Patents by Inventor Ektor Sotiropoulos

Ektor Sotiropoulos 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: 11972913
    Abstract: A disconnector device is connectable to pole-mounted equipment in a power grid. The disconnector device is activated in case of an overload condition, thereby disconnecting the pole-mounted equipment. The disconnector device comprises a passive radio device to be enabled via an incoming radio signal. The passive radio device, upon being enabled, transmits, in at least one state of the disconnector device, an indicator radio signal indicative of the respective state of the disconnector device, the state being one of an activated state and a deactivated state of the disconnector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: Yannick Maret, Alexander Fach, Gian-Luigi Madonna, Xavier Kornmann, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Daniel Neeser, Martin Schick-Pauli
  • Patent number: 11777303
    Abstract: Disclosed is a leakage current measuring device for a grid protection system protecting a power distribution or transmission grid from damage in case of a power surge, the grid protection system including a disconnector device and a surge arrester connected in series along a grounding path, the grounding path connecting a phase of a power distribution or transmission grid through the surge arrester and the disconnector device to ground, the disconnector device being configured for being activated in case of an overload condition, thereby disconnecting the surge arrester. The leakage current measuring device includes a leakage current sensor for measuring a leakage current IL flowing along the grounding path, the leakage current IL being indicative of the electrical connection status of the disconnector device. The electrical connection status is one of an activated and an inactivated status of the disconnector device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Gian-Luigi Madonna, Xavier Kornmann, Daniel Neeser, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Martin Schick-Pauli, Alexander Fach, Philipp Sommer, Yannick Maret
  • Patent number: 11588318
    Abstract: A device, a method and a system for monitoring an electrical connection status of a disconnector device are disclosed. The disconnector device is connectable to pole-mounted equipment in a power distribution or transmission grid, thereby disconnecting the pole-mounted equipment. The connection status monitoring device includes a determining section configured to determine whether the disconnector device has been activated and to generate connection status indicator data, indicative of whether the disconnector device has been activated. The determining section further includes a wireless communication section which is adapted to connect to a wireless communication infrastructure using a wireless communication protocol, and to transmit the connection status indicator data over the wireless communication infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Philipp Sommer, Xavier Kornmann, Daniel Neeser, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Martin Schick-Pauli, Gian-Luigi Madonna, Alexander Fach, Yannick Maret
  • Patent number: 11380464
    Abstract: A surge arrestor includes an active part extending along a longitudinal direction of the surge arrester, a first electrode having a first interlocking part, a second electrode resting against a second end of the active part, a flexible insulating housing, and a second interlocking part formed on an inner surface of the flexible insulating housing. The flexible insulating housing includes: a support member mechanically connecting and supporting the assembly of the first electrode, the active part and the second electrode, which has a plurality of supporting elements being arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the surge arrester and being arranged laterally at sides of the assembly of the first electrode, the active part and the second electrode, and an insulating expandable part with a plurality of sheds extending outwards, being moulded around the support member and being spaced apart from the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AG
    Inventors: Chun Li, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Felix Greuter, JianSheng Chen, Jian He, Liang Song, Weidong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20220200333
    Abstract: A monitoring system for remotely monitoring a state of pole-mounted equipment in a power distribution or transmission grid is provided. The pole-mounted equipment includes an indicator device configured to present state information indicative of a state of the pole-mounted equipment. The monitoring system includes a status monitoring device movable via a drive or propulsion system. The status monitoring device is configured to obtain the state information from the indicator device when located within a communication range of the indicator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Yannick Maret, Xavier Kornmann, Daniel Neeser, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Martin Schick-Pauli, Gian-Luigi Madonna, Philipp Sommer, Alexander Fach
  • Publication number: 20220190589
    Abstract: A device, a method and a system for monitoring an electrical connection status of a disconnector device (110). The disconnector device (110) being connectable to pole-mounted equipment in a power distribution or transmission grid (200), thereby disconnecting the pole-mounted equipment. The connection status monitoring device (100) comprises a determining section (130) configured to determine whether the disconnector device (110) has been activated and to generate connection status indicator data, indicative of whether the disconnector device (100, 110) has been activated. The determining section (130) further comprises a wireless communication section (140) which is adapted to connect to a wireless communication infrastructure (150) using a wireless communication protocol, and to transmit the connection status indicator data over the wireless communication infrastructure (150).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Philipp Sommer, Xavier Kornmann, Daniel Neeser, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Martin Schick-Pauli, Gian-Luigi Madonna, Alexander Fach, Yannick Maret
  • Publication number: 20220165521
