Patents by Inventor Thomas Edward Cosby

Thomas Edward Cosby 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: 8384392
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Patent number: 8311785
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to minimize saturation in a ground fault detection device are disclosed. An example method includes connecting a capacitor simulator to a node of the ground fault detector device to prevent saturation, and monitoring power-line conductors for ground fault conditions with the ground fault detector device. An example apparatus to simulate a saturation capacitance in a ground fault device includes a sense coil induced by power-line conductors, and at least one of an amplifier or a current detector including an input connected to the sense coil and an output connected to a ground fault detector. The example apparatus also includes a saturation capacitor simulator connected to a node of at least one of the amplifier or the current detector to prevent saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Patent number: 8018235
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to facilitate ground fault detection with a single coil and an oscillator are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil including a secondary winding surrounding a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the line conductor and the neutral conductor forming a primary winding. The example ground fault detection device also includes a voltage oscillator connected in series with the secondary winding to drive an oscillation component, and at least one of a detector or an amplifier connected in series with the secondary winding to detect at least one of a neutral-to-ground fault or a line-to-ground fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Publication number: 20110032646
    Abstract: A ground fault detection device includes a sense coil including a primary winding and a secondary winding to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Patent number: 7834636
    Abstract: A ground fault detection device includes a sense coil including a primary winding and a secondary winding to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor. It also includes a capacitor in parallel with the secondary winding and a virtual inductor to form a resonance circuit having a signal proportional to the current and being indicative of a ground fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Publication number: 20080106833
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to facilitate ground fault protection and self test with a single switch are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a ground fault detector to receive a signal indicative of current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, and a single switch to simulate a fault during a self test and to cause a relay to activate in response to at least one of a real fault or a failed self-test. An example method to self-test a ground fault detection device includes monitoring a self-test indicator for an indication to initiate the self-test, and when the indication to inititate the self-test is true, activating a switch to cause at least one fault diode to conduct for a predetermined self-test duration. The example method also includes monitoring at least one of a sense coil or the switch for a signal indicative of the self-test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Publication number: 20080106268
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to facilitate ground fault detection with a single coil are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The example ground fault detector also includes a capacitor in parallel with the secondary winding and an inductor to form a resonance circuit having a resonance frequency and having a signal proportional to the current, the signal indicative of a ground fault condition. An example method of detecting a ground fault includes driving a first capacitor with an inductor to generate a resonance signal component and monitoring an inductor signal to determine at least one of a neutral-to-ground fault, a line-to-ground fault, or a non-fault condition. The example method also includes generating a fault signal when at least one of the line-to-ground fault or the neutral-to-ground fault is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Publication number: 20080109193
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to minimize saturation in a ground fault detection device are disclosed. An example method includes connecting a capacitor simulator to a node of the ground fault detector device to prevent saturation, and monitoring power-line conductors for ground fault conditions with the ground fault detector device. An example apparatus to simulate a saturation capacitance in a ground fault device includes a sense coil induced by power-line conductors, and at least one of an amplifier or a current detector including an input connected to the sense coil and an output connected to a ground fault detector. The example apparatus also includes a saturation capacitor simulator connected to a node of at least one of the amplifier or the current detector to prevent saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby
  • Publication number: 20080106831
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for continuous ground fault self-test are disclosed. An example ground fault detection device includes a sense coil to detect current in a line conductor and a neutral conductor, the sense coil comprising a winding influenced by a current difference between the line conductor and the neutral conductor. The example ground fault detection device also includes a current bypass to facilitate a continuous current imbalance detected by the sense coil, and a ground fault detector circuit to detect at least one of the continuous current imbalance in the sense coil or a ground fault current imbalance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Artur J. Lewinski, Ross Teggatz, Thomas Edward Cosby