Patents by Inventor Thangavelu Asokan
Thangavelu Asokan 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: 9697992Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plasma generation element physically coupled to a first main electrode. The plasma generation element includes at least a first open end and a second open end. Each open end defines a nozzle such that the first open end directs an ablative plasma to a second main electrode and the second open end directs the ablative plasma to a third main electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Thangavelu Asokan
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Patent number: 9251980Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus, such as an electrical system, is provided. The electrical system can include a pair of conductors across which an arc is sporadically supported, the arc including load current from a load circuit. The electrical system can also include an energy source that is separate from the load circuit and configured to selectively charge an electrode assembly. The conductors and electrode assembly can be configured such that the arc, when present, will be lengthened or constricted due to the charge on the electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Govardhan Ganireddy
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Patent number: 9036309Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to emit an ablative plasma along an axis, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of a circuit and is arranged substantially along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis such that each electrode is positioned substantially equidistant from the axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George William Roscoe, Dean Arthur Robarge, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Seth Adam Cutler, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori
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Patent number: 8963662Abstract: A system comprising a circuit interrupter configured to interrupt flow of current through a circuit during an over current condition, wherein the circuit interrupter comprises two contacts configured to remain in contact when a current flowing through the two contacts is less than a threshold value, a tripping mechanism configured to separate the two contacts when the current equals or exceeds the threshold value, and at least one of either a permanent magnet or an electrode configured to extinguish an electric arc formed between the two contacts of the circuit interrupter when the two contacts are separated, wherein the circuit interrupter does not include an arc chute.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Nalini Nanrudaiyan
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Publication number: 20150048054Abstract: A system including a contact tip that includes an arcing surface, a base surface, and a graded structure is presented. The graded structure includes a first region comprising a first surface proximate to the arcing surface, a second region comprising a second surface proximate to the base surface, and an intermediate region disposed between the first region and the second region. A concentration of silver in the graded structure decreases from the first surface to the second surface. A method of forming a contact tip includes preparing starting materials for a first region, an intermediate region, and a second region of the contact tip. The starting materials of the first, intermediate, and second regions are sequentially added to a container to form a graded blend of starting materials. The graded blend of starting materials are compacted and heat-treated to form a contact tip having a graded structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Nagaveni KARKADA, Gopi Chandran RAMACHANDRAN, Thangavelu ASOKAN
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Patent number: 8922958Abstract: An electrical fault mitigation system includes a mitigation device including a containment chamber defining a cavity, a first electrode positioned within the cavity and coupled to a first conductor, and a second electrode positioned within the cavity and coupled to a second conductor. The mitigation device also includes a first voltage source, and a plasma gun positioned within the cavity and configured to emit ablative plasma using the first voltage source to discharge energy from an electrical fault. The system also includes a first voltage limiter device configured to limit a voltage of the first conductor from increasing above a predetermined threshold to prevent a second voltage source from generating a second electrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode when the second voltage source applies a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Thomas Frederich Papallo, Jr., Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, Deepak Rajaram Raorane, Srinivas Naga Palvadi
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Publication number: 20140239812Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a plasma generation element physically coupled to a first main electrode. The plasma generation element includes at least a first open end and a second open end. Each open end defines a nozzle such that the first open end directs an ablative plasma to a second main electrode and the second open end directs the ablative plasma to a third main electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Thangavelu Asokan
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Patent number: 8742282Abstract: A plasma gun with two gap electrodes on opposite ends of a chamber of ablative material such as an ablative polymer. The gun ejects an ablative plasma at supersonic speed. A divergent nozzle spreads the plasma jet to fill a gap between electrodes of a main arc device, such as an arc crowbar or a high voltage power switch. The plasma triggers the main arc device by lowering the impedance of the main arc gap via the ablative plasma to provide a conductive path between the main electrodes. This provides faster triggering and requires less trigger energy than previous arc triggers. It also provides a more conductive initial main arc than previously possible. The initial properties of the main arc are controllable by the plasma properties, which are in turn controllable by design parameters of the ablative plasma gun.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Gopichand Bopparaju, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori
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Patent number: 8618435Abstract: An ablative plasma gun is presented. The ablative plasma gun includes a first gun electrode and a second gun electrode arranged between a dielectric layer to form a longitudinal slot. An opening at a distal end of the longitudinal slot is provided to spread generated plasma.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2009Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, Thangavelu Asokan
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Patent number: 8563888Abstract: An arc containment device is presented. The arc containment device includes a shock shield further having a multiple apertures for escape of gas, the shock shield configured to surround an arc source. The device further comprises an inner enclosure having a multiple openings generally aligned with the multiple apertures, the inner enclosure configured to provide an electrical insulation base for the arc source. An outer enclosure disposed is provided around the inner enclosure, the outer enclosure configured to direct the gas to the environment outside the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, Dean Arthur Robarge, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Thangavelu Asokan, George William Roscoe
