Patents by Inventor David Nelson Makinson

David Nelson Makinson 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: 11391759
    Abstract: A shunt is composed of multiple pieces with at least some of the pieces being connected by a conductive channel that provides uniform flow of current. The conductive channel may be a recess, raised portion, stand-alone component, or other channel that directs current to flow from one piece of the shunt to another piece in a uniform manner, resulting in an accurate current reading for the shunt. Further, the shunt may include multiple pieces that are composed of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nelson Makinson
  • Publication number: 20210080488
    Abstract: A shunt is composed of multiple pieces with at least some of the pieces being connected by a conductive channel that provides uniform flow of current. The conductive channel may be a recess, raised portion, stand-alone component, or other channel that directs current to flow from one piece of the shunt to another piece in a uniform manner, resulting in an accurate current reading for the shunt. Further, the shunt may include multiple pieces that are composed of different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: David Nelson Makinson
  • Patent number: 10788515
    Abstract: A shunt is composed of multiple pieces with at least some of the pieces being connected by a conductive channel that provides uniform flow of current. The conductive channel may be a recess, raised portion, stand-alone component, or other channel that directs current to flow from one piece of the shunt to another piece in a uniform manner, resulting in an accurate current reading for the shunt. Further, the shunt may include multiple pieces that are composed of different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventor: David Nelson Makinson
  • Patent number: 10401392
    Abstract: A thermocouple device includes a shared conductor for a shunt measurement and a thermocouple measurement. For example, the thermocouple device may include a shared conductor that provides a signal to both calculate current of a shunt and calculate a temperature of the shunt. The thermocouple device may provide an efficient structure that accurately calculates current and temperature. In addition, the thermocouple device may use the temperature of the shunt to detect when a conductive path is overheating. The temperature of the shunt may also be used for other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nelson Makinson, Steven Grey
  • Publication number: 20180172737
    Abstract: A thermocouple device includes a shared conductor for a shunt measurement and a thermocouple measurement. For example, the thermocouple device may include a shared conductor that provides a signal to both calculate current of a shunt and calculate a temperature of the shunt. The thermocouple device may provide an efficient structure that accurately calculates current and temperature. In addition, the thermocouple device may use the temperature of the shunt to detect when a conductive path is overheating. The temperature of the shunt may also be used for other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: David Nelson Makinson, Steven Grey
  • Publication number: 20180172736
    Abstract: A shunt is composed of multiple pieces with at least some of the pieces being connected by a conductive channel that provides uniform flow of current. The conductive channel may be a recess, raised portion, stand-alone component, or other channel that directs current to flow from one piece of the shunt to another piece in a uniform manner, resulting in an accurate current reading for the shunt. Further, the shunt may include multiple pieces that are composed of different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: David Nelson Makinson
  • Patent number: 9910071
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metrology assembly that utilizes a multi-Hall effect device configuration which eliminates the necessity of a magnetic concentrator. In some embodiments, the metrology assembly includes a substrate or support platform configured to support at least two Hall effect devices per phase of an electricity meter. The metrology assembly may further include one or more electrical conductors coupled to the substrate and configured to conduct electric current. The at least two Hall effect devices may be coupled to the substrate at opposing sides of an associated electrical conductor, each Hall effect device being configured to detect a magnetic field created by the electric current of the associated electrical conductor, and to generate an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Mosser, Youcef Haddab, David Nelson Makinson, Steven Grey
  • Patent number: 9885743
    Abstract: Techniques for construction of an electric meter base level printed circuit board (PCB), such as for use in an electric consumption meter, are described herein. A plurality of heavy copper traces may be embedded in the PCB, thereby eliminating the need for heavy copper bar between connectors and components on the board. In one example, a PCB includes connectors for incoming and outgoing line and neutral conductors. The PCB may include a current measuring component, mounted on the PCB, to communicate with metrology circuitry. The PCB may include one or more switches, configured to regulate electrical service. Heavy electrical traces may be embedded in the PCB to connect the connectors and various components mounted on the PCB. The heavy electrical traces are sized to allow passage of currents that may be in excess of 100 amps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nelson Makinson, Joseph Pontin
  • Publication number: 20160116507
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metrology assembly that utilizes a multi-Hall effect device configuration which eliminates the necessity of a magnetic concentrator. In some embodiments, the metrology assembly includes a substrate or support platform configured to support at least two Hall effect devices per phase of an electricity meter. The metrology assembly may further include one or more electrical conductors coupled to the substrate and configured to conduct electric current. The at least two Hall effect devices may be coupled to the substrate at opposing sides of an associated electrical conductor, each Hall effect device being configured to detect a magnetic field created by the electric current of the associated electrical conductor, and to generate an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Vincent Mosser, Youcef Haddab, David Nelson Makinson, Steven Grey
  • Patent number: 9250270
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metrology assembly that utilizes a multi-Hall effect device configuration which eliminates the necessity of a magnetic concentrator. In some embodiments, the metrology assembly includes a substrate or support platform configured to support at least two Hall effect devices per phase of an electricity meter. The metrology assembly may further include one or more electrical conductors coupled to the substrate and configured to conduct electric current. The at least two Hall effect devices may be coupled to the substrate at opposing sides of an associated electrical conductor, each Hall effect device being configured to detect a magnetic field created by the electric current of the associated electrical conductor, and to generate an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Mosser, Youcef Haddab, David Nelson Makinson, Steven Grey
  • Publication number: 20140266171
    Abstract: Disclosed is a metrology assembly that utilizes a multi-Hall effect device configuration which eliminates the necessity of a magnetic concentrator. In some embodiments, the metrology assembly includes a substrate or support platform configured to support at least two Hall effect devices per phase of an electricity meter. The metrology assembly may further include one or more electrical conductors coupled to the substrate and configured to conduct electric current. The at least two Hall effect devices may be coupled to the substrate at opposing sides of an associated electrical conductor, each Hall effect device being configured to detect a magnetic field created by the electric current of the associated electrical conductor, and to generate an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Mosser, Youcef Haddab, David Nelson Makinson, Steven Grey
  • Publication number: 20140167738
    Abstract: Techniques for construction of an electric meter base level printed circuit board (PCB), such as for use in an electric consumption meter, are described herein. A plurality of heavy copper traces may be embedded in the PCB, thereby eliminating the need for heavy copper bar between connectors and components on the board. In one example, a PCB includes connectors for incoming and outgoing line and neutral conductors. The PCB may include a current measuring component, mounted on the PCB, to communicate with metrology circuitry. The PCB may include one or more switches, configured to regulate electrical service. Heavy electrical traces may be embedded in the PCB to connect the connectors and various components mounted on the PCB. The heavy electrical traces are sized to allow passage of currents that may be in excess of 100 amps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nelson Makinson, Joseph Pontin