396448
    Abstract: An antenna comprising a feed for delivering electromagnetic energy to a rotatable combination of a dielectric lens and a reflective surface. The combination of the dielectric lens and the reflective surface is placed proximate to and in front of an energy feed, such as a horn, to support the scanning of an antenna beam in response to rotation of the lens/reflective surface assembly. The lens typically comprises a dielectric material and the reflective surface can comprise a thin layer of material operable to reflect electromagnetic energy. For example, the lens can comprise a half-cylinder shape of dielectric material and the reflective surface can be applied to the flat portion of the half-cylindrical lens. Alternatively, the antenna can comprise two or more electromagnetic feeds and a cylindrical lens of dielectric material including a centrally-embedded, two-sided reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: EMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Alan Zimmerman, John Elliott Wann, Robert Alan Freeman, Donald Nelson Black, Jr., James Charles Marsik
  • Patent number: 5769831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ostomy bag having a multi-piece construction with peelable skin surfaces, and multiple perforated layers which are made of dissolvable material. Absorbent material is placed between the layers to facilitate dissolution of the bag when placed in a toilet. The multiple layers of material also permit ready identification to the wearer, by its color change appearance of the inventive applicance, that the layers thereof are properly assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Louisville Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey Alan Freeman, David Young Phelps
  • Patent number: 3962142
    Abstract: The invention provides a setable composition consisting of a bonding material (e.g. cement) and an aggregate which aggregate contains a quantity of relatively large electrically conductive particulate material and a quantity of relatively small electrically conductive particulate material. In one form the conductive material is gap-graded. In this form if calcined oil coke and acetylene black is used concretes of resistivities of the order of 25.OMEGA. ohm-centimeter may be obtained. In another form, the conductive material includes quantities of conductive material ranging in size between the relatively large and the relatively small conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: The Marconi Company Limited
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, William Hymers