Patents by Inventor Joseph C. Engel

Joseph C. Engel 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).

  • Publication number: 20240118790
    Abstract: A computer readable media, a method, and a system registering a third party application providing an available communication system between a local user and a remote user identity, storing information related to the available communication system in a first database, obtaining contact information for the remote user identity from the third party application, determining a communication type for the third party application, pairing the remote user identity with a contact, and updating a graphical representation of contact information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Harris, Joseph H. Engel, Keith Stattenfield, John-Peter E. Cafaro, Colter S. Reed, Bruce M. Stadnyk, James C. Wilson, David A. McLeod, Alexander B. Brown
  • Publication number: 20210283486
    Abstract: A releasable net system using a releasable net attachment mechanism is provided. The releasable net system includes two or more upright structures with lateral support structures extending therebetween, and at least one net configured with the lateral support structures to form a net wall. The at least one net is attached to the lateral support structures using one or more releasable attachment mechanisms that are adapted to break under a predetermined load. In this way, the releasable attachment mechanisms may release the net from the support structures under environmental load conditions (high winds, snow, freezing rain) prior to the collapse of the support structures. The system may be used with outdoor netting systems such as those used for errant ball containment at golf driving ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 7952842
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts; a load conductor; a neutral conductor; and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. An arc fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and trips open the separable contacts responsive to detection of an arc fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts. A ground fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and is structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to detection of a ground fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts, the load conductor and the neutral conductor. The arc fault trip circuit includes an integration capacitor, and the ground fault trip circuit includes an output to the integration capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 7558033
    Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a neutral conductor, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, at least one current sensor structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts and output a sensed current value; and a processor. The processor includes a first routine structured to provide parallel arc fault detection, a second routine structured to provide series arc fault detection, and a third routine structured to enable the first routine and disable the second routine for a predetermined time when the sensed current value is greater than a predetermined value and to enable the second routine and disable the first routine for the predetermined time when the sensed current value is less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, John J. Shea, Joseph C. Engel, Kevin L. Parker, Theodore J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090086387
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes separable contacts; a load conductor; a neutral conductor; and an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts. An arc fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and trips open the separable contacts responsive to detection of an arc fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts. A ground fault trip circuit cooperates with the operating mechanism and is structured to trip open the separable contacts responsive to detection of a ground fault condition associated with current flowing through the separable contacts, the load conductor and the neutral conductor. The arc fault trip circuit includes an integration capacitor, and the ground fault trip circuit includes an output to the integration capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: JOSEPH C. ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20080204949
    Abstract: An arc fault circuit interrupter includes separable contacts, a neutral conductor, an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts, at least one current sensor structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts and output a sensed current value; and a processor. The processor includes a first routine structured to provide parallel arc fault detection, a second routine structured to provide series arc fault detection, and a third routine structured to enable the first routine and disable the second routine for a predetermined time when the sensed current value is greater than a predetermined value and to enable the second routine and disable the first routine for the predetermined time when the sensed current value is less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: XIN ZHOU, JOHN J. SHEA, JOSEPH C. ENGEL, KEVIN L. PARKER, THEODORE J. MILLER
  • Patent number: 7417554
    Abstract: A system displays information from and controls electrical switching apparatus, such as circuit breakers. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers having separable contacts and a plurality of conditions, such as bus temperature and contact wear. A plurality of sensors are structured to sense the conditions of the circuit breakers and to communicate the sensed conditions over corresponding wireless signals. A display and control unit is operatively associated with the circuit breakers and is structured to receive the corresponding wireless signals and display information corresponding to the sensed conditions or to control the circuit breakers based upon one or more of the sensed conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Gaton Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Benke, Joseph C. Engel, James L. Lagree, Charles J. Luebke, Mark G. Solveson
