Patents by Inventor Donald R. Lamontagne

Donald R. Lamontagne 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: 8781756
    Abstract: A transformer (26) is monitored by a dissolved gas monitoring device (28). A method (36) in the form of executable code instructs a processor (34) to estimate a remaining life (124) of the transformer. The method includes receiving (126), from the monitoring device (28) data elements (60) representing a current value (134) of dissolved gases (72) in the transformer (26) that correlate with degradation of insulating material in the transformer. Adjustment values (142, 144) are determined for the gases (72) in response to isolated events (160, 162) occurring at the transformer. The current value (134) and the adjustment values (142, 144) are combined to obtain a total value (114), and a degree of polymerization value (116) is estimated using the total value (114). The value (116) is converted into a measure of remaining life (124) of the transformer, and the measure of remaining life (124) is presented to a user (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Lamontagne
  • Publication number: 20130024131
    Abstract: A transformer (26) is monitored by a dissolved gas monitoring device (28). A method (36) in the form of executable code instructs a processor (34) to estimate a remaining life (124) of the transformer. The method includes receiving (126), from the monitoring device (28) data elements (60) representing a current value (134) of dissolved gases (72) in the transformer (26) that correlate with degradation of insulating material in the transformer. Adjustment values (142, 144) are determined for the gases (72) in response to isolated events (160, 162) occurring at the transformer. The current value (134) and the adjustment values (142, 144) are combined to obtain a total value (114), and a degree of polymerization value (116) is estimated using the total value (114). The value (116) is converted into a measure of remaining life (124) of the transformer, and the measure of remaining life (124) is presented to a user (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
    Inventor: Donald R. Lamontagne
  • Patent number: 7747417
    Abstract: A transformer (26) is monitored by a dissolved gas monitoring device (28). A method (36) in the form of executable code instructs a processor (34) to analyze a condition of the transformer (26). The method includes receiving (90), from the monitoring device (28), data elements (60) in the form of values (70) of dissolved gases (72) associated with operation of transformer (26) during a period of time. Periodic characteristics responsive to the operation of the transformer (26) are identified (92) from the data elements (60). The periodic characteristics may include a daily, semi-annual, and/or annual fluctuation of gas generation in response to transformer loading. A gas generation rate trend (112) is distinguished from the periodic characteristics, the condition of the transformer (26) is determined and its future condition may be predicted in response to the trend (112). The condition is presented to a user (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Lamontagne
  • Patent number: 7647202
    Abstract: A system (30) includes an analysis engine (34) and a notification engine (38) for selective notification of a condition (72) of an apparatus (26) monitored by a monitoring device (28). A method executed by the system (30) receives (116) data elements (58) from the monitoring device (28), processes (118) the data elements (58) to detect the condition (72) of the apparatus (26), and determines that the condition (72) defines an exception (74) to a normal condition (70) of the apparatus (26). A first notice (60) of the condition (72) is conveyed (146) to a responsible party (59) at a first instance of determination of the exception (74), and conveyance of a second notice (60) is prevented (140) at a second, subsequent, instance of determination of the exception (74). In addition, communication of the normal condition (70) of the apparatus (26) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Lamontagne
  • Publication number: 20090043538
    Abstract: A transformer (26) is monitored by a dissolved gas monitoring device (28). A method (36) in the form of executable code instructs a processor (34) to analyze a condition of the transformer (26). The method includes receiving (90), from the monitoring device (28), data elements (60) in the form of values (70) of dissolved gases (72) associated with operation of transformer (26) during a period of time. Periodic characteristics responsive to the operation of the transformer (26) are identified (92) from the data elements (60). The periodic characteristics may include a daily, semi-annual, and/or annual fluctuation of gas generation in response to transformer loading. A gas generation rate trend (112) is distinguished from the periodic characteristics, the condition of the transformer (26) is determined and its future condition may be predicted in response to the trend (112). The condition is presented to a user (58).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Lamontagne
  • Publication number: 20090009351
    Abstract: A system (30) includes an analysis engine (34) and a notification engine (38) for selective notification of a condition (72) of an apparatus (26) monitored by a monitoring device (28). A method executed by the system (30) receives (116) data elements (58) from the monitoring device (28), processes (118) the data elements (58) to detect the condition (72) of the apparatus (26), and determines that the condition (72) defines an exception (74) to a normal condition (70) of the apparatus (26). A first notice (60) of the condition (72) is conveyed (146) to a responsible party (59) at a first instance of determination of the exception (74), and conveyance of a second notice (60) is prevented (140) at a second, subsequent, instance of determination of the exception (74). In addition, communication of the normal condition (70) of the apparatus (26) is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Arizona Public Service Company
    Inventor: Donald R. Lamontagne