Patents by Inventor Bert Popovich

Bert Popovich 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: 9876343
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch includes a first switching apparatus having a first state to electrically connect at least one load to a primary power source and a second state to electrically connect the at least one load to a secondary power source; a sensor structured to sense information related to the power draw of the at least one load; and a control unit structured to determine the power draw of a selected one of the loads based on the output of the sensor, to compare the power draw of the selected load to a power capacity of the secondary power source, to allow the selected load to turn on if the power capacity of the secondary power source is at least greater than the power draw of the selected load, and to otherwise prevent the selected load from turning on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Todd Matthew Lathrop, Bert Popovich
  • Patent number: 9853494
    Abstract: A system for providing backup power to a facility includes a generator and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the generator until a condition is met, determine a load history that occurs while operating the generator until the condition is met, determine a cool-down time based on the determined load history, and run the generator to the point when the condition is met and in an unloaded condition for the cool-down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Lathrop, David G. Loucks, Bert Popovich
  • Publication number: 20160226235
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch includes a first switching apparatus having a first state to electrically connect at least one load to a primary power source and a second state to electrically connect the at least one load to a secondary power source; a sensor structured to sense information related to the power draw of the at least one load; and a control unit structured to determine the power draw of a selected one of the loads based on the output of the sensor, to compare the power draw of the selected load to a power capacity of the secondary power source, to allow the selected load to turn on if the power capacity of the secondary power source is at least greater than the power draw of the selected load, and to otherwise prevent the selected load from turning on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: TODD MATTHEW LATHROP, BERT POPOVICH
  • Publication number: 20150171662
    Abstract: A system for providing backup power to a facility includes a generator and a controller. The controller is configured to operate the generator until a condition is met, determine a load history that occurs while operating the generator until the condition is met, determine a cool-down time based on the determined load history, and run the generator to the point when the condition is met and in an unloaded condition for the cool-down time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Lathrop, David G. Loucks, Bert Popovich
  • Patent number: 7948117
    Abstract: A transfer switch controller is for a transfer switch, which cooperates with a plurality of loads including an air conditioner. The transfer switch controller includes a first input structured to input a thermostat start request signal for the air conditioner, a second input structured to determine power consumed by the loads, an output structured to output a start signal to the air conditioner, and a circuit. The circuit cooperates with the first input, the second input and the output. The circuit causes the start signal to be output by the output responsive to the thermostat start request signal of the first input if the determined power consumed by the loads is less than the difference between a predetermined maximum power output of a generator and a previous maximum peak start up power consumed by the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Lathrop, Bert Popovich, Jacob A. Hjemvick, Samuel E. Faylo
  • Publication number: 20100013308
    Abstract: A transfer switch controller is for a transfer switch, which cooperates with a plurality of loads including an air conditioner. The transfer switch controller includes a first input structured to input a thermostat start request signal for the air conditioner, a second input structured to determine power consumed by the loads, an output structured to output a start signal to the air conditioner, and a circuit. The circuit cooperates with the first input, the second input and the output. The circuit causes the start signal to be output by the output responsive to the thermostat start request signal of the first input if the determined power consumed by the loads is less than the difference between a predetermined maximum power output of a generator and a previous maximum peak start up power consumed by the air conditioner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: TODD M. LATHROP, BERT POPOVICH, JACOB A. HJEMVICK, SAMUEL E. FAYLO
  • Patent number: 7569949
    Abstract: A transfer switch having a transfer control provides electric power to a load. The transfer switch includes a power switching device provided with electric power from a first power source, such as a utility power source, and a second power source, such as a generator power source. The transfer control is structured to monitor the second power source, maintain a runtime count of the second power source, locate a piece of data concerning a maintenance procedure in a storage corresponding to a current value of the runtime count, and provide an indication of a need to perform the maintenance procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Todd Matthew Lathrop, Bert Popovich
  • Publication number: 20090179498