  • Patent number: 7319574
    Abstract: A non-invasive underground arc fault detection apparatus is for an underground electrical conductor. The apparatus includes an electric circuit having an opening for admitting the electrical conductor therethrough. The electric circuit includes one or two transducers adapted to output a first signal representative of current flowing in the electrical conductor and a second signal. An arc fault detection circuit cooperates with the electric circuit to output a third signal derived from the first signal. The third signal is representative of an arc fault of the electrical conductor. An audible annunciator cooperates with the arc fault detection circuit to annunciate the third signal. A power supply cooperates with the electric circuit and is adapted to power the arc fault detection circuit and the annunciator from the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 7280337
    Abstract: A controllable circuit breaker includes a housing, first and second inputs adapted to receive respective external close and open signals, a third input adapted to receive a control voltage, a set of main contacts, an operating mechanism for opening and closing those contacts; a set of secondary contacts connected in series with the main contacts, and a latching solenoid including a plunger latchable to a first position which closes the secondary contacts and to a second position which opens the secondary contacts. When separately energized, first and second coils operate the plunger to respective first and second positions. The first and second coils have a common node which is electrically connected to the third input. A non-mechanical, electronic control circuit within the housing is adapted to receive the external close and open signals and responsively energize the first and second coils, respectively, for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 7280338
    Abstract: A back-pack power supply module is for a circuit interrupter including an elongated line conductor. The back-pack power supply module includes a housing having an opening therethrough. The opening receives the elongated line conductor, which passes through the opening. A power supply circuit is housed by the housing and is adapted to input a line voltage from the elongated line conductor and output direct current voltages. A capacitive divider circuit includes two capacitors electrically connected in series between a first terminal and an output of the capacitive divider circuit. One of these two capacitors receives the line voltage. The two capacitors are embedded in insulation within one portion of the housing. Another capacitor is electrically connected between a second terminal and the capacitive divider circuit output. The other capacitor is disposed in another portion of the housing opposite the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Juds, Joseph C. Engel, Ian T. Wallace, Steven C. Schmalz
  • Patent number: 7253640
    Abstract: A circuit breaker for locating an arc fault for a protected circuit includes separable contacts interrupting the protected circuit and an arc fault detector determining an arc fault in the protected circuit. An analog to digital converter circuit measures a value of peak arc current at the arc fault detector. Another analog to digital converter circuit provides a peak line-to-neutral voltage. A memory provides an arc voltage operatively associated with the value of peak current. A microprocessor determines a distance from the arc fault detector to the arc fault from the value of peak arc current, a wire resistance per unit length or a wire conductance per unit length, the peak line-to-neutral voltage and the arc voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Engel, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Kevin L. Parker, Peter J. Theisen, Joseph C. Zuercher
  • Patent number: 7253602
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus is for a power bus including a plurality of characteristics. The sensor apparatus includes a housing; one or more sensors each adapted to sense a characteristic of the power bus; and a circuit adapted to transmit or receive a wireless signal. A processor includes a low-power mode and a routine adapted to wake up from the low-power mode, to input the sensed characteristic from the one or more sensors, to output a corresponding signal to the circuit to transmit as the wireless signal, and to sleep in the low-power mode. A power supply is adapted to power the sensors, the circuit and the processor from flux arising from current flowing in the power bus. The power supply includes one or more voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Randal P. Shvach, Joseph J. Matsko, Mark G. Solveson, Charles J. Luebke, Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 7145322
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus for a power bus including a current and a temperature includes a housing and one or more sensors. Each of the sensors is adapted to sense one of the current or the temperature of the power bus. A radio transceiver circuit is adapted to transmit a first wireless signal and to receive a second wireless signal. A processor is adapted to input the sensed current and the sensed temperature from the sensors and to output corresponding signals to the radio transceiver circuit in order to transmit the first wireless signal. A power supply is adapted to employ voltage produced by magnetically coupling the power bus to one or more coils, in order to power the sensors, the radio transceiver circuit and the processor from flux arising from current flowing in the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark G. Solveson, Charles J. Luebke, Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 6948846
