Patents by Inventor Benjamin Avery Freer

Benjamin Avery Freer 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: 20220090765
    Abstract: A light fixture can include a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment. The light fixture can also include an antenna assembly disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The antenna assembly can provide communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Daniel Robert Treible, JR., Joseph Michael Manahan, Andrew Francis Scarlata, Adikaramge Asiri Jayawardena
  • Patent number: 11239015
    Abstract: A system comprises an industrial enclosure, first and second magnetic controls in close proximity to one another, and a magnetic field sensor. The first and second magnetic controls are secured to an outer surface of a cover of the industrial enclosure without penetrating an inner surface of the cover. The magnetic field sensor within the industrial enclosure senses a characteristic of the first magnetic control and a characteristic of the second magnetic control, and generates a signal corresponding to each of the characteristics. The signal is used by a controller to identify a setting of each of the first and second magnetic controls. Each of the first and second magnetic controls are positioned proximate to one another and each has a polarity and/or magnetic field strength that does not interfere with the detection of the others respective characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Stephan P. Iannce, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 11221127
    Abstract: A light fixture can include a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment. The light fixture can also include an antenna assembly disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The antenna assembly can provide communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Daniel Robert Treible, Jr., Joseph Michael Manahan, Andrew Francis Scarlata, Adikaramge Asiri Jayawardena
  • Patent number: 10993302
    Abstract: A device can include multiple light loads, where each light load includes at least one light source. The device can also include multiple switches coupled to the light loads. The device can further include a controller coupled to the switches, where the controller actively operates the switches multiple times within each cycle to control delivery of power to the light loads. Active operation of the switches by the controller is performed on a dynamic schedule, where the dynamic schedule is based on multiple environmental conditions, and where the controller bypasses a forward voltage of the light loads when actively operating the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Andrew Francis Scarlata
  • Patent number: 10962494
    Abstract: A system to determine the ground impedance of a conduit system includes a conductive sheath and a resistor of known value. The conductive sheath is configured to surround a portion of a conductor housed within a conduit system. Capacitive coupling occurs between the sheath and the conductor to establish a voltage source. The resistor is electrically coupled between the voltage source and a metal component of the conduit system, and a voltage drop is read across the resistor to determine the health of the ground impedance of the conduit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10863638
    Abstract: An enclosure system can include an enclosure comprising at least one wall forming a first cavity. The enclosure system can further include a moisture control system in communication with the enclosure, wherein the moisture control system controls at least one condition within the cavity of the enclosure, where the at least one condition affects an amount of moisture within the first cavity. The moisture control system can include a sensor that measures an amount of moisture in desiccant disposed within a desiccant vessel. The moisture control system can include a structural filter and a desiccant vessel, where the structural filter is coupled to an enclosure and disposed within a cavity formed by the enclosure, where the desiccant vessel is removably coupled to the structural filter, and where the desiccant vessel is accessible from outside the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Jesse Wade Taylor, Andrew Francis Scarlata, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Publication number: 20200278107
    Abstract: A light fixture can include a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment. The light fixture can also include an antenna assembly disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The antenna assembly can provide communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Daniel Robert Treible, JR., Joseph Michael Manahan, Andrew Francis Scarlata, Adikaramge Asiri Jayawardena
  • Patent number: 10715986
    Abstract: A control system for hazardous environments decreases flame paths, decreases punctures to the control system when installing interfaces, and increases safety. The control system may be characterized as a “one size fits all” controller that is able to automatically recognize a plurality of user interfaces. The controller has an enclosure to which the interfaces can be attached. The interfaces may interact with control electronics wholly contained in the enclosure using a variety of “wireless” mechanisms. Such mechanisms include reflecting light waves, infrared (IR) communication, radio-frequency identification, inductive coils, short-range wireless communication, camera images, piezoelectricity, and magnetism, and the like. The interfaces may include switches, indicator lights, smoke detectors, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Adikaramge Jayawardena, Stephan Iannce, Benjamin Avery Freer
  • Patent number: 10704827
    Abstract: An electrical connector testing system can include a first connector end and a controller coupled to first connector end. The system can also include an electrical load coupled to the first connector end, where the electrical load includes an electrical cable and a second connector end coupled to an end of the electrical cable. The controller can determine whether an adverse electrical condition exists with respect to the electrical load before allowing power to flow between the first connector end and the second connector end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan, Charles John Luebke, David McClanahan
  • Patent number: 10680431
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrical protection system , including a breaker enclosure and associated terminals, and the methods of use therefor that allow for a circuit breaker or other electrical protection device to be safely added or removed from a circuit while power is supplied to at least one of the terminals. The disclosed enclosure and terminals include a series of interrelated safety features that prevent a user from accidentally completing the circuit from one terminal to another when the electrical protection system would be in an unsafe state. The combination of features described herein allow for a replaceable electrical protection device for equipment under load to be realized, thus improving user safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Benjamin Avery Freer
