Patents by Inventor Richard A. Gast

Richard A. Gast 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: 10418214
    Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a voltage applied to a coil to actuate electromechanical relays or contactors. The strength of a magnetic field operating the coil is a function of the product of the number of turns of the coil wire and the magnitude of current, in amperes, passing through the coil wire. An adjustable voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage as an output to a first terminal of a coil to energize the coil based on the temperature of the coil as sensed by a temperature sensing device located proximate the coil. The regulated voltage is controlled based on the sensed coil temperature to consistently provide a current of optimal magnitude to actuate the coil at the sensed temperature. A transient voltage suppression circuit may be used with the coil to suppress back electromotive force generated currents and voltages when the coil is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Steve Felisilda Delacruz, Richard R. Gorenflo, Richard A. Gast
  • Patent number: 10366854
    Abstract: A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard R. Gorenflo, Richard A. Gast
  • Publication number: 20180315566
    Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a voltage applied to a coil to actuate electromechanical relays or contactors. The strength of a magnetic field operating the coil is a function of the product of the number of turns of the coil wire and the magnitude of current, in amperes, passing through the coil wire. An adjustable voltage regulator provides a regulated voltage as an output to a first terminal of a coil to energize the coil based on the temperature of the coil as sensed by a temperature sensing device located proximate the coil. The regulated voltage is controlled based on the sensed coil temperature to consistently provide a current of optimal magnitude to actuate the coil at the sensed temperature. A transient voltage suppression circuit may be used with the coil to suppress back electromotive force generated currents and voltages when the coil is de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Steve Felisilda DELACRUZ, Richard R. GORENFLO, Richard A. GAST
  • Publication number: 20180151321
    Abstract: A contactor includes a plurality of switches mechanically coupled to an actuator. The actuator is moveable between operational and tripped positions. Switches that are closed in the operational position are open in the tripped position, and vice versa. The actuator extends through a coil as a core. The coil moves the actuator when an input signal is applied to the coil. A first input circuit receives a power-up input signal to transition the contactor from a tripped position to an operational position. A second input circuit receives a trip signal to transition the contactor from the operational position to the tripped position. First and second switches, coupled to respective first and second ends of the coil, reverse the polarity of the coil each occurrence of the actuator being actuated in preparation for the coil to be energized and magnetically polarized in an opposite direction during a next subsequent actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Richard R. GORENFLO, Richard A. GAST
  • Patent number: 8440447
    Abstract: A method for extraction and concentration of antibodies, antigens, bacteria and virus from biological samples. The method also provides a preparation that is suitable for use as a vaccine. The method includes the addition of liquid carboxylic acids and a centrifugation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Henry Stone, Cam Greene, Peter Holt, Richard Gast, Kunho Seo
  • Publication number: 20060216703
    Abstract: A method for extraction and concentration of antibodies, antigens, bacteria and virus from biological samples. The method also provides a preparation that is suitable for use as a vaccine. The method includes the addition of liquid carboxylic acids and a centrifugation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Henry Stone, Cam Greene, Peter Holt, Richard Gast, Kunho Seo
  • Publication number: 20050068040
    Abstract: An electrostatic sampling device with no moving parts is useful for high efficiency sampling of airborne particulates, especially microorganisms. It is easy to use and disinfection can be simplified by partial or total water-tight enclosure of all electronic parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Bailey Mitchell, Richard Gast
  • Patent number: 4394351
    Abstract: A dual-monolith catalytic converter having upstream and downstream located substrates and a configuration such that the exhaust gas flow is non-uniformly distributed across the upstream frontal areas of each of the substrates and concentrated centrally of such frontal areas. The converter further has a chamber located between said substrates. An air distribution tube having an open end adapted to be connected to the pulsed air supply extends through and across the chamber substantially normal to the exhaust gas flowing between the substrates and terminates with a closed end. The tube within the chamber has a plurality of holes which are sized and spaced along the tube to non-uniformly distribute the pulsed air supply throughout the chamber in a manner to provide a resultant air flow distribution conforming with the non-uniform distribution of exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Gast