Patents by Inventor Wayne S. Estes

Wayne S. Estes 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: 5670936
    Abstract: A power controller (10) for supplying power to a power distribution network (N) in which power from a polyphase source (G) is routed to using equipment (E) connected to the network through the power controller. A plurality of solid-state power devices (82) switch each separate phase of the polyphase power to the equipment. A firing circuit (14) controls gating of the switches to route the power. Fuses (F) are connected between the switches and the using equipment to interrupt power flow to the equipment if excessive current begins to be drawn. A con, roller (20) controls a shutdown sequence employed by the controller to eliminate current spiking at shutdown. The various components are housed in an enclosure (22) which includes a mounting structure (56) for mounting the aforesaid components. A cooling system (26) employs a fan (88) for directing air flow through the mounting structure to cool the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Wayne S. Estes, Carl D. Russell
  • Patent number: 5537026
    Abstract: A power controller (10) and a method for supplying power to a power distribution network (N) in which power from a polyphase source (G) is routed to using equipment (E) connected to the network through the power controller. A plurality of solid-state power devices (82) switch each separate phase of the polyphase power to the equipment. A firing circuit (14) controls gating of the switches to route the power. Fuses (F) are connected between the switches and the using equipment to interrupt power flow to the equipment if excessive current begins to be drawn. Circuit breakers (74) are connected between the power source and the switches to interrupt current flow to the equipment if excessive current is drawn. A control unit (20) controls operation of the controller. The firing circuit includes a master firing unit (164a) and a slave firing unit (164b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Wayne S. Estes, Carl D. Russell