Patents by Inventor Michael S. Tignor

Michael S. Tignor 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: 9506284
    Abstract: An automatic door system includes a door controller having a plurality of door operation modes. A door driver mechanism is electrically coupled to the door controller, and operatively coupled to a door. A door system user interface is communicatively coupled to the door controller. The door system user interface has a processor unit configured to store a plurality of door operation schedules, with each door operation schedule having an execution date, an execution time, and a door operation mode of the plurality of door operation modes. The processor unit is configured to execute program instructions to: monitor a current date and time; select as an active operation schedule the door operation schedule having the execution date and the execution time that corresponds to the current date and the current time, and select at the door controller the door operation mode corresponding to that of the active operation schedule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Braverman, Michael S. Tignor, Michael A. Salvietti, Anthony R. Ranaudo
  • Publication number: 20130127590
    Abstract: An automatic door system includes a door controller having a plurality of door operation modes. A door driver mechanism is electrically coupled to the door controller, and operatively coupled to a door. A door system user interface is communicatively coupled to the door controller. The door system user interface has a processor unit configured to store a plurality of door operation schedules, with each door operation schedule having an execution date, an execution time, and a door operation mode of the plurality of door operation modes. The processor unit is configured to execute program instructions to: monitor a current date and time; select as an active operation schedule the door operation schedule having the execution date and the execution time that corresponds to the current date and the current time, and select at the door controller the door operation mode corresponding to that of the active operation schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Braverman, Michael S. Tignor, Michael A. Salvietti, Anthony R. Ranaudo
  • Patent number: 8365469
    Abstract: A door operator operates a door that is rotatable about an axis of rotation between an open position and a closed position. The door operator comprises an output shaft, a closing assembly, and a motor. The output shaft is rotatable between a first position and a second position, and is coupled to the door such that rotation of the output shaft pivots the door about the axis of rotation and rotation of the door about the axis of rotation rotates the output shaft. The closing assembly is coupled to the output shaft to apply a torque to the output shaft, wherein the torque applied by the closing assembly rotates the output shaft such that the rotation of the output shaft by the closing assembly rotates the door toward the closed position. The motor is coupled to the output shaft via a clutch to selectively apply opening and/or closing torque to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Michael S. Tignor
  • Patent number: 7839617
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, and a real time clock circuit that is operational in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and the real time clock circuit is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock circuit is configured to generate time information relating to the circuit breaker being off as a result of the off event for use by the processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, John J. Dougherty, Michael S. Tignor
  • Patent number: 7463989
    Abstract: A method for recording and having analyzed waveform data associated with an electronic circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a communication port and is capable of providing to the communication port a first signal representative of a phase current passing through the circuit breaker, and a second signal representative of a conditional event at the circuit breaker. The method includes facilitating the connection of a waveform recorder device to the communication port of the electronic trip unit; facilitating recording in a first memory of the waveform recorder device in a circular queue fashion information relating to the first signal received from the electronic trip unit; and, in response to the second signal received from the electronic trip unit, facilitating the stopping of the recording in the first memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoff Butland, Michael S. Tignor, John J. Dougherty, Craig Benjamin Williams, Mark Culler
  • Publication number: 20080236048
    Abstract: A door operator is configured to operate a door that is rotatable about an axis of rotation between an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, the door operator comprises an output shaft, a closing assembly, and a motor. The output shaft is rotatable between a first position and a second position, and is coupled to the door such that rotation of the output shaft pivots the door about the axis of rotation and rotation of the door about the axis of rotation rotates the output shaft. The closing assembly is coupled to the output shaft to apply a torque to the output shaft, wherein the torque applied by the closing assembly rotates the output shaft such that the rotation of the output shaft by the closing assembly rotates the door toward the closed position. The motor is coupled to the output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: The Stanley Works
    Inventors: Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Michael S. Tignor
  • Patent number: 7430482
    Abstract: A waveform recorder device for mounting to an electronic circuit breaker having an electronic trip unit and a communication port is disclosed. The device includes a connector configured to connect with the communication port, and a processing circuit in signal communication with the connector. The processing circuit is responsive to instructions which, when executed by the processing circuit, facilitate responding to a conditional signal received from the circuit breaker, and in response thereto recording waveform information arising from an additional signal received from the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Geoff Butland, Michael S. Tignor, John J. Dougherty, Craig Benjamin Williams, Mark Culler
  • Publication number: 20080180196
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, and a real time clock circuit that is operational in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and the real time clock circuit is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock circuit is configured to generate time information relating to the circuit breaker being off as a result of the off event for use by the processing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, John J. Dougherty, Michael S. Tignor
  • Patent number: 7369389
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker is disclosed. The electronic trip unit has a processing circuit, a real time clock chip, and a power source for powering the real time clock chip in the absence of current in the circuit breaker. The processing circuit is responsive to input signals representative of a current in the circuit breaker, and productive of a trip signal for tripping the circuit breaker. The real time clock chip is in signal communication with the processing circuit. In response to an off event at the circuit breaker following a current flow condition thereat, the real time clock chip is configured to generate time information for use by the processing circuit, which is configured to apply the time information to calculate a cooling effect arising from the circuit breaker being off, thereby providing for thermal memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, John J. Dougherty, Michael S. Tignor
  • Patent number: 7301742
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a programmed microprocessor and a module plug in removable signal communication with the microprocessor. The module plug includes a program identifier. The microprocessor recognizes the program identifier and accesses a program of a plurality of programs external to the module plug based on the program identifier. The microprocessor responds to the program to perform a function identified by the module plug. The function identifiable by the module plug includes a communications function, a load monitoring function, a non-tripping ground fault alarm function, a flag function, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Michael B. Bradley, LeeAnne Wambolt, Geoffrey F. Butland, Michael H. Thomas, Paul Rajotte
