Patents by Inventor Richard P. Mikosz
Richard P. Mikosz 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).
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Patent number: 8824116Abstract: A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: S&C Electric CompanyInventors: Richard G. Smith, Jason R. Bogusz, Michael G. Ennis, Gary W. Hardesty, Thomas E. Kovanko, Richard P. Mikosz, Andrew D. Pfister, Roy T. Swanson, Keith W. Benson, IV
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Patent number: 8334738Abstract: A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: S&C Electric CompanyInventors: Richard G. Smith, Jason R. Bogusz, Michael G. Ennis, Gary W. Hardesty, Thomas E. Kovanko, Richard P. Mikosz, Andrew D. Pfister, Roy T. Swanson, Keith W. Benson, IV
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Publication number: 20120166103Abstract: A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2012Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: S&C ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Richard G. Smith, Jason R. Bogusz, Michael G. Ennis, Gary W. Hardesty, Thomas E. Kovanko, Richard P. Mikosz, Andrew D. Pfister, Roy T. Swanson, Keith W. Benson, IV
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Publication number: 20080309437Abstract: A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2006Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: S & C Electric Co.Inventors: Richard G. Smith, Jason R. Bogusz, Michael G. Ennis, Gary W. Hardesty, Thomas E. Kovanko, Richard P. Mikosz, Andrew D. Pfister, Roy T. Swanson, Keith W. Benson IV
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Patent number: 6963475Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: S & C Electric Co.Inventors: Todd W. Klippel, Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Michael G. Ennis, Raymond P. O'Leary, Joseph W. Ruta, Gregory C. Mears
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Patent number: 6917186Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: S & C Electric Co.Inventors: Todd W. Klippel, Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Michael G. Ennis, Raymond P. O'Leary, Joseph W. Ruta, Gregory C. Mears
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Patent number: 6667601Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: S&C Electric Co.Inventors: Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Michael G. Ennis, Gregory C. Mears, Raymond P. O'Leary, Joseph W. Ruta
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Publication number: 20030218848Abstract: A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: Todd W. Klippel, Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Michael G. Ennis, Raymond P. O'Leary, Joseph W. Ruta, Gregory C. Mears
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Patent number: 6636101Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided for electronic devices in which an electronic switch is maintained in a conducting state at all times other than when it is desired to render the electronic switch nonconducting. In a specific embodiment, a latched control signal is utilized which is changed by the receipt of a momentary signal to change the conducting state of the electronic switch. For example, according to one specific arrangement, the momentary signal is a secure, complex signal such that appropriate decoding and detection of the proper signal is required to change the conducting state of the electronic switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: S&C Electric Co.Inventors: Ronald D. Atanus, Gregory C. Mears, Richard P. Mikosz, Raymond P. O'Leary, Michael G. Ennis, Joseph W. Ruta
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Publication number: 20030043520Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Michael G. Ennis, Gregory C. Mears, Raymond P. O'Leary, Joseph W. Ruta
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Patent number: 6504696Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: S+C Electric Co.Inventors: Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Michael G. Ennis, Gregory C. Mears, Raymond P. O'Leary, Joseph W. Ruta
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Publication number: 20020060599Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided for electronic devices in which an electronic switch is maintained in a conducting state at all times other than when it is desired to render the electronic switch nonconducting. In a specific embodiment, a latched control signal is utilized which is changed by the receipt of a momentary signal to change the conducting state of the electronic switch. For example, according to one specific arrangement, the momentary signal is a secure, complex signal such that appropriate decoding and detection of the proper signal is required to change the conducting state of the electronic switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventors: Ronald D. Atanus, Gregory C. Mears, Richard P. Mikosz, Raymond P. O'Leary, Michael g. Ennis, Joseph W. Ruta
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Patent number: 6333853Abstract: An efficient configuration for a power system is provided, e.g. for high-speed source transfer, utilizing power electronic assemblies and a directed ventilation arrangement. Each power electronic assembly includes a plurality of stacked power electronic device modules that are electrically series connected and energized at various voltages. Each power electronic device module includes two heat sinks, a power electronic component assembly interposed between the two heat sinks, and an arrangement for clamping the heat sinks and the power electronic component assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the power electronic component assembly includes two stacked, series connected power electronic components such that single-sided cooling is provided. In one application, the power-electronic components are thyristors that have a high short-term, fault-current rating and a relatively low average current requirement.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: S&C Electric CompanyInventors: Raymond P. O'Leary, Ronald D. Atanus, Richard P. Mikosz
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Patent number: 6324073Abstract: A clamping arrangement is provided for compression mounted power electronic devices that is assembled from component parts to form a clamping module. The clamping module provides suitable clamping force to a power electronic device interposed between two heat sink arrangements. The clamping arrangement utilizes clamping beams disposed on either side of the two heat sinks and the interposed power electronic device, elongated members that span and retain each end of each clamping beam against relative movement, and an arrangement for applying a desired clamping force to the heat sinks and the power electronic device. The kit of component parts can be assembled into a clamping module about a power electronic device disposed between two heat sinks and is easily assembled or field disassembled from economical parts.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: S&C Electric Co.Inventors: Richard P. Mikosz, Ronald D. Atanus, Raymond P. O'Leary
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Publication number: 20010015886Abstract: An efficient configuration for a power system is provided, e.g. for high-speed source transfer, utilizing power electronic assemblies and a directed ventilation arrangement. Each power electronic assembly includes a plurality of stacked power electronic device modules that are electrically series connected and energized at various voltages. Each power electronic device module includes two heat sinks, a power electronic component assembly interposed between the two heat sinks, and an arrangement for clamping the heat sinks and the power electronic component assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the power electronic component assembly includes two stacked, series connected power electronic components such that single-sided cooling is provided. In one application, the power-electronic components are thyristors that have a high short-term, fault-current rating and a relatively low average current requirement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 1998Publication date: August 23, 2001Inventors: RAYMOND P. O'LEARY, RONALD D. ATANUS, RICHARD P. MIKOSZ