Patents by Inventor Robert Frank Willard, Jr.

Robert Frank Willard, Jr. 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).

  • Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank
    Patent number: 8228645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Christopher William Hart, Paul Joseph Datka, David Scott Birrell, David Martins, Robert Frank Willard, Jr., Kenneth Alan Powers, Richard Robert Young
  • Systems and Methods for Protecting a Series Capacitor Bank
    Publication number: 20100226049
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Christopher William Hart, Paul Joseph Datka, David Scott Birrell, David Martins, Robert Frank Willard, JR., Kenneth Alan Powers, Richard Robert Young