Patents by Inventor David W. Rieken
David W. Rieken 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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Publication number: 20230145642Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faults in a power distribution network are described In an aspect, the systems and methods determine a probability that each node of the network is powered and a probability that each distribution line in the network is faulted. In another aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by transmitting a signal over a power distribution network with an active sounding system. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by utilizing collected data coupled to the power distribution network.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 11543440Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faults in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods determine a probability that each node of the network is powered and a probability that each distribution line in the network is faulted. In another aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by transmitting a signal over a power distribution network with an active sounding system. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by utilizing collected data coupled to the power distribution network.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 10942209Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to novel systems and methods that incorporate advanced inference algorithms can be developed to detect floating neutrals using phasor measurements. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to the use of phasor measurements to detect and localize floating neutrals in a distributed power network.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventors: Lakshan Piyasinghe, David W. Rieken
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Publication number: 20200182917Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faults in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods determine a probability that each node of the network is powered and a probability that each distribution line in the network is faulted. In another aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by transmitting a signal over a power distribution network with an active sounding system. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by utilizing collected data coupled to the power distribution network.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 10495672Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faults in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods determine a probability that each node of the network is powered and a probability that each distribution line in the network is faulted. In another aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by transmitting a signal over a power distribution network with an active sounding system. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by utilizing collected data coupled to the power distribution network.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 10401402Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronized phasor measurement in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods quantify the phase angle between voltages or currents at any two points in the distribution network. In another aspect, the systems and methods establish a common time reference between points on a power distribution network by transmitting a synchronization pulse throughout the distribution network. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods extract phasors from a power line waveform by utilizing a phase-locked loop (PLL) and regression of the zero-crossings of the PLL output waveform.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventors: David W. Rieken, Gregory Berchin, Lakshan Prageeth Piyasinghe, Albert Fargnoli, Saeed Mirshekari
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Publication number: 20180292447Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to novel systems and methods that incorporate advanced inference algorithms can be developed to detect floating neutrals using phasor measurements. In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to the use of phasor measurements to detect and localize floating neutrals in a distributed power network.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Lakshan PIYASINGHE, David W. RIEKEN
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Patent number: 10090706Abstract: An apparatus, network system, and method for detecting network phenomena of a power distribution network. A signal injection device adapted to be connected to the power distribution network injects a signal having signal parameters onto the power distribution network. A signal receiving device adapted to be connected to the power distribution network receives the injected signal on the power distribution network. The signal receiving device is adapted to determine the signal parameters of the received signal and is adapted to evaluate the signal parameters of the injected signal with respect to the determined signal parameters of the received signal. An output device connected to the signal receiving device provides an indication of the determined evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventor: David W. Rieken
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Publication number: 20180031617Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronized phasor measurement in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods quantify the phase angle between voltages or currents at any two points in the distribution network. In another aspect, the systems and methods establish a common time reference between points on a power distribution network by transmitting a synchronization pulse throughout the distribution network. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods extract phasors from a power line waveform by utilizing a phase-locked loop (PLL) and regression of the zero-crossings of the PLL output waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: Aclara Technologies LLCInventors: David W. Rieken, Gregory Berchin, Lakshan Prageeth Piyasinghe, Albert Fargnoli, Saeed Mirshekari
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Publication number: 20160291076Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting faults in a power distribution network are described. In an aspect, the systems and methods determine a probability that each node of the network is powered and a probability that each distribution line in the network is faulted. In another aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by transmitting a signal over a power distribution network with an active sounding system. In an additional aspect, the systems and methods determine the probabilities by utilizing collected data coupled to the power distribution network.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: Aclara Technologies LLCInventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 9461700Abstract: A transmitter transmits an outbound message signal via the power distribution system. The transmitter includes a spreader for spreading the spectrum of the communications signal before transmitting the outbound message signal. A receiver despreads the spectrum of the received digitized signal and digitally demodulates the received despread signal to generate the message. The transmitted signal is orthogonal to a source of interference on the power distribution system.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventor: David W. Rieken
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Publication number: 20160091881Abstract: An apparatus, network system, and method for detecting network phenomena of a power distribution network. A signal injection device adapted to be connected to the power distribution network injects a signal having signal parameters onto the power distribution network. A signal receiving device adapted to be connected to the power distribution network receives the injected signal on the power distribution network. The signal receiving device is adapted to determine the signal parameters of the received signal and is adapted to evaluate the signal parameters of the injected signal with respect to the determined signal parameters of the received signal. An output device connected to the signal receiving device provides an indication of the determined evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 9294147Abstract: As disclosed, a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) and method are used by an electrical utility in which outbound messages are sent from the utility to a consumer and inbound messages are sent from the consumer to the utility. The respective outbound and inbound messages are sent and received over the utility's power distribution system. A receiver including an analog filter component, an A/D converter and a digital processor detects the outbound messages. A substation transceiver is configured for sending analog outbound messages from the utility to a consumer. A transponder is configured for sending inbound messages to the transceiver from the consumer to the utility, the respective outbound and inbound messages being modulated on a mains signal of the utility's power distribution system. The receiver in another form includes an analog filter component, a detecting circuit and a demodulator.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventors: David W. Rieken, John B. Hessling, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150092868Abstract: As disclosed, a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) and method are used by an electrical utility in which outbound messages are sent from the utility to a consumer and inbound messages are sent from the consumer to the utility. The respective outbound and inbound messages are sent and received over the utility's power distribution system. A receiver including an analog filter component, an A/D converter and a digital processor detects the outbound messages. A substation transceiver is configured for sending analog outbound messages from the utility to a consumer. A transponder is configured for sending inbound messages to the transceiver from the consumer to the utility, the respective outbound and inbound messages being modulated on a mains signal of the utility's power distribution system. The receiver in another form includes an analog filter component, a detecting circuit and a demodulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: David W. Rieken, John B. Hessling, JR.
