Patents Assigned to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
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Publication number: 20240153700Abstract: Systems and methods include using a magnetic core winder to install a powerline-mounted device with a non-gapped magnetic core, therefore reducing the weight of the powerline-mounted device while still harvesting equal or more power than a large cross-sectional and gapped magnetic cores. In particular, the methods include installing bobbin(s) and a core housing on a powerline and winding strip/ribbon core material onto the core housing. The bobbins may be wound axially opposed to on a toroid winder, which improves the accuracy of turns count of the magnetic core. The improved accuracy of turns count may increase the accuracy and/or tolerance of magnetic component(s) of the powerline-mounted device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: David Kenny, Brett Taggart, Timothy M. Minteer
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Publication number: 20240146649Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for configuring communication of a communication network in accordance with a configuration file from the hosts that are on the network. The system may include a network controller that receives a configuration file and determines a configuration of the data plane in accordance with information in the configuration file. The network controller may generate communication flows and send instructions to programmable network devices to implement communication among data consuming/producing devices in accordance with the configuration file.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Lance G. Dice, Rhett Smith, Jason A. Dearien, Robert Meine, Daniel B. Rippon
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Publication number: 20240142499Abstract: A shunt resistor may, in some cases, receive interference from magnetic fields. The shunt resistor may include a resistive element coupled between multiple conductive elements, and measurement circuitry coupled to the leads, forming an electrically conductive loop. Current through the shunt resistor may be determined by measuring the current through the resistive element at the leads. An induced voltage in the loop may be determined by the product of the loop area and the magnetic field passing through the loop. Consequently, when a magnetic field is passed through the shunt resistor loop, an undesirable interfering signal may be produced, distorting the output signal of the shunt resistor. As the interfering signal is a product of the loop area and the magnetic field, the geometry of the shunt resistor may be modified to reduce the loop area and thus reduce or minimize the interference on the shunt resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: James Mobley, Adam Seubert, Sally M. Mei
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Publication number: 20240146647Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for operating a configurable communication device. A network controller includes a communication interface to interface with multiple communication devices and a memory storing instructions. The network controller also includes a processor, that when executing the instructions, is configured to determine that a configurable communication device of the plurality of communication devices is to operate in a first control plane type of multiple control plane types configurable to be used by the configurable communication device. The processor is also configured to operate the configurable communication device using the first control plane type and to receive an indication that the configurable communication device is to switch to a second control plane type. Moreover, the processor is configured to cause the configurable communication device to switch to the second control plane type and operate the configurable communication device using the second control plane type.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Bradetich, Rhett Smith, Daniel B. Rippon
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Publication number: 20240146497Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for configuring time synchronization in a network. The system includes a time signal source to provide a common time signal to multiple configurable communication devices and a network controller in a control plane, in communication with the multiple configurable communication devices. The network controller is configured to receive time signal source information and to receive device configuration information for a first configurable communication device. The network controller is also configured to determine settings for time signal distribution and to transmit the settings to the multiple configurable communication devices to cause the first configurable communication device to transmit the time signal from the time signal source in a data plane for consumption by the multiple configurable communication devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Rhett Smith, Lance G. Dice, Jason A. Dearien, Robert Meine, Daniel B. Rippon
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Publication number: 20240146641Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for operating a configurable communication device. Operating the configurable communication device includes operating the configurable communication device using a first network architecture control plane type. Then, an indication is received to switch at least part of the configurable communication device to using a second network architecture control plane type. In response to the indication, the configurable communication device operates the at least part of the configurable communication device in a hybrid mode utilizing both the first and second network architecture control plane types.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Bradetich, Rhett Smith, Daniel B. Rippon