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Publication number: 20130228551Abstract: A system comprising a circuit interrupter configured to interrupt flow of current through a circuit during an over current condition, wherein the circuit interrupter comprises two contacts configured to remain in contact when a current flowing through the two contacts is less than a threshold value, a tripping mechanism configured to separate the two contacts when the current equals or exceeds the threshold value, and at least one of either a permanent magnet or an electrode configured to extinguish an electric arc formed between the two contacts of the circuit interrupter when the two contacts are separated, wherein the circuit interrupter does not include an arc chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Nalini Nanrudaiyan
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Patent number: 8492979Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, such as an arc mitigating device, which can include a first plasma generation device and a second plasma generation device. The second plasma generation device can include a pair of opposing and spaced apart electrodes and a low voltage, high current energy source connected therebetween. A conduit can be configured to direct plasma between the first and second plasma generation devices, such that the second plasma generation device receives plasma generated by the first plasma generation. The plasma from the first plasma generation device can act to reduce the impedance of an area between the pair of opposing electrodes sufficiently to allow an arc to be established therebetween due to the low voltage, high current energy source.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori
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Publication number: 20130096853Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring electrical contacts are provided. One method includes calculating an impedance of an electrical contact based on an electrical signal applied to the electrical contact and a measured electrical signal after passing through the electrical contact. The method also includes determining a condition of the electrical contact using the calculated impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sakethraman Mahalingam, Marcelo Valdes, Thangavelu Asokan, Andrzej Michal May
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Publication number: 20130043071Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a heat pipe and a heat sink that includes a foam (e.g., a metal foam, a carbon foam, and/or a graphite foam) and is configured to exchange thermal energy with the heat pipe. For example, the heat pipe can include a thermal energy receiving portion and a thermal energy rejecting portion. The heat sink can be configured to receive thermal energy from a busbar and the thermal energy receiving portion can be configured to receive thermal energy from said heat sink. Alternatively, the thermal energy receiving portion can be configured to receive thermal energy from a busbar, and the heat sink can be configured to receive thermal energy from the thermal energy rejecting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Pradip Radhakrishnan Subramaniam, Thangavelu Asokan, Sudhakar Eddula Reddy, Sandeep Dhar
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Patent number: 8324302Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a resin in liquid form. The resin can be partially cured, and subsequent to partially curing the resin, the resin can be mixed with filler particles. The resin and filler particles can be mixed, say, in a planetary mixer, and can be exposed to an ambient pressure less than atmospheric pressure during mixing. Subsequent to mixing the resin and filler particles, the resin can be fully cured. The fully-cured resin can be disposed between first and second conductive components configured to be maintained at different potentials, such as between a phase conductor and a ground conductor.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Sujatha Pushpakanth, Shalini Thimmegowda
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Publication number: 20120181253Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus, such as an electrical system, is provided. The electrical system can include a pair of conductors across which an arc is sporadically supported, the arc including load current from a load circuit. The electrical system can also include an energy source that is separate from the load circuit and configured to selectively charge an electrode assembly. The conductors and electrode assembly can be configured such that the arc, when present, will be lengthened or constricted due to the charge on the electrode assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Thomas Frederick Papallo, JR., Govardhan Ganireddy
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Patent number: 8168911Abstract: A circuit breaker having an arc quenching system is provided. The quenching system includes an ablative device positioned within a chamber. On end of the ablative device includes an opening that receives a stationary contact. A movable contact arm travels within a channel between the closed position and an open position. When an abnormal operating condition is detected, the circuit breaker trips causing the contact arm to move. This generates a plasma arc that evaporates material from the ablative device. The evaporated material generates a pressurized gas that cools and quenches the plasma arc to improve the performance of the circuit breaker during undesired operating conditions such as a short circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thangavelu Asokan, Ranjit Manohar Deshmukh, Ranganath Gururaj, Kamal Pandey
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Patent number: 8154843Abstract: An ablative plasma gun having a dual power source pulse generator is configured to generate a high voltage low current pulse and a low voltage high current pulse. A pair of electrodes are disposed and configured to receive the high voltage low current pulse, and to receive the low voltage high current pulse in response to the high voltage low current pulse.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George William Roscoe, John James Dougherty, Cecil Rivers, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori
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Publication number: 20120068602Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a plasma gun configured to emit an ablative plasma along an axis, and a plurality of electrodes, wherein each electrode is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of a circuit and is arranged substantially along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axis such that each electrode is positioned substantially equidistant from the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: George William Roscoe, Dean Arthur Robarge, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Seth Adam Cutler, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori
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Patent number: 8053699Abstract: An electrical pulse circuit is disclosed. The electrical pulse circuit is in connection with a first pair of electrodes defining a first gap between ends thereof and a second pair of electrodes defining a second gap between ends thereof. The second gap is disposed proximate to the first gap. The circuit includes a controller, a first electrical pulse source in power connection with the first pair of electrodes, and a second electrical pulse source in power connection with the second pair of electrodes. The first electrical pulse source is productive of a high voltage low current arc across the first gap in response to the controller and the second electrical pulse source is productive of a low voltage high current arc across the second gap in response to the controller and the high voltage arc.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: George William Roscoe, Thangavelu Asokan, Adnan Kuttubudin Bohori