Patents by Inventor Theodore James Miller

Theodore James Miller 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).

  • Publication number: 20180026319
    Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery module, a second battery module, a supply line, a return line, and a film heater. The supply and return lines are configured to circulate a heat transfer medium in response to a first temperature condition, and the film heat is configured to heat the first battery module and the second battery module in response to a second temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Harold J. HASKINS, Theodore James MILLER, Xiao Guang YANG, Patrick Daniel MAGUIRE, OuJung KWON, James Matthew MARCICKI
  • Publication number: 20180019471
    Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery cell includes a lithium anode and a carbon-sulfur cathode including a sulfur-impregnated carbon nanostructure defined by one or more layers of elementally doped nanoporous carbon arranged on one or more carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Feng Wu, Renjie Chen, Ji Qian, Yusheng Ye, Xiao Guang Yang, YuHong Xu, Theodore James Miller
  • Patent number: 9842709
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a set of separable contacts moveable between a closed position and an open position, an operating mechanism configured to open the set of contacts, a conductor coupled to the set of contacts, a current transformer coupled to the conductor, and a trip circuit coupled to the operating mechanism and to the current transformer and configured to cause the operating mechanism to open the set of contacts when a current through the conductor exceeds a current threshold that is greater than a saturation threshold of the current transformer. The trip circuit is further configured to vary the current threshold during an interval following a closure of the set of the contacts and to provide a fixed current threshold thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald Zheng, Xin Zhou, James Leo Lagree, Theodore James Miller, Bruce Wu, Sui Ouyang
  • Patent number: 9843069
    Abstract: A vehicle can include a traction battery and a controller in communication with the battery to determine the battery state using sensed battery electrode capacity to account for battery aging. The sensed battery electrode capacity can be dependent on active lithium ions at a positive electrode of the traction battery. The controller can compare a battery voltage model to measured battery voltage during a vehicle drive cycle, receive sensed current though put data and open circuit voltage at the battery, and determine if a deviation threshold is exceeded. The controller can also correct electrode capacity using a mean of the measured open-circuit voltage to correct the capacity error to less than one amp-hour or initiate an active lithium capacity correction using a variance of the current throughput to correct the capacity error to less than one amp-hour. This information can be used to control the vehicle and battery usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Matthew Marcicki, OuJung Kwon, Theodore James Miller, Xiao Guang Yang
  • Patent number: 9810718
    Abstract: A wire wound resistor arrangement including a plurality of wire wound resistors electrically connected in a series connection, a first terminal disposed at a first end of the series connection of wire wound resistors, and a second terminal disposed at a second end of the series connection of wire wound resistors. The wire wound resistors are arranged in a polygonal shape having at least three vertices the first terminal and the second terminal are disposed at one of the vertices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas Walsh, Theodore James Miller
  • Patent number: 9799932
    Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery module, a second battery module, a supply line, a return line, and a film heater. The supply and return lines are configured to circulate a heat transfer medium in response to a first temperature condition, and the film heat is configured to heat the first battery module and the second battery module in response to a second temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Harold J. Haskins, Theodore James Miller, Xiao Guang Yang, Patrick Daniel Maguire, OuJung Kwon, James Matthew Marcicki
  • Publication number: 20170288387
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter that includes a passive integration channel structured to receive an output signal from a di/dt current sensor and generate a first signal output based on the output signal, and an active integration channel structured to receive the output signal from the di/dt current sensor and generate a second signal output based on the output signal that is proportional to the primary current received by the di/dt current sensor. Circuit protection functionality is provided based on the first signal output responsive to the primary current being determined to be greater than a threshold level, current metering and circuit protection functionality is provided based on the second signal output responsive to the primary current being determined to be less than or equal to the threshold level, and a seed current value is provided to the active integrator based on the first signal output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: THEODORE JAMES MILLER, DANIEL A. HOSKO, GEORGE GAO
  • Publication number: 20170288389
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for a trip unit of a circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, a startup circuit receiving a regulated voltage and a DC/DC converter. The startup circuit is structured to: (i) burden the current transformer with an impedance approximating the trip unit and cause the DC/DC converter to enter the shutdown mode when the regulated voltage is below a predetermined value, (ii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to the regulated voltage reaching the predetermined value, and (iii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to a rate of change of the regulated voltage being at least a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: THEODORE JAMES MILLER
  • Patent number: 9728348
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a line terminal, a load terminal, separable contacts disposed on a conductive path between the line terminal and the load terminal, an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a trip bar, and an electronic trip unit. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a trip actuator assembly including an actuator housing coupled to said housing, an actuator coupled to said actuator housing, and a connector structured to electrically connect the actuator to an electronic trip unit. The electrical switching apparatus further includes a current transformer assembly including a rod-shaped conductor electrically coupled to the load terminal and a current transformer disposed around the rod-shaped conductor, wherein the electronic trip unit is structured to electrically control actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Frank Joseph Stifter, Jr., Gerald Zheng, Brian Scott Jansto, Theodore James Miller
  • Patent number: 9716380
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for a trip unit of a circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, a startup circuit receiving a regulated voltage and a DC/DC converter. The startup circuit is structured to: (i) burden the current transformer with an impedance approximating the trip unit and cause the DC/DC converter to enter the shutdown mode when the regulated voltage is below a predetermined value, (ii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to the regulated voltage reaching the predetermined value, and (iii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to a rate of change of the regulated voltage being at least a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Theodore James Miller
  • Patent number: 9716379
