Patents by Inventor James A. Porter

James A. Porter 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: 8183869
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, phase conductor and neutral conductor. The phase conductor and the neutral conductor are each configured to pass through the transformer from line side to load side that are defined by the current transformer. The circuit interrupter generates a continuous test current by continuous current imbalance established between the load side of the phase conductor and the line side of the neutral conductor, or between the line side of the phase conductor and the load side of the neutral conductor. A continuous test conductor may be coupled correspondingly to establish the current imbalance. Alternatively, an integrated circuit coupled correspondingly receives power and is energized by a quiescent current thereby. The current imbalance is established by the quiescent current. The current transformer detects the quiescent current as the continuous test current. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David Chan, James A. Porter, Roger M. Bradley
  • Patent number: 8139328
    Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit interrupting device with symmetrical inputs comprising a first input configured for connection to a power source or a load circuit and a second input configured for connection to a power source. There are a plurality of electrical conductors extending from the first and second inputs and a third input configured for connection to a load provided by a user. There is also a first set of transformers comprising at least one differential transformer and at least one neutral transformer connected to detect leakage current in a load circuit coupled to the first set of terminals. There is also a second set of transformers comprising at least one additional differential transformer and at least one additional neutral transformer connected to detect leakage current in a load circuit coupled to the second set of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Levitron Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. DiSalvo, James A. Porter
  • Publication number: 20110258112
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a vehicle, including receiving electricity via a wall box mounted electrical receptacle or a plug-in receptacle electrically connected to an electrical energy source; establishing a connection between a communication module of the wall box mounted electrical receptacle or the plug-in receptacle and a communications network; receiving electrical energy source data; and controlling the charging of an electrical storage device of the vehicle by automatically controlling the charging based on the electrical energy source data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Company Inc.
    Inventors: John Eder, Scot J. Hale, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: 7944331
    Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include reverse wiring protection, and optionally an independent trip portions and/or a reset lockout portion are provided. The reverse wiring protection operates at both the line and load sides of the device so that in the event line side wiring to the device is improperly connected to the load side, fault protection for the device remains. The trip portion operates independently of a circuit interrupting portion used to break the electrical continuity in one or more conductive paths in the device. The reset lockout portion prevents the reestablishing of electrical continuity in open conductive paths if the circuit interrupting portion is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Porter, James Richter, Frantz Germain, Armando Calixto
  • Publication number: 20100073002
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, phase conductor and neutral conductor. The phase conductor and the neutral conductor are each configured to pass through the transformer from line side to load side that are defined by the current transformer. The circuit interrupter generates a continuous test current by continuous current imbalance established between the load side of the phase conductor and the line side of the neutral conductor, or between the line side of the phase conductor and the load side of the neutral conductor. A continuous test conductor may be coupled correspondingly to establish the current imbalance. Alternatively, an integrated circuit coupled correspondingly receives power and is energized by a quiescent current thereby. The current imbalance is established by the quiescent current. The current transformer detects the quiescent current as the continuous test current. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: David Chan, James A. Porter, Roger M. Bradley
  • Patent number: 7558034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices that eliminates the need to rewire a resettable circuit interrupting device after it is installed and powered up to correct for a reverse wiring conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaetano Bonasia, Benjamin Moadel, James A. Porter, Steve Campolo
  • Publication number: 20090128264
    Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit interrupting device with symmetrical inputs comprising a first input configured for connection to a power source or a load circuit and a second input configured for connection to a power source. There are a plurality of electrical conductors extending from the first and second inputs and a third input configured for connection to a load provided by a user. There is also a first set of transformers comprising at least one differential transformer and at least one neutral transformer connected to detect leakage current in a load circuit coupled to the first set of terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas L. DiSalvo, James A. PORTER
  • Publication number: 20070268635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of resettable circuit interrupting devices that avoid reverse wiring conditions by sensing which pair of two pairs of terminals on the circuit interrupting device is connected to a source of electricity and connecting the pair of terminals sensed as line terminals to the circuit interrupting device as the line terminals and the other pair of terminals as the load terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventors: Gaetano Bonasia, Benjamin Moadel, James A. Porter, Steve Campolo
