Patents by Inventor Andrew E. Carlson

Andrew E. Carlson 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).

  • Publication number: 20240088642
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a current sensor having a normal sensor output and an over current detection output, a solid state switch module structured to have a closed state to allow current to flow through the circuit interrupter and an open state to interrupt current flowing through the circuit interrupter, a gate driver structured to control the solid state switch module including a desaturation function output, wherein the gate driver is structured to cause the solid state switch module to interrupt current flowing through the circuit interrupter when the DESAT function output changes to the on state, and an electronic trip circuit structured to output a trip signal to the gate driver when the normal sensor output reaches a first threshold level or the overcurrent detection output changes to the on state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: XIN ZHOU, Brian E. Carlson, Yanjun Feng, Jianyang Liu, Michael Stepian, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Santhosh Kumar Chamarajanagar Govinda Nayaka
  • Publication number: 20240063630
    Abstract: A method may include receiving, via at least one processor, a first set of data indicative of a fault being present and send a first signal to a breaker based on the first set of data. The first signal may cause the breaker to open a plurality of poles of the breaker. The method may then involve receiving a second set of data indicative of the fault being cleared and sending a second signal to the breaker based on the second set of data. The second signal may cause the breaker to close a first pole of the plurality of poles at a first time and close a second pole of the plurality of poles at a second time different from the first time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Aiman Kerim, Juerg Merki, Randall S. Langer, Andrew E. Carlson, David Elmiger
  • Publication number: 20240063629
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system including a mechanical switch and solid-state switching circuit. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs based on operations of the solid-state switching circuit. The solid-state switching circuit may draw arc currents of the electrical arcs by providing a second current path between the spanner and a fixed conductor of the mechanical switch. Moreover, the solid-state switching circuit may open the second current path and absorb electrical power of the electrical arc by one or more solid-state switches, a parallel voltage suppressor, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins, Randall S. Langer, David Elmiger, Aiman Kerim, James P. Miller
  • Patent number: 11901145
    Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium may include instructions executable by at least one processor in a computing device to cause the processor to perform operations that include transmitting, to a first power source, a command to provide power to a coil of a switching device with a fixed current profile. The operations also include receiving one or more voltage measurements associated with the coil during a period of time, determining whether the voltage measurements associated with the coil indicate that one or more movable contacts of the switching device are at least partially welded to one or more contacts of an electric circuit, and transmitting an additional command to a second power source to disconnect a current to the coil in response to determining that the voltage measurements indicate that the movable contacts of the switching device are at least partially welded to the contacts of the electric circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson, David M. Messersmith, David Elmiger
  • Patent number: 11901140
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system. The hybrid circuit breaker may include a mechanical switch and solid-state switches. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs by drawing the electrical arcs to a conductive bar and away from the spanner. Moreover, the hybrid circuit breaker may dissipate the electrical arcs on the conductive bar by opening one or multiple solid-state switches disposed on the conductive bar. In some cases, one or multiple voltage suppressors may receive (e.g., suppress or ground) an electrical power of the electrical arcs when the solid-state switches are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins, Randall S. Langer, David Elmiger, Aiman Kerim, James P. Miller
  • Publication number: 20240047161
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a first set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more semiconductor devices of a solid-state circuit breaker and sending a first command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn off the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters exceeding a first set of thresholds. The method includes sending a second command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn on the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters being equal to or less than the first set of thresholds. The method includes receiving a second set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more electrical properties associated with an operation of the solid-state circuit breaker coupled to a load device and generating a baseline profile representative of the first set of operational parameters and the second operational parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Aiman Kerim, Juerg Merki, Kyle B. Adkins, Randall S. Langer, Andrew E. Carlson, David Elmiger
  • Patent number: 11830693
    Abstract: A method may include receiving a command to move one or more armatures of a switching device from a first position that electrically couples a first contact to a second contact to a second position that electrically uncouples the first contact from the second contact. The method may also include selecting a current zero-crossing point along an electric waveform indicative of a change in current through the first contact and the second contact as a synchronization point, determining a predicted current zero-crossing point by adding a period measurement associated with a previously detected current zero-crossing point or a previously detected line-to-line crossing point in the electric waveform to the synchronization point, and transmitting a command to the switching device to move the armatures from the first position to the second position before or at the predicted current zero-crossing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson, David M. Messersmith
  • Publication number: 20230368990
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system. The hybrid circuit breaker may include a mechanical switch and solid-state switches. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs by drawing the electrical arcs to a conductive bar and away from the spanner. Moreover, the hybrid circuit breaker may dissipate the electrical arcs on the conductive bar by opening one or multiple solid-state switches disposed on the conductive bar. In some cases, one or multiple voltage suppressors may receive (e.g., suppress or ground) an electrical power of the electrical arcs when the solid-state switches are opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins, Randall S. Langer, David Elmiger, Aiman Kerim, James P. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230343533
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provide for detecting weld relay devices within a switching device by: closing one or more first relay devices, wherein the one or more first relay devices are configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first phase of electric power from a power source; opening one or more second relay devices and one or more third switches; detecting whether there is electric current through the one or more second relay devices; and in response to detecting that there is electric current through the one or more second relay devices, determining that the one or more second relay devices are welded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: David Elmiger, David M. Messersmith, Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20230324886