    Abstract: A transfer switch controller is for a transfer switch. The transfer switch controller includes a first input having an alternating current voltage and structured to input power from a utility power source, second inputs structured to input remote or local signals, and an output structured to output an alternating current voltage to a standby generator. A normally closed switch, such as a relay, includes a number of normally closed contacts electrically connected between the first input and the output. The normally closed contacts are normally closed to cause the alternating current voltage of the first input to be normally output to the alternating current voltage of the output. A microprocessor cooperates with the second inputs and the normally closed switch. The microprocessor causes the normally closed switch to open responsive to one or more of the remote or local signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: TODD M. LATHROP, Bert Popovich, Jacob A. Hjemvick
  • Publication number: 20080180263
    Abstract: A transfer switch having a transfer control provides electric power to a load. The transfer switch includes a power switching device provided with electric power from a first power source, such as a utility power source, and a second power source, such as a generator power source. The transfer control is structured to monitor the second power source, maintain a runtime count of the second power source, locate a piece of data concerning a maintenance procedure in a storage corresponding to a current value of the runtime count, and provide an indication of a need to perform the maintenance procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Matthew Lathrop, Bert Popovich
  • Publication number: 20080179958
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch having an automatic transfer control provides electric power to a load. The automatic transfer switch includes a power switching device provided with electric power from a first power source having a first status and a second power source having a second status. The automatic transfer control is able to be operated by a mode control to set the automatic transfer control to a monitor mode in which the automatic transfer switch refrains from operating the power switching device, monitors and provides an indication of the first status and of the second status, and provides an indication of how the automatic transfer control would operate the power switching device were the automatic transfer control not set to the monitor mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Matthew Lathrop, Bert Popovich
  • Publication number: 20080179967
    Abstract: An transfer switch having a transfer control provides electric power to a load. The transfer switch includes a power switching device provided with electric power from a first power source, such as a utility power source, and a second power source, such as a generator power source. The transfer control is structured to monitor the second power source, maintain a runtime count of the second power source, and provide an indication of the runtime count, either at the transfer switch or at a location remote from the transfer switch and the second power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Matthew Lathrop, Ronald Dale Hartzel, Bert Popovich
  • Patent number: 6849967
    Abstract: A multi-mode transfer switch selectively operates in a first operating mode in which the utility source alone is connected to the load bus, a second operating mode in which only the microturbine is connected to the load bus, and a third operating mode in which both sources are connected to the load bus in parallel. The microturbine is commanded to operate in a voltage mode when connected alone to the load bus and in a current mode when connected in parallel with the utility source. If the utility source fails while operating in parallel with the microturbine, the utility source is disconnected from the load bus and the microturbine is reconfigured in a voltage mode. The transfer controller sends a wake-up signal to the microturbine upon loss of power for starting and providing power to the load bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Lathrop, Bert Popovich, Ronald D. Hartzel, David N. Alchier, Nathan J. Weister
  • Publication number: 20030197431
    Abstract: A multi-mode transfer switch selectively operates in a first operating mode in which the utility source alone is connected to the load bus, a second operating mode in which only the microturbine is connected to the load bus, and a third operating mode in which both sources are connected to the load bus in parallel. The microturbine is commanded to operate in a voltage mode when connected alone to the load bus and in a current mode when connected in parallel with the utility source. If the utility source fails while operating in parallel with the microturbine, the utility source is disconnected from the load bus and the microturbine is reconfigured in a voltage mode. The transfer controller sends a wake-up signal to the microturbine upon loss of power for starting and providing power to the load bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Todd M. Lathrop, Bert Popovich, Ronald D. Hartzel, David N. Alchier, Nathan J. Weister
  • Patent number: 5638295
    Abstract: A transfer switch system includes a controller which sends separately timed restart signals over a communications network to an addressable relay associated with each load in order to sequentially restart the loads following a transfer. When the loads are elevators, the controller sends a prepare to transfer signal to each elevator through the associated addressable relay directing the elevator to park at a floor with its doors open and delays making a discretionary transfer until all elevators send a reply message over the network that they are appropriately parked. A message from the utility directing a reduction in use of their power can be sent to the controller over the communications network through an additional remote station. The controller can then transfer to the alternate power source and/or send messages to selected loads to shut down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Lagree, James R. Hanna, Bert Popovich