  • Patent number: 7075310
    Abstract: A device for testing for a wiring fault condition is disclosed. The device includes an electrical connector, a first signal generator, a second signal generator, and a user interface. The electrical connector includes first and second contacts that are configured to establish an electrical connection to the wiring. The first signal generator is in signal communication with the electrical connector, and is configured to generate a signal on the wiring and to receive a reflected signal therefrom. The second signal generator is in signal communication with the electrical connector, and is configured to generate a radio frequency signal on the wiring. The user interface is in signal communication with either or both of the first and second signal generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Henry H. Mason, Jr., Craig B. Williams, Michael S. Tignor, Geoff Butland, Michael Bradley, Greg Lavoie, Raymond Seymour
  • Patent number: 6836396
    Abstract: Improvements to a rating plug for an electronic trip unit of a circuit breaker are disclosed. The rating plug includes a non-volatile memory which has access to current and frame rating information. A microcomputer in the electronic trip unit may receive new current rating information over the World Wide Web from a vendor system to update the current rating information of the rating plug. A program within the circuit breaker may detect errors in the new current rating information and may reject such and revert to a safe mode of operation. A billing system may be connected to the vendor system for calculating charges based on the transmission of the new current rating information. Preferably, the non-volatile memory of the rating plug is programmed at the factory site and a label adhered to the outer case of the rating plug for indicating the current rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Patrick Salas, Craig B. Williams, Michael B. Bradley, David Fletcher
  • Patent number: 6804101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rejection of an inappropriate rating plug in an electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker including: a microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in operable communication with the microprocessor; the rating plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the rating plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register includes an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based on the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs said microprocessor to perform a validation of said rating plug for operation with said microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Patrick Salas, Craig B. Williams, Michael B. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6771170
    Abstract: A circuit monitoring system for performing synchronized waveform capture. A waveform capture trigger communication network interconnects a plurality of monitoring devices. The system provides direct device to device trigger communication between monitoring devices in a synchronized group. Power system waveform data is stored in the monitoring device memory of all members of the synchronized group in response to a trigger event initiated by any monitoring device in the synchronized group. High speed trigger communication results in substantially simultaneous waveform capture among the members of the synchronized group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Mark Fredrick Culler, David Fletcher, Gregory Lavoie, John James Dougherty, Michael S. Tignor
  • Publication number: 20040066595
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes a programmed microprocessor and a module plug in removable signal communication with the microprocessor. The module plug includes a program identifier. The microprocessor recognizes the program identifier and accesses a program of a plurality of programs external to the module plug based on the program identifier. The microprocessor responds to the program to perform a function identified by the module plug. The function identifiable by the module plug includes a communications function, a load monitoring function, a non-tripping ground fault alarm function, a flag function, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Michael B. Bradley, LeeAnne Wambolt, Geoffrey F. Butland, Michael H. Thomas, Paul Rajotte
  • Publication number: 20040044486
    Abstract: A current sensing method in an electronic trip unit is described. The method includes the steps of sensing an electrical current and generating an analog input signal having a first amplitude portion and a second amplitude portion that is different than the first amplitude portion, compressing the analog input signal non-linearly by amplifying the first amplitude portion of the analog input signal greater than the second amplitude portion of the analog input signal, and generating a trip signal when any portion of the analog input signal is greater than a pre-determined limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Michael S. Tignor
  • Patent number: 6678135
    Abstract: An electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker includes: a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in electronic communication with the microprocessor; a module plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the module plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register including an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs the microprocessor to perform steps necessary to operate one or more functions of the module plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Michael B. Bradley, LeeAnne Wambolt, Geoffrey F. Butland, Michael H. Thomas, Paul Rajotte
  • Patent number: 6611411
    Abstract: A verifying trip unit includes a microcontroller providing a plurality of input signals to a logic device for controlling a trip unit actuator. The logic device produces an output signal for controlling a trip unit actuator. In response to the plurality of input signals, the logic device provides an output signal indicative of a function performed on the signals for opening the circuit breaker contacts in an overcurrent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Craig B. Williams, Michael S. Tignor, Michael B. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20030086230
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rejection of an inappropriate rating plug in an electronic trip unit for a circuit breaker including: a microprocessor programmed to determine an overcurrent condition of the circuit breaker; a nonvolatile memory in operable communication with the microprocessor; the rating plug releasably engaged with the microprocessor, the rating plug includes an identification register; wherein the microprocessor reads the identification register, the identification register includes an identification number; wherein the microprocessor accesses one of a plurality of programs in the nonvolatile memory based on the identification number; and wherein the one of a plurality of programs instructs said microprocessor to perform a validation of said rating plug for operation with said microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Patrick Salas, Craig B. Williams, Michael B. Bradley
  • Patent number: 6535782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing a pre-determined electrical trace from a printed circuit board to manufacturing a printed circuit board with options corresponding to a specific catalog number. The apparatus comprises a computer numerically controlled milling machine control by a computer having a processor installed with a software program. The method comprises installing the software program into the computer and inputting a catalog number into the computer. The software is used to define a catalog data table that corresponds to the inputted catalog number. The catalog data table matches a cut data table whose information provides operational commands to control the movement of the cutting element of the milling machine. Once the catalog number is recognized by the processor, an operator is prompted to load the printed circuit board onto a work surface of the milling machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Tignor, Marshall Hart, LeAnne Wambolt