Bruce A Weiss

US Patent:

6765147, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Aug 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/649842

Inventors:

Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI
Keith A. Alwardt - Hartford WI

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01R 1346

US Classification:

174 60, 174 65 R, 174 64, 174 49, 220 38, 429535

Abstract:

A pre-defined conduit knockout is formed as a unitary part of an electronics enclosure so that before its removal the knockout is joined to the housing at a continuous unbroken surface, thereby preventing debris and liquid from entering the housing from around the knockout. The knockout is bounded by a reduced thickness break-away section of an enclosure wall that shears apart to separate the knockout from the enclosure. The knockout is formed with a unitary, pocketed tool receptor adapted to receive a tool, such as a screwdriver or pliers, for twisting the knockout free of the housing without the need to apply an impact force, which could upset sensitive electronics in the enclosure. Methods of forming the knockout in, and removing it from, an electronics housing are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7356441, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

Sep 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/238005

Inventors:

Russel J. Kerkman - Milwaukee WI, US
Lixiang Wei - Whitefish Bay WI, US
Richard A. Lukaszewski - New Berlin WI, US
Brian P. Brown - Mayville WI, US
Neil Gollhardt - Fox Point WI, US
Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G06F 15/00

US Classification:

702182

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for predicting junction device temperature of at least a first switching device in a power conversion module that includes the first switching device and at least a second switching device, the method comprising the steps of identifying a cross thermal impedance value indicative of how the temperature of the second switching device effects the first switching device temperature an using the cross thermal impedance value to predict the temperature of the at least a first switching device.

US Patent:

7826985, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

May 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/114569

Inventors:

Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US
Lixiang Wei - Whitefish Bay WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G01L 1/00

US Classification:

702 42

Abstract:

A system and method for estimating a condition of a power module is provided. In accordance with an embodiment, a motor controller may be maintained by tracking a total proportion of power module life expended by a power module in a variable frequency motor controller based on a minimum junction temperature or a mean junction temperature and a junction temperature change, and indicating when the power module is estimated to fail.

US Patent:

7902957, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/796822

Inventors:

Richard A. Lukaszewski - New Berlin WI, US
John R. Brubaker - Milwaukee WI, US
Paul J. Grosskreuz - West Bend WI, US
Neil Gollhardt - Fox Point WI, US
Lawrence D. Radosevich - Muskego WI, US
Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H01C 1/08

US Classification:

338 53, 338 51, 361700

Abstract:

A technique is disclosed for cooling resistive elements, such as brake resistors used in motor drives, as well as other resistors. A phase change heat spreader is thermally coupled to the resistive element and a continuous phase change cycle takes place in the heat spreader to extract heat from the resistive element. The element and heat spreader may be packaged as a modular unit or may be integrated into a system.

US Patent:

8086420, Dec 27, 2011

Filed:

Feb 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/033940

Inventors:

Russel J. Kerkman - Milwaukee WI, US
Lixiang Wei - Whitefish Bay WI, US
Richard A. Lukaszewski - New Berlin WI, US
Brian P. Brown - Mayville WI, US
Neil Gollhardt - Fox Point WI, US
Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G06F 11/30

US Classification:

702182

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for predicting junction device temperature of at least a first switching device in a power conversion module that includes a plurality of switching devices, the method comprising the steps of, during switching activity, identifying at least one operating characteristic of the first switching device and solving an equation that uses the identified operating characteristic to predict the temperature of the first switching device where the equation solved is a function of the location of the first switching device with respect to the other switching devices in the plurality.

US Patent:

8117008, Feb 14, 2012

Filed:

Feb 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/033936

Inventors:

Russel J. Kerkman - Milwaukee WI, US
Lixiang Wei - Whitefish Bay WI, US
Richard A. Lukaszewski - New Berlin WI, US
Brian P. Brown - Mayville WI, US
Neil Gollhardt - Fox Point WI, US
Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

G06F 11/30

US Classification:

702182

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for predicting junction device temperature of at least a first switching device in a power conversion module that includes the first switching device and at least a second switching device, the method comprising the steps of identifying a cross thermal impedance value indicative of how the temperature of the second switching device effects the first switching device temperature and using the cross thermal impedance value to predict the temperature of the at least a first switching device.

US Patent:

8335081, Dec 18, 2012

Filed:

Jul 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/837671

Inventors:

Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H05K 7/20

US Classification:

361694, 36167951, 361696, 361697, 361710, 3122231, 165 803

Abstract:

The present invention relates generally to tuning the flow of cooling air across converter and inverter heat sinks in a motor drive system. More specifically, present techniques relate to motor drive duct systems including heat sinks with separate, sequential heat sink fin sections disposed in a common cooling air path and having different geometries to optimize the flow of cooling air across and between fins of the separate heat sink fin sections. For example, the heat sink fin sections may have different fin lengths, fin heights, fin counts, fin pitch (e. g. , distance between adjacent fins), and so forth. Each of these different geometric characteristics may be tuned to ensure that temperatures and temperature gradients across the heat sinks are maintained within acceptable ranges.

US Patent:

8358516, Jan 22, 2013

Filed:

Oct 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/609240

Inventors:

Bruce W. Weiss - Milwaukee WI, US
John R. Brubaker - Milwaukee WI, US
Keith A. Alwardt - Hartford WI, US
Paul J. Grosskreuz - West Bend WI, US
Robert M. Michalski - West Bend WI, US
Brian S. W. Tobias - West Allis WI, US

Assignee:

Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Mayfield Heights OH

International Classification:

H02B 1/01

US Classification:

361825

Abstract:

The present invention provides a power converter mounting system including a flange that cooperates with a power converter and an enclosure. The flange includes a through hole that cooperates with an opening in the enclosure to permit the power converter to extend therethrough. A number of fasteners connect to the flange and overhang a portion of the power converter. The fasteners are configured to be manipulated from a front side of the power converter. An outer perimeter of the flange extends beyond the opening in the enclosure. The flange is secured to the enclosure with a number of fasteners that are also operable from the front side of the power converter. The power converter mounting assembly is configured to secure a power converter to an enclosure so as to satisfy a variety of sealing requirements as well as allowing convenient servicing of the power converter system.