Patents by Inventor Robert Alan Elick

Robert Alan Elick 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: 10840033
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a transformer winding. The tap changer includes a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft. The at least one shaft is connected to the tap change modules and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change modules to each perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change. A multi-turn absolute encoder is connected to the at least one shaft. A monitoring system is connected to the encoder and is operable to determine from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change modules are in the sequence of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG
    Inventors: William James Teising, Robert Alan Elick
  • Publication number: 20170271097
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a transformer winding. The tap changer includes a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft. The at least one shaft is connected to the tap change modules and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change modules to each perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change. A multi-turn absolute encoder is connected to the at least one shaft. A monitoring system is connected to the encoder and is operable to determine from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change modules are in the sequence of operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: William James Teising, Robert Alan Elick
  • Patent number: 9697962
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a transformer winding. The tap changer includes a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft. The at least one shaft is connected to the tap change modules and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change modules to each perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change. A multi-turn absolute encoder is connected to the at least one shaft. A monitoring system is connected to the encoder and is operable to determine from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change modules are in the sequence of operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: William James Teising, Robert Alan Elick
  • Patent number: 9401249
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided and includes a plurality of modules disposed in an interior space of a tank and arranged in a side-by-side manner. Each module has a bypass switch assembly and a vacuum interrupter assembly mounted to a first side of a board. The bypass switch assembly is actuated by rotation of a bypass cam and the vacuum interrupter assembly is actuated by rotation of an interrupter cam. A transmission system rotates the bypass cam and the interrupter cam. The transmission system is mounted on a second side of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Jon Christopher Brasher, William James Teising, David Matthew Geibel
  • Patent number: 9183998
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a vacuum interrupter actuatable by a shaft. A movable shuttle is connected to an impact mass by springs such that the impact mass tends to follow the shuttle when the shuttle moves. A pawl assembly is operable to hold and then release the impact mass when the shuttle starts moving. The holding of the impact mass when the shuttle starts to move causes the springs to store both a compression force and a tension force, which are released when the impact mass is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, David Matthew Geibel
  • Patent number: 9143072
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a winding of a transformer. A transmission shaft is connected to the modules and is operable upon rotation to effectuate tap changes in the windings. A servo motor rotates the transmission shaft. The servo motor includes a feedback device operable to generate a feedback signal containing information relating to the position of the motor shaft. A servo drive is connected to the servo motor to receive the feedback signal. The servo drive uses the feedback signal to determine and store a total angular displacement of the motor shaft. The servo drive uses the feedback signal and the total angular displacement of the motor shaft to control the operation of the servo motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: William James Teising, Robert Alan Elick, David Matthew Geibel, Joshua Tyler Elder
  • Patent number: 9136055
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a vacuum interrupter that is actuated by a shaft of an actuation assembly. A damper dampens the movement of the shaft. The damper provides more dampening when the shaft is closing the vacuum interrupter than when the shaft is opening the vacuum interrupter. The damper includes a housing at least partially defining an interior chamber into which the shaft extends. A piston with openings extending therethrough is disposed in the interior chamber and is secured to the shaft so as to be movable therewith. A blocking structure is operable to block the openings in the piston when the shaft is closing the vacuum interrupter and to un-block the openings in the piston when the shaft is opening the vacuum interrupter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Jon Christopher Brasher
  • Patent number: 8993904
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a pair of bypass switches, each of which includes a plurality of contacts at least partially disposed in a contact carrier. The contacts are arranged in a stack and cooperate to form a groove and a mounting bore. A mounting post extends through the mounting bore such that the contacts are pivotable about the mounting post between an open and a closed position. When an actuation assembly moves the contacts to the open or closed position, the contacts move longitudinally relative to the contact carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Robert Alan Elick
  • Publication number: 20150061806
