Patents Assigned to McGraw-Edison Company
  • Patent number: 6370009
    Abstract: An internally-fused capacitor includes a capacitor housing, at least one capacitor module, and at least one fuse assembly. The capacitor module is positioned in the housing and includes capacitor elements. Each capacitor element includes a first extended foil edge on a first end and a second extended foil edge on a second end. The fuse assembly is positioned in the housing and includes a fuse wire. The fuse wire is connected at a first end of the fuse wire to the first extended foil edge by a crimped connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Clay L. Fellers, David W. Anderson, Marco J. Mason
  • Patent number: 6341054
    Abstract: A control system is used in an intelligent power distribution network. The power distribution network includes multiple branches, each of which is connected to a power source, electrical devices connected to the branches, and a normally-open device connected between two or more branches. The control system includes control elements, each control elements being associated with an electrical device connected to a branch of the distribution network. The control system also includes a master control element associated with the normally-open device. The master control element communicates with the control elements and, when a fault occurs on the distribution network, prevents the normally-open device from closing when information from the control elements indicate that conditions potentially disruptive to the distribution network would occur if the normally-open device were closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Dennis Alan Walder, Thomas Gerard Dolnik
  • Patent number: 6313623
    Abstract: A Rogowski coil measures a current in a conductor and includes first and second loops electrically connected in series with each other. The first loop is wound with a substantially constant winding density in a first direction around a first core that has a substantially constant cross section. The second loop is wound with a substantially constant winding density in a second direction around a second core that has a substantially constant cross section. A direction of the first loop is substantially perpendicular to the normal of the first core cross section. Moreover, a direction of the second loop is substantially perpendicular to the normal of the second core cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Ljubomir A. Kojovic, Veselin Skendzic, Stephen E. Williams
  • Patent number: 6297940
    Abstract: A computer-implemented protection system is used in a multi-phase electrical distribution network. The system includes a sensor operable to measure an impedance of a device connected to a phase of the distribution network. The device improves coupling of electrical potential from a source to a load. The system also includes a processor connected to the sensor and programmed to receive an impedance measurement from the sensor. The processor automatically calculates a variation in impedance of the device, the variation being based on a ratio of the impedance measurement and a previous impedance measurement. The processor automatically performs a protection analysis of the device based on the impedance variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw Edison Company
    Inventor: Shawkang Wu
  • Patent number: 6279811
    Abstract: A method of joining an end face of a first electric component to an end face of a second electric component includes applying a first metal layer to the end face of the first electric component to form a first metallized layer and applying a second metal layer to the end face of the second electric component to form a second metallized layer. A first fusible alloy layer is applied to the first metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy onto the first metallized layer, and a second fusible alloy layer is applied to the second metallized layer by melting a fusible alloy and propelling the melted fusible alloy to the second metallized layer. The method further includes contacting the first fusible alloy layer to the second fusible alloy layer. Next, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are heated to melt the fusible alloy layers. After heating, the end faces and fusible alloy layers are cooled to form a bond between the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Michael M. Ramarge, David P. Bailey, Thomas C. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6271759
    Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring operation of an electrical system is described. The system includes a fault protection device, for example, a circuit breaker, that is connected to the electrical system to provide fault isolation. The system also includes a protection system that includes an interface and a logic system connected to the electrical system. The logic system is connected to the interface and controlled by a processor to receive input from the electrical system and input from a user through the interface. The logic system operates the fault protection device when the received input from the electrical system indicates a fault event. Additionally, the logic system indicates information relating to operation of the electrical system through the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: David Weinbach, Henry W. Painchaud, Veselin Skendzic
  • Patent number: 6261137
    Abstract: A conductor connector includes a generally tubular connector body having a non-uniform wall thickness and defining a central bore extending from a first end of the body. The connector also includes at least one groove passing along an exterior surface of the body. The groove has a pair of side edges and a base edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventor: Martin Allen Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6247003
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of correcting for saturation in a current transformer, which outputs a current measurement, is provided. A switching algorithm receives a value of the current measurement from the current transformer and determines within which of three ranges the value falls. If the value falls in a first range, the current measurement is provided to a protective device such as a relay. If the value falls in a second range, the current measurement is provided to an artificial neural network that produces an output that accounts for saturation of the current transformer. If the value falls in a third range, the current measurement is provided to another artificial neural network that produces an output that accounts for saturation of the current transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: James C. Cummins, David C. Yu, David T. Stone, Ljubomir A. Kojovic
  • Patent number: 6225567
    Abstract: An elastomeric surge arrester housing includes a sleeve having a tubular core and radiating sheds. The sleeve is molded in a first configuration and, when the core is radially stretched, assumes a second configuration in which the sheds assume a downwardly extending configuration. The sheds, in the second configuration, include an upper surface having a generally frustoconical shape. The housing may be made using conventional molding techniques, but requires substantially less material than if the housing were molded directly into the second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventor: Jeffrey Joseph Kester
  • Patent number: 6198401
