Patents by Inventor William A. Ziegler

William A. Ziegler 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: 8212427
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a system for power distribution. According to some embodiments, the system includes a rack mountable power distribution unit including a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing also including an outer wall defining a cavity within the housing, and fastening elements configured to allow the housing to be mounted within an electrical equipment rack. In accordance with these embodiments, the outer wall of the housing includes an opening extending linearly between the first end and the second end of the housing and a plurality of electrical conductors located within the cavity and oriented linearly between the first end and the second end. In accordance with further embodiments, the system includes a tap module including a plurality of contacts extending therefrom wherein each of the plurality of contacts is configured to be inserted into the opening before engaging one of the plurality of electrical conductors within the cavity, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Converison Corporation
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Michael Jansma, Patrick Riley Johnson, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20120146417
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from a primary power source and a backup power source to a load. In one particular aspect, a power distribution system includes a first input to receive input power from the primary power source, a second input to receive input power from the backup power source, an output that provides output power from at least one of the primary power source and the backup power source, a first switch operatively coupled to the first input and the output and operative to selectively couple the first input to the output, a second switch operatively coupled to the second input and the output and operative to selectively couple the second input to the output, and a controller operatively coupled to the first switch and to the second switch and configured to control the first switch and the second switch to provide an electrical interlock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, David A. Colucci
  • Patent number: 8173898
    Abstract: Systems and method for installing computer equipment and power distribution equipment in facilities is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides an uninterruptible power supply system for use with a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices having a power input to receive power. The uninterruptible power supply system includes an equipment rack, an input to receive input power, a DC power source mounted in the equipment rack that provides DC power, an output that provides output power derived from at least one of the input power and the DC power, power distribution circuitry, mounted within the equipment rack, having a plurality of distribution devices each having an input coupled to the output to receive the output power, and a plurality of output power cables each having a first end coupled to one of the plurality of distribution devices to receive output power and a second end that mates with the power input of one of the plurality of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20120087051
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a plug-in module is provided for installing in a power distribution assembly. In one embodiment, the plug-in module may include an overcurrent protection device, a power cable, which may include a first end coupled to the overcurrent protection device, and a second end coupled to the first end, one or more receptacle outlets attached to the second end and electrical contacts coupled to the overcurrent protection device and configured to couple the plug-in module to a plurality of stationary electrical conductors of the power distribution assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Spitaels, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8052231
    Abstract: A blanking panel is provided for use with equipment racks or enclosures that house electronic components, and is configured to facilitate installation of the panel with a pair of vertical mounting rails or flanges of a rack or enclosure without the use of tools or other hardware. The blanking panel is constructed of one or more materials and/or defines one or more configurations such that when the blanking panel is installed into a rack or enclosure, portions of a body of the blanking panel interface with a surface of an equipment component or another blanking panel installed above or below the blanking panel to thereby form an air seal there between, which helps to reduce or prevent hot exhaust air from mixing with cooling air within a rack or enclosure, and further helps to reduce or prevent cooling air from bypassing equipment components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, James S. Spitaels, Jeffrey Lee Mattlin, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20110240265
    Abstract: A cooling container comprises a container housing with a chilled water storage tank including a first interface for receiving chilled water. The chilled water tank has a plurality of straight pipes joined by elbows connections to provide a folded path, the full path length being greater than the length of the container housing, and a second interface for outputting the chilled water. A number of interfaces within the container housing are configured to receive a chiller module or a free cool unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Dechene, Lianne M. McMahan, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20110239681
    Abstract: A cooling container comprises a container housing with a chilled water storage tank including a first interface for receiving chilled water. The chilled water tank has a plurality of straight pipes joined by elbows connections to provide a folded path, the full path length being greater than the length of the container housing, and a second interface for outputting the chilled water. A number of interfaces within the container housing are configured to receive a chiller module or a free cool unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventor: William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8027134
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a plug-in module is provided for installation in a power distribution assembly. In one embodiment, the plug-in module includes a housing, an electrical isolation and overcurrent protection device located in the housing and a current sensing device located in the housing and adapted to sense a current carried by the electrical isolation and overcurrent protection device. The plug-in module may further include a power cable including a first end that is pre-terminated at the plug-in module to connect the power cable to the electrical isolation and overcurrent protection device, and electrical contacts adapted to removably couple the plug-in module to a plurality of stationary electrical conductors of the power distribution assembly. According to one embodiment, the electrical isolation and overcurrent protection device includes a circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Thomas E. Hjort, David A. Colucci
  • Patent number: 7992433
    Abstract: At least one aspect of the invention provides an improved fuel sensing system for a generator, in addition, one or more other aspects of the invention provide improved systems and methods for determining remaining run-time of a generator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Craig L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7990663
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is disclosed that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a switch between the first conductor and the second conductor wherein the switch is disposed to selectively connect and disconnect the first conductor and the second conductor, a circuit interrupter disposed to generate a circuit interrupting actuation signal, a solenoid coil and plunger assembly disposed to open the switch wherein the solenoid coil and plunger assembly is actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal wherein movement of the plunger causes the switch to open, and a test assembly that is configured to enable a test of the circuit interrupter initiating at least a partial movement of the plunger in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, without opening the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Leviton Manufucturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Ziegler, James Richter, Benjamin Moadel, Michael Kamor, James Porter, David Chan, Mario Angelides
