Patents by Inventor Daniel Edward Hrncir

Daniel Edward Hrncir 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: 20240151587
    Abstract: A sensor mounting system is provided including a non-conductive bracket having a first end portion and a second end portion; a busbar section connected to the first end portion of the non-conductive bracket and having a high emissivity coating on a surface thereof; and an infrared sensor connected to the second end portion the non-conductive bracket, such that the infrared sensor faces the surface of the bus bar having the high emissivity coating and is spaced apart from the busbar section a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Amit Ashok Khendad, Daniel Edward Hrncir, Jr., David Aaron Metcalf
  • Patent number: 11616357
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one fuse clearing switch operable to create a fault on at least one AC line between a fuse and a transformer of a substation. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to be coupled to an arc detector and to operate the at least one fuse clearing switch responsive to a control signal produced by the arc detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20220384080
    Abstract: Currents may be balanced in an apparatus including first and second conductors electrically connected to a third conductor and configured to be coupled to respective first and second parallel-connected circuit breaker switches using at least one magnetic core positioned adjacent at least one of the first and second conductors to introduce an inductance in the at least one of the first and second conductors. The at least one core may include at least one magnetic material ring that at least partially surrounds the at least one of the first and second conductors. The at least one magnetic material ring may include a plurality of laminated layers of grain-oriented steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Vinod Kumar Parmar, Amit Ashok Khendad, Daniel Edward Hrncir, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220344928
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one fuse clearing switch operable to create a fault on at least one AC line between a fuse and a transformer of a substation. The apparatus further includes a control system configured to be coupled to an arc detector and to operate the at least one fuse clearing switch responsive to a control signal produced by the arc detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventor: Daniel Edward Hrncir, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220052517
    Abstract: An electrical system includes first, second and third busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the first or second bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current flowing in the first bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the first, second or third busses and responsively output a second signal; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses and output a third signal; and a circuit to invert the third signal to provide a fourth signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and the trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and fourth signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: DANIEL EDWARD HRNCIR, ROBERT JUDSON BURNS
  • Patent number: 11194104
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second components. A track supports one of the components for movement toward the other of the components. A first connector is mounted on the first component. The first connector retains an end portion of a first fiber optic cable, and has a first alignment portion. A second connector retains an end portion of a second fiber optic cable, and has a second alignment portion. The second alignment portion guides the second fiber optic cable radially into coaxial alignment with the first fiber optic cable upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion. A floating mount device supports the second connector on the second component for guided movement radially relative to the second component upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns, David Aaron Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20200112159
    Abstract: An electrical system includes first, second and third busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the first or second bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current flowing in the first bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the first, second or third busses and responsively output a second signal; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses and output a third signal; and a circuit to invert the third signal to provide a fourth signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and the trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and fourth signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: DANIEL EDWARD HRNCIR, ROBERT JUDSON BURNS
  • Patent number: 10598715
    Abstract: A system for locating a ground fault in an HRG power distribution system includes an HRG pulsing system having a ground fault sensor to detect a ground fault, a pulsing contactor to introduce a pulsing current into the power distribution system, and a controller to control the pulsing contactor to introduce the pulsing current into the power distribution system in response to a ground fault detection by the ground fault sensor. Current sensors in the power distribution system monitor three-phase current signals on conductors of the power distribution system, with the current sensors positioned on distribution networks in the power distribution system and at a protection device included on each respective distribution network. A processor associated with each protection device and operably connected to the current sensors thereat receives signals from the current sensors for identifying a location of a ground fault in the power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: David Glenn Loucks, Robert Thomas Wolfe, Steven Andrew Dimino, Daniel Edward Hrncir, Deborah Kaltwasser Mort, Alec Dane Burkle
  • Patent number: 10535988
    Abstract: An electrical system includes first, second and third busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the first or second bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current flowing in the first bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the first, second or third busses and responsively output a second signal; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses and output a third signal; and a circuit to invert the third signal to provide a fourth signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and the trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and fourth signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns
  • Publication number: 20190391344
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second components. A track supports one of the components for movement toward the other of the components. A first connector is mounted on the first component. The first connector retains an end portion of a first fiber optic cable, and has a first alignment portion. A second connector retains an end portion of a second fiber optic cable, and has a second alignment portion. The second alignment portion guides the second fiber optic cable radially into coaxial alignment with the first fiber optic cable upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion. A floating mount device supports the second connector on the second component for guided movement radially relative to the second component upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns, David Aaron Metcalf
  • Patent number: 10431967
    Abstract: A cable management system maintains separation laterally between a plurality of distinct phase conductors, each of which includes one or more insulated electrical cables. The system includes an electrically non-conductive brace having free ends, a length between the free ends, and predetermined conductor locations that are spaced apart from one another along the length. Apertures extend through the brace at the conductor locations. The cable management system further includes retainer straps and strap locks. Each retainer strap reaches around a corresponding conductor at one of the conductor locations on one side of the brace, and reaches further through a corresponding pair of the apertures to the opposite side of the brace. Each strap lock engages a retainer strap at one side of the brace to retain a corresponding conductor in place at the conductor location on the opposite side of the brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Michael Rowe MacGowan, Timothy Fair, Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns
  • Patent number: 10409010
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second components. A track supports one of the components for movement toward the other of the components. A first connector is mounted on the first component. The first connector retains an end portion of a first fiber optic cable, and has a first alignment portion. A second connector retains an end portion of a second fiber optic cable, and has a second alignment portion. The second alignment portion guides the second fiber optic cable radially into coaxial alignment with the first fiber optic cable upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion. A floating mount device supports the second connector on the second component for guided movement radially relative to the second component upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns, David Aaron Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20190044312
    Abstract: A cable management system maintains separation laterally between a plurality of distinct phase conductors, each of which includes one or more insulated electrical cables. The system includes an electrically non-conductive brace having free ends, a length between the free ends, and predetermined conductor locations that are spaced apart from one another along the length. Apertures extend through the brace at the conductor locations. The cable management system further includes retainer straps and strap locks. Each retainer strap reaches around a corresponding conductor at one of the conductor locations on one side of the brace, and reaches further through a corresponding pair of the apertures to the opposite side of the brace. Each strap lock engages a retainer strap at one side of the brace to retain a corresponding conductor in place at the conductor location on the opposite side of the brace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Rowe MacGowan, Timothy Fair, Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns
  • Publication number: 20190044316
    Abstract: An electrical system includes first, second and third busses; a first interrupter electrically connected between the first and second busses; at least one of a shorting apparatus operatively associated with the first or second bus, and the first interrupter comprising a trip coil; a current sensor to sense a fault current flowing in the first bus and responsively output a first signal; a number of light sensors to sense an arc flash operatively associated with a number of the first, second or third busses and responsively output a second signal; a second interrupter electrically connected between the second and third power busses and output a third signal; and a circuit to invert the third signal to provide a fourth signal, and to operate the at least one of the shorting apparatus and the trip coil responsive to an AND of the first, second and fourth signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: DANIEL EDWARD HRNCIR, ROBERT JUDSON BURNS
  • Publication number: 20180196206
    Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second components. A track supports one of the components for movement toward the other of the components. A first connector is mounted on the first component. The first connector retains an end portion of a first fiber optic cable, and has a first alignment portion. A second connector retains an end portion of a second fiber optic cable, and has a second alignment portion. The second alignment portion guides the second fiber optic cable radially into coaxial alignment with the first fiber optic cable upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion. A floating mount device supports the second connector on the second component for guided movement radially relative to the second component upon movement of the first alignment portion against the second alignment portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Robert Judson Burns, David Aaron Metcalf
  • Patent number: 9754753
    Abstract: The disclosed concept pertains generally to secondary terminal blocks and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for isolating the secondary terminal blocks and associated wiring in electrical switching assembly enclosures. The apparatus includes a housing having an outer surface structured to form a cavity therein. The apparatus is positioned in an enclosure which includes an electrical switching apparatus and one or more secondary terminal blocks. The one or more secondary terminal blocks are positioned in the cavity such that the apparatus at least substantially isolates the one or more secondary terminal blocks from the electrical switching apparatus. Further, the apparatus is effective to substantially isolate the secondary terminal blocks from temperature and pressure effects resulting from an arcing fault occurring in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, Jr., David Aaron Metcalf
  • Patent number: 9671425
    Abstract: A test apparatus that is usable with a switchgear cabinet is structured to mimic the operation of a circuit interruption device being received in the interior of the switchgear cabinet by providing a number of structures such as an engagement wall that engages a shutter assembly and moves it from a deployed state to an undeployed state. The engagement wall in the test apparatus has a number of openings formed therein that permit a number of electrical conductors and the relevant portions of the shutter assembly to be viewed from the exterior of the switchgear cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Fair, Daniel Edward Hrncir
  • Publication number: 20170153270
    Abstract: A test apparatus that is usable with a switchgear cabinet is structured to mimic the operation of a circuit interruption device being received in the interior of the switchgear cabinet by providing a number of structures such as an engagement wall that engages a shutter assembly and moves it from a deployed state to an undeployed state. The engagement wall in the test apparatus has a number of openings formed therein that permit a number of electrical conductors and the relevant portions of the shutter assembly to be viewed from the exterior of the switchgear cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Fair, Daniel Edward Hrncir
  • Publication number: 20170059641
    Abstract: A system for locating a ground fault in an HRG power distribution system includes an HRG pulsing system having a ground fault sensor to detect a ground fault, a pulsing contactor to introduce a pulsing current into the power distribution system, and a controller to control the pulsing contactor to introduce the pulsing current into the power distribution system in response to a ground fault detection by the ground fault sensor. Current sensors in the power distribution system monitor three-phase current signals on conductors of the power distribution system, with the current sensors positioned on distribution networks in the power distribution system and at a protection device included on each respective distribution network. A processor associated with each protection device and operably connected to the current sensors thereat receives signals from the current sensors for identifying a location of a ground fault in the power distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: David Glenn Loucks, Robert Thomas Wolfe, Steven Andrew Dimino, Daniel Edward Hrncir, Deborah Kaltwasser Mort, Alec Dane Burkle
  • Publication number: 20160225570
    Abstract: The disclosed concept pertains generally to secondary terminal blocks and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for isolating the secondary terminal blocks and associated wiring in electrical switching assembly enclosures. The apparatus includes a housing having an outer surface structured to form a cavity therein. The apparatus is positioned in an enclosure which includes an electrical switching apparatus and one or more secondary terminal blocks. The one or more secondary terminal blocks are positioned in the cavity such that the apparatus at least substantially isolates the one or more secondary terminal blocks from the electrical switching apparatus. Further, the apparatus is effective to substantially isolate the secondary terminal blocks from temperature and pressure effects resulting from an arcing fault occurring in the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Edward Hrncir, JR., David Aaron Metcalf