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a winding of a transformer. A transmission shaft is connected to the modules and is operable upon rotation to effectuate tap changes in the windings. A servo motor rotates the transmission shaft. The servo motor includes a feedback device operable to generate a feedback signal containing information relating to the position of the motor shaft. A servo drive is connected to the servo motor to receive the feedback signal. The servo drive uses the feedback signal to determine and store a total angular displacement of the motor shaft. The servo drive uses the feedback signal and the total angular displacement of the motor shaft to control the operation of the servo motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: William James Teising, Robert Alan Elick, David Matthew Geibel, Joshua Tyler Elder
  • Publication number: 20150047954
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided and includes a plurality of modules disposed in an interior space of a tank and arranged in a side-by-side manner. Each module has a bypass switch assembly and a vacuum interrupter assembly mounted to a first side of a board. The bypass switch assembly is actuated by rotation of a bypass cam and the vacuum interrupter assembly is actuated by rotation of an interrupter cam. A transmission system rotates the bypass cam and the interrupter cam. The transmission system is mounted on a second side of the board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Jon Christopher Brasher, James William Teising, David Matthew Geibel
  • Publication number: 20150047955
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a vacuum interrupter actuatable by a shaft. A movable shuttle is connected to an impact mass by springs such that the impact mass tends to follow the shuttle when the shuttle moves. A pawl assembly is operable to hold and then release the impact mass when the shuttle starts moving. The holding of the impact mass when the shuttle starts to move causes the springs to store both a compression force and a tension force, which are released when the impact mass is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, David Matthew Geibel
  • Publication number: 20140176273
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a vacuum interrupter that is actuated by a shaft of an actuation assembly. A damper dampens the movement of the shaft. The damper provides more dampening when the shaft is closing the vacuum interrupter than when the shaft is opening the vacuum interrupter. The damper includes a housing at least partially defining an interior chamber into which the shaft extends. A piston with openings extending therethrough is disposed in the interior chamber and is secured to the shaft so as to be movable therewith. A blocking structure is operable to block the openings in the piston when the shaft is closing the vacuum interrupter and to un-block the openings in the piston when the shaft is opening the vacuum interrupter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Jon Christopher Brasher
  • Publication number: 20140167529
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a plurality of modules, each of which is operable to change taps in a transformer winding. The tap changer includes a motor connected to rotate at least one shaft. The at least one shaft is connected to the tap change modules and is operable upon rotation to cause the tap change modules to each perform a sequence of operations that effectuate a tap change. A multi-turn absolute encoder is connected to the at least one shaft. A monitoring system is connected to the encoder and is operable to determine from the position of the at least one shaft where the tap change modules are in the sequence of operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: William James Teising, Robert Alan Elick
  • Publication number: 20140014479
    Abstract: An on-load tap changer is provided having a pair of bypass switches, each of which includes a plurality of contacts at least partially disposed in a contact carrier. The contacts are arranged in a stack and cooperate to form a groove and a mounting bore. A mounting post extends through the mounting bore such that the contacts are pivotable about the mounting post between an open and a closed position. When an actuation assembly moves the contacts to the open or closed position, the contacts move longitudinally relative to the contact carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Robert Alan Elick
  • Patent number: 8409362
    Abstract: A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of spraying devices are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the spraying devices, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20110226287
    Abstract: A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of spraying devices are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the spraying devices, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT ALAN ELICK, RODNEY M. WELCH
  • Patent number: 7988789
    Abstract: A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of atomizers are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the atomizers, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans associated with the atomizers. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Alan Elick, Rodney M. Welch
  • Publication number: 20100089421
    Abstract: A system and method for low temperature hydration of food soils allows for hydration of food soils between washing cycles in a dishwasher. A user selects a hydration button to actuate a hydration cycle between dishwashing cycles. During the hydration cycle, a plurality of atomizers are periodically actuated in accordance with a desired amount of hydration selected by the user. Water is supplied from a dedicated water supply line to the atomizers, preferably without being heated, and is distributed throughout a dishwasher chamber utilizing spray nozzles or fans associated with the atomizers. The hydration cycle ends when deactivated, or when a dishwashing cycle is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ROBERT ALAN ELICK, RODNEY M. WELCH