Robert J Erger

US Patent:

8035936, Oct 11, 2011

Filed:

Nov 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/272895

Inventors:

Robert Erger - Swisher IA, US
Issa Drame - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Randall James Gass - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Jeremy D. Schroeder - North Liberty IA, US
Brett E. Larson - Cedar Rapids IA, US

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361 42

Abstract:

A multiple pole arc-fault circuit breaker includes a first pole assembly, a second pole assembly, a microprocessor, and a single test button. At least one of the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly has a trip mechanism. The microprocessor is electrically coupled to the first pole assembly and to the second pole assembly, and, in response to receiving a single test signal, is operative to perform electrical tests for both the first pole assembly and the second pole assembly. In response to successful completion of the electrical tests, the microprocessor is further operative to actuate the trip mechanism. The single test button is mounted to the housing and includes a single test position which causes the sending of the single test signal for initiating the electrical tests.

US Patent:

8054593, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Dec 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/344864

Inventors:

Paul A. Reid - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Robert Erger - Swisher IA, US

International Classification:

H02H 3/00
G01R 33/14

US Classification:

361 42, 361 45, 361 57, 361 63, 324222

Abstract:

A circuit that includes a single grounded fault sensing transformer coupled to a resonant circuit that produces an output signal used by a microcontroller to determine a load current flowing through at least two conductors passing through the center of the sensing transformer. The microcontroller pings the resonant circuit, causing an impulse disturbance at the output signal, and the microcontroller calculates the inductance component of the resonant circuit based on the frequency of the decaying output signal. The microcontroller calculates the resistive core loss as a function of a known resistance of the resonant circuit, a known capacitance of the resonant circuit, the calculated inductance, and the determined rate of decay of the output signal. The calculated resistive core loss is compared to a table or to a polynomial function that characterizes known resistive core losses with known load currents to determine the load current corresponding to the calculated resistive core loss.

US Patent:

8284535, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Nov 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/271019

Inventors:

Paul A. Reid - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Robert Erger - Swisher IA, US

Assignee:

Schneider Electric USA, Inc. - Palatine IL

International Classification:

H02H 3/00
H02H 3/027

US Classification:

361 98, 361 94

Abstract:

A circuit breaker capable of microcontroller-based fault detection having a backup circuit for causing the circuit to trip in response to a microcontroller fault or a failure of a regulated power supply powering the microcontroller. The circuit breaker includes an RC circuit connected to an SCR. The resistor of the RC circuit is connected between the anode and gate of the SCR, and the capacitor is connected between the gate and cathode of the SCR. The microcontroller has a first pin coupled to the RC circuit, which is initially in a high input impedance state. In the event of a microcontroller fault or power supply failure, the capacitor will charge to a voltage sufficient to activate the SCR and trip the breaker. If the microcontroller startup routine is successful, the pin is configured as an output and is pulled low, shorting out the capacitor.

US Patent:

20130328525, Dec 12, 2013

Filed:

Jun 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/490758

Inventors:

Robert Erger - Swisher IA, US

Assignee:

Schneider Electric USA, Inc. - Palatine IL

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320109, 320137

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for discerning information about a vehicle (e.g., an electric vehicle's make, model, and/or year of manufacturer) being charged by an electric vehicle supply equipment (“EVSE”). Vehicle make, model, and model year can be discerned by measuring charging current supplied to the electric vehicle over time and comparing this profile to stored profiles of known electric vehicles. Vehicle information can also be discerned by monitoring a pilot signal sent to the electric vehicle by the EVSE. When the EVSE is ready to charge the electric vehicle, the pilot signal sends a charge-ready indication. When the electric vehicle is ready to be charged, it sends an acknowledgement. The time between the EVSE indicating it is ready to charge and the electric vehicle acknowledging that it is ready to be charged is measurable and can used to identify an electric vehicle make, model, and model year.

US Patent:

20130329331, Dec 12, 2013

Filed:

Jun 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/493076

Inventors:

Robert Erger - Swisher IA, US
William Broghammer - Anamosa IA, US
Brett Larson - Cedar Rapids IA, US
Paul A. Reid - Cedar Rapids IA, US

Assignee:

Schneider Electric USA, Inc. - Palatine IL

International Classification:

H02H 3/08

US Classification:

361102

Abstract:

A circuit breaker (such as a miniature circuit breaker) that wirelessly communicates state and fault information to a main energy monitoring module. The wireless circuit breaker includes a transceiver and a power supply that harvests energy inductively from the line current conductor without the need for a connection to a neutral conductor. The wireless circuit breaker can be implemented in the same package as existing circuit breakers, eliminating the need to replace the panel when upgrading to a system that employs a main energy monitoring module. The wireless circuit breaker can also include an energy storage device for supplying power to the circuit breaker after it has tripped, allowing the circuit breaker to transmit information after a trip. The main energy monitoring module includes a processor and a gateway for evaluating and transmitting information received from the circuit breaker to other applications, such as webpages and smartphones.

US Patent:

60089733, Dec 28, 1999

Filed:

May 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/085979

Inventors:

David J. Dunne - Cedar Rapids IA
Robert J. Erger - Cedar Rapids IA

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 936

Abstract:

A circuit breaker and method for interrupting the flow of electric current in a line includes connecting separable contacts to a conductor in the circuit. An actuating device, actuated by an activating signal, is connected to the separable contacts to effect separation of the contacts wherein the flow of electric current in the circuit is interrupted. A current sensor, such as an iron core current transformer, senses the current in the circuit to provide a first sinusoidal signal. A bridge rectifier is connected to the current sensor wherein the first sinusoidal signal is converted to a rectified signal and power is derived from the rectified signal. An interface circuit connected to the rectifying network converts the rectified signal into a second sinusoidal signal for providing the activating signal to the actuating device at a predetermined magnitude of the first sinusoidal signal. The interface circuit includes generating a sign bit indicative of the polarity of the first sinusoidal signal. A switch, such as a complimentary metal-oxide silicon (CMOS) switch, generates a positive half-wave rectified signal and a negative half-wave rectified signal from the rectified signal and the sign bit.

US Patent:

58390928, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Mar 26, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/825005

Inventors:

Robert J. Erger - Cedar Rapids IA
Kon B. Wong - Cedar Rapids IA
Charles D. Bettis - Cedar Rapids IA

Assignee:

Square D Company - Palatine IL

International Classification:

G01R 3108

US Classification:

702 58

Abstract:

A system for detecting arcing faults in a line conductor carrying an electrical current between a power source and a load, the electrical current defining an AC waveform comprising a series of alternating positive half cycles and negative half cycles. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of obtaining current samples in a series of half cycles of the waveform, determining the peak current of each of the half cycles, and comparing the peak currents to determine changes in slope between half cycles. The number of changes in slope occurring within a selected time interval are counted and an arc indicative signal is produced when the number of reversals in polarity in slope occurring within the selected time interval equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold number. In another embodiment, the method comprises, in addition to the steps above, the steps of normalizing each of the current samples and autocorrelating the normalized current samples to obtain a measure of significant waveform shape changes between consecutive half cycles. Both the number of changes in slope and the number of significant waveform shape changes occurring within a selected time interval are counted and an arc indicative signal is produced when the number of reversals in polarity or the number of waveform changes equal or exceed predetermined threshold values.