Patents Assigned to TechHold LLC
-
Patent number: 11984720Abstract: A protection circuit is disclosed. The protection circuit includes a direct current (DC) blocking component electrically connected between a neutral of the transformer and a ground, and an overvoltage protection device electrically connected in parallel with the DC blocking component. The overvoltage protection device is constructed to repeatably and reliably provide overvoltage protection in response to a voltage at the transformer neutral above a threshold. The DC blocking component has an impedance below a predetermined value, thereby effectively grounding the neutral of the transformer. The DC blocking component is persistently maintained in connection to the transformer neutral.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: TechHold LLCInventors: David Anderson, Greg Fuchs, Frederick R. Faxvog, George Anderson, Wallace Jensen
-
Patent number: 11923129Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a circuit designed to protect electrical equipment, in particular sensitive power grid equipment such as transformers, are disclosed. In particular, methods of local and remote control of operation of protection circuits are provided that allow for remote access to change an operational mode of such protection circuits, while ensuring that power grid equipment is protected locally regardless of any configuration instructions received from a remote or centralized facility. Override levels may be set to ensure power grid transformer protection, regardless of operational mode or remote instruction.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: TechHold LLCInventors: David Anderson, Greg Fuchs
-
Patent number: 11664653Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an overvoltage protection assembly, and an electrode useable in pairs in such an overvoltage protection device. In various aspects, at least one electrode is made from a single piece of conductive source material to ensure its strength, reliability, and ease of manufacture. Still further, the electrode has a specific geometry selected to enhance electromagnetic effects experienced during high voltage, high current overvoltage events in a way that quickly relocates and dissipates an arc formed at a gap between an electrode pair, to ensure repeatable, reliable performance of the overvoltage protection device.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: TechHold, LLCInventors: George Anderson, Greg Fuchs, David Anderson
-
Patent number: 11621557Abstract: Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: TechHold, LLCInventors: Greg Fuchs, George Anderson, William M. Volna, Gale K. Nordling, Wallace Jensen, David Blake Jackson, Frederick R. Faxvog, James Nicholas Ruehl
-
Patent number: 11451047Abstract: A circuit includes a detector and controller circuit configured to detect a high field RF (radio frequency) electromagnetic fields indicating a potential of an electromagnetic pulse event capable of damaging electrical equipment connected to a power grid. The circuit also includes controller receiving an input from the detector circuit, the controller being included within a shielded enclosure and configured to initiate an event in response to detection of the high field electromagnetic pulse field to remove the electrical equipment from the power grid.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TechHold, LLCInventors: David Anderson, Greg Fuchs, Frederick R. Faxvog
-
Patent number: 11451044Abstract: Systems and method for automated self-testing of a protective device for a transformer are disclosed. One system includes a protection circuit electrically connected to a transformer neutral, the transformer electrically connected to a power grid, the protection circuit may include a DC blocking component, a switch assembly, and a spark gap assembly each positioned in parallel between the transformer neutral and ground, a switch assembly. The system may further include various testing circuits configured within the protection circuit and switches which when actuated inject a signal to test various components in the protective device.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: TechHold, LLCInventors: Frederick R. Faxvog, Greg Fuchs, Wallace Jensen, David Anderson
-
Publication number: 20220254565Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a circuit designed to protect electrical equipment, in particular sensitive power grid equipment such as transformers, are disclosed. In particular, methods of local and remote control of operation of protection circuits are provided that allow for remote access to change an operational mode of such protection circuits, while ensuring that power grid equipment is protected locally regardless of any configuration instructions received from a remote or centralized facility. Override levels may be set to ensure power grid transformer protection, regardless of operational mode or remote instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: TechHold LLCInventors: DAVID ANDERSON, GREG FUCHS
-
Patent number: 11038347Abstract: Electrical protection devices, such as for use with power systems for overvoltage protection, are disclosed. One electrical protection device includes a first electrical connection, a second electrical connection, a first electrical discharge device, and a second electrical discharge device. The first electrical discharge device includes a first conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a second conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The first electrical discharge device has a first breakdown voltage. The second electrical discharge device includes a third conductive bus connected to the first electrical connection and a fourth conductive bus connected to the second electrical connection. The second electrical discharge device has a second breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: TechHold, LLCInventors: Greg Fuchs, George Anderson, William M. Volna, Gale K. Nordling, Wallace Jensen, David Blake Jackson, Frederick R. Faxvog, James Nicholas Ruehl
-
Patent number: 10985559Abstract: Methods and systems for ensuring operation of one or more circuit breakers electrically connected on a phase of a multi-phase power line on a transformer electrically connected within a power grid at a substation are disclosed. The method includes detecting, at the transformer, a direct current component of a multi-phase power signal received at the transformer, the direct current component comprising a direct current received at a transformer neutral, the transformer neutral being electrically connected to a ground. The method further includes determining whether the direct current is above a predetermined threshold, the predetermined threshold being based on a determination that, above the predetermined threshold, at least one of the one or more circuit breakers is incapable of reliable operation. The method includes, in response to a determination that the direct current component is above the predetermined threshold, blocking the direct current between the transformer neutral and a ground.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: TechHold LLCInventors: George Anderson, Greg Fuchs, Wallace Jensen, Gale K. Nordling, Terry Lee Volkmann, Frederick R. Faxvog, David Blake Jackson
-
Patent number: 10931096Abstract: A control device for an electrical protection circuit for use in an alternating current system including a transformer is disclosed. An example system includes a first measurement probe, a second measurement probe configured to measure an electrical property within the electrical protection circuit, and a control module, including a processing device. The control module is configured to monitor a measurement from the first measurement probe and transmit a protection activation control signal to the switch assembly based on the measurement from the first measurement probe exceeding a first predetermined threshold. The control module is also configured to monitor a measurement from the second measurement probe and transmit a protection deactivation control signal to the switch assembly based on the measurement from the second measurement probe satisfying a second predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: TechHold LLCInventors: Greg Fuchs, Wallace Jensen, Frederick R. Faxvog, David Blake Jackson, Gale K. Nordling
-
Patent number: RE48775Abstract: Systems and method for detecting potentially harmful harmonic and direct current signals at a transformer are disclosed. One system includes a protection circuit electrically connected to a transformer neutral, the transformer electrically connected to a power grid, the protection circuit including a DC blocking component positioned between the transformer neutral and ground and one or more switches selectively actuated to form a path between the transformer neutral and ground in the event of unwanted DC current at the transformer neutral. The system also includes a control circuit electrically connected to the protection circuit and positioned to selectively actuate the switches based on observed conditions within the protection circuit. The system further includes a plurality of test connections disposed within the protection circuit and useable to test electrical properties of the protection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: TechHold, LLCInventors: Frederick R. Faxvog, Wallace Jensen, Terrance R. Noe, Craig Eid, David Blake Jackson, Greg Fuchs, Gale Nordling