Patents by Inventor Daniel T. Lasko
Daniel T. Lasko 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).
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Patent number: 11662729Abstract: A submersible inspection drone used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The cameras on the submersible can be fixed in place and can be either static or motion picture cameras. The submersible can include an input/output selector capable of switching between the camera images, either through commanded action of a user or through computer based switching. In one form the input/output selector is a multiplexer. The base station can be configured to display images from the cameras one at a time, or can include a number of separate viewing portals in which real time images are displayed. The base station can include a demultiplexer synchronized to the multiplexer of the submersible.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos W. Morato, Biao Zhang, Luiz Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Gregory F. Rossano, Andrew Salm
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Patent number: 11628735Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. Multiple light detectors are provided on the charge head to sense light emitted from the vehicle. The system then uses a difference in the amount of light received by different light detectors to determine a direction to move the charge head toward the charge inlet.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, Sree Shankar, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah
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Patent number: 11550339Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Andrew Salm, Sangeun Choi
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Patent number: 11526163Abstract: A submersible remotely operable vehicle used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras and sensors for mapping and navigating the internal structure of the transformer with liquid coolant remaining in the transformer. The remotely operable vehicle can be wirelessly controlled to perform various inspection functions while the number of cameras provide video streams for processing to produce a three dimensional field of view based on an observation position of the remotely operable vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos W. Morato, Luiz Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Gregory F. Rossano
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Patent number: 11414164Abstract: An inspection vehicle operable for performing one or more maintenance and repair operations in a housing filled at least partially with a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The inspection vehicle includes a propulsion device operable in the liquid medium and includes at least one sensor operable for sensing and transmitting data associated therewith. A control system including an electronic controller is in electronic communication with the inspection vehicle to transmit and receive communication signals to/from the inspection vehicle. One or more maintenance tools operable with the inspection vehicle are configured to perform maintenance and/or repair operations within the liquid filled housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Andrew Salm
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Patent number: 11360120Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, manipulating and displaying inspection data obtained by sensors associated with submersible inspection vehicle within a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. A control system including an electronic controller is operably coupled with the inspection vehicle and is configured to display data transmitted from the sensor and overlay input data from an operator on the display to facilitate real time analysis during the inspection event.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Sanguen Choi
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Publication number: 20220126717Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. Multiple light detectors are provided on the charge head to sense light emitted from the vehicle. The system then uses a difference in the amount of light received by different light detectors to determine a direction to move the charge head toward the charge inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, Sree Shankar, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah
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Patent number: 11087895Abstract: A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Biao Zhang, Luiz Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Gregory F. Rossano, Andrew Salm, Sanguen Choi
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Publication number: 20210086642Abstract: A charge head is connected to a charge inlet of an electric vehicle to supply an electric charge to recharge the battery of the vehicle. The charge head is attached to a connecting device that moves the charge head to the charge inlet. Multiple light detectors are provided on the charge head to sense light emitted from the vehicle. The system then uses a difference in the amount of light received by different light detectors to determine a direction to move the charge head toward the charge inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, Sree Shankar, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah
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Patent number: 10844562Abstract: A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Gregory F. Rossano, Saumya Sharma, Sangeun Choi
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Patent number: 10802480Abstract: A submersible inspection device used for inspection of, for example, liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a number of wireless transmitters and receivers. Signals transmitted to the submersible include command signals useful to effect an action on the submersible but also a heartbeat signal to indicate health of the transmitted signal. A redundant channel selection logic is provided to switch from a channel which no longer receives a heartbeat to another channel that includes a current heartbeat. Multiple signals can be received and evaluated in software, and another signal received via a firmware radio.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Morato, Biao Zhang, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Andrew Salm
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Publication number: 20200218285Abstract: A tether control system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The tether system includes a tether connected between the inspection vehicle and an electronic controller. A controllable buoyancy system associated with the tether is operable for moving the tether in a desired location. The controllable buoyancy system includes one or more floating bodies having a propulsion system and one or more buoyant elements having variable buoyancy capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Andrew Salm, Sanguen Choi
