Patents by Inventor Ronald C. Tate

Ronald C. Tate 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: 10488440
    Abstract: A meter cover removal detection arrangement includes a switch element, a pivoting lever arm, a meter cover and a plunger. The switch element has first and second positions, and conducts electricity between first and second contacts in only one of the first position and the second position. The pivoting lever arm has two arm positions, and is operably coupled to cause the switch element to be in the second position when the lever arm is in a second arm position. The lever arm engages a spring that biases the level arm toward the second arm position. The meter cover has an inward extending cam. The plunger has first and second plunger positions, and is operably coupled to hold the pivoting lever arm in the first arm position when the plunger is in the first plunger position. The cam engages the plunger to hold the plunger in the first plunger position when the meter cover is installed on a meter base. The cam is disengaged from the plunger when the meter cover is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Tate, Wojciech Janczak
  • Patent number: 9829517
    Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes an actuator element configured for linear movement. The actuator is operably coupled to receiving moving power from a prime mover, and includes a plurality of receptacles for corresponding contact arms of a switch within an electricity meter. Each receptacle is defined by an outer bar, an inner bar, and opposing stiffening elements. The outer bar is configured to engage a first surface of a contact arm element when the switch is in a first position, and the inner bar configured to engage a second surface of the contact arm element when the switch is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr LLC
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Wojciech Janczak, Ronald C. Tate
  • Publication number: 20160084884
    Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes an actuator element configured for linear movement. The actuator is operably coupled to receiving moving power from a prime mover, and includes a plurality of receptacles for corresponding contact arms of a switch within an electricity meter. Each receptacle is defined by an outer bar, an inner bar, and opposing stiffening elements. The outer bar is configured to engage a first surface of a contact arm element when the switch is in a first position, and the inner bar configured to engage a second surface of the contact arm element when the switch is in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Wojciech Janczak, Ronald C. Tate
  • Publication number: 20150377927
    Abstract: A meter cover removal detection arrangement includes a switch element, a pivoting lever arm, a meter cover and a plunger. The switch element has first and second positions, and conducts electricity between first and second contacts in only one of the first position and the second position. The pivoting lever arm has two arm positions, and is operably coupled to cause the switch element to be in the second position when the lever arm is in a second arm position. The lever arm engages a spring that biases the level arm toward the second arm position. The meter cover has an inward extending cam. The plunger has first and second plunger positions, and is operably coupled to hold the pivoting lever arm in the first arm position when the plunger is in the first plunger position. The cam engages the plunger to hold the plunger in the first plunger position when the meter cover is installed on a meter base. The cam is disengaged from the plunger when the meter cover is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald C. Tate, Wojciech Janczak
  • Patent number: 7417419
    Abstract: A current coil arrangement in an electricity meter includes first and second current coils. The first current coil has two current blades and a middle portion extending therebetween. The two current blades are configured to be received by a utility meter socket device. The middle portion and the current blades are integrally formed of a conductive material. The first current coil is asymmetrical about the midpoint between the two current blades, and is disposed at least partially within the electricity meter. The second current coil is disposed at least partially within the electricity meter. The second current coil constructed substantially identical to the first current coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 7274553
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a liquid crystal display having a length, a width and a thickness. The arrangement further includes an integrally formed housing having a display receptacle, the display receptacle including retention members operable to retain the liquid crystal display in length, width and thickness dimensions. The arrangement also includes a flexible conductor device operably connected between the liquid crystal display and a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Tate, Paul Meyers
  • Patent number: 7253605
    Abstract: A configurable buss element for an electricity meter includes a conductive piece of metal formed into a series of contact connectors and a network of elongate conductors extending between and among the series of contact connectors. Each of the plurality of contact connectors is configured to contact a circuit element of an electricity meter. The network of elongate conductors is operable to provide connectivity between the contact connectors and select portions of the conductive piece of metal in one of a plurality of connectivity configurations, each of the connectivity configurations corresponding to an electricity meter configuration, the select one of the plurality of connectivity configurations defined by a predetermined set of discontinuities introduced in the network of elongate conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Burns, Kevin Hofinger, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 7161455
    Abstract: A current transformer assembly includes a current transformer and an insulation cup. The current transformer has a core and a first coil in a flux inducing relationship with the core. The core includes an opening defining a void configured to receive at least a second coil. The insulation cup includes a first part and a second part, the first part configured to mechanically couple to the second part such that the first part and the second part substantially encapsulate the current transformer. An interior portion of the insulation cup is disposed between the core and void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Landis + Gyr Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald C. Tate, Paul Meyers
  • Publication number: 20040243325
    Abstract: A current transformer assembly includes a current transformer and an insulation cup. The current transformer has a core and a first coil in a flux inducing relationship with the core. The core includes an opening defining a void configured to receive at least a second coil. The insulation cup includes a first part and a second part, the first part configured to mechanically couple to the second part such that the first part and the second part substantially encapsulate the current transformer. An interior portion of the insulation cup is disposed between the core and void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald C. Tate, Paul Meyers
