Patents Assigned to Southern Company
  • Patent number: 8151870
    Abstract: A tube shield assembly for protecting tubes includes a guard, a securing member and a holding tooth, wherein welding is not required to secure the guard to the tube. The guard is axially elongated and can have a semi-cylindrical cross-section to define a main body portion. The securing member includes at least one pair of fastening clips to secure the guard to the tube. The fastening clips permit radial expansion and contraction of the tube and the tube shield assembly in response to, for example, temperature fluctuations. The holding tooth is a tooth-like protrusion between the tube shield assembly and the tube to which it is secured to prevent axial slippage of the tube shield assembly up or down the length of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Damon E. Woodson
  • Publication number: 20120073433
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of controlling a PAC-to-particulate ratio in a potion of an exhaust system from a furnace. The method comprises measuring a second amount of particulate exiting a particulate removal system, and controlling a first amount of particulate removed by the particulate removal system based in part on the measured second amount of particulate, such that a desired ratio of PAC-to-particulate is obtained in the portion of the exhaust system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: The Southern Company
    Inventors: DAMON WOODSON, Brandon Looney
  • Publication number: 20120062389
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for locating utility metering devices. Utility metering devices that are lost or stolen and that are facilitating unauthorized utility service access. Many AMI and/or AMR deployments lack the ability to remotely deactivate a meter. Accordingly, embodiments of this disclosure can generate a zone of interest in which an unauthorized utility metering device is located, and the unauthorized utility metering device can be subsequently located within the zone of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SOUTHERN COMPANY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold Cory Solomon
  • Publication number: 20120062390
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for locating utility metering devices. Utility metering devices are those that are lost or stolen and that are facilitating unauthorized utility service access. Many AMI and/or AMR deployments lack the ability to remotely deactivate a meter. Accordingly, embodiments of this disclosure can generate a zone of interest in which an unauthorized utility metering device is located, and the unauthorized utility metering device can be subsequently located within the zone of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: SOUTHERN COMPANY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Arnold Cory Solomon
  • Patent number: 8116916
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for selecting a transformer size for an industrial or commercial facility. A plurality of end-use connected load data for the facility is entered via a user interface into a memory of a computing system for determining facility load diversities. A base homogeneity is determined for the end-use connected load data. An initial facility diversity is determined based on the end-use connected loads and initial end-use diversities. A total facility diversity is determined based on the initial facility diversity, the base homogeneity, and a total connected load. An expected energy demand is determined based on the total facility diversity and a total connected load. The end-use diversity is adjusted for at least one end-use and a change in expected energy demand for the facility is allocated to each end-use. The transformer size is determined for a total expected energy demand and a total hours use for each connected load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson G. Zeanah, Richard G. Huff
  • Patent number: 8117240
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium for controlling user access from a segmented network to shared remote applications stored on a remote server. The method begins by generating a folder/file structure for a remote application that is to be shared on the segmented network. A file server drive mapping to a linking infrastructure data is generated for the remote application and an icon associated with the remote application is retrieved. An application launcher file is generated for the remote application. Then, an application linker file associated with the application launcher file for the remote application is generated. A command file is generated for copying the application linker file to a user's desktop. The linker file is updated to point to the file server drive. A folder for user access to the remote application is then deployed that includes the remote application icon, the application linker file, the application launcher file, and the command file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Shelby, III
  • Publication number: 20120031584
    Abstract: Disclosed are cooling and depressurization system equipment, arrangement and methods to cool solid particles from a coal gasifier operating at high temperature and pressure. Ash from the coal needs to be continuously withdrawn from a circulating fluidized bed gasifier to maintain the solids inventory in the gasifier. The system disclosed enables use of conventional materials of construction for heat transfer surfaces. The supports for the cooling surfaces are located on the lower temperature upper section of the primary cooler. The cooled solids along with the fluidizing gas exits the primary cooler to a secondary receiving vessel where the solids can be further cooled by conventional means. The fluidizing and entrained gas entering the secondary vessel is filtered and vented through a vent pressure control valve. The column of cooled solids in the secondary vessel is depressurized by a continuous depressurization system to low pressures which are sufficient for conveying the solids to silos for disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Southern Company
    Inventors: Pannalal Vimalchand, Guohai Liu, WanWang Peng
  • Publication number: 20120017157
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a workstation management application. An identification of a user is obtained in a user interface. A listing of workstations that the user has accessed is rendered in the user interface. A selection of one of the workstations is obtained in the user interface. A listing of management tasks configured for the workstation is rendered in the user interface. One of a plurality of management tools is launched to perform a selected one of the management tasks for the workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Shane Bush
  • Publication number: 20120013347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a capacitor bank monitoring system for monitoring the status of a capacitor bank in a power distribution system. The capacitor bank monitoring system includes a current transformer, a metering connection, and a housing for an electric utility meter. The current transformer is in electrical communication with a neutral terminal of the distribution system and can measure the current carried by the neutral terminal. The meter connection subsystem can provide electrical communication between the electric utility meter and the current transformer, such that the electric utility meter communicates the status of the capacitor bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: The Southern Company
    Inventor: VAN L. HOLSOMBACK
  • Patent number: 8095972
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium for facilitating user authentication for accessing an application hosted on an external web site by users in an enterprise network. A request is received from a user a request is received from a user to access the application on the external web site. The user is redirected to a secure web page on an enterprise server to log in to the enterprise server. Authentication information for the user is formatted in compliance with a login specification for the application hosted on the external web site. The authentication information is encrypted in compliance with the login specification for the application hosted on the external web site. The user is then directed to the application hosted on the external web site, wherein the user can access the application without having to reenter login information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Floyd, Steaven A. Rowe, Michael Peters
