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).

  • Publication number: 20230396053
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Robert Rozman, Ernest Belic, Sebastjan Kamensek, Andrej Mesaric
  • Publication number: 20230141386
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
  • Patent number: 11527879
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: RIPD IP DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
  • Patent number: 11223200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: RIPD IP DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Robert Rozman, Ernest Beli{hacek over (c)}, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek
  • Patent number: 10734176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10685767
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Milenko Vukotic, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Thomas Tsovilis
  • Patent number: 10679814
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Thomas Tsovilis
  • Publication number: 20200036185
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Robert Rozman, Ernest Belic, Sebastjan Kamensek
  • Publication number: 20200021098
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
  • Patent number: 10447023
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: RIPD IP Development Ltd
    Inventors: Zafiris G. Politis, Grigoris Kostakis, Thomas Tsovilis, Kostas Bakatsias
  • Publication number: 20190267206
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Thomas Tsovilis
  • Publication number: 20190252142
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Milenko Vukotic, Thomas Tsovilis, Zafiris G. Politis
  • Patent number: 10340110
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: RAYCAP IP DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamen{hacek over (s)}ek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juri{hacek over (c)}ev, Thomas Tsovilis
  • Patent number: 10340688
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: RIPD IP ASSETS LTD
    Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Eva Giannelaki, Fani Asimakopoulou, Konstantinos Bakatsias, Zafiris G. Politis
  • Patent number: 10319545
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20190080826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Milenko Vukotic, Igor Juricev, Thomas Tsovilis
  • Publication number: 20180330908
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jure Vrhunc, Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Thomas Tsovilis
  • Publication number: 20180151318
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Sebastjan Kamensek, Tadej Knez, Igor Juricev, Milenko Vukotic, Thomas Tsovilis, Zafiris G. Politis
  • Publication number: 20180138698
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Eva Giannelaki, Fani Asimakopoulou, Konstantinos Bakatsias, Zafiris G. Politis
  • Patent number: 9906017
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: RIPD RESEARCH AND IP DEVELOPMENT LTD.
    Inventors: Thomas Tsovilis, Eva Giannelaki, Fani Asimakopoulou, Konstantinos Bakatsias, Zafiris G. Politis