    Abstract: A system includes an industrial automation component configured to receive a first voltage from a voltage source to enable the industrial automation component to perform one or more operations, a mechanical device configured to generate a second voltage, and a display configured to present image data. The display is configured to maintain presentation of the image data in absence of the first voltage received from the voltage source or the second voltage received from the mechanical device. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to use the second voltage generated by the mechanical device to adjust the image data presented by the display when the first voltage is unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jerry M. Watkins, Kristopher J. Holley, Joseph A. Johnson, Darrell Filtz, Andrew E. Carlson, James P. Miller, Walied Khan
  • Patent number: 11776778
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes two or more poles electrically connected between a power supply and a contactor. Each of the two or more poles comprises a switch. The circuit breaker includes one or more voltage measuring devices configured to measure at least one phase-to-phase voltage level, and one or more current detecting devices configured to detect current going through each of the two or more poles. The circuit breaker further includes a control circuitry configured to: monitor the at least one phase-to-phase voltage level; in response to determining the at least one phase-to-phase voltage level is within a threshold range, close corresponding switches; in response to detecting current flowing through at least one of the two or more poles, maintain the corresponding switches in a closed position; and close all additional switches associated with the two or more poles after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins
  • Patent number: 11698624
    Abstract: A system includes an industrial automation component configured to receive a first voltage from a voltage source to enable the industrial automation component to perform one or more operations, a mechanical device configured to generate a second voltage, and a display configured to present image data. The display is configured to maintain presentation of the image data in absence of the first voltage received from the voltage source or the second voltage received from the mechanical device. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to use the second voltage generated by the mechanical device to adjust the image data presented by the display when the first voltage is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry M. Watkins, Kristopher J. Holley, Joseph A. Johnson, Darrell Filtz, Andrew E. Carlson, James P. Miller, Walied Khan
  • Patent number: 11676786
    Abstract: A device includes an armature, a coil, and a circuit. The armature is configured to move between a close position that electrically couples the armature to a contact and an open position that is not electrically coupled to the contact. The coil is configured to release a voltage configured to de-magnetize the coil, thereby causing the armature to move from the close position to the open position. The circuit is configured to provide reverse driving current to the coil during a period of time when the armature moves from the close position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins, David M. Messersmith
  • Patent number: 11651918
    Abstract: A system may include a switching device. The switching device may include an armature that may move between a first position that electrically couples the armature to a first contact and a second position that electrically couples the armature to a second contact. The switching device may also include a coil that may receive a voltage that magnetizes a core, thereby causing the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The system may also include a control system that may monitor a voltage waveform associated with the coil during an open operation of the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins
  • Publication number: 20230101428
    Abstract: A non-transitory, computer-readable medium may include instructions executable by at least one processor in a computing device to cause the processor to perform operations that include transmitting, to a first power source, a command to provide power to a coil of a switching device with a fixed current profile. The operations also include receiving one or more voltage measurements associated with the coil during a period of time, determining whether the voltage measurements associated with the coil indicate that one or more movable contacts of the switching device are at least partially welded to one or more contacts of an electric circuit, and transmitting an additional command to a second power source to disconnect a current to the coil in response to determining that the voltage measurements indicate that the movable contacts of the switching device are at least partially welded to the contacts of the electric circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson, David M. Messersmith, David Elmiger
  • Publication number: 20230096110
    Abstract: A method may include receiving a command to move one or more armatures configured to move between a first position that electrically couples one or more first movable contacts to one or more second contacts and a second position that electrically uncouples the one or more first movable contacts from the one or more second contacts. The method may also include determining an operating frequency of the system, dynamically determining an open-before-zero target point associated with the operating frequency, and transmitting a command to the switching device to move the one or more armatures from the first position to the second position at the open-before-zero target point to normalize the arc energy over the operating frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson, David Elmiger
  • Publication number: 20230102770
    Abstract: A method may include receiving a command to move one or more armatures of a switching device from a first position that electrically couples a first contact to a second contact to a second position that electrically uncouples the first contact from the second contact. The method may also include selecting a current zero-crossing point along an electric waveform indicative of a change in current through the first contact and the second contact as a synchronization point, determining a predicted current zero-crossing point by adding a period measurement associated with a previously detected current zero-crossing point or a previously detected line-to-line crossing point in the electric waveform to the synchronization point, and transmitting a command to the switching device to move the armatures from the first position to the second position before or at the predicted current zero-crossing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson, David M. Messersmith
  • Patent number: 11587469
    Abstract: An indicator is provided that can couple, without a fastener, to a housing of an industrial device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Jaap, Andrew E. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20220392681
    Abstract: A relay device may include an armature that moves between a first position that electrically couples the armature to a first contact and a second position that electrically couples the armature to a second contact. The relay device may also include a relay coil that receives a voltage to magnetize the relay coil, thereby causing the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The relay device also includes an additional coil that couples in series with the relay coil via a switch. The relay device also includes a drive circuit that causes the switch to couple the additional coil to the relay coil in response to receiving a signal indicative of the relay coil energizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins
  • Patent number: 11521815
    Abstract: A system may include an armature configured to move between a first position that electrically couples the armature to a first contact and a second position that electrically couples the armature to a second contact. The system may also include a coil configured receive a current, such that the current conducting in the coil is configured to magnetize a core. The magnetized core may cause the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The system may also include a control system configured to detect a position of the armature based on an inductance of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins