Patents by Inventor Cecil Rivers

Cecil Rivers 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: 11946983
    Abstract: A current transformer includes a housing including generally cylindrical outer and inner walls defining an internal chamber, a front face enclosing one end of the internal chamber, a base, and a central opening defined by the inner wall. A generally toroidal current transformer core is disposed within the internal chamber. A secondary wiring is disposed about the transformer core and is configured to generate a current in response to magnetic flux in the transformer core. A pin housing is disposed on the front face of the housing adjacent the base. The pin housing has electrically conductive pins. A test wire passes through the central opening. The secondary wiring is electrically connected to a first pair of the pins and the test wire is electrically connected to a second pair of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Chandrashekar Nagawaram, Cecil Rivers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11855442
    Abstract: A grounded neutral fault detector that includes induction circuits and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to determine a frequency of a test signal by measuring load noise based on a first leakage signal corresponding to a first current imbalance between the line conductor and the neutral conductor for the load without the test signal being injected, analyzing a frequency spectrum of the load noise, and selecting the frequency of the test signal. The controller is further configured to inject the test signal at the selected frequency to the neutral conductor, measure impedance of a current loop formed by a potential grounded neutral fault based on a second leakage signal corresponding to a second current imbalance with the test signal being injected, and determine a grounded neutral fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: John Paul Filipetti, Cecil Rivers, Jr., Lucas James McPhee
  • Publication number: 20230090349
    Abstract: A grounded neutral fault detector that includes induction circuits and a controller is provided. The controller is configured to determine a frequency of a test signal by measuring load noise based on a first leakage signal corresponding to a first current imbalance between the line conductor and the neutral conductor for the load without the test signal being injected, analyzing a frequency spectrum of the load noise, and selecting the frequency of the test signal. The controller is further configured to inject the test signal at the selected frequency to the neutral conductor, measure impedance of a current loop formed by a potential grounded neutral fault based on a second leakage signal corresponding to a second current imbalance with the test signal being injected, and determine a grounded neutral fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: John Paul Filipetti, Cecil Rivers, JR., Lucas James McPhee
  • Publication number: 20230077845
    Abstract: A current transformer includes a housing including generally cylindrical outer and inner walls defining an internal chamber, a front face enclosing one end of the internal chamber, a base, and a central opening defined by the inner wall. A generally toroidal current transformer core is disposed within the internal chamber. A secondary wiring is disposed about the transformer core and is configured to generate a current in response to magnetic flux in the transformer core. A pin housing is disposed on the front face of the housing adjacent the base. The pin housing has electrically conductive pins. A test wire passes through the central opening. The secondary wiring is electrically connected to a first pair of the pins and the test wire is electrically connected to a second pair of the pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Chandrashekar Nagawaram, Cecil Rivers, JR.
  • Patent number: 11605943
    Abstract: A GFCI includes a current sensor system providing a current sensor signal indicating a leakage current of the AC power system. At least one signal conditioning channel conditions the current sensor signal to provide a conditioned current sensor signal. An integrated circuit-based controller is configured to receive the conditioned current sensor signal. The integrated circuit-based controller is configured to execute instructions stored in at least one nontransitory memory medium to determine at least one frequency value and at least one magnitude value of the conditioned current sensor signal, evaluate a trip condition in response to the at least one frequency value and the at least one magnitude value, and provide a fault trip signal in response to evaluation of the trip condition. A circuit breaker mechanism is configured to open a circuit of the AC power system in response to the fault trip signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Cecil Rivers, David Joseph Lituchy, Dennis Soasti
  • Patent number: 11538648
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided that may be plugged onto an electrical panel. The circuit breaker is preferably a low voltage circuit breaker in the range of 120-240 volts. The circuit breaker has an electrical clip with a curved inner surface that contacts a curved outer surface of an electrical connector on the electrical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Andrew Candelora, Timothy Louis Thomas, Jason Edward Harmon, Nagesh Venkata Tumu, Brad Parlee, Cecil Rivers
  • Publication number: 20220311234
    Abstract: A GFCI includes a current sensor system providing a current sensor signal indicating a leakage current of the AC power system. At least one signal conditioning channel conditions the current sensor signal to provide a conditioned current sensor signal. An integrated circuit-based controller is configured to receive the conditioned current sensor signal. The integrated circuit-based controller is configured to execute instructions stored in at least one nontransitory memory medium to determine at least one frequency value and at least one magnitude value of the conditioned current sensor signal, evaluate a trip condition in response to the at least one frequency value and the at least one magnitude value, and provide a fault trip signal in response to evaluation of the trip condition. A circuit breaker mechanism is configured to open a circuit of the AC power system in response to the fault trip signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Cecil Rivers, David Joseph Lituchy, Dennis Soasti
  • Patent number: 11394190
    Abstract: A GFCI includes a current sensor system providing a current sensor signal indicating a leakage current of the AC power system. A magnitude detector is configured to provide a first channel signal indicating an RMS value of the current sensor signal. A reference signal generator is configured to provide a second channel signal indicating a trip reference value responsive to a frequency of the current sensor signal. A fault detector is configured to provide a fault trip signal indicating ground fault condition of the AC power system in response to the first channel signal and the second channel signal. A circuit breaker mechanism is configured to open a circuit of the AC power system in response to the fault trip signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Cecil Rivers, David Joseph Lituchy
  • Publication number: 20220140592
    Abstract: A GFCI includes a current sensor system providing a current sensor signal indicating a leakage current of the AC power system. A magnitude detector is configured to provide a first channel signal indicating an RMS value of the current sensor signal. A reference signal generator is configured to provide a second channel signal indicating a trip reference value responsive to a frequency of the current sensor signal. A fault detector is configured to provide a fault trip signal indicating ground fault condition of the AC power system in response to the first channel signal and the second channel signal. A circuit breaker mechanism is configured to open a circuit of the AC power system in response to the fault trip signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Cecil Rivers, David Joseph Lituchy
  • Publication number: 20210366679
    Abstract: A circuit breaker is provided that may be plugged onto an electrical panel. The circuit breaker is preferably a low voltage circuit breaker in the range of 120-240 volts. The circuit breaker has an electrical clip with a curved inner surface that contacts a curved outer surface of an electrical connector on the electrical panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Candelora, Timothy Louis Thomas, Jason Edward Harmon, Nagesh Venkata Tumu, Brad Parlee, Cecil Rivers
  • Patent number: 9455564
    Abstract: A current and voltage module is provided that includes a housing having an opening extending at least partially therethrough in an axial direction. The housing is configured to receive a conductor within the opening. The module also includes a threaded metal insert extending radially through the housing and configured to align with a threaded opening defined in the conductor. The module further includes a fastening device configured to be inserted within the threaded metal insert and into the threaded opening to electrically couple the housing to the conductor. A voltage sensor is coupled to the threaded metal insert within the housing and is configured to sense an amount of voltage in the conductor. The module also includes a current sensor within the housing configured to sense an amount of current flowing in the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Cecil Rivers, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160133420
    Abstract: A circuit breaker with an orientation correcting user interface system is provided, the circuit breaker for rigid mounting in an enclosure. The orientation correcting user interface system includes a display coupled to the electronic trip unit configured to display information. Also included is a sensor configured to output data related to an orientation of the circuit breaker. Further included is a processing device in operative communication with the sensor and the display, the processing device configured to receive the outputted data from the sensor and compare the data to at least one range stored in the processing device, the processing device configured to change an orientation of the displayed information based on the comparison of the data to the at least one range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventor: Cecil Rivers, JR.
  • Patent number: 9318903
    Abstract: A charging device configured to receive power from a power source is described. The charging device includes a motion detection device configured to provide a signal corresponding to a motion of the charging device. The charging device also includes a system controller communicatively coupled to the motion detection device and configured to determine if the motion of the charging device has exceeded a predefined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Cecil Rivers, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150244163
    Abstract: A current and voltage module is provided that includes a housing having an opening extending at least partially therethrough in an axial direction. The housing is configured to receive a conductor within the opening. The module also includes a threaded metal insert extending radially through the housing and configured to align with a threaded opening defined in the conductor. The module further includes a fastening device configured to be inserted within the threaded metal insert and into the threaded opening to electrically couple the housing to the conductor. A voltage sensor is coupled to the threaded metal insert within the housing and is configured to sense an amount of voltage in the conductor. The module also includes a current sensor within the housing configured to sense an amount of current flowing in the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: CECIL RIVERS, JR.