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Patent number: 11973566Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for a wireless radio repeater for integration in an electric power distribution system. Such a system may include an electrical measurement device and a wireless radio repeater. The electrical measurement device may be installed on a power line of an electric power distribution system, obtain an electrical measurement of the power line of the electric power distribution system, and transmit a wireless message indicating the electrical measurement. The wireless radio repeater may receive the wireless message from the electrical measurement device and re-transmit the wireless message to a control system of the electric power distribution system or to another wireless radio repeater to assist in sending the wireless message to the control system of the electric power distribution system.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Miralem Cosic, Raymond W. Rice
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Patent number: 11973680Abstract: Systems and methods described herein monitor real-time digital data for degradation. A merging unit may measure electrical parameters in an electric power system using a sensor component and may generate a stream of digital data representing measured electrical parameters. The merging unit may transmit the stream of digital data representing measured electrical parameters and receive a plurality of data frames using an interface. A digital data degradation detection subsystem may analyze a plurality of digital metrics associated with the plurality of data frames and make a determination of whether a subset of the plurality of data frames satisfies the plurality of digital metrics, and the subset of the plurality of data frames fails at least one of the plurality of digital metrics. The merging unit may implement a response when the subset of the plurality of data frames fails at least one of the plurality of digital metrics.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2023Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Derek Lautenschlager, Arun Shrestha, Nishchal Sharma, Vinodev E. Rajasekaran, Karthi Sellakkannu, Sajal Harmukh
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Patent number: 11973341Abstract: A DC power supply may use an input supply surge protection circuit that may be robust against positive and negative power surges. DC power may be provided through a first unidirectional circuit component such as a diode or selectively controlled MOSFET coupled in parallel with a transient voltage suppressor or Zener diode. The first unidirectional circuit component may have a first voltage rating and the transient voltage suppressor or Zener diode may have a second voltage rating lower than the first voltage rating. This may allow current to flow backward over the transient voltage suppressor or Zener diode to protect the first unidirectional circuit component from exposure to voltage beyond the first voltage rating in a power surge.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Adam S. El-Mansouri, Anthony L. Randall, Valeriy F. Wold
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Publication number: 20240129339Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, devices, and methods for improving cybersecurity in electric power systems. In one embodiment, a local controller configured for use in an electric power system may include a measurement subsystem to receive a plurality of conditions related to electrical conditions in a microgrid. A communication subsystem may communicate a set of data related to conditions in the microgrid to a remote controller; and receive a plurality of requests for control actions from the remote controller. An analysis subsystem may generate an assessment of the plurality of requests for control actions in relation to the plurality of conditions related to electrical conditions in the microgrid and identify a subset of the plurality of requests for control actions from the remote controller for execution based on the assessment. A control action subsystem may then issue a control action to an asset in the microgrid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Gregary C. Zweigle, Eric J. Hewitt, Matthew J. Halladay
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Publication number: 20240128792Abstract: Electric power delivery system monitoring, control, and protection using a transmission of a first stream of power system information and a second stream of power system information, where the second stream is a lower-resolution cumulation of the information in the first stream is disclosed herein. The power system information may be in the form of energy packets. When a packet from the first stream is lost, the receiving device may use the second stream to calculate a value for the lost packet from the first stream. The calculated value of the lost packet may be used to correct or remediate for a protection or control operation that was previously determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Holland, Phillip J. Stoaks
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Patent number: 11962140Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods to coordinate protective elements in an electric power system (EPS). In one embodiment, a system may include a Time vs Normalized Impedance Length subsystem to determine a first plurality of times of operation of a first protective element for a plurality of fault locations in the EPS and to determine a second plurality of times of operation of a second protective element for the plurality of fault locations in the EPS. A protective action subsystem may coordinate a response of the first protective element and the second protective element. The protective action subsystem may establish a pickup and a protective action for the second protective element. Upon detection of a fault in the EPS, one of the first protective action and the second protective action may be implemented based on one of the first pickup and the second pickup.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Jai Ganesh Subbarayan, Jeremy William Blair, Brett Mitchell Cockerham
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Patent number: 11961656Abstract: A current transformer includes a pre-formed core forming a closed loop with a flexible axially wound secondary winding. A continuous length of wire is axially coiled around a flexible bobbin to form a secondary winding. The resulting secondary winding may be slid onto the closed loop of the pre-formed core. The flexibility of the axially wound secondary winding facilitates conformity to a non-linear shape of the pre-formed core.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. Minteer, Eric M. Sawyer, David Kenny
