Patents by Inventor Mark A. Faulkner

Mark A. Faulkner 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: 9653918
    Abstract: An autonomous thermal event control and monitoring system includes a processor component having an enclosure, a processor within the enclosure, a routine, a number of inputs from the processor, and a plurality of inputs to and a plurality of outputs from the processor for each of a plurality of feeders. The system also includes a human machine interface communicating with the processor. The inputs include for each of the feeders, a first input for a thermal sensor and a second input for a status of a network protector, a plurality of third inputs for statuses of a medium voltage interrupter, and a fourth input for a sudden pressure sensor of a network transformer. The outputs include for each of the feeders, a first output for a command to the network protector, and a plurality of second outputs for commands to the medium voltage interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Deborah Kaltwasser Mort, Mark A. Faulkner
  • Patent number: 9190225
    Abstract: An electrical disconnect apparatus includes a housing having an interior and an exterior, first and second conductors extending from the exterior into the interior, a movable conductor, and an actuator assembly coupled to the housing. The movable conductor has a connected position in which the movable conductor electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor, and a disconnected position in which the first conductor is electrically disconnected from the second conductor. The actuator assembly is adapted to move the movable conductor between the connected position and the disconnected position, and can be actuated manually or automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Jerry S. Wang
  • Publication number: 20150123752
    Abstract: An electrical disconnect apparatus includes a housing having an interior and an exterior, first and second conductors extending from the exterior into the interior, a movable conductor, and an actuator assembly coupled to the housing. The movable conductor has a connected position in which the movable conductor electrically connects the first conductor and the second conductor, and a disconnected position in which the first conductor is electrically disconnected from the second conductor. The actuator assembly is adapted to move the movable conductor between the connected position and the disconnected position, and can be actuated manually or automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: MARK A. FAULKNER, Jerry S. Wang
  • Publication number: 20140277799
    Abstract: An autonomous thermal event control and monitoring system includes a processor component having an enclosure, a processor within the enclosure, a routine, a number of inputs from the processor, and a plurality of inputs to and a plurality of outputs from the processor for each of a plurality of feeders. The system also includes a human machine interface communicating with the processor. The inputs include for each of the feeders, a first input for a thermal sensor and a second input for a status of a network protector, a plurality of third inputs for statuses of a medium voltage interrupter, and a fourth input for a sudden pressure sensor of a network transformer. The outputs include for each of the feeders, a first output for a command to the network protector, and a plurality of second outputs for commands to the medium voltage interrupter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Deborah Kaltwasser Mort, Mark A. Faulkner
  • Publication number: 20140172327
    Abstract: An electrical fault detection system includes an underground transformer unit having an enclosure and an electrical busbar element extending from the enclosure, and an acoustic sensor apparatus operatively coupled to an external structure of the enclosure or the electrical busbar element. The acoustic sensor apparatus is structured to: (i) detect an acoustic signal within the enclosure, (ii) analyze the detected acoustic signal and determine whether the detected acoustic signal is indicative of an electrical fault within the enclosure using an event time correlation (ETC) algorithm, and (iii) responsive to determining that the detected acoustic signal is indicative of an electrical fault, output a message indicating that a fault has been detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: XIN ZHOU, Mark A. Faulkner, Deborah K. Mort, John D. Weeks
  • Patent number: 8319123
    Abstract: A system includes an electrical enclosure having an inner volume and a door structured to open to expose the inner volume and structured to close to enclose the inner volume. A racking mechanism is disposed in the inner volume and includes a member movable in a first direction to a first position and an opposite second direction to a different second position. A network protector is carried by the racking mechanism and is movable thereby between a connect position in the inner volume corresponding to the first position of the member of the racking mechanism, and a test position in the inner volume corresponding to the different second position of the member of the racking mechanism. A control mechanism is structured to move the member of the racking mechanism between the first position and the different second position of the member responsive to a number of remote commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Stephen W. Oneufer, Stephen R. Cason
  • Patent number: 8280654
    Abstract: An apparatus is for a conductor capable of conducting a current. The apparatus includes a global positioning system device structured to determine location of the global positioning system device, a coupling device structured to couple the global positioning system device to the conductor, and a power supply structured to power the global positioning system device responsive to a current conducted by the conductor. The global positioning system device is further structured to wirelessly communicate the determined location when powered by the power supply responsive to the current conducted by the conductor. The global positioning system device does not wirelessly communicate when current is not conducted by the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Rodney L. Spottsville
  • Patent number: 8068320
    Abstract: A network unit includes an enclosure having first and second compartments, plural input terminals, and a primary switch having an input and an output, the input being electrically connected to the input terminals. The output of the primary switch is electrically connected to the input of a network transformer. A network protector includes an input, an output and a circuit breaker electrically connected between the input and the output of the network protector. The network protector input is electrically connected to the network transformer output. Plural circuit protection devices are electrically connected between the network protector output and plural output terminals. The circuit breaker is substantially enclosed by the second compartment. The network transformer, the primary switch and part of the network protector are enclosed by the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Rodney L. Spottsville, Jose L. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20110216508