  • Publication number: 20040225471
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a liquid crystal display having a length, a width and a thickness. The arrangement further includes an integrally formed housing having a display receptacle, the display receptacle including retention members operable to retain the liquid crystal display in length, width and thickness dimensions. The arrangement also includes a flexible conductor device operably connected between the liquid crystal display and a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald C. Tate, Paul Meyers
  • Publication number: 20040222782
    Abstract: A current coil arrangement in an electricity meter includes first and second current coils. The first current coil has two current blades and a middle portion extending therebetween. The two current blades are configured to be received by a utility meter socket device. The middle portion and the current blades are integrally formed of a conductive material. The first current coil is asymmetrical about the midpoint between the two current blades, and is disposed at least partially within the electricity meter. The second current coil is disposed at least partially within the electricity meter. The second current coil constructed substantially identical to the first current coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 6747446
    Abstract: An arrangement for providing external access to functionality switches in a utility meter includes a housing, a number of contacts, at least one button actuator, and a hatch. The housing has a base and a cover that includes at least one switch access opening. The number of contacts are disposed on a substrate that is disposed between said cover and said base. The at least one button actuator is configured to electrically connect at least two of said number of contacts such that the at least one button actuator is accessible via said at least one switch access opening. The hatch disposed on said cover and adapted to selectively provide external access to said at least one switch access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 6677742
    Abstract: An arrangement for use in a utility meter having a base configured to be mounted to a structure and a component module adapted to be releasably secured to the base inhibits unauthorized removal of the component module from the base. The arrangement includes a mounting fastener assembly disposed on the component module and a closure element. The mounting fastener assembly has an access opening configured to receive a mounting fastener and a mounting opening configured to allow a portion of the mounting fastener to extend therethrough and into the base. The mounting fastener includes a portion configured to be retained by the base. The closure element is pivotally attached to the component module and is movable into a first position wherein the closure element restricts the access opening and into a second position wherein the access opening is accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 5448503
    Abstract: A system for real-time analysis of weld quality in an arc welding process. he system includes a transducer which receives acoustic signals generated during the welding process. The acoustic signals are then sampled and digitized. A signal processor calculates the root mean square and peak amplitudes of the digitized signals and transforms the digitized signal into a frequency domain signal. A data processor divides the frequency domain signal into a plurality of frequency bands and calculates the average power for each band. The average power values, in addition to the peak and root mean square amplitude values, are input to an artificial neural network for analysis of weld quality. Arc current and/or arc voltage signals may be input to the A/D converter alone or in combination with the acoustic signal data for subsequent signal processing and neural network analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard A. Morris, Ronald C. Tate, Milton A. Matteson
  • Patent number: 5343143
    Abstract: A current sensing device includes a secondary coil positioned within the curved portion of a U-shaped primary conductor or coil. The secondary coil is surrounded by a non-ferromagnetic metallic shield to prevent capacitive coupling between the windings of the secondary coil and other nearby metallic objects. A nonconductive material is integrally formed about the U-shaped conductor and provides a cavity for receiving the secondary coil an shield in a predetermined position with respect to the U-shaped conductor. A flux guide of ferromagnetic metal, formed in an elliptical-cylindrical shape, surrounds the U-shaped conductor and the secondary coil to provide a flux steering effect to steer flux around the secondary or pick-up coil. The current sensing device is useful in measuring current in electrical utility power monitoring or watthour meter applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Christopher L. Anderson, Robert E. Slaven, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 5306893
    Abstract: A system for real-time analysis of weld quality in an arc welding process. The system includes a transducer which receives acoustic signals generated during the welding process. The acoustic signals are then sampled and digitized. A signal processor calculates the root mean square and peak amplitudes of the digitized signals and transforms the digitized signal into a frequency domain signal. A data processor divides the frequency domain signal into a plurality of frequency bands and calculates the average power for each band. The average power values, in addition to the peak and root mean square amplitude values, are input to an artificial neural network for analysis of weld quality. Arc current and/or arc voltage signals may be input to the A/D converter alone or in combination with the acoustic signal data for subsequent signal processing and neural network analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Richard A. Morris, Ronald C. Tate, Milton A. Matteson
  • Patent number: 5296803
    Abstract: A watt-hour meter cover is provided which has an optical coupler including a conduit, lens, and means for engaging an external programmer/reader. The conduit is has improved signal transmission properties. The cover may be designed to disable test mode hardware when replaced after meter servicing. A battery access hatch and module with a reset and scroll actuator is installed through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane C. Kirby, Lester C. Moore, Christopher J. Gatz, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 5049810
    Abstract: A watt-hour meter cover is provided which has an optical coupler including a conduit, lens, and means for engaging an external programmer/reader. The conduit has improved signal transmission properties. The cover may be designed to disable test mode hardware when replaced after meter servicing. A battery access hatch and module with a reset and scroll actuator is installed through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane C. Kirby, Lester C. Moore, Christopher J. Gatz, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: D305536
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott H. Richards, Raymond W. Burbank, Kevin C. Reid, Ronald C. Tate