Patents by Inventor David G Fletcher
David G Fletcher 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: 8213144Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing protection against arc flash during maintenance on a low voltage power circuit including a circuit breaker having a specified trip function for responding to a fault is provided. The specified trip function is overridden with a maintenance trip function that results in reduced arc energy in the fault during a trip over arc energy during a trip with the specified trip function. The specified trip function is restored following maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas F. Papallo, Gregory P. Lavoie, David G. Fletcher, Ertugrul Berkcan, William James Premerlani
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Patent number: 7636616Abstract: There is disclosed a protection system for a power distribution system. The system has a processor, a breaker; a network coupled to the processor, a first module coupled to the network and the breaker, a second module coupled to the network, and an algorithm. The algorithm monitors for a permission to trip request. If a plurality of permission to trip requests are received during a given time period, the algorithm issues a permission granted command to the first module and a hold command to the second module.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David G. Fletcher, Thomas F. Papallo, John J. Dougherty, Ertugrul Berkcan, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
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Patent number: 7262943Abstract: A configuration unit for a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The configuration unit includes a non-volatile memory device and a communications connection. The non-volatile memory device is permanently secured within a switchgear cubicle. The cubicle replaceably receives a circuit breaker and removably receives a module. The communications connection places the non-volatile memory device in communication with the module when the module is removably received in the switchgear cubicle.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Flaviano Stellato, Hong-Ping Liu, Dmitry Matskevitch, David G Fletcher
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Patent number: 7259565Abstract: There is provided a method of testing an electrical switchgear system. A node in the electrical switchgear system monitors a power line signal and controls a breaker based on the power line signal. The method includes applying an analog signal to the node, and receiving data representing a status of the breaker. The analog signal simulates the power line signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Melissa Ann Diercks, David G Fletcher, Ioan Marusca
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Patent number: 7254001Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker. A control processing unit can determine a dynamic delay time for opening a first circuit breaker if a fault is detected in the circuit. The control processing unit delays opening the first circuit breaker until after the dynamic delay time has elapsed to provide an opportunity for the nearest circuit breaker to clear the fault.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas F. Papallo, Gregory P. Lavoie, David G Fletcher, Ertugrul Berkcan, William James Premerlani
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Patent number: 7058482Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system is provided. The module has a microprocessor and a network interface. The microprocessor samples first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The network interface places the microprocessor in communication with a data network. The microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal transmitted on the data network.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David G. Fletcher, Thomas F. Papallo, John J. Dougherty, Ertugrul Berkcan, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
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Patent number: 6968277Abstract: In order to detect high-speed transients in the alternating current of a power distribution system, the rate at which the power on the distribution system is sampled is increased so that even high-speed transients are detected. The sampling rate can be increased in at least two ways. First, where a single analog-to-digital converter samples multiple lines through a multiplexer, the multiplexer is controlled to allow the converter to sample only one line at a much-increased rate. Alternatively, the sampling speed of the analog-to-digital converter (or A/D array) can be controlled and increased as needed.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David G. Fletcher, Gregory P. Lavoie
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Patent number: 6847297Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system having a microprocessor, a locator device, and a network interface is provided. The microprocessor samples one or more first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The locator device is changeable between a first state and a second state. The network interface can place the microprocessor in communication with a network so that the microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal receivable from the network and so that the locator device changes from the first state to the second state in response to a command receivable from the data network.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory P. Lavoie, Thomas F. Papallo, David G Fletcher, Jane Barber
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Publication number: 20040133814Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system having a microprocessor, a locator device, and a network interface is provided. The microprocessor samples one or more first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The locator device is changeable between a first state and a second state. The network interface can place the microprocessor in communication with a network so that the microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal receivable from the network and so that the locator device changes from the first state to the second state in response to a command receivable from the data network.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory P. Lavoie, Thomas F. Papallo, David G. Fletcher, Jane Barber
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Publication number: 20030231440Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Applicant: General Electric Company,Inventors: Thomas F. Papallo, Gregory P. Lavoie, David G. Fletcher, Ertugrul Berkcan, William James Premerlani
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Publication number: 20030212515Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system is provided. The module has a microprocessor and a network interface. The microprocessor samples first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The network interface places the microprocessor in communication with a data network. The microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal transmitted on the data network.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: David G. Fletcher, Thomas F. Papallo, John J. Dougherty, Ertugrul Berkcan, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
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Publication number: 20030135337Abstract: In order to detect high-speed transients in the alternating current of a power distribution system, the rate at which the power on the distribution system is sampled is increased so that even high-speed transients are detected. The sampling rate can be increased in at least two ways. First, where a single analog-to-digital converter samples multiple lines through a multiplexer, the multiplexer is controlled to allow the converter to sample only one line at a much-increased rate. Alternatively, the sampling speed of the analog-to-digital converter (or A/D array) can be controlled and increased as needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: David G. Fletcher, Gregory P. Lavoie
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Patent number: 6433981Abstract: A modular current sensor and power source unit (10) for duplicating the function of a current transformer is disposed on a conductor (11) of an electrical circuit. Modular current sensor and power source unit (10) includes a current transformer (12), a power supply circuit (14), a current sensor (16), and current source circuit (18). Current transformer (12) provides operating power to power supply circuit (14). Power supply circuit (14) regulates the operating power and provides the regulated operating power to sensor (16) and current source (18). Sensor (16) senses current in phase (11) and provides a signal indicative of the current in phase (11) to current source (18). Current source (18) receives the signal from sensor (16) and drives an output current proportional to this signal to the load circuit via lines (34) and (36). The current output by current source (18) has the attributes of the low power sensor (16) with the ability to provide power to the load circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David G. Fletcher, Farshid Attarian, Edward E. Kim, Esteban Santos