    Abstract: A system includes an electrical enclosure having an inner volume and a door structured to open to expose the inner volume and structured to close to enclose the inner volume. A racking mechanism is disposed in the inner volume and includes a member movable in a first direction to a first position and an opposite second direction to a different second position. A network protector is carried by the racking mechanism and is movable thereby between a connect position in the inner volume corresponding to the first position of the member of the racking mechanism, and a test position in the inner volume corresponding to the different second position of the member of the racking mechanism. A control mechanism is structured to move the member of the racking mechanism between the first position and the different second position of the member responsive to a number of remote commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Stephen W. Oneufer, Stephen R. Cason
  • Publication number: 20110029263
    Abstract: An apparatus is for a conductor capable of conducting a current. The apparatus includes a global positioning system device structured to determine location of the global positioning system device, a coupling device structured to couple the global positioning system device to the conductor, and a power supply structured to power the global positioning system device responsive to a current conducted by the conductor. The global positioning system device is further structured to wirelessly communicate the determined location when powered by the power supply responsive to the current conducted by the conductor. The global positioning system device does not wirelessly communicate when current is not conducted by the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: MARK A. FAULKNER, Rodney L. Spottsville
  • Patent number: 7781689
    Abstract: A retrofit operating handle assembly structured to allow a CM22 type circuit breaker to be operatively coupled to a MG 8 or 9 type circuit breaker tank is provided. The operating handle assembly includes a tank assembly, which is coupled to the MG 8 or 9 type circuit breaker tank, and a circuit breaker, which is coupled to the CM22 type circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Jur, John M. Kokenda, Mark A. Faulkner, Stephen W. Oneufer, John R. Moffat, Richard L. Hotchkiss
  • Publication number: 20100142108
    Abstract: A network unit includes an enclosure having first and second compartments, plural input terminals, and a primary switch having an input and an output, the input being electrically connected to the input terminals. The output of the primary switch is electrically connected to the input of a network transformer. A network protector includes an input, an output and a circuit breaker electrically connected between the input and the output of the network protector. The network protector input is electrically connected to the network transformer output. Plural circuit protection devices are electrically connected between the network protector output and plural output terminals. The circuit breaker is substantially enclosed by the second compartment. The network transformer, the primary switch and part of the network protector are enclosed by the first compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: MARK A. FAULKNER, Rodney L. Spottsville, Jose L. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20090152078
    Abstract: A retrofit assembly structured to allow a CM22 type circuit breaker to engage, and be enclosed by, a CMD type circuit breaker tank is provided. The retrofit assembly includes a levering mechanism, a circuit breaker bus assembly having bus support members, and a door handle system structured to allow a user to actuate the circuit breaker contacts when the tank is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: JOHN R. MOFFAT, STEPHEN W. ONEUFER, MARK A. FAULKNER, PHILLIP D. MILLER, ARTHUR J. JUR, JOHN M. KOKENDA
  • Patent number: 7544907
    Abstract: A retrofit assembly structured to allow a CM22 type circuit breaker to engage, and be enclosed by, a CMD type circuit breaker tank is provided. The retrofit assembly includes a levering mechanism, a circuit breaker bus assembly having bus support members, and a door handle system structured to allow a user to actuate the circuit breaker contacts when the tank is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Moffat, Stephen W. Oneufer, Mark A. Faulkner, Phillip D. Miller, Arthur J. Jur, John M. Kokenda
  • Publication number: 20090050457
    Abstract: A retrofit operating handle assembly structured to allow a CM22 type circuit breaker to be operatively coupled to a MG 8 or 9 type circuit breaker tank is provided. The operating handle assembly includes a tank assembly, which is coupled to the MG 8 or 9 type circuit breaker tank, and a circuit breaker, which is coupled to the CM22 type circuit breaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Arthur J. Jur, John M. Kokenda, Mark A. Faulkner, Stephen W. Oneufer, John R. Moffat, Richard L. Hotchkiss
  • Patent number: 7149067
    Abstract: A voltage sensing device automatically scales the source and network phase voltages of a power distribution system having one of two operating voltages for input to a network protector relay and also automatically scales a voltage for operating the trip and close circuit of the circuit breaker in the network protector. A latching tap select relay only switches the system voltages to the lower operating voltage input taps of step down transformers after a short delay if all the system voltages are in the lower operating range. A diagnostic circuit verifies proper switch position and voltages before closing output contacts to connect the scaled voltages to the relay and circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corportion
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Ronald T. Zipagan
  • Patent number: 6995648
    Abstract: A power circuit includes a first low voltage power bus, a second low voltage power bus, a fuse electrically connected between the first low voltage power bus and the second low voltage power bus, and a fuse barrier. The fuse has a non-interrupted state and an interrupted state. The fuse barrier includes a spring having a first end and a second end, a fastener connecting the first end of the spring to one of the first low voltage power bus and the second low voltage power bus, and an insulating barrier. The insulating barrier is disposed from the second end of the spring. The insulating barrier engages a portion of the fuse in the non-interrupted state thereof. The spring drives a portion of the insulating barrier through the fuse in the interrupted state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Jur, Douglas M. Brandt, Mark A. Faulkner