Patents by Inventor Blair S. Kerr
Blair S. Kerr has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11994544Abstract: A system and method for compensating for drift in a switch gear voltage sensor. The system includes a circuit, and an electronic processor. The circuit is configured to receive a first signal from a first capacitor of the voltage sensor and receive a second signal from a second capacitor of the voltage sensor. The circuit is further configured to generate a third signal and a fourth signal based on the first signal and the second signal. The electronic processor is configured to receive the third signal and the fourth signal and determine an angular frequency, a phase difference, a resistance value, a voltage across a compensation capacitor, an initial gain, a capacitance of the second capacitor, a capacitance and a voltage of the compensation capacitor, and a final gain.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2021Date of Patent: May 28, 2024Assignee: G & W Electric CompanyInventors: Juan Serrano Puche, Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
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Publication number: 20240038473Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes an indicator assembly to indicate whether a movable contact is in an open or a closed position. The indicator assembly includes an indicator body having first and second sections. The indicator body is rotatable to display the first section in the open position and the second section in the closed position. The indicator assembly also includes a drive gear having a first helical spline and coupled to an actuator of the switchgear assembly such that operation of the actuator moves the drive gear, and an elongated driven gear having a second helical spline extending along a length of the driven gear and engaged with the first helical spline of the drive gear such that movement of the drive gear rotates the driven gear. The driven gear is coupled to the indicator body such that rotation of the driven gear causes rotation of the indicator body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Sean G. Murphy, Arturas Dauksas, Blair S. Kerr
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Patent number: 11791120Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes an indicator assembly to indicate whether a movable contact is in an open or a closed position. The indicator assembly includes an indicator body having first and second sections. The indicator body is rotatable to display the first section in the open position and the second section in the closed position. The indicator assembly also includes a drive gear having a first helical spline and coupled to an actuator of the switchgear assembly such that operation of the actuator moves the drive gear, and an elongated driven gear having a second helical spline extending along a length of the driven gear and engaged with the first helical spline of the drive gear such that movement of the drive gear rotates the driven gear. The driven gear is coupled to the indicator body such that rotation of the driven gear causes rotation of the indicator body.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: G&W Electric CompanyInventors: James K. Simonelli, Sean G. Murphy, Arturas Dauksas, Blair S. Kerr
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Patent number: 11640182Abstract: A method of calibrating a recloser voltage measurement system. In one example, the recloser voltage measurement system includes a voltage divider and a voltage adjustment circuit. The voltage divider is electrically coupled to a recloser. The voltage adjustment circuit is electrically coupled to an output of the voltage divider. The method includes determining a first voltage measurement at a high voltage input to the recloser. The method also includes determining a second voltage measurement at an output of the voltage adjustment circuit. The method further includes calculating a difference between the first voltage measurement and the second voltage measurement. The method also includes determining a target voltage gain based on the determined difference between the first voltage measurement and the second voltage measurement. The method further includes adjusting a voltage ratio of the voltage divider by setting the voltage adjustment circuit to the target voltage gain.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2022Date of Patent: May 2, 2023Assignee: G & W ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
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Publication number: 20230089470Abstract: A system and method for compensating for drift in a switch gear voltage sensor. The system includes a circuit, and an electronic processor. The circuit is configured to receive a first signal from a first capacitor of the voltage sensor and receive a second signal from a second capacitor of the voltage sensor. The circuit is further configured to generate a third signal and a fourth signal based on the first signal and the second signal. The electronic processor is configured to receive the third signal and the fourth signal and determine an angular frequency, a phase difference, a resistance value, a voltage across a compensation capacitor, an initial gain, a capacitance of the second capacitor, a capacitance and a voltage of the compensation capacitor, and a final gain.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2021Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Juan Serrano Puche, Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
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Publication number: 20220413526Abstract: A method of calibrating a recloser voltage measurement system. In one example, the recloser voltage measurement system includes a voltage divider and a voltage adjustment circuit. The voltage divider is electrically coupled to a recloser. The voltage adjustment circuit is electrically coupled to an output of the voltage divider. The method includes determining a first voltage measurement at a high voltage input to the recloser. The method also includes determining a second voltage measurement at an output of the voltage adjustment circuit. The method further includes calculating a difference between the first voltage measurement and the second voltage measurement. The method also includes determining a target voltage gain based on the determined difference between the first voltage measurement and the second voltage measurement. The method further includes adjusting a voltage ratio of the voltage divider by setting the voltage adjustment circuit to the target voltage gain.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
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Publication number: 20220375708Abstract: A switchgear assembly includes an indicator assembly to indicate whether a movable contact is in an open or a closed position. The indicator assembly includes an indicator body having first and second sections. The indicator body is rotatable to display the first section in the open position and the second section in the closed position. The indicator assembly also includes a drive gear having a first helical spline and coupled to an actuator of the switchgear assembly such that operation of the actuator moves the drive gear, and an elongated driven gear having a second helical spline extending along a length of the driven gear and engaged with the first helical spline of the drive gear such that movement of the drive gear rotates the driven gear. The driven gear is coupled to the indicator body such that rotation of the driven gear causes rotation of the indicator body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Sean G. Murphy, Arturas Dauksas, Blair S. Kerr
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Patent number: 11460872Abstract: Voltage measurement calibration methods and junction circuits. In one embodiment, the junction circuit includes a capacitor and a voltage adjustment circuit. The junction circuit is electrically coupled to an output of a capacitive voltage divider circuit. The capacitor is electrically coupled between the output of the capacitive voltage divider circuit and a reference terminal. The voltage adjustment circuit is electrically coupled between the output of the capacitive voltage divider circuit and an output of the junction circuit. The voltage adjustment circuit includes an adjustable impedance component configured to adjust a voltage gain of the voltage adjustment circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: G & W ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
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Publication number: 20220238288Abstract: A switchgear apparatus configured for operation at voltages up to 72.5 kV includes a vacuum interrupter assembly having a fixed contact and a movable contact configured to move relative to the fixed contact between a closed position in which the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position in which the movable contact is spaced from the fixed contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Arturas Dauksas, Alexander Kiefer, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr
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Publication number: 20220216022Abstract: A switchgear apparatus configured for operation at voltages up to 72.5 kV includes a vacuum interrupter assembly including a vacuum bottle having an upper portion and a lower potion, a sleeve surrounding the vacuum bottle, a dielectric material surrounding the sleeve, a first terminal electrically coupled to the upper portion of the vacuum interrupter assembly, and an interchange coupled to a lower portion of the vacuum interrupter assembly. The dielectric material is molded around the sleeve and around at least a portion of the first terminal or the interchange. In some embodiments, the sleeve is molded around the vacuum bottle. In other embodiments, the sleeve may be otherwise positioned (i.e., by sliding a pre-formed sleeve) around the vacuum bottle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Elhanafi A. Shamseldin, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr, Nenad Uzelac
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Publication number: 20220208491Abstract: A switchgear apparatus includes a vacuum interrupter assembly having a movable contact and a stationary contact, a main housing surrounding the vacuum interrupter assembly, and a first terminal electrically coupled to one of the movable contact and the stationary contact, the first terminal extending from the main housing along a first axis. The switchgear apparatus also includes a second terminal electrically coupled to the other of the movable contact and the stationary contact, the second terminal extending from the main housing along a second axis, and a mounting head couplable to the main housing in a plurality of orientations about the first axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Arturas Dauksas, Vincent Marec, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr
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Publication number: 20220044894Abstract: An integrated assembly includes a switchgear apparatus for operation at voltages up to 72.5 kV and a mount assembly for coupling to a pole and to support the switchgear apparatus. The mount assembly includes a crossbar, a pole mount, a mounting bracket to support the switchgear apparatus, and a pair of crossbar mounts for supporting the mounting bracket on the crossbar at different positions. Each crossbar mount includes a first arm, a second arm spaced from the first arm and extending parallel to the first arm, a third arm extending between and coupled to a distal end of each of the first and second arms, and a flange extending between and coupled to a proximal end of each of the first and second arms. The flange extends parallel to the third arm. The first, second, and third arms and the flange form an enclosed space to receive the crossbar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventors: Brian Stephen Nault, Vincent Marec, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr, Arturas Dauksas