    Abstract: A glowing contact or high resistance test device includes a housing and first and second circuits substantially within the housing. The first and second circuits include first and second electrical plugs disposed from the housing and adapted to electrically engage and thermally communicate with line and neutral circuits, respectively, of an electrical receptacle. First and second diode temperature sensors are proximate the first and second circuits and the first and second electrical plugs, respectively. The first and second sensors output first and second signals representative of the first and second temperatures of the line and neutral circuits, respectively. An amplifier circuit determines a difference between the first and second signals. A window comparator circuit includes a light emitting diode, which displays an indication signal when the absolute value of the difference exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 6901432
    Abstract: A translator apparatus includes a first transceiver for a Modbus RTU network having a register map of values, and a second transceiver for an INCOM network of INCOM devices having a plurality of different maps of objects and INCOM commands. A processor includes first and second interfaces to the respective first and second transceivers, and a communication routine adapted to: receive a request based upon the register map through the first transceiver related to the INCOM device objects which are responsive to different INCOM commands, send an INCOM command related to one or more of the INCOM device objects through the second transceiver, receive a response based upon the command through the second transceiver related to the INCOM device objects, and send a response based upon the register map through the first transceiver related to the INCOM device objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Clyde O. Peterson, John C. Schlotterer, Joseph C. Engel
  • Patent number: 6876532
    Abstract: A trip unit for a circuit interrupter includes a power supply, a plurality of input terminals and a plurality of output terminals. A heater conductor is electrically connected between each pair of the input and output terminals. The heater conductor is adapted to generate heat responsive to current flowing through the conductor. A diode is disposed proximate each of the conductors for heating thereby. The diodes are electrically interconnected with the power supply and are adapted to provide a forward voltage representative of the temperature of the corresponding conductor. Another diode is electrically interconnected with the power supply and is adapted to provide a forward voltage representative of ambient temperature. A thermal trip circuit generates a trip signal for the circuit interrupter responsive to the forward voltage of the diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Engel, Kevin L. Parker
  • Publication number: 20040136124
    Abstract: A circuit breaker for locating an arc fault for a protected circuit includes separable contacts interrupting the protected circuit and an arc fault detector determining an arc fault in the protected circuit. An analog to digital converter circuit measures a value of peak arc current at the arc fault detector. Another analog to digital converter circuit provides a peak line-to-neutral voltage. A memory provides an arc voltage operatively associated with the value of peak current. A microprocessor determines a distance from the arc fault detector to the arc fault from the value of peak arc current, a wire resistance per unit length or a wire conductance per unit length, the peak line-to-neutral voltage and the arc voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph C. Engel, Engelbert Hetzmannseder, Kevin L. Parker, Peter J. Theisen, Joseph C.; Zuercher
  • Patent number: 6720872
    Abstract: An arc fault/ground fault circuit interrupter for a power circuit includes a line terminal; a load terminal; and separable contacts electrically connected between the line and load terminals. An operating mechanism opens the separable contacts and has a closed position for closing the separable contacts. A trip mechanism cooperates with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. A ground fault protection circuit is operatively associated with the power circuit. An arc fault protection circuit is also operatively associated with the power circuit. A circuit tests the ground fault protection circuit, tests the arc fault protection circuit, and restores the operating mechanism to the closed position responsive to sequential activation of test and reset buttons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Engel, Robert T. Elms, John C. Schlotterer
  • Patent number: 6707652
    Abstract: An electrical switching device, such as a receptacle, includes a line circuit having a first temperature, a neutral circuit having a second temperature, and a load terminal. Separable contacts are adapted to electrically connect the line circuit and the load terminal. An operating mechanism opens the separable contacts in response to a trip signal. A first diode temperature sensor outputs a first signal representative of the first temperature of the line circuit. A second diode temperature sensor outputs a second signal representative of the second temperature of the neutral circuit. A difference circuit determines a difference between the first and second signals. A trip circuit provides the trip signal as a function of the difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040008460
    Abstract: An electrical switching device, such as a receptacle, includes a line circuit having a first temperature, a neutral circuit having a second temperature, and a load terminal. Separable contacts are adapted to electrically connect the line circuit and the load terminal. An operating mechanism opens the separable contacts in response to a trip signal. A first diode temperature sensor outputs a first signal representative of the first temperature of the line circuit. A second diode temperature sensor outputs a second signal representative of the second temperature of the neutral circuit. A difference circuit determines a difference between the first and second signals. A trip circuit provides the trip signal as a function of the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph C. Engel