    Abstract: A disconnector device is connectable to pole-mounted equipment in a power grid. The disconnector device is activated in case of an overload condition, thereby disconnecting the pole-mounted equipment. The disconnector device comprises a passive radio device to be enabled via an incoming radio signal. The passive radio device, upon being enabled, transmits, in at least one state of the disconnector device, an indicator radio signal indicative of the respective state of the disconnector device, the state being one of an activated state and a deactivated state of the disconnector device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Yannick Maret, Alexander Fach, Gian-Luigi Madonna, Xavier Kornmann, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Daniel Neeser, Martin Schick-Pauli
  • Publication number: 20220149611
    Abstract: Disclosed is a leakage current measuring device for a grid protection system protecting a power distribution or transmission grid from damage in case of a power surge, the grid protection system including a disconnector device and a surge arrester connected in series along a grounding path, the grounding path connecting a phase of a power distribution or transmission grid through the surge arrester and the disconnector device to ground, the disconnector device being configured for being activated in case of an overload condition, thereby disconnecting the surge arrester. The leakage current measuring device includes a leakage current sensor for measuring a leakage current IL flowing along the grounding path, the leakage current IL being indicative of the electrical connection status of the disconnector device. The electrical connection status is one of an activated and an inactivated status of the disconnector device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Gian-Luigi Madonna, Xavier Kornmann, Daniel Neeser, Stefano Bertoli, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Martin Schick-Pauli, Alexander Fach, Philipp Sommer, Yannick Maret
  • Patent number: 11101646
    Abstract: A circuit breaker system is disclosed in the present application. The circuit breaker system includes a housing to hold an electrical interrupter within an internal region separated from an external ambient region. The electrical interrupter includes at least a first pair of electrical contact elements that are movable between open and closed positions. A voltage limiter, such as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), is connected across the pair of electrical contact elements to receive and dissipate a transient voltage when the first pair of electrical contacts is moved from a closed position to an open position, thereby reducing undesired arcing and premature wear or erosion of certain electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Sushil A. Shinde, Carl Kurinko, Arnold P. Vitols, Gary Hammack, Thomas Hoburn, Peter Dubach, Ektor Sotiropoulos
  • Patent number: 10910135
    Abstract: A surge arrester and a method for manufacturing the surge arrester are disclosed. The surge arrester includes a preassembled active part extending in a longitudinal direction, and a separately produced flexible housing defining a bore in the longitudinal direction and having an opening at an end surface of the flexible housing. The flexible housing is arranged surrounding the active part via the bore and in contact with the active part. The contact causes a deformation of the flexible housing in a circumferential direction, and the deformation generates a pressure applied on the active part along a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Chun Li, Jian He, Deli Gao, Maoshan Niu, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Felix Greuter, Jiansheng Chen, Jens Rocks
  • Publication number: 20200402690
    Abstract: A surge arrestor includes an active part extending along a longitudinal direction of the surge arrester, a first electrode having a first interlocking part, a second electrode resting against a second end of the active part, a flexible insulating housing, and a second interlocking part formed on an inner surface of the flexible insulating housing. The flexible insulating housing includes: a support member mechanically connecting and supporting the assembly of the first electrode, the active part and the second electrode, which has a plurality of supporting elements being arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the surge arrester and being arranged laterally at sides of the assembly of the first electrode, the active part and the second electrode, and an insulating expandable part with a plurality of sheds extending outwards, being moulded around the support member and being spaced apart from the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Chun Li, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Felix Greuter, JianSheng Chen, Jian He, Liang Song, Weidong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190326748
    Abstract: A circuit breaker system is disclosed in the present application. The circuit breaker system includes a housing to hold an electrical interrupter within an internal region separated from an external ambient region. The electrical interrupter includes at least a first pair of electrical contact elements that are movable between open and closed positions. A voltage limiter, such as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), is connected across the pair of electrical contact elements to receive and dissipate a transient voltage when the first pair of electrical contacts is moved from a closed position to an open position, thereby reducing undesired arcing and premature wear or erosion of certain electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Sushil A. Shinde, Carl Kurinko, Arnold P. Vitols, Gary Hammack, Thomas Hoburn, Peter Dubach, Ektor Sotiropoulos
  • Publication number: 20190189310
    Abstract: A surge arrester (100) and a method for manufacturing the surge arrester (100), the surge arrester (100) comprises a preassembled active part (110) extending in a longitudinal direction (Y), and a separately produced flexible housing (120) defining a bore (121) in the longitudinal direction (Y) and having an opening at an end surface (126) of the flexible housing (120), the flexible housing (120) is arranged surrounding the active part (110) via the bore (121) and in contact with the active part (110), the contact causes a deformation of the flexible housing (120) in a circumferential direction (C), and the deformation generates a pressure applied on the active part (110) along a radial direction (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Chun Li, Jian He, Deli Gao, Maoshan Niu, Ektor Sotiropoulos, Felix Greuter, Jiansheng Chen, Jens Rocks