    Abstract: An apparatus which detects self-clearing faults in an AC power circuit carrying an electrical current is provided. To this end, the apparatus includes a fast element which detects an occurrence of a fault within one cycle of initiation, detects a clearing of the fault within one cycle of the clearing, and detects a duration of the fault to within one cycle or less. The apparatus further includes a self-clear element which compares the duration of the fault to a predetermined portion of a cycle of the electrical current to determine if the fault is self-clearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw Edison Company
    Inventors: Timothy T. Newton, Ljubomir Kojovic
  • Patent number: 6050329
    Abstract: A liquid-filled cooling fin generally includes two roughly rectangular opposing fin walls separated by a relatively thin liquid space or chamber. In this invention the fin walls have reinforcing ripples to increase fin wall rigidity and resistance to deformation. The opposing walls are sealed at both ends along the depth of the fin and at one of the two edges along the height of the fin. The second, open edge of the fin is attached along the height of the fin in a liquid tight seal to a tank in which a transformer or other heat generating device to be cooled is submerged in a cooling fluid. The tank is provided with holes or other fluid passages so that cooling fluid can circulate between the tank and the fin. Cooling fluid is heated in the tank by the transformer and flows from the tank to the cooling fins, where it is then cooled by transferring heat through the fin walls to ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: McGraw Edison Company
    Inventors: Stewart William Durian, Stephen Durian
  • Patent number: 6008975
    Abstract: A surge arrester module having an array of MOV's and other components includes an insulative coating (16) for applying an axially compressive force to the stacked array. The component stack (20), while held in an axially compressed condition, receives the insulative casing that includes thermosetting resin that, when cured, has a coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than that of the components of the stack. The coated stack is then cured at a temperature that exceeds the maximum expected temperature that will be experienced by the arrester components. Upon cooling, the components of the array are held in compression and adequate electrical contact with each other is maintained by the casing. Fiberglass strands (24, 28) are included in the casing for reinforcement and cantilever strength. A method of manufacturing the module is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Joseph Kester, Todd R. Hoover, David P. Bailey, Charles W. Daley, Tomon K. Raimondi
  • Patent number: 5959537
    Abstract: In a power distribution system, a reliable, accurate, and energy efficient fault circuit indicator is provided through a microcomputer-based fault current indicator design. First, reliability is improved inherently because the microcomputer, and the software embedded therein, replace the functionality of numerous discrete, less reliable electronic components found in prior designs. Second, the embedded software is capable of placing the fault current indicator in one of a number of energy conservation states, without compromising the fault current indicator's ability to provide information relating to the occurrence of a fault. Finally, greater fault current indication accuracy is achieved by detecting excessive line current, followed by a significant drop in line voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: John Frederick Banting, Frank John Muench, Eugene Scott Knabe
  • Patent number: 4617963
    Abstract: A control valve includes a valve body with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A valve seat is mounted within the valve body between the inlet and outlet. A valve plug is reciprocally mounted within the valve body to engage the valve seat. A plurality of valve cages are removably mounted on the valve seat and surround the valve plug. The valve cages are mounted to define axial flow galleries. One of the valve cages includes a plurality of apertures and fins that extend radially into a gallery between the first cage and a second cage. The second valve cage is adjacent to and surrounds the first valve cage. The second valve cage includes a plurality of apertures and fins that extend into the gallery area between the second cage and a third cage. The third cage surrounds and is adjacent the second cage. A plurality of apertures are defined in an upper portion of the third cage member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventor: James A. Stares
  • Patent number: 4550682
    Abstract: A material finishing line including a essentially linear array of work stations is disclosed. A stationary support beam extends over the work stations and substatially encloses a transmission, and supports at least one crane body and a drive means to selectively propel the crane body along the support beam. The crane body is an assembly of components arranged to raise workpieces from the work stations towards the support beam. A `U` shaped cart supports lift means to provide power to raise a lift arm and supports the lift arm and a lift arm guide. The vertical extensions of the support beam and of the cart are reduced and nearly overlap, and the vertical extension of the lift arm may be lifted into substantially overlapping relationship with the vertical extension of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Juve, Michael J. Eagen
  • Patent number: 4543927
    Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is described which allows the engine to be started and stopped while unloaded. The invention incorporates the mechanical linkage operated by a solenoid to control a valve at the interior of the engine and an electronic circuit incorporating one or more time delay relays. The invention provides a means of reducing or eliminating the source of vibration resulting from the starting and stopping of a single cylinder diesel engine. Several embodiments are described including one incorporating an integrated circuit timer and one incorporating two time delay relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Luhn, Daniel A. Norrick
  • Patent number: 4542551
    Abstract: A rotary floor maintenance device having, a motor support base with at least one central aperture, an electric motor having a shaft perpendicular to the motor base through the aperture, and a motor adapter directly coupled to the motor shaft for rotation therewith. The motor adapter has a generally annular flange area and central aperature for receiving the motor shaft. A rotary floor engaging tool has at least one aperture adapted to receive the flange of the motor adapter, to be rotated therewith. The motor support base contains notches along the inner periphery of the central aperture for draining accumulated liquids. Also disclosed is a safety interlock switch to prevent inadvertant operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventor: Paul E. Phillips
  • Patent number: D438844
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Andrew E. Meyer, Todd Kim Knapp, Frank J. Muench, Jr.
  • Patent number: D431073
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: McGraw-Edison Company
    Inventors: Stewart W. Durian, Stephen Durian
  • Patent number: D432639
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: McGraw Edison Company
    Inventors: Stewart William Durian, Stephen Durian