Patents by Inventor Roger M. Bradley
Roger M. Bradley 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: 9347978Abstract: There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. Upon the detection of arcing, an output signal can be generated to activate a circuit interrupting mechanism, sound an audio alarm and/or alert a central monitoring station.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Kolker, Roger M. Bradley, Ross Memyk
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Publication number: 20140104731Abstract: There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. Upon the detection of arcing, an output signal can be generated to activate a circuit interrupting mechanism, sound an audio alarm and/or alert a central monitoring station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Kolker, Roger M. Bradley, Ross Memyk
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Patent number: 8564307Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Kolker, Roger M. Bradley, Ross Mernyk
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Patent number: 8183869Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, phase conductor and neutral conductor. The phase conductor and the neutral conductor are each configured to pass through the transformer from line side to load side that are defined by the current transformer. The circuit interrupter generates a continuous test current by continuous current imbalance established between the load side of the phase conductor and the line side of the neutral conductor, or between the line side of the phase conductor and the load side of the neutral conductor. A continuous test conductor may be coupled correspondingly to establish the current imbalance. Alternatively, an integrated circuit coupled correspondingly receives power and is energized by a quiescent current thereby. The current imbalance is established by the quiescent current. The current transformer detects the quiescent current as the continuous test current. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Chan, James A. Porter, Roger M. Bradley
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Publication number: 20110181296Abstract: There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. A first path is for a signal representative of the current flowing in the line. A second path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A third path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A fourth path is for a signal having a voltage level representative of the broadband noise signal on the line. Using at least one of five different methods in combination with one of three input signals, a reference signal designated as “SINE” is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Kolker, Roger M. Bradley, Ross Mernyk
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Patent number: 7986148Abstract: An arc fault detector, as a stand alone device or in combination with a circuit interrupting device such as a ground fault interrupter (GFCI), protects from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. The device utilizes a line side or load side series connected inductance having an air or magnetic core to generate the derivative di/dt signal of the arc current in the conductor. The derivative signal is fed to an arc fault detector where it is analyzed for the presence of arcing. The device can have two series connected inductors inductively coupled to each other such that the signal from one inductor is inductively coupled into the other inductor for coupling to the arc fault detector.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Ross Mernyk, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7925458Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Kolker, Roger M. Bradley, Ross Mernyk
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Patent number: 7911746Abstract: Methods and techniques are disclosed for an intelligent GFCI device (IGFCI) having a microcontroller programmed to perform self-testing on a periodic basis and communicate the results of this testing to a remote monitoring device such as a remote central logging computer. In some implementations, with two-way (bidirectional) communication, a plurality of self-testing IGFCI devices can be tested and reset systematically from a remotely located device to reduce disruption to users. The IGFCI device can be configured to be automatically reset or manually reset upon the application of AC power to the device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Albert Zaretsky, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7862350Abstract: There is disclosed a combination electrical device comprising a housing wherein there can be at least one light and at least one sensor disposed in the housing. The light serves as a guide light wherein the sensor is for determining the presence or absence of light. Inside the housing can be face terminals which extend up to a user accessible interface in the form of apertures for receiving prongs of a plug. The housing can include an additional housing for receiving a circuit board coupled to the light and the sensor. In addition, there can be a translucent cover for covering the light and the sensor. In at least one embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one fourth of a length of a front face of the housing. In another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one third of a length of a front face of the housing. In still another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along one half of a length of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: James Richter, Edward Bazayev, Marc Noest, Roger M. Bradley, Donald J. Hendler
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Patent number: 7852606Abstract: There is disclosed a self-testing circuit interrupting device which provides uninterrupted power to a load during a complete electronic and electromechanical components self test to allow autonomous periodic automated self testing without damaging or resetting connected load equipment.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Ross Mernyk, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7813091Abstract: An LCDI device comprising a first switching element coupled to a second switching element. A shield conductor coupled to the first switching element form a system that monitors output conductors of the device for faults. The second switching element is coupled to a relay that electrically connects input conductors of the device to output conductors of the device when the relay is energized by the second switching element. When a fault occurs, the first switching element generates a signal to the second switching element which de-energizes the relay causing said relay to electrically disconnect the input conductors from the output conductors.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Roger M. Bradley, Thomas Keating, David Y. Chan
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Patent number: 7800874Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices having self-test and non-resettable or limited resettable power interrupting systems are provided. The permanent power interrupting system activates when a circuit interrupting device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with applicable standards governing such devices or the device is no longer capable of operating in accordance with its design characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas L. DiSalvo, Ross Mernyk, Roger M. Bradley, Stephen Stewart, Frantz Germain, Armando Calixto
