Patents by Inventor Thomas Tsovilis
Thomas Tsovilis 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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Publication number: 20230396053Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal, and an overvoltage protection circuit connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a gas discharge tube and a current management circuit connected in series to the gas discharge tube. The current management circuit includes a varistor and a resistor that are connected in parallel between a first node of the current management circuit and a second node of the current management circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Robert Rozman, Ernest Belic, Sebastjan Kamensek, Andrej Mesaric
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Publication number: 20230141386Abstract: A crowbar module includes first and second electrical terminals, a module housing, and first and second crowbar units. The first crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a first thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The second crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a second thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals in electrical parallel with the first crowbar unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
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Patent number: 11527879Abstract: A crowbar module includes first and second electrical terminals, a module housing, and first and second crowbar units. The first crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a first thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The second crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a second thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals in electrical parallel with the first crowbar unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: RIPD IP DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
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Patent number: 11223200Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal, and an overvoltage protection circuit connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a gas discharge tube and a current management circuit connected in series to the gas discharge tube. The current management circuit includes a varistor and a resistor that are connected in parallel between a first node of the current management circuit and a second node of the current management circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: RIPD IP DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Robert Rozman, Ernest Beli{hacek over (c)}, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek
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Patent number: 10734176Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Raycap, Surge Protective Devices, Ltd.Inventors: Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Milenko Vukotić, Thomas Tsovilis, Zafiris G. Politis
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Patent number: 10685767Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a varistor and an electrical conductor. The varistor includes a hole defined therein and extending through the varistor. The electrical conductor extends through the hole in the varistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Milenko Vukotic, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Thomas Tsovilis
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Patent number: 10679814Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, an overvoltage clamping element electrically connected between the first and second module electrical terminals, and a thermal disconnector mechanism. The thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in a ready configuration, wherein the overvoltage clamping element is electrically connected with the second module electrical terminal. The thermal disconnector mechanism is repositionable to electrically disconnect the overvoltage clamping element from the second module electrical terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Thomas Tsovilis
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Publication number: 20200036185Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) includes a first electrical terminal, a second electrical terminal, and an overvoltage protection circuit connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a gas discharge tube and a current management circuit connected in series to the gas discharge tube. The current management circuit includes a varistor and a resistor that are connected in parallel between a first node of the current management circuit and a second node of the current management circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Robert Rozman, Ernest Belic, Sebastjan Kamensek
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Publication number: 20200021098Abstract: A crowbar module includes first and second electrical terminals, a module housing, and first and second crowbar units. The first crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a first thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The second crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a second thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals in electrical parallel with the first crowbar unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
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Patent number: 10447023Abstract: A crowbar module includes first and second electrical terminals, a module housing, and first and second crowbar units. The first crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a first thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals. The second crowbar unit is disposed in the module housing and includes a second thyristor electrically connected between the first and second electrical terminals in electrical parallel with the first crowbar unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: RIPD IP Development LtdInventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
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Publication number: 20190267206Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, an overvoltage clamping element electrically connected between the first and second module electrical terminals, and a thermal disconnector mechanism. The thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in a ready configuration, wherein the overvoltage clamping element is electrically connected with the second module electrical terminal. The thermal disconnector mechanism is repositionable to electrically disconnect the overvoltage clamping element from the second module electrical terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Thomas Tsovilis
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Publication number: 20190252142Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Milenko Vukotic, Thomas Tsovilis, Zafiris G. Politis
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Patent number: 10340110Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, an overvoltage clamping element electrically connected between the first and second module electrical terminals, and a thermal disconnector mechanism. The thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in a ready configuration, wherein the overvoltage clamping element is electrically connected with the second module electrical terminal. The thermal disconnector mechanism is repositionable to electrically disconnect the overvoltage clamping element from the second module electrical terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Thomas Tsovilis
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Patent number: 10340688Abstract: A modular overvoltage protection unit for electrically connecting a first power line and/or a second power line to a protected earth (PE) line in the case of an overvoltage event on the first or second power line includes a unit enclosure defining an enclosure cavity, and first and second surge protection devices (SPDs) each disposed in the enclosure cavity. Each of the first and second SPDs includes: a first electrode in the form of a metal housing defining a housing cavity; a second electrode disposed within the housing cavity; and a varistor member captured between and electrically connected with each of the first and second electrodes, wherein the varistor member is formed of a varistor material.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: RIPD IP ASSETS LTDInventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Eva Giannelaki, Fani Asimakopoulou, Konstantinos Bakatsias, Zafiris G. Politis
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Patent number: 10319545Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Iskra Za{hacek over (s)}{hacek over (c)}ite d.o.o.Inventors: Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Milenko Vukotić, Thomas Tsovilis, Zafiris G. Politis
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Publication number: 20190080826Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a varistor and an electrical conductor. The varistor includes a hole defined therein and extending through the varistor. The electrical conductor extends through the hole in the varistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Milenko Vukotic, Igor Juricev, Thomas Tsovilis
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Publication number: 20180330908Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, an overvoltage clamping element electrically connected between the first and second module electrical terminals, and a thermal disconnector mechanism. The thermal disconnector mechanism is positioned in a ready configuration, wherein the overvoltage clamping element is electrically connected with the second module electrical terminal. The thermal disconnector mechanism is repositionable to electrically disconnect the overvoltage clamping element from the second module electrical terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Thomas Tsovilis
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Publication number: 20180151318Abstract: A surge protective device (SPD) module includes a module housing, first and second module electrical terminals mounted on the module housing, a gas discharge tube (GDT) mounted in the module housing, and a fail-safe mechanism mounted in the module housing. The GDT includes a first GDT terminal electrically connected to the first module electrical terminal and a second GDT terminal electrically connected to the second module electrical terminal. The fail-safe mechanism includes: an electrically conductive shorting bar positioned in a ready position and repositionable to a shorting position; a biasing member applying a biasing load to the shorting bar to direct the shorting bar from the ready position to the shorting position; and a meltable member. The meltable member maintains the shorting bar in the ready position and melts in response to a prescribed temperature to permit the shorting bar to transition from the ready position to the shorting position under the biasing load of the biasing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Milenko Vukotic, Thomas Tsovilis, Zafiris G. Politis
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Publication number: 20180138698Abstract: A modular overvoltage protection unit for electrically connecting a first power line and/or a second power line to a protected earth (PE) line in the case of an overvoltage event on the first or second power line includes a unit enclosure defining an enclosure cavity, and first and second surge protection devices (SPDs) each disposed in the enclosure cavity. Each of the first and second SPDs includes: a first electrode in the form of a metal housing defining a housing cavity; a second electrode disposed within the housing cavity; and a varistor member captured between and electrically connected with each of the first and second electrodes, wherein the varistor member is formed of a varistor material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2018Publication date: May 17, 2018Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Eva Giannelaki, Fani Asimakopoulou, Konstantinos Bakatsias, Zafiris G. Politis
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Patent number: 9906017Abstract: A modular overvoltage protection unit for electrically connecting a first power line and/or a second power line to a protected earth (PE) line in the case of an overvoltage event on the first or second power line includes a unit enclosure defining an enclosure cavity, and first and second surge protection devices (SPDs) each disposed in the enclosure cavity. Each of the first and second SPDs includes: a first electrode in the form of a metal housing defining a housing cavity; a second electrode disposed within the housing cavity; and a varistor member captured between and electrically connected with each of the first and second electrodes, wherein the varistor member is formed of a varistor material.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: RIPD RESEARCH AND IP DEVELOPMENT LTD.Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Eva Giannelaki, Fani Asimakopoulou, Konstantinos Bakatsias, Zafiris G. Politis