Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Dyer

Thomas J. Dyer 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: 11962132
    Abstract: A support bracket assembly for supporting a pair of bushing well interrupter devices provided within a transformer enclosure that encloses a transformer. The support bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly rigidly secured to a parking stand on the enclosure and including a plurality of mounting bosses. The support bracket assembly further includes support brackets, a first adjustable link secured to one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting boss on a support bracket, a second adjustable link secured to another one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting bosses on a support bracket, and a third adjustable link secured to mounting bosses on two support bracket, where the first, second and third adjustable links form a triangular configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J Dyer, Nicholas Seng, Joseph W. Milton, David G. Porter
  • Publication number: 20240118318
    Abstract: A system and method for determining an open or closed position of a magnetically actuated vacuum interrupter. The method includes applying a voltage signal of a known voltage to the actuator over a predetermined period and determining a change in current over time during the period when the voltage signal is applied to the actuator using an output of a Rogowski coil. The method also includes calculating the inductance using the voltage and the change in current over time at a predetermined time during the period and using the calculated inductance to determine whether the actuator and thus the vacuum interrupter are in the open or closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David G. Porter, Thomas J. Dyer, Joseph W. Milton, Andrew B. Berman, Christine E. McNeil
  • Publication number: 20230374732
    Abstract: The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet-pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 14.0 grams per square meter or greater. Despite having relatively high per-ply basis weights, the products are generally soft and flexible, such as having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 10.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20.0. While being soft and flexible, the tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a geometric mean tensile (GMT) greater than about 1,000 g/3?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dyer, Kelly A. Balzereit, Angela A. Wei, David J. Verbael, Sharon L. Famuliner
  • Patent number: 11788233
    Abstract: The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet-pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 14.0 grams per square meter or greater. Despite having relatively high per-ply basis weights, the products are generally soft and flexible, such as having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 10.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20.0. While being soft and flexible, the tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a geometric mean tensile (GMT) greater than about 1,000 g/3?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dyer, Kelly A. Balzereit, Angela A. Wei, David J. Verbael, Sharon L. Famuliner
  • Patent number: 11779114
    Abstract: A center post assembly for eliminating sagging of a roof panel in a cabinet, where doors of the cabinet latch to the post assembly. The post assembly includes a base portion and a post portion, where one of the base portion or the post portion includes a plurality of slots and the other one of the base portion or the slot portion includes a plurality of threaded studs. The base portion further includes a first bracket and a jackscrew threaded into a threaded opening in the first bracket and the post portion further includes a second bracket, where the jackscrew engages the second bracket so that rotation of the jackscrew causes the second bracket to move relative to the first bracket so that the studs slide in the slots and increase the length of the post assembly to remove the sag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J Dyer, Joseph W Milton
  • Patent number: 11742161
    Abstract: An insulating rotary diaphragm for a vacuum interrupter (VI) electrical switch. The insulating diaphragm is designed for use in underground or pad-mounted VI switches where an external lever is rotated by a line worker to manually open the switch. A torsional insulating rod is coupled between a switch actuator and the external lever, and the diaphragm maintains constant contact with the insulating rod and an outer housing when the lever and rod are rotated, thus ensuring adequate isolation between the actuator and the lever. The diaphragm deforms torsionally when the lever and rod are rotated. This configuration allows the actuator to be at medium voltage, eliminates the need for a translational insulating rod between the medium voltage switch components and the lever, and thereby reduces the overall length of the VI switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Leo Caro, Michael R. Maroney, Thomas J. Dyer, Nicholas Seng
  • Publication number: 20230197375
    Abstract: A switch assembly including an actuator assembly operable to magnetically latch a switch in a closed position, where the actuator assembly includes a cup member coupled to the drive rod opposite to the switch and an opening spring positioned within the cup member and being held in compression when the switch is latched closed, and where the cup member includes a central opening. The switch assembly further includes a scissor link having a first leg and a second leg pivotally attached at a pivot point, where one end of the first and second legs extend into the central opening and are rigidly attached to the cup member and an opposite end of the first and second legs extend through the cover, and where pulling the link away from the actuator assembly breaks the magnetic latch and opens the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dyer, Joseph W. Milton
  • Patent number: 11670471
    Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David G Porter, Stephen E Williams, Peter J Meyer, Martin T Bishop, Thomas J Dyer, Andrew B Berman, Joseph W Milton, Lauren Abramczyk
  • Publication number: 20230148054
    Abstract: A support bracket assembly for supporting a pair of bushing well interrupter devices provided within a transformer enclosure that encloses a transformer. The support bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly rigidly secured to a parking stand on the enclosure and including a plurality of mounting bosses. The support bracket assembly further includes support brackets, a first adjustable link secured to one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting boss on a support bracket, a second adjustable link secured to another one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting bosses on a support bracket, and a third adjustable link secured to mounting bosses on two support bracket, where the first, second and third adjustable links form a triangular configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dyer, Nicholas Seng, Joseph W. Milton, David G. Porter
  • Patent number: 11612071
    Abstract: A duct assembly for covering electrical connections between electrical equipment enclosures having a gap therebetween. The duct assembly includes a first frame configured to be mounted to one of the enclosures, where the first frame includes a flange mounted to the enclosure and a flange to which a gasket is secured that extends all of the way around the first frame. The duct assembly also includes a second frame configured to be mounted to the other enclosure, where the second frame includes a flange mounted to the enclosure and a flange to which a gasket is secured that extends all of the way around the second frame. The duct assembly further includes a duct that compresses and is coupled only to the gaskets that enclose each end of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J Dyer, Joseph W Milton
