Patents by Inventor Steven Thomas McCasland

Steven Thomas McCasland 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: 11901722
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus that may collect information relating to a group of electrical power distribution wires, commonly referred to as an electrical branch circuit. Such methods can controllably cause a circuit breaker to open (clear) while keeping the branch circuit loaded within a predetermined set of parameters or specifications. Apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may use multiple high power resistive elements of different resistance values that are selectively connected to the branch circuit in a manner that provides a configurable limit to an available fault current when data relating to the branch circuit are collected and evaluated. Such methods can provide a positive indication to an electrician that allows the electrician to know that a particular electrical circuit has been de-energized before the electrician works on that particular electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: TASCO, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Ryan Charles Minnig
  • Publication number: 20210075207
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatus that may collect information relating to a group of electrical power distribution wires, commonly referred to as an electrical branch circuit. Such methods can controllably cause a circuit breaker to open (clear) while keeping the branch circuit loaded within a predetermined set of parameters or specifications. Apparatus consistent with the present disclosure may use multiple high power resistive elements of different resistance values that are selectively connected to the branch circuit in a manner that provides a configurable limit to an available fault current when data relating to the branch circuit are collected and evaluated. Such methods can provide a positive indication to an electrician that allows the electrician to know that a particular electrical circuit has been de-energized before the electrician works on that particular electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: TASCO, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Ryan Charles Minnig
  • Patent number: 10241142
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Publication number: 20170269143
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Patent number: 9702920
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Tasco Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Publication number: 20150316597
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Publication number: 20140167729
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Thomas McCasland
  • Patent number: 8552709
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein locate and/or identify a circuit within an electrical system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example. the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tasco Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Thomas A. McCasland
  • Publication number: 20130082679
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Thomas A. McCasland
  • Patent number: 7274184
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuit. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing a signal upon a circuit (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) to identify it from other circuit lines. The signal may be induced upon an individual element of the circuit through direct contact. A receiver may receive a radiated component of the signal from a distal point on the circuit to acquire the signal induced thereon and determine a strength of the signal received. Based on the received signal component, the receiver may determine location, configuration, and/or identification of the circuit from which the radiated signal is being received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: TASCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Thomas A. McCasland