Patents Assigned to Public Service Company of Colorado
  • Patent number: 6435042
    Abstract: A process and device for installing an encoder receiver transmitter (ERT) (30) onto a gas meter (20) prevents incorrect installation that otherwise requires meter (20) replacement. The device is a guide bracket (10) having a slot (14) for guiding an input gear (32) of an ERT (30) into engagement with a drive mechanism gear (22) of a gas meter (20). During installation, the customary index and lens are removed so that the drive mechanism gear (22) is exposed; next, the guide bracket (10) is mounted to the meter (20) by placing fasteners (16) through the mounting holes (12) in guide bracket (10) and into the index holes (24) in meter. Once the guide bracket (10) is secured, the input gear (32) is slipped through the slot (14) and a screw (36) is loosely threaded into the upper-right installation hole (34) in the ERT (30) and through the upper-right casing hole (26) in the meter (20) so that the ERT (30) pivots about this point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignees: Tru-Check INC, Public Service Company of Colorado INC
    Inventors: Paul D Puseman, Steven D Brunmeier
  • Patent number: 5311686
    Abstract: An illuminated natural gas display panel assembly simulates the generation and transmission of natural gas to different classes of users by means of a plurality of elongated strips of light-transmitting arrays, each strip made up of a plurality of LEDs and with different light-sequencing circuits for individually controlling the rate and direction of sequencing of the lights to represent a desired pressure level and direction of flow along each said array; and different colored light elements are employed to aid in giving the optical illusion of different pressure levels along each of the light-transmitting arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Christensen, Randy A. Bishop, Daniel Bettis, Michael Markano
  • Patent number: 5285806
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing off flow in a pipeline for the purpose of repairing the line includes a combination of a restraining rod and inflation bag which can be installed on either or both sides of the intended site of repair; and a flexible sleeve is provided for use in association with the entry ports and any associated valve members for insertion of the restraining rod and bag to prevent the escape of gas from the line during the insertion procedures. Once the line is repaired, the restraining rod and inflation bag can be removed and the entry ports completely sealed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado
    Inventor: Daniel A. Ortega
  • Patent number: 5165903
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x levels in flue gases generated by the combustion of coal in a boiler in which low NO.sub.x burners and air staging ports are utilized to inhibit the amount of NO.sub.x initially produced in the combustion of the coal, a selected concentration of urea is introduced downstream of the combustion zone after the temperature has been reduced to the range of 1300.degree. F. to 2000.degree. F., and a sodium-based reagent is introduced into the flue gas stream after further reducing the temperature of the stream to the range of 200.degree. F. to 900.degree. F. Under certain conditions, calcium injection may be employed along with humidification of the flue gas stream for selective reduction of the pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado
    Inventors: Terry G. Hunt, George R. Offen
  • Patent number: 4969852
    Abstract: A channel discriminator circuit is specifically adaptable for use in association with a radio receiver in which DC voltage signals are generated which are proportional to the FM signals received by the radio receiver and an inhibit circuit will generate an inhibit signal denoting the reception of FM signals above a predetermined detection threshold corresponding to an assigned carrier frequency. The channel discriminator circuit will determine whether the FM signals received are centered within a predetermined band width corresponding to the assigned carrier frequency by comparing the DC voltage signal generated with upper and lower reference voltage limits generated by a potentiometer network and will cause the inhibit circuit to generate an inhibit signal only if the DC voltage representing the FM signal received is within the predetermined limits established by the potentiometer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado
    Inventor: Ray W. Osterwald
  • Patent number: 4086568
    Abstract: Signals for controlling any of a wide variety of field devices such as circuit breakers, generators, transformer connections and the like are produced from a common function module. The particular device or devices to be operated are selected on an exclusive basis by a control module dedicated for that purpose. The control module cooperates with the common function module to produce the desired control and/or monitoring of the associated field devices and prevents any other control module from operating when it is selected. Exclusive operation is effected by an interruptible serial connection of a power line between control modules. A multiplexing arrangement switches the pertinent measurement data associated with a selected operation into a display panel. The combined modules provide direct control of all field devices at a remote location but can also be controlled by a distant supervisory equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Assignee: Public Service Company of Colorado
    Inventors: Fred S. Watts, Jr., Lynn Loren Beecher