Patents by Inventor George P. Birch
George P. Birch 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: 11680840Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
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Patent number: 11313779Abstract: A debris detection system includes a chamber configured to permit particles to pass through the chamber; an optical fiber or fiber optic cable providing a light path; a collimator configured to channel light from the light path into the chamber; and a reflector configured to reflect light back to the collimator for signal detection. In embodiments, the reflector may include a mirror. Methods for detecting particles and information and/or parameters associated with particles, including that associated with reflected light, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Gregory Kopansky, George P. Birch, Xin Pu, John Zielinski
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Patent number: 11268844Abstract: An electro-optic fluid level sensor includes a body having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion. A light source is disposed at the first end portion of the body. A first light detector is disposed at the second end portion of the body. A second light detector is disposed at the second end portion of the body. The second light detector is axially offset from the first light detector.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Gregory Kopansky, George P. Birch, William C. Quaile, David A. Weiser, Thomas C. Gross
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Patent number: 11262285Abstract: A debris detection system includes a chamber configured to permit particles to pass through the chamber; an optical fiber or fiber optic cable providing a light path; a collimator configured to channel light from the light path into the chamber; and a reflector configured to reflect light back to the collimator for signal detection. In embodiments, the reflector may include a mirror. Methods for detecting particles and information and/or parameters associated with particles, including that associated with reflected light, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Gregory Kopansky, George P. Birch, Xin Pu, John Zielinski
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Publication number: 20220003590Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
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Patent number: 11137278Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
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Publication number: 20200309662Abstract: A debris detection system includes a chamber configured to permit particles to pass through the chamber; an optical fiber or fiber optic cable providing a light path; a collimator configured to channel light from the light path into the chamber; and a reflector configured to reflect light back to the collimator for signal detection. In embodiments, the reflector may include a mirror. Methods for detecting particles and information and/or parameters associated with particles, including that associated with reflected light, are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2020Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, George P. Birch, Xin Pu, John Zielinski
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Publication number: 20200232838Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
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Publication number: 20200116544Abstract: An electro-optic fluid level sensor includes a body having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion. A light source is disposed at the first end portion of the body. A first light detector is disposed at the second end portion of the body. A second light detector is disposed at the second end portion of the body. The second light detector is axially offset from the first light detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd.Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, George P. Birch, William C. Quaile, David A. Weiser, Thomas C. Gross
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Patent number: 10620032Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
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Publication number: 20180031407Abstract: A method of operating an electro-optic sensor includes disposing at least a portion of the electro-optic sensor in a liquid chamber, providing light from a light source of the electro-optic sensor at a first intensity, driving a light detector of the electro-optic sensor at a first sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a first amount of light from the light source; determining whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the first amount of light, providing light from the light source at a second intensity, driving the light detector at a second sensitivity level, receiving, via the light detector, a second amount of light from the light source, and/or confirming whether liquid is present in the liquid chamber according to the second amount of light. The first sensitivity level may be different from the second sensitivity level.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Gregory Kopansky, Thomas C. Gross, Stephen Showalter, George P. Birch
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Publication number: 20130119661Abstract: A wind turbine and housing combination may include a horizontal axis radial wind turbine and a housing surrounding the turbine, the housing being incorporated with a cupola or gable roof of a building. The turbine may include an axle, a plurality of blade sections extending radially from the axle, and a generator operatively coupled to a first end of the axle. Each blade section may include a curved drag surface that provides a stall surface normal to the direction of an anticipated wind flow. The generator may be adapted to produce electricity when the axle is rotated. The housing may include a plurality of louvers and a motor operatively coupled to the plurality of louvers. Each louver may be capable of having (i) a closed position that prevents wind from entering the housing and (ii) an open position that permits wind to enter the housing. The housing may be adapted to be attached to an apex of a gable roof of a building.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2012Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: 888 CORPORATIONInventors: Frank G. Pringle, George P. Birch