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Patent number: 7697252Abstract: An overvoltage device that is formed from a MOV device that is coupled in parallel with a spark gap. This device is coupled upstream from electronic components to protect these components from damage. For example, in one embodiment, the overvoltage device is coupled to a fault circuit interrupter such as a GFCI, across the phase and neutral lines to protect components of the GFCI from an overvoltage condition. In one embodiment the overvoltage device is formed as an MOV physically coupled to a spark gap wherein the MOV and the spark gap are electrically coupled across the phase line and the neutral line in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: David Y Chan, Roger M. Bradley, John J Power
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Publication number: 20100073002Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, phase conductor and neutral conductor. The phase conductor and the neutral conductor are each configured to pass through the transformer from line side to load side that are defined by the current transformer. The circuit interrupter generates a continuous test current by continuous current imbalance established between the load side of the phase conductor and the line side of the neutral conductor, or between the line side of the phase conductor and the load side of the neutral conductor. A continuous test conductor may be coupled correspondingly to establish the current imbalance. Alternatively, an integrated circuit coupled correspondingly receives power and is energized by a quiescent current thereby. The current imbalance is established by the quiescent current. The current transformer detects the quiescent current as the continuous test current. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co.Inventors: David Chan, James A. Porter, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7651347Abstract: A tamper-proof receptacle is provided wherein the receptacle comprises sliding shutters disposed between phase and neutral terminals of the receptacle and openings in the face of the receptacle. The shutters are connected to circuit interrupting circuitry such that when one of the shutters is displaced through a specific range of motion, the circuit interrupting portion of the receptacle is triggered to disconnect electrical power from the phase and neutral terminals of the receptacle. In an embodiment, a logic circuit is connected to the shutters, and a monitoring circuit monitors supply of power to the face terminals. The logic circuit is configured to detect insertion of an object into only one of the pair of openings. A signal from the logic circuit to the circuit interrupting device is effective to prevent the object from touching any of the face terminals while power is connected to the face terminals.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Frantz Germain, Roger M. Bradley
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Publication number: 20090207535Abstract: An arc fault detector, as a stand alone device or in combination with a circuit interrupting device such as a ground fault interrupter (GFCI), protects from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. The device utilizes a line side or load side series connected inductance having an air or magnetic core to generate the derivative di/dt signal of the arc current in the conductor. The derivative signal is fed to an arc fault detector where it is analyzed for the presence of arcing. The device can have two series connected inductors inductively coupled to each other such that the signal from one inductor is inductively coupled into the other inductor for coupling to the arc fault detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Ross Mernyk, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7545244Abstract: Resettable circuit breakers having an independent trip mechanism and a reset lockout are provided. The trip mechanism operates independently of the fault protection operations, and the reset lockout prevents the resetting of the circuit breaker if the fault protection is non-operational or if an open neutral condition exists.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Nicholas L. DiSalvo, William R. Ziegler, Frantz Germain, David Herzfeld, Stephen Stewart, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7542252Abstract: A circuit interrupting device such as a GFCI having a network of feed-through capacitors and other passive elements for providing enhanced Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) suppression where the feed-through capacitors and the other passive elements are integrated into a multilayer capacitor chip, also referred to as a Network Capacitor which is located between a differential transformer and at least one input terminal of an operational amplifier on an integrated circuit chip of the GFCI circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2006Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: David Y. Chan, Eugene Shafir, Mario Angelides, Roger M. Bradley
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Patent number: 7535234Abstract: An arc fault detector, as a stand alone device or in combination with a circuit interrupting device such as a ground fault interrupter (GFCI), protects from potentially dangerous arc fault conditions. The device utilizes a line side or load side series connected inductance having an air or magnetic core to generate the derivative di/dt signal of the arc current in the conductor. The derivative signal is fed to an arc fault detector where it is analyzed for the presence of arcing. The device can have two series connected inductors inductively coupled to each other such that the signal from one inductor is inductively coupled into the other inductor for coupling to the arc fault detector.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.Inventors: Ross Mernyk, Roger M. Bradley
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Publication number: 20090052162Abstract: There is disclosed a combination electrical device comprising a housing wherein there can be at least one light and at least one sensor disposed in the housing. The light serves as a guide light wherein the sensor is for determining the presence or absence of light. Inside the housing can be face terminals which extend up to a user accessible interface in the form of apertures for receiving prongs of a plug. The housing can include an additional housing for receiving a circuit board coupled to the light and the sensor. In addition, there can be a translucent cover for covering the light and the sensor. In at least one embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one fourth of a length of a front face of the housing. In another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along at least one third of a length of a front face of the housing. In still another embodiment, the translucent cover can extend along one half of a length of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Company Inc.Inventors: James Richter, Edward Bazayev, Marc Noest, Roger M. Bradley, Donald J. Hendler