Patents Assigned to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11934169
    Abstract: Configurable binary circuits for use in electrical power systems may include an input/output port, a binary input subsystem for receiving a binary input signal, a binary output subsystem for transmitting a binary output signal, and a switch subsystem for selecting one of the binary input subsystem or the binary output subsystem for operation. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and associated methods may include one or more configurable binary circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian James Peterson, Evan J. Penberthy, Greg Rzepka
  • Patent number: 11936642
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include an intelligent electronic device (IED) by employing a multi-factor authentication process. In some embodiments, to change the access level of the IED, the user may use the password and additional inputs such as an off-site operator sending a command, or the user engaging a push button or switch local to the IED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Bowen, David J. Dolezilek
  • Patent number: 11929608
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein to accommodate different settings associated with an inverter-based electric power generator and an inverter-based electric power generator for electric power generation within an electric power delivery system. The electric power delivery system may provide electric power generated by a bulk electric system to the loads via distributed substations using a first operating frequency. Moreover, the distributed substations may include inverter-based electric power generators to supply the electric power demand of downstream loads in an islanded configuration. That said, the inverter-based electric power generators may supply the electric power using a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. Protective systems, positioned downstream from the distributed substations, may use different settings associated with the bulk electric system or the inverter-based electric power generators based on detecting the frequency of the supplied electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott M. Manson, Jorge Fernando Calero, Angelos Kokkinis
  • Patent number: 11927610
    Abstract: A system includes a processor operatively coupled to memory. The processor performs operations that include obtaining electrical measurements of a power system. The processor determines a scaled energy value of a first set of the electrical measurements that are scaled with respect to a second set of electrical measurements. The processor determines that a potential ringdown event occurred by comparing the scaled energy value to a threshold energy value. The processor determines that the potential ringdown event is a confirmed ringdown event by comparing a scaled error value to a threshold error value. The processor generates one or more mode estimates from the confirmed ringdown event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Md Arif Khan, Riley Grant Huddleston, Gregary C. Zweigle
  • Publication number: 20240077868
    Abstract: A configurable multi-sensor analog input may be utilized to connect a power system sensor to an intelligent electronic device. The configurable multi-sensor analog input may include an input port comprising a plurality of input pins and configured to receive electrical signals from one of a plurality of types of power system sensors. The configurable multi-sensor analog input may additionally include a plurality of input channels, each of the plurality of input channels coupled to a subset of the input pins, wherein the subset of input pins in electrical communication with of the plurality of types of power system sensors power system sensor is configured to selectively activate one of the plurality of input channels. A multiplexer may be in electrical communication with the plurality of input channels and configured to select an output based on the subset of input pins in electrical communication with one of the plurality of types of power system sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Veselin Skendzic, Travis C. Mallett, Syed Ali Kazi, Harshad S. Aherao, Dhruba P. Das, Sandesh Chitnis
  • Publication number: 20240077529
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for calculating noise distributions in an electric power system. In one embodiment, a system to calculate a noise distribution in an electric power system may comprise a measurement subsystem to obtain a plurality of raw measurements of a parameter in the electric power system. A noise distribution determination subsystem may be configured to generate a plurality of scaled raw measurements from the plurality of raw measurements, generate a power spectrum density from the plurality of scaled raw measurements, generate a cumulative distribution from the power spectrum density, and determine a noise distribution from the power spectrum density. A protective action subsystem may monitor the parameter in the electric power system to identify a signal of interest by utilizing, at least in part, the noise distribution and generating a control action in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody W. Tews, Nicholas C. Seeley
  • Publication number: 20240072697
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to devices, systems, and methods for monitoring a generator. In one embodiment, the system may include a measurement subsystem to receive a plurality of split-phase measurements of branch currents associated with the at least one generator. A split-phase transverse differential monitoring subsystem may receive the plurality of split-phase measurements of branch currents associated with the at least one generator and may generate an offset value representing a standing split-phase current. A protective action subsystem may generate a first protective action based on the phasor operating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ritwik Chowdhury, Matchyaraju Alla, Normann Fischer, Dale S. Finney
  • Publication number: 20240058855
    Abstract: A table assembly is used to support a workpiece to facilitate bending of the workpiece. The table assembly is attached to a press brake system and include a base and a clamp. The clamp is movable relative to the base to enable placement of the workpiece onto the base, and the clamp secures the workpiece to the base to block relative movement between the workpiece and the press brake system without additional user operations. The workpiece is secured via the table assembly without a manual force (e.g., to hold the workpiece in place) while the press brake system operates to bend the workpiece. The table assembly reduces, limits, or eliminates certain user operations during metalworking. The table assembly improves user experience (e.g., reduce an amount of manual labor) and/or efficiency associated with press brake operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Stuart, Chris Emmel, Steve Barner, Kyle Garrett, Aaron Snyder, Jason Schacher
  • Patent number: 11906557
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining electrical measurements of an input signal of a power system. The electrical measurements are obtained at a sampling frequency and the input signal is indicative of an operating frequency of the power system. The method includes generating an intermediate signal from the input signal. The intermediate signal has a direct current (DC) component indicative of a magnitude and a phase of the input signal. The method includes filtering the intermediate signal using an adjustable length filter to obtain the magnitude and the phase of the input signal. The length of the adjustable length filter varies based at least in part on a period measurement of the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Veselin Skendzic, Daniel P. Dwyer, Chandrasekaran Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 11899077