  • Publication number: 20230078139
    Abstract: The present invention provides multi-ply creped tissue products, and in particular embodiments creped wet-pressed tissue products, having substantially higher per-ply basis weights, such as from about 14.0 grams per square meter or greater. Despite having relatively high per-ply basis weights, the products are generally soft and flexible, such as having a softness value (measured as TS7) less than about 10.0 and a Stiffness Index less than about 20.0. While being soft and flexible, the tissue products are durable enough to withstand use, such as having a geometric mean tensile (GMT) greater than about 1,000 g/3?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dyer, Kelly A. Balzereit, Angela A. Wei, David J. Verbael, Sharon L. Famuliner
  • Patent number: 11569652
    Abstract: A switch assembly that is part of a transformer in an underground residential power distribution circuit and that provides fault isolation and restoration. The switch assembly includes first and second switching devices each having an outer housing, a transformer interface electrically coupled to the transformer, a connector interface electrically coupled to a first connector and a first vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, where the fixed contact is electrically coupled to the connector interface and the movable contact is electrically coupled to the transformer interface. A control board controls the first and second switching devices, where the control board is responsive to voltage signals from capacitors in the first and second switching devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Desmond, John French, Konstantin Lakirovich, Michael Quinlan, Alejandro Montenegro, David G Porter, Joseph W Milton, Thomas J Dyer
  • Patent number: 11563318
    Abstract: A switching device that is part of a transformer in an underground residential power distribution circuit and provides fault isolation and restoration. The switching device includes a transformer interface for coupling the device to the transformer and a connector interface for coupling the device to a connector. The device also includes a vacuum interrupter having a fixed terminal and a movable terminal, where the fixed terminal is electrically coupled to the connector interface and the movable terminal is electrically coupled to the transformer interface. A control rod is coupled to the movable terminal, an actuator assembly is coupled to the control rod and is operable to move the control rod to open and close the vacuum interrupter. A capacitor is electrically coupled to the fixed terminal, and provides an interface for power line communications signals, voltage sensing, help determine power flow direction and help determine the distance to a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Alejandro Montenegro, Michael R Maroney, Nicholas Seng, Daniel Desmond, Goran Djogo, Thomas J Dyer, Joseph W Milton, Michael Quinlan
  • Publication number: 20230014710
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for securing a control unit that controls a bushing well interrupter device provided within a transformer enclosure associated with an underground loop circuit. The mounting bracket includes a support portion configured to hold the control unit and a mounting portion coupled to the mounting portion, where the mounting portion including a hook portion configured to hook onto one terminal in the enclosure and a notch portion configured to rest against another terminal in the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas S. Kelley, Thomas J. Dyer, Joseph W. Milton, David G. Porter
  • Publication number: 20230012203
    Abstract: An insulating rotary diaphragm for a vacuum interrupter (VI) electrical switch. The insulating diaphragm is designed for use in underground or pad-mounted VI switches where an external lever is rotated by a line worker to manually open the switch. A torsional insulating rod is coupled between a switch actuator and the external lever, and the diaphragm maintains constant contact with the insulating rod and an outer housing when the lever and rod are rotated, thus ensuring adequate isolation between the actuator and the lever. The diaphragm deforms torsionally when the lever and rod are rotated. This configuration allows the actuator to be at medium voltage, eliminates the need for a translational insulating rod between the medium voltage switch components and the lever, and thereby reduces the overall length of the VI switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Leo Caro, Michael R. Maroney, Thomas J. Dyer, Nicholas Seng
  • Publication number: 20220230825
    Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David G. Porter, Stephen E. Williams, Peter J. Meyer, Martin T. Bishop, Thomas J. Dyer, Andrew B. Berman, Joseph W. Milton, Lauren Abramczyk
  • Patent number: 11328885
    Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: David G Porter, Stephen E Williams, Peter J Meyer, Martin T Bishop, Thomas J Dyer, Andrew B Berman, Joseph W Milton, Lauren Abramczyk
  • Publication number: 20220109292
    Abstract: A duct assembly for covering electrical connections between electrical equipment enclosures having a gap therebetween. The duct assembly includes a first frame configured to be mounted to one of the enclosures, where the first frame includes a flange mounted to the enclosure and a flange to which a gasket is secured that extends all of the way around the first frame. The duct assembly also includes a second frame configured to be mounted to the other enclosure, where the second frame includes a flange mounted to the enclosure and a flange to which a gasket is secured that extends all of the way around the second frame. The duct assembly further includes a duct that compresses and is coupled only to the gaskets that enclose each end of the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J Dyer, Joseph W Milton
  • Publication number: 20220104619
    Abstract: A center post assembly for eliminating sagging of a roof panel in a cabinet, where doors of the cabinet latch to the post assembly. The post assembly includes a base portion and a post portion, where one of the base portion or the post portion includes a plurality of slots and the other one of the base portion or the slot portion includes a plurality of threaded studs. The base portion further includes a first bracket and a jackscrew threaded into a threaded opening in the first bracket and the post portion further includes a second bracket, where the jackscrew engages the second bracket so that rotation of the jackscrew causes the second bracket to move relative to the first bracket so that the studs slide in the slots and increase the length of the post assembly to remove the sag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dyer, Joseph W. Milton
  • Publication number: 20220102961
    Abstract: A switch assembly that is part of a transformer in an underground residential power distribution circuit and that provides fault isolation and restoration. The switch assembly includes first and second switching devices each having an outer housing, a transformer interface electrically coupled to the transformer, a connector interface electrically coupled to a first connector and a first vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, where the fixed contact is electrically coupled to the connector interface and the movable contact is electrically coupled to the transformer interface. A control board controls the first and second switching devices, where the control board is responsive to voltage signals from capacitors in the first and second switching devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Desmond, John French, Konstantin Lakirovich, Michael Quinlan, Alejandro Montenegro, David G Porter, Joseph W Milton, Thomas J Dyer