  • Publication number: 20110181294
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of monitoring an electrical connection, the method comprising monitoring a temperature of the electrical connection, monitoring a level of current passing through the electrical connection, and determining, in response to monitoring temperature and current, whether the temperature of the electrical connection exceeds a temperature threshold associated with the level of current passing through the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7983797
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to power distribution systems and methods for distributing power from a primary power source and a backup power source to a load. In one particular aspect, a power distribution system includes a first input to receive input power from the primary power source, a second input to receive input power from the backup power source, an output that provides output power from at least one of the primary power source and the backup power source, a first switch operatively coupled to the first input and the output and operative to selectively couple the first input to the output, a second switch operatively coupled to the second input and the output and operative to selectively couple the second input to the output, and a controller operatively coupled to the first switch and to the second switch and configured to control the first switch and the second switch to provide an electrical interlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, David A. Colucci
  • Publication number: 20110140523
    Abstract: A method of installing a power distribution system in a facility includes acts of: obtaining a power distribution unit including at least one rack mounted power distribution unit, the power distribution unit including an electrical connection having an electrical bus configured to directly connect to a riser of a power busway; installing the power busway from a terminus located at the output of the UPS to the electrical connection at the power distribution unit; and directly connecting the power busway to the output of the UPS with a busbar-to-busbar connection between the output of the UPS and the terminus of the busway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20110136353
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a system for power distribution. According to some embodiments, the system includes a rack mountable power distribution unit including a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing also including an outer wall defining a cavity within the housing, and fastening elements configured to allow the housing to be mounted within an electrical equipment rack. In accordance with these embodiments, the outer wall of the housing includes an opening extending linearly between the first end and the second end of the housing and a plurality of electrical conductors located within the cavity and oriented linearly between the first end and the second end. In accordance with further embodiments, the system includes a tap module including a plurality of contacts extending therefrom wherein each of the plurality of contacts is configured to be inserted into the opening before engaging one of the plurality of electrical conductors within the cavity, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: James S. Spitaels, Michael Jansma, Patrick Riley Johnson, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7940504
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a plug-in module is provided for installing in a power distribution assembly. In one embodiment, the plug-in module may include an overcurrent protection device, a power cable, which may include a first end coupled to the overcurrent protection device, and a second end coupled to the first end, one or more receptacle outlets attached to the second end and electrical contacts coupled to the overcurrent protection device and configured to couple the plug-in module to a plurality of stationary electrical conductors of the power distribution assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James Spitaels, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7855872
    Abstract: Systems and method for installing computer equipment and power distribution equipment in facilities is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides a power distribution rack, and uninterruptible power supply rack and a plurality of equipment racks. A plurality of power cables are run from the power distribution rack to each of the plurality of equipment racks using power cable tracks located on the roofs of the equipment racks. A plurality of data cables run between the plurality of equipment racks using data cable tracks located on the roofs of the equipment racks. The power cable tracks and data cable tracks are designed to be installed on the roofs of the equipment racks without the need for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, Peter Francis
  • Publication number: 20100275441
    Abstract: Systems and method for installing computer equipment and power distribution equipment in facilities is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides an uninterruptible power supply system for use with a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices having a power input to receive power. The uninterruptible power supply system includes an equipment rack, an input to receive input power, a DC power source mounted in the equipment rack that provides DC power, an output that provides output power derived from at least one of the input power and the DC power, power distribution circuitry, mounted within the equipment rack, having a plurality of distribution devices each having an input coupled to the output to receive the output power, and a plurality of output power cables each having a first end coupled to one of the plurality of distribution devices to receive output power and a second end that mates with the power input of one of the plurality of devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20100259347
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device is disclosed that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, a switch between the first conductor and the second conductor wherein the switch is disposed to selectively connect and disconnect the first conductor and the second conductor, a circuit interrupter disposed to generate a circuit interrupting actuation signal, a solenoid coil and plunger assembly disposed to open the switch wherein the solenoid coil and plunger assembly is actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal wherein movement of the plunger causes the switch to open, and a test assembly that is configured to enable a test of the circuit interrupter initiating at least a partial movement of the plunger in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, without opening the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Ziegler, James Richter, Benjamin Moadel, Michael Kamor, James Porter, David Chan, Mario Angelides
  • Patent number: 7718889
    Abstract: Systems and method for installing computer equipment and power distribution equipment in facilities is provided. In one aspect, the present invention provides an uninterruptible power supply system for use with a plurality of devices, each of the plurality of devices having a power input to receive power. The uninterruptible power supply system includes an equipment rack, an input to receive input power, a DC power source mounted in the equipment rack that provides DC power, an output that provides output power derived from at least one of the input power and the DC power, power distribution circuitry, mounted within the equipment rack, having a plurality of distribution devices each having an input coupled to the output to receive the output power, and a plurality of output power cables each having a first end coupled to one of the plurality of distribution devices to receive output power and a second end that mates with the power input of one of the plurality of devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20100020475
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a plug-in module is provided for installing in a power distribution assembly. In one embodiment, the plug-in module may include an overcurrent protection device, a power cable, which may include a first end coupled to the overcurrent protection device, and a second end coupled to the first end, one or more receptacle outlets attached to the second end and electrical contacts coupled to the overcurrent protection device and configured to couple the plug-in module to a plurality of stationary electrical conductors of the power distribution assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Spitaels, William Ziegler