  • Patent number: 10669088
    Abstract: A joint sensing system within an enclosure can include an electrical circuit through which a first current flows, where the first current creates a magnetic field, where the electrical circuit is disposed proximate to a joint of the enclosure. The system can also include a target disposed proximate to the electrical circuit, where the magnetic field induces a plurality of second currents to flow within the target. The system can further include a sensor that measures the plurality of second currents flowing within the target to generate a plurality of measurements. The plurality of measurements can indicate a width of the joint of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10655833
    Abstract: A light fixture can include a housing comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity, wherein the housing complies with applicable standards for a hazardous environment. The light fixture can also include an antenna assembly disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The antenna assembly can provide communication with another device within the hazardous environment without compromising the applicable standards for the hazardous environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Daniel Robert Treible, Jr., Joseph Michael Manahan, Andrew Francis Scarlata, Adikaramge Asiri Jayawardena
  • Publication number: 20200150070
    Abstract: A system to determine the ground impedance of a conduit system includes a conductive sheath and a resistor of known value. The conductive sheath is configured to surround a portion of a conductor housed within a conduit system. Capacitive coupling occurs between the sheath and the conductor to establish a voltage source. The resistor is electrically coupled between the voltage source and a metal component of the conduit system, and a voltage drop is read across the resistor to determine the health of the ground impedance of the conduit system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10560329
    Abstract: An electrical device of a network of electrical devices can include an auto-commissioning device having a transceiver and an auto-commissioning engine, where the transceiver communicates with an adjacent transceiver of an adjacent electrical device, where the auto-commissioning engine, based on communication between the transceiver and the adjacent transceiver, identifies and commissions the adjacent electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephan P Iannce, Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10520538
    Abstract: An electrical system can include a diagnostic device that generates a first test signal at a first time. The electrical system can also include at least one energy transfer link coupled to the diagnostic device, where the first test signal flows through the at least one energy transfer link at the first time. The electrical system can further include a portable electrical load coupled to the at least one energy transfer link. The electrical system can also include a monitoring device coupled to the at least one energy transfer link, where the monitoring device is disposed between the diagnostic device and the portable electrical load. The first monitoring device can receive the first test signal, where the monitoring device executes, in response to the first test signal, a test procedure on the portable electrical load. The portable electrical load is portable relative to the diagnostic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10520529
    Abstract: An adapter for testing electrical equipment can include a first receptacle end having at least one first coupling feature, where the at least one first coupling feature is configured to couple to a power source and a first electrical device, where the first receptacle end is configured to receive from the power source at least one first test signal and send the at least one first test signal to the first electrical device. The adapter can also include a sensing device configured to receive at least one first response signal from the first electrical device, where the at least one first response signal is in response to and based on the first electrical device receiving the at least one first test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: COOPER TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Benjamin Avery Freer
  • Patent number: 10514420
    Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) breaker testing system can include an enclosure having at least one wall that forms a cavity. The system can also include at least one GFCI breaker disposed within the cavity. The system can further include a sensing circuit assembly having at least one switch, where the at least one switch is electrically coupled to the at least one GFCI breaker. The system can also include a user interface assembly disposed, at least in part, outside the cavity, where the user interface assembly is coupled to the sensing circuit assembly, where the user interface assembly instructs the at least one switch to test the at least one GFCI breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Stephan P Iannce, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10476305
    Abstract: A system comprises an explosion proof device and an intrinsically safe device. The explosion proof device is coupled to a power supply. The intrinsically safe device includes a user interface. The explosion proof device is configured to induce inductive coupling with the intrinsically safe device. The inductive coupling between the explosion proof device and the intrinsically safe device enables the transfer of power from the explosion proof device to the user interface of the intrinsically safe device. The inductive coupling can additionally enable the transfer of data between the explosion proof device and the intrinsically safe device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Stephan P. Iannce
  • Patent number: 10451576
    Abstract: A system to determine the ground impedance of a conduit system includes a conductive sheath and a resistor of known value. The conductive sheath is configured to surround a portion of a conductor housed within a conduit system. Capacitive coupling occurs between the sheath and the conductor to establish a voltage source. The resistor is electrically coupled between the voltage source and a metal component of the conduit system, and a voltage drop is read across the resistor to determine the health of the ground impedance of the conduit system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Avery Freer, Joseph Michael Manahan
  • Patent number: 10448525
    Abstract: A moisture control system for an electrical enclosure can include a control module. The system can also include a drain assembly coupled to the control module, where the drain assembly is disposed, at least in part, within the cavity of the electrical enclosure, where the drain assembly is configured to remove, based on instructions received from the control module, liquid from the cavity to the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Jesse Wade Taylor, Benjamin Avery Freer, Stephan P Iannce, Alvah B. Aldrich, Adam Douglas Ledgerwood