Patents by Inventor Jeffrey L. McElray

Jeffrey L. McElray 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: 7110231
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a system comprises a recloser electrically coupled to a voltage source of a power-distribution network and adapted to isolate a section of a distribution feeder of the power-distribution network from the voltage source in response to an overcurrent condition in the section of the distribution feeder. The system also comprises a sectionalizer electrically coupled to the section of the distribution feeder. The sectionalizer and the recloser are adapted to communicate via a data network and the recloser is responsive to control inputs sent to the recloser from the sectionalizer over the data network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime De La Ree, James D. Stoupis, Jeffrey L. McElray, Carl J. LaPlace, Kornel Scherrer
  • Patent number: 6867958
    Abstract: A system and methods that enable a restoration scheme for power distribution systems that is independent of power distribution system component configuration, the number of power distribution system components, and component settings are provided. In a power distribution system, a number of intelligent reclosers having restoration control modules are deployed that execute a restoration scheme. The intelligent reclosers constantly poll cooperating power distribution lines to determine changes in current or voltage provided by the power distribution lines. In the event of a power distribution system fault, the reclosers act in accordance to a predefined restoration scheme to reanimate the unaffected portions of the failing power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Graeme N. McClure, Jeffrey L. McElray, Sr., Robert A. Smith, Carl LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf
  • Patent number: 6816757
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of control unit for a power-distribution network comprises a processor, a memory-storage device electrically coupled to the processor, a set of computer-executable instructions stored on the memory-storage device, and an input/output interface electrically coupled to the processor. The control unit receives data from a plurality of switching devices of a power-distribution network, identifies ones of the switching devices located immediately up-line and down-line of a fault in a faulted section of the power-distribution network based on predetermined characteristics of the data, and generates and sends a first control input to at least one of the switching devices located immediately up-line and down-line of the fault to cause the at least one of the switching devices to open and thereby isolate the faulted section from a second section of the power-distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jaime De La Ree, James D. Stoupis, Jeffrey L. McElray, Carl J. LaPlace, Timothy Fahey
  • Publication number: 20040105204
    Abstract: A recloser is adaptively controlled so that it will operate in a manner responsive to prevailing conditions such as time of day, day of week, and/or load current. A protection setting group is stored in a memory accessible by the recloser controller, and contains a set of instructions for controlling the recloser based on the prevailing conditions. The prevailing conditions are continuously monitored, and the control of the recloser is based on the prevailing conditions and the protection setting group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. McElray, Carl J. LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf, Graeme N. McClure
  • Patent number: 6707655
    Abstract: A recloser is adaptively controlled so that it will operate in a manner responsive to prevailing conditions such as time of day, day of week, and/or load current. A protection setting group is stored in a memory accessible by the recloser controller, and contains a set of instructions for controlling the recloser based on the prevailing conditions. The prevailing conditions are continuously monitored, and the control of the recloser is based on the prevailing conditions and the protection setting group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. McElray, Sr., Carl J. LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf, Graeme N. McClure
  • Publication number: 20020080540
    Abstract: A recloser is adaptively controlled so that it will operate in a manner responsive to prevailing conditions such as time of day, day of week, and/or load current. A protection setting group is stored in a memory accessible by the recloser controller, and contains a set of instructions for controlling the recloser based on the prevailing conditions. The prevailing conditions are continuously monitored, and the control of the recloser is based on the prevailing conditions and the protection setting group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. McElray, Carl J. LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf, Graeme N. McClure
  • Publication number: 20020080539
    Abstract: A system and methods that enable a restoration scheme for power distribution systems that is independent of power distribution system component configuration, the number of power distribution system components, and component settings are provided. In a power distribution system, a number of intelligent reclosers having restoration control modules are deployed that execute a restoration scheme. The intelligent reclosers constantly poll cooperating power distribution lines to determine changes in current or voltage provided by the power distribution lines. In the event of a power distribution system fault, the reclosers act in accordance to a predefined restoration scheme to reanimate the unaffected portions of the failing power distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Graeme N. McClure, Jeffrey L. McElray, Robert A. Smith, Carl LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf