Patents by Inventor Henry Hall Mason, Jr.
Henry Hall Mason, Jr. 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: 9325167Abstract: A power equipment protection system is provided. The power equipment protection system includes a first trip unit configured to monitor a first circuit, a second trip unit configured to monitor a second circuit that is downstream from the first circuit, an arc-flash (AF) sensor configured to detect an arc flash, an AF mitigation device, at least one current sensor, and a controller. The power equipment protection system is operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by both the AF sensor and the at least one current sensor, and wherein in the second mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by at least one of the at least one current sensor and the AF sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Charles Kumfer, Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Craig Benjamin Williams, Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Publication number: 20150372482Abstract: A power equipment protection system is provided. The power equipment protection system includes a first trip unit configured to monitor a first circuit, a second trip unit configured to monitor a second circuit that is downstream from the first circuit, an arc-flash (AF) sensor configured to detect an arc flash, an AF mitigation device, at least one current sensor, and a controller. The power equipment protection system is operable in a first mode and a second mode, wherein in the first mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by both the AF sensor and the at least one current sensor, and wherein in the second mode, the controller is configured to activate the AF mitigation device based on signals generated by at least one of the at least one current sensor and the AF sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Brent Charles Kumfer, Henry Hall Mason, JR., Craig Benjamin Williams, Marcelo Esteban Valdes
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Patent number: 8649139Abstract: A power circuit protection system includes a current sensor configured to measure a first current level through a conductor of the circuit, a voltage sensor configured to measure a first voltage level across a plurality of conductors of the circuit, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the current sensor, wherein the first signal is representative of the first current level, and receive a second signal from the voltage sensor, wherein the second signal is representative of the first voltage level. Based on the first signal and the second signal, the controller is configured to determine whether to activate a first circuit protection device or a second circuit protection device.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George William Roscoe, Robert Caggiano, Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Craig Benjamin Williams
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Patent number: 8335063Abstract: A hub for use with a circuit protection system includes a first input port configured to communicatively couple to at least one sensor device, wherein the at least one sensor device includes a light source and at least one light sensor. The hub also includes a first output port configured to communicatively couple to at least one controller, and a processor communicatively coupled to the first input port and to the first output port. The processor is configured to receive a sensor status signal from the at least one light sensor via the first input port in response to a test pulse emitted by the light source, and transmit a hub status signal to the at least one controller via the first output port based at least in part on the sensor status signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Kenneth Hooker, Michael Paul Lafond, Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Megan Dalene Bardolph
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Publication number: 20120053743Abstract: A hub for use with a circuit protection system includes a first input port configured to communicatively couple to at least one sensor device, wherein the at least one sensor device includes a light source and at least one light sensor. The hub also includes a first output port configured to communicatively couple to at least one controller, and a processor communicatively coupled to the first input port and to the first output port. The processor is configured to receive a sensor status signal from the at least one light sensor via the first input port in response to a test pulse emitted by the light source, and transmit a hub status signal to the at least one controller via the first output port based at least in part on the sensor status signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Inventors: John Kenneth Hooker, Michael Paul Lafond, Henry Hall Mason, JR., Megan Dalene Bardolph
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Publication number: 20120044600Abstract: A power circuit protection system includes a current sensor configured to measure a first current level through a conductor of the circuit, a voltage sensor configured to measure a first voltage level across a plurality of conductors of the circuit, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the current sensor, wherein the first signal is representative of the first current level, and receive a second signal from the voltage sensor, wherein the second signal is representative of the first voltage level. Based on the first signal and the second signal, the controller is configured to determine whether to activate a first circuit protection device or a second circuit protection device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: George William Roscoe, Robert Caggiano, Henry Hall Mason, JR., Craig Benjamin Williams
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Patent number: 7692903Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a solenoid in a circuit breaker includes a control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition. The control circuit, in response to said activation signal, provides a first energizing signal to the solenoid for a first predetermined period, and cuts off the first energizing signal for a second predetermined period. The control circuit further provides a second energizing signal to the solenoid for a third predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sean Dwyer, Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Cecil Rivers, Jr., Sohaib Uddin Shaikh, Craig B. Williams
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Patent number: 7656641Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a solenoid includes a control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition. The control circuit, in response to said activation signal, provides a first energizing signal to the solenoid for a first predetermined period, and cuts off the first energizing signal for a second predetermined period. The control circuit further provides a second energizing signal to the solenoid for a third predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Craig B. Williams, Cecil Rivers, Jr., Sohaib U. Shaikh, Sean R. Dwyer
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Patent number: 6961226Abstract: A method and system to improve efficiency and performance of a power supply by providing a consistent voltage level into a multiple-pole circuit breaker (10) to improve efficiency, reduce heat generation and increase the speed and consistency of “turn-on” times. A power supply (14) for changing waveform comprises circuitry for receiving at least one waveform having first and second components. Circuitry is provided for changing the first component and means for outputting a waveform comprising the outputs from the changing circuitry are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Craig Benjamin Williams
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Patent number: 6731483Abstract: A method and apparatus for a circuit breaker having an arc fault detection circuit, a ground fault detection circuit, a signal indicative of an arc fault in a corresponding pole of the circuit breaker; and a trip mechanism including a pair of separable contacts. The trip mechanism is in operable communication with the ground fault detection circuitry so than in response to receiving the signal from the ground fault detection circuitry, the arc fault detection circuitry causes the ground fault detection circuitry to generate a trip signal causing the trip mechanism to separate the pair of separable contacts.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Craig B. Williams, Cecil Rivers, Jr.
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Patent number: 6538862Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a dual test mechanism is presented for use in a circuit breaker. More specifically, the dual test mechanism includes a dual test button which comprises a single switch for testing both the AFCI and GFCI circuits of the breaker. The test mechanism includes a circuit board, which forms a part of the circuit breaker, and a test button assembly which includes a test button and signaling components which are electrically connected to the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Henry Hall Mason, Jr., Craig B. Williams, Cecil Rivers, Jr.