    Abstract: A test system for an electrical system includes a slot array having a plurality of slots and a plurality of recesses formed therethrough, a plurality of mounts in which each mount of the plurality of mounts is positioned within a respective recess of the plurality of recesses to align with a respective slot of the plurality of slots, a connector port having a plurality of pins, and a plurality of conductors in which each conductor of the plurality of conductors extends from a respective pin of the plurality of pins to a respective mount of the plurality of mounts. Each mount of the plurality of mounts is configured to receive an additional conductor via a corresponding slot of the plurality of slots to electrically couple the additional conductor to a corresponding pin of the plurality of pins via a corresponding conductor of the plurality of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon M. Barber, Mike Basford, Michael R. Dowdy, Martin D. Gardner
  • Patent number: 11899517
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus presented herein are directed toward monitoring an electric power delivery system to detect and locate a power generation event. A power generation event may include a tripped generator, a loss of a transmission line, or other loss of power generation. To detect the event, an analysis engine may receive and monitor input data. A detection signal may be generated based on the input data. Upon detecting the event, the analysis engine may determine a source and propagation of the event through the delivery system. Based on the source and propagation of the event, the analysis engine may determine the location of the event. The analysis engine may generate an overlay with the input data to provide the location and other information about the event to a user such that remedial action can be taken to resolve the event and restore the lost power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Md Arif Khan, Gregary C. Zweigle, Jared Kyle Bestebreur
  • Patent number: 11895152
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, are configured to cause the processing circuitry to operate in a recovery mode after initiating a startup operation, transmit a data frame to a device of an electric power delivery system during the recovery mode, the data frame indicating a request for a security association key (SAK), receive the SAK from the device in response to transmitting the data frame, and use the SAK to communicate data via a media access control security (MACsec) communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane C. Skelton, Colin Gordon
  • Publication number: 20240039272
    Abstract: Protection of shunt capacitor banks in electric power delivery systems using protection settings determined by the protection device or an independent system using capacitor bank arrangement data is described herein. Capacitor bank arrangement data may be entered into an intelligent electronic device (IED). The IED may determine protection settings for the capacitor bank arrangement and for fail-open and fail-short scenarios using the arrangement data. The protection settings may be loaded into a protection element, which applies protection using signals from the power system. Upon detection of an unbalance condition, the IED may effect a protective action by opening a circuit breaker to disconnect the capacitor bank from the power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Satish Samineni
  • Patent number: 11882002
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Dolezilek, Amandeep Singh Kalra
  • Publication number: 20240022112
    Abstract: Breaker control units (BCUs) may include an output to selectively cause a circuit breaker (CB) to open and close a circuit, a voltage input to monitor a voltage of at least one of a bus and a line, a processor to calculate a point-on-wave switching time, and a remote input configured to be coupled to a remote intelligent electronic device (IED) to receive commands to selectively open and close the CB at a specified optimal time. Electric power systems may include such BCUs. Methods of switching CBs may include monitoring at least one of a bus and a line with a BCU and controlling switching of the CB at a predetermined point-on-wave value with onboard electronics of the BCU. The methods may additionally include calculating a trapped charge and/or a residual flux with an IED and causing the BCU to switch the CB at a specific optimum point-on-wave value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ritwik Chowdhury, Dale S. Finney, Normann Fischer
  • Publication number: 20240019495
    Abstract: Circuit breakers may perform a variety of operations, including isolating a faulty part of the power system that may result in a cascading outage. However, circuit breaker operations may cause wear and tear of the tripping assembly components, which eventually cause the circuit breaker to wear out. Additionally, long periods of non-operations may cause the mechanical parts inside a circuit breaker to move sluggishly or, in some instances, fail to move at all. In an embodiment, a system includes a circuit breaker that trips to control power flow and an intelligent electronic device (IED) including an electronic display. The IED receives measurement data associated with a trip event for the circuit breaker, generates a current profile based on the measurement data, and presents the current profile via the electronic display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Austin Edward Wade, Brandon Michael Nafsinger, Bryan Jennings Foutch
  • Publication number: 20240014636
    Abstract: A mount for an electronic device includes a first mount portion having a first base and a first extension extending crosswise to a first base surface of the first base. The mount also includes a second mount portion having a second base, a channel support extending from the second base, a lateral wall extending from the channel support, and a second extension extending crosswise to a second base surface of the second base. The second base, the channel support, and the lateral wall define a channel configured to receive the first base of the first mount portion, and the first base surface, the second base surface, the first extension, and the second extension cooperatively define a space configured to receive the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler L. Marines, Steven T. Watts
  • Patent number: 11862958
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include protection functions in an electrical power system. For example, a processing subsystem may include a processor. A memory subsystem may comprise a first memory section and a second memory section. A memory management subsystem may enable memory access only between the processor and only the first memory section to initialize the at least one protection function and, after initialization of the at least one protection function, enable memory access between the processor and the second memory section. Such a configuration may enable the protection functions as fast as possible without waiting for the functions of lesser criticality to be fully loaded and become operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sreenivas Dingari, Angelo D'Aversa, Veselin Skendzic, Greg Rzepka
  • Publication number: 20230421453
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Dolezilek, Amandeep Singh Kalra
  • Patent number: D1017562
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: J P Howe, Nate Boos, Raymond M. Connolly, III