Patents by Inventor Brenton Eugene Helfrick

Brenton Eugene Helfrick 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).

  • Spur isolation in a fieldbus network
    Patent number: 10396854
    Abstract: A method for providing galvanic isolation between an input or trunk interface (30) and multiple outputs or spur interfaces (38) for connecting field devices (14) to a trunk (20) of a two-wire (44a, 44b) process control network (10) includes connecting multiple sets of multiple spur interfaces to respective isolating elements (34). Each isolating element (34) connects a respective set of outputs or spur interfaces (38) to the trunk interface (30) and galvanically isolates (40, 42) the respective set of spur interfaces (38) from the trunk interface (30). Field devices (14) attached to different sets of spur interfaces are also galvanically isolated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact Development and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Colin Cherewka, Brenton Eugene Helfrick, David Katz, Aaron Richard Kreider, Todd Eugene Shadle
  • Spur Isolation in a Fieldbus Network
    Publication number: 20170250734
    Abstract: A method for providing galvanic isolation between an input or trunk interface (30) and multiple outputs or spur interfaces (38) for connecting field devices (14) to a trunk (20) of a two-wire (44a, 44b) process control network (10) includes connecting multiple sets of multiple spur interfaces to respective isolating elements (34). Each isolating element (34) connects a respective set of outputs or spur interfaces (38) to the trunk interface (30) and galvanically isolates (40, 42) the respective set of spur interfaces (38) from the trunk interface (30). Field devices (14) attached to different sets of spur interfaces are also galvanically isolated from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Colin CHEREWKA, Brenton Eugene HELFRICK, David KATZ, Aaron Richard KREIDER, Todd Eugene SHADLE
  • Voltage limiting device for use in a distributed control system
    Patent number: 9684322
    Abstract: A voltage limiting device for limiting the voltage being transferred from a trunk circuit to a spur circuit of a distributed control network includes an AC signal device that passes the AC data signals between the trunk circuit and the spur circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact Development and Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Colin Cherewka, Brenton Eugene Helfrick, Aaron Richard Kreider
  • Voltage Limiting Device for Use in a Distributed Control System
    Publication number: 20150212529
    Abstract: A voltage limiting device for limiting the voltage being transferred from a trunk circuit to a spur circuit of a distributed control network includes an AC signal device that passes the AC data signals between the trunk circuit and the spur circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Colin Cherewka, Brenton Eugene Helfrick, Aaron Richard Kreider
  • INHERENTLY SAFE MODULAR CONTROL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110234003
    Abstract: A modular system for transmitting power and data between a control processor that receives and transmits signals along a trunk of a distributed control network, and one or more field devices located in a hazardous area includes a backplane bus and a trunk module connected to the backplane and interconnecting the trunk and backplane. Intrinsically safe spur modules are removably attached to the backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Brenton Eugene Helfrick, Aaron Richard Kreider, Brian James Vogt, Davis Matthews
  • Inherently safe modular control system
    Patent number: 7940508
    Abstract: A modular system for transmitting power and data between a control processor that receives and transmits signals along a trunk of a distributed control network, and one or more field devices located in a hazardous area includes a backplane bus and a trunk module connected to the backplane and interconnecting the trunk and backplane. Intrinsically safe spur modules are removably attached to the backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact Development & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton Eugene Helfrick, Aaron Richard Kreider, Brian James Vogt, Davis Mathews
  • Inherently Safe Modular Control System
    Publication number: 20100222936
    Abstract: A modular system for transmitting power and data between a control processor that receives and transmits signals along a trunk of a distributed control network, and one or more field devices located in a hazardous area includes a backplane bus and a trunk module connected to the backplane and interconnecting the trunk and backplane. Intrinsically safe spur modules are removably attached to the backplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Brenton Eugene Helfrick, Aaron Richard Kreider, Brian James Vogt, Davis Mathews