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).

  • Publication number: 20090323258
    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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Thomas E. Hjort, David A. Colucci
  • Patent number: 7619868
    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: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: James Spitaels, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7606014
    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: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Thomas E. Hjort, David A. Colucci
  • Publication number: 20090178991
    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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, James S. Spitaels, Jeffrey Lee Mattlin, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7506768
    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: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rassmussen, James S. Spitaels, Jeffrey Lee Mattlin, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20090046415
    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: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, David A. Colucci
  • Publication number: 20090034167
    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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, Peter Francis
  • Patent number: 7425682
    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: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, Peter Francis
  • Publication number: 20080202599
    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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Craig L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7418314
    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: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, David A. Colucci
  • Patent number: 7360529
    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: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Craig L. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20080041533
    Abstract: An illuminating blind system comprising a plurality of slats, wherein each slat is associated with a light emitting source associated with a controller. When activated by the controller, visual patterns are created on the surfaces of the slats, based on the arrangement of the light emitting sources in relation to the position of the slats. The controller further comprises a clock to set automatic activation times for the plurality of light emitting sources. The light emitting sources are capable of producing single or multiple colors and a variety of brightness levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Albert William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20070291433
    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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: William Ziegler, Thomas E. Hjort, David A. Colucci
  • Publication number: 20070291430
    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: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Spitaels, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20070114370
    Abstract: A system and method for instantaneously determining the absolute position of a linear or rotary actuator. A code plate having a series of digital words thereon is associated with the linear or rotary actuator. A magnetic or optical code plate is utilized, each code plate provided with N tracks. M signal levels are associated with each point on every track. The use of M-ary signal levels would enable the instantaneous determination of the position of the code plate when power is supplied to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Inventors: Ronald Smith, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20070055409
    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: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, David Colucci
  • Publication number: 20070053118
    Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices, such as GFCI devices, that include a reset lockout mechanism, an independent trip mechanism and reverse wiring protection. A conical reset plunger is notched to force a successful test before reset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventors: Frantz Germain, Stephen Stewart, Roger Bradley, David Chan, Nichalas Disalvo, William Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20060273859
    Abstract: Resettable circuit interrupting devices using a center latch are provided. The circuit interrupting devices include those with a reset lockout, reverse wiring protection, and/or an independent trip portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Frantz Germain, Stephen Stewart, David Herzfeld, Steve Campolo, Nicholas Disalvo, William Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7142950
    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: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Rasmussen, William Ziegler, David A. Colucci
  • Patent number: D560251
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Ink Factory, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberlee Hartelius, Curt Davis, Craig Sawicki, William Ziegler