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter that includes a passive integration channel structured to receive an output signal from a di/dt current sensor and generate a first signal output based on the output signal, and an active integration channel structured to receive the output signal from the di/dt current sensor and generate a second signal output based on the output signal that is proportional to the primary current received by the di/dt current sensor. Circuit protection functionality is provided based on the first signal output responsive to the primary current being determined to be greater than a threshold level, current metering and circuit protection functionality is provided based on the second signal output responsive to the primary current being determined to be less than or equal to the threshold level, and a seed current value is provided to the active integrator based on the first signal output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Theodore James Miller, Daniel A. Hosko, George Gao
  • Publication number: 20170178829
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus includes a housing, a line terminal, a load terminal, separable contacts disposed on a conductive path between the line terminal and the load terminal, an operating mechanism structured to open and close said separable contacts, said operating mechanism including a trip bar, and an electronic trip unit. The electrical switching apparatus also includes a trip actuator assembly including an actuator housing coupled to said housing, an actuator coupled to said actuator housing, and a connector structured to electrically connect the actuator to an electronic trip unit. The electrical switching apparatus further includes a current transformer assembly including a rod-shaped conductor electrically coupled to the load terminal and a current transformer disposed around the rod-shaped conductor, wherein the electronic trip unit is structured to electrically control actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: XIN ZHOU, FRANK JOSEPH STIFTER, JR., GERALD ZHENG, BRIAN SCOTT JANSTO, THEODORE JAMES MILLER
  • Patent number: 9679730
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source, a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load, separable contacts electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal and being moveable between a closed position and an open position, an operating mechanism structured to trip open the separable contacts, an electronic trip unit structured to detect a fault condition based on power flowing between the first and second terminals and to retrieve diagnostic or setting information associated with the circuit interrupter, and a wireless unit structured to provide the setting or diagnostic information associated with the circuit interrupter to an external device via a wireless communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick Thomas Walsh, Theodore James Miller
  • Publication number: 20170125859
    Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery module, a second battery module, a supply line, a return line, and a film heater. The supply and return lines are configured to circulate a heat transfer medium in response to a first temperature condition, and the film heat is configured to heat the first battery module and the second battery module in response to a second temperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Harold J. HASKINS, Theodore James MILLER, Xiao Guang YANG, Patrick Daniel MAGUIRE, OuJung KWON, James Matthew MARCICKI
  • Publication number: 20170063070
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter that includes a passive integration channel structured to receive an output signal from a di/dt current sensor and generate a first signal output based on the output signal, and an active integration channel structured to receive the output signal from the di/dt current sensor and generate a second signal output based on the output signal that is proportional to the primary current received by the di/dt current sensor. Circuit protection functionality is provided based on the first signal output responsive to the primary current being determined to be greater than a threshold level, current metering and circuit protection functionality is provided based on the second signal output responsive to the primary current being determined to be less than or equal to the threshold level, and a seed current value is provided to the active integrator based on the first signal output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: THEODORE JAMES MILLER, DANIEL A. HOSKO, GEORGE GAO
  • Publication number: 20170063072
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for a trip unit of a circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, a startup circuit receiving a regulated voltage and a DC/DC converter. The startup circuit is structured to: (i) burden the current transformer with an impedance approximating the trip unit and cause the DC/DC converter to enter the shutdown mode when the regulated voltage is below a predetermined value, (ii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to the regulated voltage reaching the predetermined value, and (iii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to a rate of change of the regulated voltage being at least a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: THEODORE JAMES MILLER
  • Publication number: 20170054311
    Abstract: A battery management controller includes input channels to receive a voltage signal from a battery and output channels to provide diagnostic signals to an operator. The controller is programmed to output a diagnostic signal predictive of a thermal condition in response to the voltage decreasing at a rate greater than a predetermined rate that signals that the voltage is decreasing toward a local minimum that precedes an increase in the voltage indicative of a battery temperature increase rate becoming greater than a threshold. The diagnostic signal may be used to alert the operator of the condition. The controller may be further programmed to issue commands to mitigate the thermal condition based on the diagnostic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Alvaro MASIAS, KENT SNYDER, THEODORE JAMES MILLER
  • Patent number: 9524842
    Abstract: Molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) have an MCCB body with at least one switch printed circuit board (PCB) holding between 1-4 recessed switches. The switch PCB has a bottom primary surface and an opposing top primary surface and a cover residing over the switch PCB and attached to the MCCB case body so that an outer end portion of the 1-4 switches held by the switch PCB extends through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James Patrick Sisley, James Leo Lagree, Richard Paul Malingowski, Theodore James Miller, David Richard Olenak
  • Patent number: 9515357
    Abstract: A battery thermal management system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a heat spreader, a coolant channel attached to the heat spreader and a supply manifold fluidly connected with the coolant channel and configured to supply a heat transfer medium to the coolant channel. A return manifold is fluidly connected with the coolant channel and configured to expel the heat transfer medium from the coolant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Harold J. Haskins, Theodore James Miller, Xiao Guang Yang, Patrick Daniel Maguire, OuJung Kwon, James Matthew Marcicki
  • Publication number: 20160293372
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a first terminal structured to electrically connect to a power source, a second terminal structured to electrically connect to a load, separable contacts electrically connected between the first terminal and the second terminal and being moveable between a closed position and an open position, an operating mechanism structured to trip open the separable contacts, an electronic trip unit structured to detect a fault condition based on power flowing between the first and second terminals and to retrieve diagnostic or setting information associated with the circuit interrupter, and a wireless unit structured to provide the setting or diagnostic information associated with the circuit interrupter to an external device via a wireless communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: PATRICK THOMAS WALSH, THEODORE JAMES MILLER