This inventor holds 3 USPTO granted patents and 1 EPO patent. Top assignee: Eaton Corporation. Active years: 1998-2002.
Company Filing History:
Years Active: 1998-2002
Title: Innovations by Thomas Christopher Rae
Introduction
Thomas Christopher Rae is an accomplished inventor based in Irwin, PA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of electrical safety with his innovative designs. With a total of 3 patents to his name, Rae has focused on developing advanced arc fault detection technologies.
Latest Patents
Rae's latest patents include an "ARC fault detector responsive to average instantaneous current and step increases in current and circuit breaker incorporating same." This invention features an average instantaneous current generator that averages the current over the fundamental period. It produces a substantial output only when there are significant variations in waveform between half-cycles, indicating the presence of an arc. To differentiate between inrush currents, a pulse generator creates a pulse in response to the step increase in current caused by the striking of an arc. An output circuit generates an arc signal when the time-attenuated accumulation of pulses occurring in half-cycles, where the average instantaneous current exceeds a selected threshold, reaches a predetermined level. Additionally, to further discriminate against dimmers during the turn-on of a cold tungsten bulb, the ANDing with the average instantaneous current is delayed until a time-attenuated accumulation of the pulses reaches a threshold value. The average instantaneous current can be approximated by a bandpass filter with a center frequency below the fundamental of the AC current, while a second bandpass filter with a center frequency above the fundamental can serve as the pulse generator.
Another notable patent is the "arc fault detector with protection against nuisance trips and circuit." This device generates a trip signal when a time-attenuated accumulation of pulses produced each time an arc is struck reaches a selected value. It includes a pulse conditioner that discriminates against false trips induced by phenomena such as tungsten bulb burnout and the turn-on of a cold tungsten bulb controlled by a dimmer. The pulse conditioner features a zener diode that limits the amplitude of the pulses applied to the integrator and stretches all of the pulses to reduce the variation in pulse duration.
Career Highlights
Rae is currently employed at Eaton Corporation, where he continues to innovate in the field of electrical safety. His work has been instrumental in enhancing the reliability and safety of electrical systems.
Collaborations
Some of his notable coworkers include Thomas Edward Natili and Robert Tracy Elms, who have also contributed to advancements in electrical technologies.
Conclusion