Patents by Inventor Scott W. Nickerson

Scott W. Nickerson 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).

  • Superconducting fault current limiter having improved energy handling
    Patent number: 11031774
    Abstract: A superconducting fault current limiter element, comprising: a plurality of tapes, arranged in electrical parallel fashion among one another, wherein at least one tape of the plurality of tapes comprises a superconductor tape, and wherein at least one tape of the plurality of tapes comprises a non-superconductor tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Nickerson, Paul Murphy, Saeed Jazebi
  • Pneumatically operable current protection device for a fault current limiter
    Patent number: 10396548
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a current protection device for a fault current limiter, the current protection device including a detection circuit electrically coupled between a current transformer and a pneumatic timer, and an electrical vacuum interrupter (EVI) coupled to a pneumatic cylinder. In some embodiments, the EVI includes a set of breaker contacts, wherein the pneumatic timer is communicatively coupled with the pneumatic cylinder to actuate a moveable contact of the set of breaker contacts. In some embodiments, the detection circuit is configured to detect a current of the current transformer, and to provide a control signal to the pneumatic cylinder to open or close the set of breaker contacts based on the detected current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Scott W. Nickerson, Charles L. Stanley, David Morrell, Semaan Fersan, Saeed Jazebi, George Emmanuel
  • SUPERCONDUCTING FAULT CURRENT LIMITER HAVING IMPROVED ENERGY HANDLING
    Publication number: 20190229528
    Abstract: A superconducting fault current limiter element, comprising: a plurality of tapes, arranged in electrical parallel fashion among one another, wherein at least one tape of the plurality of tapes comprises a superconductor tape, and wherein at least one tape of the plurality of tapes comprises a non-superconductor tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Nickerson, Paul Murphy, Saeed Jazebi
  • PNEUMATICALLY OPERABLE CURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A FAULT CURRENT LIMITER
    Publication number: 20180219372
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a current protection device for a fault current limiter, the current protection device including a detection circuit electrically coupled between a current transformer and a pneumatic timer, and an electrical vacuum interrupter (EVI) coupled to a pneumatic cylinder. In some embodiments, the EVI includes a set of breaker contacts, wherein the pneumatic timer is communicatively coupled with the pneumatic cylinder to actuate a moveable contact of the set of breaker contacts. In some embodiments, the detection circuit is configured to detect a current of the current transformer, and to provide a control signal to the pneumatic cylinder to open or close the set of breaker contacts based on the detected current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Scott W. Nickerson, Charles L. Stanley, David Morrell, Semaan Fersan, Saeed Jazebi, George Emmanuel