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Publication number: 20190391183Abstract: A method and system for acquiring, manipulating and displaying inspection data obtained by sensors associated with submersible inspection vehicle within a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. A control system including an electronic controller is operably coupled with the inspection vehicle and is configured to display data transmitted from the sensor and overlay input data from an operator on the display to facilitate real time analysis during the inspection event.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Sanguen Choi
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Publication number: 20190325668Abstract: A submersible inspection system for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers having a wirelessly controlled submersible inspective device. A submersion depth of the submersible can be controlled using a ballast system. The system can also include an input/output selector to switch between camera images from the submersible. A heartbeat signal indicative of a health of the transmitted signal can be transmitted to the submersible, and redundant channel selection logic can facilitate switching to a channel that includes a current heartbeat. A plurality of status interrogation systems disposed on the submersible can capture data regarding inspection procedures performed on the transformer, and the submersible can include tools for repair procedures. Data transmitted from the submersible, and overlayed with input data from an operator, can facilitate real time inspection analysis. The system can also form a model of an internal in the transformer, as well as produce a three-dimensional field of view.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Morato, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Sanguen Choi, Gregory F. Rossano, Andrew M. Salm, Saumya Sharma, Stefan Rakuff, Nolan W. Nicholas
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Publication number: 20190323191Abstract: A deployment system for an inspection vehicle operable in a housing having a liquid medium is disclosed in the present application. The deployment system includes a mount connectable to the housing through an aperture formed in a wall thereof. An extendable arm is connected to the mount and positioned within the housing. A tether is slidably coupled to the extendable arm and adapted to connect with the inspection vehicle. A control mechanism is operable to control deployment of the tether and the position of the extendable arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Gregory F. Rossano, Saumya Sharma, Sanguen Choi
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Publication number: 20190286146Abstract: A submersible inspection drone used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras for imaging the internal structure of the transformer. The submersible can be configured to communicate to a base station using a wireless transmitter and receiver. The cameras on the submersible can be fixed in place and can be either static or motion picture cameras. The submersible can include an input/output selector capable of switching between the camera images, either through commanded action of a user or through computer based switching. In one form the input/output selector is a multiplexer. The base station can be configured to display images from the cameras one at a time, or can include a number of separate viewing portals in which real time images are displayed. The base station can include a demultiplexer synchronized to the multiplexer of the submersible.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos F. Morato, Biao Zhang, Luiz Chelm, Poorvi Patel, Gregory F. Rossano, Andrew Salm
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Publication number: 20190286119Abstract: A submersible remotely operable vehicle used for inspection of liquid cooled electrical transformers can include a number of separate cameras and sensors for mapping and navigating the internal structure of the transformer with liquid coolant remaining in the transformer. The remotely operable vehicle can be wirelessly controlled to perform various inspection functions while the number of cameras provide video streams for processing to produce a three dimensional field of view based on an observation position of the remotely operable vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Morato, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Biao Zhang, Saumya Sharma, Gregory F. Rossano
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Publication number: 20190287688Abstract: A launching tube for use with a liquid filled tank can be sized to accommodate a submersible vehicle for dispensing into the liquid tank. The tank can be an electrical transformer or any other liquid containing tank such as but not limited to a chemical tank. The launching tube can include a valve for insertion into a launching chamber, and a tank side valve for launching of the submersible into the tank. In one form the launching tube includes an antenna for communication with the submersible and/or a base station. The launching tube can also include a sensor such as a camera, as well as an agitator. The agitator can be used to facilitate bubble removal from the inside of the launching tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Biao Zhang, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Gregory F. Rossano, Andrew Salm, Sanguen Choi
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Publication number: 20190287689Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a machine includes an inspection vehicle constructed for wireless operation while submersed in a dielectric liquid medium. The inspection vehicle is self-propelled. A controller is operative to direct the activities of the inspection vehicle. A plurality of status interrogation systems is disposed on the inspection vehicle. The status interrogation systems are operative to capture inspection data regarding a plurality of inspection procedures performed on the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Cole, William J. Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, Harshang Shah, Thomas A. Fuhlbrigge, Carlos Morato, Biao Zhang, Luiz V. Cheim, Poorvi Patel, Stefan Rakuff, Saumya Sharma, Nolan W. Nicholas, Gregory F. Rossano, Sanguen Choi
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Patent number: 9926052Abstract: An inspection device for use in a fluid container includes a hull adapted to be received in the fluid container and a control mechanism carried by the hull. The control mechanism movably positions a weight about the hull so as to adjust an angular orientation of the hull within the fluid container.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Gregory A. Cole, Gregory F. Rossano, William Eakins, Daniel T. Lasko, George Zhang