  • Patent number: 6798341
    Abstract: A multifunction sensor device (10) provides various transducer functions for performing temperature sensing, humidity sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, thermostat functions, switching functions, load switching and dimming functions, displaying actual and set temperature values, displaying time of day values apparatus for putting the device in an on/off or auto mode. Key elements include mounting the diverse sensors or transducers within the same housing (14) that can be mounted to a wall in a flush manner, eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel in the device (10), thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor. The device can transmit and receive real time data, relative data and actual discrete data in addition to switching and controlling loads locally or remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Eckel, Gaetano Bonasia, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: 6723167
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a sleeve that forms a hollowed cylinder to enclose a spindle. The sleeve has a thickness and a first length. A strut is mounted to the spindle to keep the sleeve from traveling up a shaft. The strut is slotted into a first slot on a top end of the hollowed cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Porter
  • Patent number: 6697757
    Abstract: A multifunction sensor device acts as a heat detector and performs various transducer functions for temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions, and a mechanism to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device operates in diverse environments in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or HVAC control. Key elements include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package mounted to a wall; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. A temperature sensor is exposed neither to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel where a chimney effect may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David P. Eckel, Gaetano Bonasia, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: 6648163
    Abstract: A package for foodstuffs including a cup and a lid. The cup includes an opening surrounded by a flange. The flange has a sealing surface adjacent the opening and a beveled surface spaced outwardly of the sealing surface. The beveled surface extends along a periphery of the flange. The sealing surface has an inner radius R1 and an outer radius R2, the outer radius R2 defining the juncture between the sealing surface and the beveled surface. The beveled surface extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the sealing surface. The lid includes a tab extending outward of the periphery of the flange. The lid is affixed to the sealing surface thereby sealing the opening of the cup. The lid is not affixed to a substantial portion of the beveled surface. The lid and the sealing surface are adapted to release upon exertion of a predetermined pulling force on the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Del Monte Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Porter, III, Terry L. Koberstein, David K. Cosgrove
  • Publication number: 20030065472
    Abstract: A multifunction sensor device acts as a heat detector and performs various transducer functions for temperature sensing, ambient light sensing, motion detection, switching functions, and a mechanism to put the device in an on, off or auto mode. The device operates in diverse environments in which sensors are utilized for energy monitoring and control, end user convenience or HVAC control. Key elements include overcoming the difficulty of mounting diverse sensors or transducers within the same device or housing; permitting these various sensors to exist in a single package mounted to a wall; and eliminating the requirement of an air flow channel, thus minimizing any adverse effects on the motion detecting element or sensor as well as providing built in partial hysteresis. A temperature sensor is exposed neither to the flow of air in a room or area nor in an airflow channel where a chimney effect may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: David P. Eckel, Gaetano Bonasia, James A. Porter
  • Publication number: 20030042259
    Abstract: A package for foodstuffs including a cup and a lid. The cup includes an opening surrounded by a flange. The flange has a sealing surface adjacent the opening and a beveled surface spaced outwardly of the sealing surface. The beveled surface extends along a periphery of the flange. The sealing surface has an inner radius R1 and an outer radius R2, the outer radius R2 defining the juncture between the sealing surface and the beveled surface. The beveled surface extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the sealing surface. The lid includes a tab extending outward of the periphery of the flange. The lid is affixed to the sealing surface thereby sealing the opening of the cup. The lid is not affixed to a substantial portion of the beveled surface. The lid and the sealing surface are adapted to release upon exertion of a predetermined pulling force on the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: James A. Porter, Terry L. Koberstein, David K. Cosgrove
  • Patent number: D537038
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Campolo, Lawrence S. Leopold, James Richter, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: D467557
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Eckel, Maxim Laurent, James A. Porter, Gaetano Bonasia
  • Patent number: D538745
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Campolo, Lawrence S. Leopold, James Richter, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: D539742
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Campolo, Lawrence S. Leopold, James Richter, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: D472486
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Eckel, Maxim Laurent, James A. Porter
  • Patent number: D472487
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Eckel, Maxim Laurent, James A. Porter