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Publication number: 20240118330Abstract: A method and a system are used to analyze incremental quantities. The electrical measurements associated with a loop in a multiple-phase electric power delivery system are obtained before a fault occurred on the loop and after the fault occurred on the loop, and differences between the electrical measurements are used to determine incremental quantities. The incremental quantities are used to determine a location of the fault on the loop. Multiple loops in the multiple-phase electric power delivery system may be monitored to determine corresponding fault locations on each loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2022Publication date: April 11, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Arun Shrestha, Sathish Kumar Mutha, Brian A. Smyth
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Patent number: 11953534Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for detecting lightning and using such information to implement appropriate control strategies in an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may include a data acquisition subsystem configured to receive a plurality of representations of electrical conditions associated with at least a portion of the electric power system. The system may also include a traveling wave subsystem to identify an initial traveling wave in the electric power system and generated by lightning and identify at least one subsequent traveling wave in the electric power system and generated by lightning. A lightning analysis subsystem may perform an analysis of the initial traveling wave and the at least one subsequent traveling wave to determine a characteristic of the ionosphere based on the analysis and a lightning location. An adaptive control subsystem may adjust a control strategy based on the lightning location.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Cody W. Tews
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Patent number: 11949222Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for time aligning electric power system measurements at an intelligent electronic device (IED) using samples and sample time offset from merging units. The merging units do not require access to a common time signal. The IED does not require storage of a communication latency with the merging units. The sample time offset corresponds to a latency between obtaining the sample and receipt of the sample at the IED. The IED aligns samples from various merging units using sample time offset values communicated from the merging units to the IED. The IED performs monitoring and protection functions using the time aligned samples.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Lisa Gayle Nelms, Tony J. Lee, Bryon S. Bridges, Derek Lautenschlager, Guillermo Ramirez Conejo, Stephanie L. McDaid, Nishchal Sharma, Bharat Nalla, Vinodev E. Rajasekaran
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Patent number: 11946966Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to determine a direction to a ground fault of an electrical generator or motor using a known steady-state standing error referenced to a positive-sequence voltage measurement to determine a system standing error and utilizing the system standing error to determine an operating current with anomalies attributable to a fault. A ground fault may be determined using zero-sequence voltage signals from the generator or motor installation. The operating current, along with the zero-sequence voltage, may be used to determine a direction to the fault. The generator or motor may be high-impedance grounded. The systems and methods further indicate the direction to a fault where multiple generators or motors are connected to a common bus.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ritwik Chowdhury, Jason Andrew Young, Jon Steinmetz, Rogerio Scharlach, Satish Samineni
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Publication number: 20240097987Abstract: Various examples of systems and methods are described herein in which multiple intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) are connected in a network. A software-defined network (SDN) controller may include a rule subsystem, a test mode subsystem, a packet inspection subsystem, and a validation subsystem. The rule subsystem may define a plurality of flow rules. A test mode subsystem may operate the SDN in a testing mode. A packet insertion subsystem may insert test packets within the SDN while the SDN is in the testing mode. The validation subsystem may validate or fail each flow rule depending on how the various test packets are handled.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: David J. Dolezilek, Amandeep Singh Kalra
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Publication number: 20240098003Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to assess network communications by generating one or more current communication parameters based on communications at an intelligent electronic device (IED) within an electric power delivery system. Network communications may be assessed by determining, at the IED, whether the communications fall within one or more thresholds for the current communication parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Edson L. Hernandez Cortinas, Preston Stephens, Bharat Nalla, Mauricio G. Silveira, Gabriel DeRuwe, Dennis Holmbo, David J. Dolezilek
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Publication number: 20240097449Abstract: The present application discloses systems and methods related to protection of a reactor in an alternating current (AC) electric power system. In one embodiment, a system may include a protective action subsystem to implement a protective action based on identification of a fault condition associated with a reactor. A frequency determination subsystem may determine when a frequency of the AC voltage is outside of a range defined by a lower threshold and an upper threshold and may identify a change in the frequency associated with de-energization of a line in electrical communication with the reactor. A supervisory subsystem may restrain implementation of the protective action when the frequency is outside of the range or when the change in the frequency is associated with de-energization of the line in electrical communication with the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ritwik Chowdhury, Douglas I. Taylor, Normann Fischer