Patents by Inventor Robert Stephen Douglass

Robert Stephen Douglass 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).

  • FUSE MANAGEMENT FOR AN ELECTRIC MOBILE APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20240116396
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including: a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a first pyro-fuse; a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse in series arrangement with a second pyro-fuse; and where the first leg and the second leg are coupled in a parallel arrangement; a controller, including: a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path; and a pyro-fuse activation circuit structured to provide a pyro-fuse activation command in response to the current flow exceeding a threshold current flow value; and where at least one of the first pyro-fuse and the second pyro-fuse is responsive to the pyro-fuse activation command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Welded composite fuse element and method of manufacture
    Patent number: 11887800
    Abstract: The disclosed concept relates generally to overlay composite fuse elements, materials for their construction that include copper and silver metals, and methods of production and fabrication using metal stamping and ultrasonic welding processes. In certain embodiments, a composite overlay fuse element includes a composite metal material 37 constructed of silver and copper metals, which includes a plurality of strain absorbing bend features 39 constructed of copper metal, and a plurality of arc interrupting weak spot features 43 constructed of a silver metal portion and a copper metal portion. The silver and copper metal portions on each of the plurality of arc interrupting weak spot features 43 are connected by a weld joint surface 45 that is structured to form an overlay of the silver and copper metal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Ankita Mehra
  • Welded Composite Fuse Element and Method of Manufacture
    Publication number: 20240021396
    Abstract: The disclosed concept relates generally to overlay composite fuse elements, materials for their construction that include copper and silver metals, and methods of production and fabrication using metal stamping and ultrasonic welding processes. In certain embodiments, a composite overlay fuse element includes a composite metal material 37 constructed of silver and copper metals, which includes a plurality of strain absorbing bend features 39 constructed of copper metal, and a plurality of arc interrupting weak spot features 43 constructed of a silver metal portion and a copper metal portion. The silver and copper metal portions on each of the plurality of arc interrupting weak spot features 43 are connected by a weld joint surface 45 that is structured to form an overlay of the silver and copper metal portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Ankita Mehra
  • Fuse management for an electric mobile application
    Patent number: 11845358
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including: a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a first pyro-fuse; a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse in series arrangement with a second pyro-fuse; and where the first leg and the second leg are coupled in a parallel arrangement; a controller, including: a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path; and a pyro-fuse activation circuit structured to provide a pyro-fuse activation command in response to the current flow exceeding a threshold current flow value; and where at least one of the first pyro-fuse and the second pyro-fuse is responsive to the pyro-fuse activation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • System, method, and apparatus for current control in a power distribution unit using a solid state switch
    Patent number: 11757277
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path, and a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path. The current protection circuit includes a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse, a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a solid state switch, and wherein the first leg and the second leg are coupled in a parallel arrangement. The system further includes a controller that includes a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path, and a fuse management circuit structured to provide a switch activation command in response to the current flow, wherein the solid state switch is responsive to the switch activation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • CERAMIC PRINTED FUSE FABRICATION
    Publication number: 20230170174
    Abstract: A printed fuse fabrication is provided. The printed fuse includes a low thermal conductivity ceramic substrate and a fusible element printed on the substrate. The fusible element printed on the substrate includes a series of portions of reduced printed thickness, defining weak spots for fusible operation of the fusible element, respectively separated by portions of increased printed thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Venkat raman Thenkarai Narayanan, Miroslav Horky, Robert Stephen Douglass, John Trublowski
  • Current control in a power distribution unit using a contactor
    Patent number: 11660978
    Abstract: A system including a vehicle having a motive electrical power path, and a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path. The current protection circuit includes a first leg of the current protection circuit comprising a thermal fuse, a second leg of the current protection circuit comprising a contactor. The first leg and the second leg may be coupled in a parallel arrangement. The system further has a controller that includes a current detection circuit structured to determine a current flow through the motive electrical power path, and a fuse management circuit structured to provide a contactor activation command in response to the current flow. The contactor may be responsive to the contactor activation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Active current injection through a fuse for an electric mobile application
    Patent number: 11660977
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle comprising a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit comprising a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit comprising a fuse; a current source circuit electrically coupled to the fuse and structured to inject a current across the fuse; and a voltage determination circuit electrically coupled to the fuse and structured to determine at least one of an injected voltage value and a fuse impedance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass
  • System, method, and apparatus for multi-port power converter and inverter assembly
    Patent number: 11658477
    Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Robert Stephen Douglass, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni, Karsten Gerving, Guido Vollmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
  • HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT CIRCUIT PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20230141970
    Abstract: A high voltage, direct current circuit protection system includes a number n of weakened circuit conductors connected in series to one another and being fabricated in a manner to avoid metal fatigue in response to cyclic current loads. The system also includes a corresponding number n of cutting elements operable to sever the respective weakened circuit conductors, at least one energy storage element acting upon one of the cutting elements, a control element causing a release of stored energy in the at least one energy storage element and causing a displacement of at least one of the cutting elements to sever the respective weakened circuit conductor, and a corresponding number n of arc chambers arranged proximate each respective one of the weakened circuit conductors, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and wherein no circuit protector coordination with the weakened circuit protectors is required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • CONTACTOR DAMAGE AND DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20220337070