  • Patent number: 9090172
    Abstract: Charging stations for use in charging an electrically powered vehicle and related methods are disclosed. One example charging station includes a housing having an interior. The housing is configured to enclose at least one vehicle charging component and defines a receptacle opening. The charging station further includes a first receptacle configured to receive a charging connector. The receptacle includes a front portion and a back portion. The back portion of the first receptacle includes a first drain port configured to permit a fluid flow to drain from the first receptacle. The first receptacle is configured to be positioned at least partially within the first receptacle opening, such that the back portion of the first receptacle is positioned within the first enclosure. The first enclosure defines a first drain opening configured to permit fluid from the first receptacle to an exterior of said first enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Swamy Muddaiah Ranga, Heather Ellen Pugliese, Cecil Rivers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8975863
    Abstract: Charging stations for use in charging an electrically powered vehicle and related methods are disclosed. One example charging station includes a housing defining an interior and an opening configured to permit access to the interior, a door configured to substantially cover the opening, and a hinge assembly configured to provide a pivotal movement of the door relative to the housing between at least a closed position, a first open position, and a second open position. The hinge assembly includes a base member and a bracket including a projecting member. The projecting member and the base member are configured to permit removal of the door from the housing when the door is in the first open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Swamy Muddaiah Ranga, Heather Ellen Pugliese, Cecil Rivers, Jr., Philip Michael Banker
  • Publication number: 20140167693
    Abstract: A surface mountable charging device connectable to a power receptacle for charging an electrically powered vehicle is disclosed. The charging device comprises a housing and a first locking portion defining a first locking aperture. The device also comprises an electric charging circuit to supply current to an electric vehicle power storage device, and includes a power connector electrically coupled to the electric circuit, configured for a releasable electrical connection with the power receptacle. The device further includes a mounting base mountable to the mounting surface, comprising a first coupling portion defining a coupling aperture to operatively receive the power connector. The mounting base also comprises a second locking portion defining a second locking aperture. The housing is coupled to the mounting member and the first and second locking apertures cooperate with a locking element to prevent a de-coupling of the housing from the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Wood, Javier I Larranaga, Brian Mooney, Cecil Rivers, JR.
  • Patent number: 8666520
    Abstract: A load shedding system for operating at least one circuit breaker positioned within an enclosure is described. The load shedding system includes a processor configured to receive a demand signal and to provide a predetermined load shedding signal. The load shedding system also includes at least one load shedding apparatus configured to receive the load shedding signal from the processor. The load shedding apparatus is configured to be coupled to a door of the enclosure. The load shedding apparatus is further configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one circuit breaker and further configured to actuate the at least one circuit breaker in response to the load shedding signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Keith Kucinskas, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Cecil Rivers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8548638
    Abstract: An energy management system manages energy consumption of managed device(s) disposed to receive energy via a meter connected to an energy supply, the energy supply. A system controller has a computer processor that instructs the managed device(s) to employ an operational mode based on the priority, the energy need, the demand state, and whether the energy consumption rate of the managed device(s) exceeds energy available from at least one of the external energy source and internal energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George William Roscoe, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Cecil Rivers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8526151
    Abstract: A power equipment protection system includes a plurality of trip units including at least a first trip unit and a second trip unit, wherein each of the plurality of trip units is configured to monitor operation data. The system also includes a shared memory device coupled to the plurality of trip units via a network, wherein the shared memory device is configured to transmit a synchronization request to at least the second trip unit, receive a response from the second trip unit, including operation data associated with the second trip unit, receive a data request from the first trip unit, and transmit the operation data associated with the second trip unit to the first trip unit via the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Cecil Rivers, Jr.