  • Patent number: 8082267
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for management of land parcel records for a utility. The system includes a database for storing a plurality of documents pertaining to land parcels and at least one hardware server for executing a plurality of components. The plurality of components include a component for entering and storing a plurality of information for transmission lines; a component for entering and storing a plurality of information for distribution permits; a component for entering and storing a plurality of information for at least one of fee lands, land sales, land leases, and land easements; a component for querying the database to retrieve documents based on at least one search attribute; and a component for enabling a user to perform administrative actions on a plurality of project and land parcel records stored in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua T. Murphy, Janice D. Moore-Smith, Jason Ramsey, Evan Koch
  • Patent number: 8066789
    Abstract: A system for depressurizing and cooling a high pressure, high temperature fine solid particles stream having entrained gas therein. In one aspect, the system has an apparatus for cooling the high pressure, high temperature fine solid particles stream having entrained gas therein and a pressure letdown device for depressurization by separating the cooled fine solid particles from a portion of the fine solid particles stream having entrained gas therein, resulting in a lower temperature, lower pressure outlet of solid particles for disposal or handling by downstream equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Southern Company
    Inventors: Guohai Liu, Wan Wang Peng, Pannalal Vimalchand
  • Publication number: 20110289054
    Abstract: A content management migration manager method comprises accessing via a web interface executed by a computer an application interface, such as an API, for a first content management system and an application interface (API) for a second content management system. A site associated with the first content management system is thereafter replicated to the second content management system. Each document library folder in the replicated site is duplicated to the second content management system for the replicated site as well as all corresponding users, groups and their associated roles/permissions. Thereafter, one or more folders, users, or permissions existing in the second content management system not also existing in the first content management system may be removed by the content management migration manager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHERN COMPANY SERVICES
    Inventor: Rob Keith Johnson
  • Patent number: 8054195
    Abstract: A system for notifying and/or warning of fallen or downed insulated conductor generally includes a distribution system for distributing a utility, such as power, and a sensor system for sensing whether the distribution system is properly operating. The warning system can include a support structure; an arm carried by the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom; a distribution system providing a utility via at least one wire, the wire held aloft from a below surface via the arm; a communication cable transmitting a signal; a disruption assembly carrying the communication cable and in communication with the support structure. The disruption assembly is loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable; and a sensor system is adapted to monitor the distribution system based on the signal transmitted by the communication cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Van L. Holsomback
  • Publication number: 20110270910
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a dynamic work queue for applications. A message queue is included in a data store accessible to one or more computing devices. One or more network pages are generated in the one or more computing devices indicating which ones of multiple services are configured to obtain and process messages for an application from the queue. Each of the services is executed on a respective one of multiple servers. A request is obtained from a client to configure one or more of the services to obtain and process messages for the application from the queue. The one or more of the services are configured to obtain and process messages for the application from the queue in response to the request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Southern Company Services
    Inventors: Gregory Ray Floyd, Eric A. Morris
  • Patent number: 8046888
    Abstract: A yoke assembly includes two support members that are connected to one another, both of which include respective first ends and second ends. The support members are spaced apart enough to fit over existing hardware on a T-adapter at a dead end. In proximity to the first end of the two support members, a connection member is connected to the support members for securing the yoke assembly to the T-adapter. The yoke assembly includes a pole connector, which is pivotably positioned in proximity to the second end of each support member, wherein the pole connector is positioned between the two support members and secured thereto by the second pin. A pole can be secured between the pole connector of the yoke assembly and the power pole, reducing stress on an insulator for removing/repairing the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Williams
  • Patent number: 7993530
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods of portable oil filtration. In an exemplary embodiment, the portable oil filtration system has a portable device body. Mounted on this portable device body are a motor, a pump, an input valve, an output valve, and a filtration device. Additionally, the portable device body is enabled to be carried by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Ronald Horne
  • Patent number: 7973672
    Abstract: A system for notifying and/or warning of fallen or downed insulated conductor generally includes a distribution system for distributing a utility, such as power, and a sensor system for sensing whether the distribution system is properly operating. The warning system can include a support structure; an arm carried by the support structure and extending outwardly therefrom; a distribution system providing a utility via at least one wire, the wire held aloft from a below surface via the arm; a communication cable transmitting a signal; a disruption assembly carrying the communication cable and in communication with the support structure. The disruption assembly is loaded with the potential of disrupting the signal transmitted by the communication cable; and a sensor system is adapted to monitor the distribution system based on the signal transmitted by the communication cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Van L. Holsomback
  • Patent number: 7965630
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for dynamically routing query request messages to a database server resident on a computing system. A configurable port proxy service is created on the database server that listens on a particular port for query request messages. An administrator port is implemented on the database server that communicates with the port proxy service. The configurable port proxy service is pinged by a traffic manager application operating on the computing system to determine if a database server instance is available to send database traffic. Query requests are routed to the database server instance if the database server instance is available to accept query request messages. Each administrator command from a port console application is serialized to a configuration file as it issues that will return the port proxy service to a previous state if the database server fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Floyd, Alla Semenovna Zelikovskaya
  • Patent number: D640912
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Southern Company
    Inventors: Jesse Travis Watts, Timothy J. Anthony