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Patent number: 8928170Abstract: A receiver and method for a transponder of a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS) used by an electrical utility in which analog outbound messages are sent from the utility to a consumer and inbound, reply messages are sent from the consumer to the utility. The receiver and method enable a transponder to detect the outbound messages and include A/D conversion and digital processing for demodulating a digitized signal and providing the outbound message.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 8867630Abstract: An agile switched-load transmitter for a communications system for a power distribution network comprises a resonant transponder (T1) with a variable primary frequency. The transmitter significantly increases the bandwidth for communications, significantly lessens the effect of bandwidth noise, and greatly improves both the quality of communications and data throughput. Switches (S1, S2) selectively connect the transponder to the communications systems and control current flow through a resonant circuit of the unit, particularly the timing between charging and discharging of a capacitive component thereof. This allows the frequency of operation of the transmitter to be controlled so an inbound signal has a frequency within a range of selected frequencies, rather than a fixed frequency, and enables the transponder to deliver an output signal of relatively high power that propagates through the power distribution network with relatively little loss in signal strength.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLCInventors: Daniel Langenberg, David W. Rieken
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Publication number: 20130279546Abstract: A transmitter transmits an outbound message signal via the power distribution system. The transmitter includes a spreader for spreading the spectrum of the communications signal before transmitting the outbound message signal. A receiver despreads the spectrum of the received digitized signal and digitally demodulates the received despread signal to generate the message. The transmitted signal is orthogonal to a source of interference on the power distribution system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: ACLARA POWER-LINE SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: David W. Rieken
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Patent number: 8542720Abstract: Improvements in the detection of TWACS outbound message signals. A first improvement involves matching some (or all) of the intermediate points in an outbound preamble occurring between bits of the preamble currently being detected. This reduces the possibility of a false synchronization and therefore decreases the probability of missing outbound message signals. A second improvement is to require some or all of the known preamble bits to exceed a predetermined threshold where both the thresh-old and which bits are adjustable. An additional approach is using 4-8 additional buffers in a transponder to detect preamble patterns in the outbound message. Each half cycle of the outbound message waveform requires entering a bit only into the buffers active for the particular frame of reference in which the message is being transmitted, since only buffers for that frame of reference are employed. The process continues until all bits specified to be sent, based on the length of the outbound message, are extracted.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Aclara Power-Line Systems, Inc.Inventors: Quentin H. Spencer, John B. Hessling, Jr., Benjamin A. Hammond, Dennis L. Kelley, David W. Rieken, William J. Davis, Michael R. Walker, II
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Publication number: 20130208830Abstract: A switched-load, resonant transmitter (T2) for inbound signaling in a two-way automatic communications system (TWACS). The load is purely reactive containing both inductive (L) and capacitive (C) elements. When connected in a power transmission network, the transmitter generates signals useful for passband communications. The transmitter consumes, on average, 100 times less power than resistive switched-load transmitters currently in use in TWACS networks. Signal strength is comparable to that produced by the transmitters currently in use at frequencies near 1 kHz, but is very low otherwise.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: ACLARA POWER-LINE SYSTEMS INC.Inventor: David W. Rieken
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Publication number: 20130177087Abstract: An agile switched-load transmitter for a communications system for a power distribution network comprises a resonant transponder (T1) with a variable primary frequency. The transmitter significantly increases the bandwidth for communications, significantly lessens the effect of bandwidth noise, and greatly improves both the quality of communications and data throughput. Switches (S1, S2) selectively connect the transponder to the communications systems and control current flow through a resonant circuit of the unit, particularly the timing between charging and discharging of a capacitive component thereof. This allows the frequency of operation of the transmitter to be controlled so an inbound signal has a frequency within a range of selected frequencies, rather than a fixed frequency, and enables the transponder to deliver an output signal of relatively high power that propagates through the power distribution network with relatively little loss in signal strength.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: ACLARA POWER-LINE SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Daniel Langenberg, David W. Rieken