    Abstract: A method includes interpreting a contactor open event and a contactor load value for a contactor positioned on a motive power circuit for a mobile application, determining that a contactor opening event under load has occurred in response to the contactor open event and the contactor load value, and updating a contactor wear condition in response to the contactor opening event under load, wherein updating the contactor wear condition comprises accumulating a number of the contactor opening events under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Ashok Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin JIn, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil
  • FUSE AND CONTACTOR MANAGEMENT FOR AN ELECTRIC MOBILE APPLICATION
    Publication number: 20220274504
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle including a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit including: a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including a fuse and a contactor in a series arrangement with the fuse; a high voltage power input coupling including a first electrical interface for a high voltage power source; and a high voltage power output coupling including a second electrical interface for a motive power load, where the current protection circuit electrically couples the high voltage power input coupling to the high voltage power output coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Brandon William Fisher, Martin Wayne Mensch, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni
  • Fuse and contactor management for an electric mobile application
    Patent number: 11370324
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle including a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit including: a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit including a fuse and a contactor in a series arrangement with the fuse; a high voltage power input coupling including a first electrical interface for a high voltage power source; and a high voltage power output coupling including a second electrical interface for a motive power load, where the current protection circuit electrically couples the high voltage power input coupling to the high voltage power output coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, Brandon William Fisher, Martin Wayne Mensch, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Suda, Asheesh Soni
  • MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ESTIMATING THERMAL-MECHANICAL FATIGUE IN AN ELECTRICAL FUSE
    Publication number: 20220157547
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a thermal-mechanical fatigue in an electrical conductor in a thermal-mechanical fatigue assessment system include an electrical conductor having a cold resistance and a non-linear resistance when connected to an electrical power system, and a controller receiving temperatures of the conductor as inputs, wherein the controller is operable to estimate a service life of the conductor based on at least the input temperatures of the conductor and the cold resistance of the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Gopinadh Sirigineedi, Pandarinath R, Ravishankar S, Robert Stephen Douglass, Harold Handcock, Uppu Harish
  • Monitoring systems and methods for estimating thermal-mechanical fatigue in an electrical fuse
    Patent number: 11289298
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a thermal-mechanical fatigue in an electrical conductor in a thermal-mechanical fatigue assessment system include an electrical conductor having a cold resistance and a non-linear resistance when connected to an electrical power system, and a controller receiving temperatures of the conductor as inputs, wherein the controller is operable to estimate a service life of the conductor based on at least the input temperatures of the conductor and the cold resistance of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gopinadh Sirigineedi, Pandarinath R, Ravishankar S, Robert Stephen Douglass, Harold Handcock, Uppu Harish
  • Circuit protection system with induction heating trigger and methods
    Patent number: 11282666
    Abstract: A circuit protection system including at least one fuse including a fuse element, at least one inductive heating element operable to heat the fuse element, at least one control module in communication with the inductive heating element, and at least one current detection device coupled to said control module. The control module is configured to operate the inductive heating element and cause the fuse element to open in response to a predetermined current condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Monitoring systems and methods for estimating thermal-mechanical fatigue in an electrical fuse
    Patent number: 11143718
    Abstract: Thermal-mechanical fatigue assessment systems and methods include a controller operable to estimate a temperature of the conductor having a non-linear resistance based on an ambient temperature input and a current input for current flow through the conductor when connected to an energized electrical power system. A state of fatigue of the conductor may be assessed in view of an estimated first temperature differential between the conductor and an arc extinguishing medium surrounding the conductor, an estimated temperature differential between the temperature of the arc quenching medium and the ambient temperature, and the estimated temperature of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gopinadh Sirigineedi, Pandarinath R, Ravishankar S, Robert Stephen Douglass, Harold Handcock
  • Fuse life management in an electric mobile application
    Patent number: 11095116
    Abstract: A system includes a vehicle including a motive electrical power path; a power distribution unit having a current protection circuit disposed in the motive electrical power path, the current protection circuit comprising a fuse; a controller, comprising: a fuse status circuit structured to determine a fuse event value; a fuse management circuit structured to provide a fuse event response based on the fuse event value; and a fuse life description circuit structured to determine a fuse life remaining value, wherein the fuse event value comprises a representation that the fuse life remaining value is below a threshold value, and wherein the fuse management circuit is further structured to provide the fuse event response further based on the fuse life remaining value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Robert Stephen Douglass
  • Compact high voltage power fuse and methods of manufacture
    Patent number: 11075048
    Abstract: A high voltage power fuse having a dramatically reduced size facilitated by silicated filler material, a formed fuse element geometry, and arc barrier materials. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, John Michael Fink
  • Compact high voltage power fuse and methods of manufacture
    Patent number: 11075047
    Abstract: A high voltage power fuse having a dramatically reduced size facilitated by silicated filler material, a formed fuse element geometry, arc barrier materials and single piece terminal fabrications. Methods of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Stephen Douglass, John Michael Fink