Abstract: A method and detector for monitoring electrical strikes along a power transmission distribution system are described. The method and detector identify the location within the transmission system where an insulator flashover event has occurred. The method includes sensing the magnetic field about the live transmission line(s) upstream and downstream from each transmission tower and providing signals representative of the upstream and downstream magnetic fields. These signals are then compared and a flashover event signal is provided whenever the signals representative of the magnetic fields differ about a tower. The event signal identifies the tower within the system on which the insulator flashover occurred. A detector corresponding to the method is also provided.

Abstract: A methodology for processing alarms generated within a predetermined system embodies a forward chaining approach to the analysis of alarms. Before an alarm set can be diagnosed, the method includes the steps of: providing a computer database representative of all components of the system capable of faulting and the interconnections between the components; providing rules that relate component faults to generated alarms and to propagation of component faults within the system; determining individual alarm patterns generated by separate faulting of each component of the system; and storing in a computer database individual alarm patterns determined for each component of the system. Thereafter, the method includes preparing each stored alarm pattern with a generated set of alarms and ascertaining those components whose individual alarm patterns are a subset of this set of alarms.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve having a housing and a valve element disposed in the housing and movable between closed and open positions, the valve element having a nut portion and a wing portion, the nut portion projecting out of the housing and having a cross-sectional configuration such that a tool may be applied for turning the valve element between the closed and open positions, the wing portion being movable between a first position when the valve element is in the closed position and a second position when the valve element is in the open position, the housing having a wing portion provided with an opening therein disposed in lockable relation with the valve element wing portion when the valve element wing portion is in its first position, a barrel lock removably mountable in registered openings of the wing portions when the valve element wing portion is in its first position whereby the valve element will be locked in the closed position, and a rigid member having first means cooperable with the

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining the heating value of natural gas. The apparatus utilizes a chromatographic column, and a first sensor connected by a length of tubing in series with a second sensor, all of which are placed in a thermally isolated chamber, in order to keep the temperature constant. The method operates on a principle of comparison of the mass of natural gas, which contains hydrocarbons, higher hydrocarbons, and noncombustibles, with the mass of pure methane. In determining the heating value of the natural gas, the amount of noncombustibles present in the natural gas is determined, and this amount is subtracted from the mass of the natural gas to yield the mass of the hydrocarbon content. From the mass of the hydrocarbon content, the amount of higher hydrocarbons in the natural gas is determined.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve having a housing and a valve element disposed in the housing and movable between closed and open positions, the valve element having a wing portion provided with an opening therein movable between a first position when the valve element is in the closed position and a second position when the valve element is in the open position, the housing having a wing portion provided with an opening therein disposed in lockable relation with the valve element wing portion when the valve element wing portion is in its first position, a rigid spacer member disposable between the housing and valve element wing portions when the valve element wing portion is in its second position, a barrel lock removably mountable in registered openings of the wing portions when the valve element wing portion is in its first position whereby the valve element will be locked in the closed position, and the rigid spacer member having a hook portion cooperable with the opening in the valve element wing port

Abstract: A self contained sensor module mounted on a power transmission line. The module is capable of measuring various parameters such as line current, voltage, conductor temperature, and ambient temperature. The parameter values are processed by sensor electronics which digitize and transmit the values to a ground receiver. The sensor module normally derives its power through electromagnetic induction resulting from current flowing through the transmission line. The module contains a power back-up system, including a battery, which allows sensor operation with minimum current and zero current in the transmission line. The battery is float charged while the sensor is mounted on the transmission line using excess energy derived through electromagnetic induction. When line current drops to a predetermined minimum value, float charging is disabled and the battery supplies power to the sensor module.

Abstract: In a steam generating plant having a main steam line and a pivotally actuated valve movable between open and closed positions for controlling the flow of steam in the main steam line, a system for operating the main steam line valve comprising a spring assembly for biasing the valve pivotally into the closed position, fluid actuated means for urging the valve pivotally into the open position against the biasing action of the spring assembly and means for supplying fluid under pressure for the fluid actuated means, the fluid supply means including a pump operatively connected to the fluid actuated means and at least one exhaust valve operatively connected to the pressure end of the pump.

Abstract: A self contained sensor module mounted on a power transmission line. The module is capable of measuring various parameters such as line current, voltage, conductor temperature, and ambient temperature. The parameter values are processed by sensor electronics which digitize and transmit the values to a ground receiver. The sensor module normally derives its power through electromagnetic induction resulting from current flowing through the transmission line. The module contains a power back-up system, including a battery, which allows sensor operation with minimum current and zero current in the transmission line. The battery is float charged while the sensor is mounted on the transmission line using excess energy derived through electromagnetic induction. When line current drops to a predetermined minimum value, float charging is disable and the battery supplies power to the sensor module.

Abstract: A self contained sensor module mounted on a power transmission line. The module is capable of measuring various parameters such as line current, voltage, conductor temperature and ambient temperature. The parameter values are processed by sensor electronics which digitize and periodically transmit the values to a ground receiver. The module power supply is coupled to the transmission line conductor by a transformer. The line conductor extends through a magnetic core in the module housing. A secondary shunt magnetic core is provided to limit induction of high voltages as a result of excess current flowing through the transmission line conductor.

Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting modules are mounted on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. The modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the Fourier components thereof), the temperature of the conductor and the temperature of the ambient air. Up to fifteen modules may transmit on a single channel to a single local receiver. Each module transmits at intervals which are an integral number. The intervals between transmissions of all modules do not have a common factor and the average interval is the desired transmission rate.

Abstract: A self contained hot stick mounted radio transmitting module may be permanently mounted on or temporarily pushed against the power conductor of an electrical transmission line. The module is capable of measuring the potential difference between the conductor and ground. The module digitizes and transmits the value of the potential difference to a ground receiver. The module is donut shaped and opens like a pair of jaws. The contact with the power line is accomplished via a resilient conductive elastomer that covers the surfaces in contact with the power conductor. The potential difference between ground and the power conductor is measured with an operational amplifier in an integrating configuration to convert the leakage current from the module to ground into a proportional voltage from a low impedance source. The integrator outputs a voltage proportional to the current flowing into the equivalent capacitance formed by the outer surface of the module and ground.

Abstract: A "hot-stick" mountable sensor module for attachment and removable from a live power transmission line. A tool is insertable into a mounted module to attach the module to the tool and permit removal of the module from the line.

Abstract: A self contained sensor module mounted on a power transmission line. The module is capable of measuring various parameters such as line current, voltage, conductor temperature, and ambient temperature. The parameter values are processed by sensor electronics which digitize and periodically transmit the values to a ground receiver. The sensor electronics include MOS integrated circuits which are sensitive to fluctuations in supply voltage and which may enter a power-fail state or latch up as a result of such fluctuations. The module contains watchdog circuitry which monitors the operation of the module. If an interruption in the module's normal operating sequence occurs, the watchdog circuit resets the MOS integrated circuits by initiating a power down/power up sequence. The module further includes current limiting circuitry that reduces the integrated circuit's supply voltage in response to the failure of a circuit that is not critical to the module's normal operating sequence.

Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the fourier components thereof) the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. Appropriate control signals are transmitted back to the electrical switchgear of the system to bring it to the appropriate optimum state. Direct local control may also be effected, for example, the prevention of overloading a transformer.

Abstract: A radiating antenna system for a self-contained sensor module mounted on a power transmission line. The module is capable of measuring various parameters such as line current, voltage, conductor temperature, and ambient temperature. The parameter values are processed by sensor electronics and the processed values are transmitted to a ground receiver. The antenna system includes the power transmission line itself, the housing of the sensor module and an impedance matching network. The impedance matching network couples the output of the transmitter to the housing which radiates at the operating frequency of the transmitter. The housing includes apparatus for capacity coupling the hub of the housing to the transmission line at high frequencies.

Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the fourier components thereof) the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. The module measures the Fourier components of voltage and current over a number of cycles and transmits the components to the local receiver.

Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the fourier components thereof) the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. Appropriate control signals are transmitted back to the electrical switchgear of the system to bring it to the appropriate optimum state. Direct local control may also be effected, for example, the prevention of overloading a transformer.

Abstract: Self contained radio transmitting state estimator modules are mounted on power conductors on both sides of power transformers in electrical substations and on power conductors at various places along electrical transmission lines. They are electrically isolated from ground and all other conductors. These modules are capable of measuring current, voltage, frequency and power factor (or the Fouier components thereof), the temperature of the conductor and the temperature of the ambient air. The modules transmit these parameters to local receivers. The receivers are connected by an appropriate data transmission link to a power control center which allows determination of the state of the power system. Appropriate control signals are transmitted back to the electrical switchgear of the system to bring it to the appropriate optimum state. Direct local control may also be effected, for example, the prevention of overloading a transformer.

Abstract: A self contained hot stick mounted radio transmitting module may be temporarily pushed against the power conductor of an electrical transmission line. The module is capable of measuring the temperature of the conductor, and the temperature of the ambient air. It may also measure the electrical potential of the conductor. An alternative module is also capable of measuring current, potential, frequency and power factor (or the Fourier components thereof). The modules transmit these parameters to a local receiver where the data may be displayed. The receiver also may be connected by an appropriate data transmission link, to a power control center.The modules are donut shaped and open like a pair of jaws. One or more spring loaded temperature probes are located such that they may be pushed against a power line when a "donut" is mounted to a hot stick with the jaws open.Power to an open module is supplied by a battery.

Abstract: A toroidal shaped metallic housing, mounted on and electrically connected with a high voltage transmission line, is adapted with a metal plate and an intervening dielectric sheet adhered to its exterior surface. The housing, tied to the transmission line voltage, and the metal plate constitute the electrodes of a first capacitor of a capacitive voltage divider, while the capacitive coupling of the metallic plate with the surrounding environment provides a second voltage divider capacitor. The voltage appearing on the plate is processed by circuitry within the housing to derive a signal indicative of the transmission line voltage.