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Patent number: 10948521Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring low energy voltage in a high energy transmission line electrode divider network. A floating reference voltage screen is positioned between a high energy transmission line electrode and a ground plate at a distance from the high energy transmission line electrode that is shorter than a distance between the ground plate and the floating reference voltage screen. A first conductive lead electrically couples the high energy analog transmission line electrode to a first input of a voltmeter that is connected to a controller. A second conductive lead electrically couples the floating reference voltage screen to a second input of the voltmeter. An alternating voltage drop is measured across the high energy transmission line electrode and the floating reference voltage screen by electronics of the voltmeter connected to the controller. The controller and the voltmeter are both disconnected from the ground plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: G & W Electric CompanyInventor: Blair S. Kerr
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Publication number: 20200233017Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring low energy voltage in a high energy transmission line electrode divider network. A floating reference voltage screen is positioned between a high energy transmission line electrode and a ground plate at a distance from the high energy transmission line electrode that is shorter than a distance between the ground plate and the floating reference voltage screen. A first conductive lead electrically couples the high energy analog transmission line electrode to a first input of a voltmeter that is connected to a controller. A second conductive lead electrically couples the floating reference voltage screen to a second input of the voltmeter. An alternating voltage drop is measured across the high energy transmission line electrode and the floating reference voltage screen by electronics of the voltmeter connected to the controller. The controller and the voltmeter are both disconnected from the ground plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventor: Blair S. Kerr
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Publication number: 20200159266Abstract: Voltage measurement calibration methods and junction circuits. In one embodiment, the junction circuit includes a capacitor and a voltage adjustment circuit. The junction circuit is electrically coupled to an output of a capacitive voltage divider circuit. The capacitor is electrically coupled between the output of the capacitive voltage divider circuit and a reference terminal. The voltage adjustment circuit is electrically coupled between the output of the capacitive voltage divider circuit and an output of the junction circuit. The voltage adjustment circuit includes an adjustable impedance component configured to adjust a voltage gain of the voltage adjustment circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2018Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
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Patent number: 10649009Abstract: A system and method are provided for a floating reference recloser voltage sensor that measures low energy analog voltage from a voltage divider connected to a high energy transmission line electrode. A floating reference cylindrical voltage screen is coaxially positioned between a high energy transmission line electrode and a cylindrical ground plate, and is positioned closer to the transmission line electrode. The floating reference recloser voltage sensor is filled with a solid dielectric material. A voltage divider network is formed when a voltmeter of a recloser controller is connected to the high-voltage electrode and the floating reference voltage screen, and connected in parallel with another divider network capacitance. The voltmeter reads a low energy voltage drop between the high energy transmission line electrode and the floating reference voltage screen. The recloser controller and the voltmeter are both disconnected from ground.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: G & W Electric CompanyInventor: Blair S. Kerr
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Publication number: 20190302149Abstract: A system and method are provided for a floating reference recloser voltage sensor that measures low energy analog voltage from a voltage divider connected to a high energy transmission line electrode. A floating reference cylindrical voltage screen is coaxially positioned between a high energy transmission line electrode and a cylindrical ground plate, and is positioned closer to the transmission line electrode. The floating reference recloser voltage sensor is filled with a solid dielectric material. A voltage divider network is formed when a voltmeter of a recloser controller is connected to the high-voltage electrode and the floating reference voltage screen, and connected in parallel with another divider network capacitance. The voltmeter reads a low energy voltage drop between the high energy transmission line electrode and the floating reference voltage screen. The recloser controller and the voltmeter are both disconnected from ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2018Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventor: Blair S. Kerr