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).

  • Patent number: 11994544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: G & W Electric Company
    Inventors: Juan Serrano Puche, Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
  • Publication number: 20240038473
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Sean G. Murphy, Arturas Dauksas, Blair S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 11791120
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: G&W Electric Company
    Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Sean G. Murphy, Arturas Dauksas, Blair S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 11640182
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: G & W ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
  • Publication number: 20230089470
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Juan Serrano Puche, Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
  • Publication number: 20220413526
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
  • Publication number: 20220375708
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: James K. Simonelli, Sean G. Murphy, Arturas Dauksas, Blair S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 11460872
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: G & W ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
  • Publication number: 20220238288
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Arturas Dauksas, Alexander Kiefer, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20220216022
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Elhanafi A. Shamseldin, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr, Nenad Uzelac
  • Publication number: 20220208491
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Arturas Dauksas, Vincent Marec, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20220044894
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Stephen Nault, Vincent Marec, Janet Ache, Blair S. Kerr, Arturas Dauksas
  • Patent number: 10948521
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: G & W Electric Company
    Inventor: Blair S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20200233017
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: Blair S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20200159266
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Blair S. Kerr, Stefan Micic
  • Patent number: 10649009
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: G & W Electric Company
    Inventor: Blair S. Kerr
  • Publication number: 20190302149
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Blair S. Kerr