Patents by Inventor Klaehn W. Burkes

Klaehn W. Burkes 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: 11374503
    Abstract: A power transmission system can include a transformer and compensator circuit(s), each coupled between a node of the transformer and a ground connection. The compensator circuit(s) can each be configured to counteract a DC signal component of an AC signal at the transformer. The compensator circuit(s) can include a converter circuit having an AC side and a DC side and configured to convert a DC voltage on the DC side to an AC signal at the AC side. The compensator circuit(s) can include a DC link coupled to the DC side of the converter circuit. The compensator circuit(s) can include a controller configured to measure a DC signal component between the load and the ground; to determine, based at least in part on the DC signal component, a compensating signal configured to counteract the DC signal component; and to inject, by the converter circuit, the compensating signal to counteract the DC signal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC, Clemson University
    Inventors: Klaehn W. Burkes, Vincent J. Ceyssens, Johan H. R. Enslin, Moazzam Nazir
  • Patent number: 11177055
    Abstract: A system for detecting water trees in branching underground electrical cables includes a pulse generator configured to inject a pulse into a first underground cable that branches into a second underground cable and a third underground cable. The system includes a first sensor associated with the first cable, a second sensor associated with the second cable, and a third sensor associated with the third cable. The system includes a control device configured to obtain a first, second, and third signal associated with the first, second and third sensors, respectively. The control device determines a lead-lag relationship between the second and third signals and determines presence of a water tree within at least one of the second and third cable based on the lead-lag relationship. When presence of a water tree is determined, the control device generates a control action associated with repairing or replacing the second and/or third cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Klaehn W. Burkes
  • Publication number: 20210288593
    Abstract: A power transmission system can include a transformer and compensator circuit(s), each coupled between a node of the transformer and a ground connection. The compensator circuit(s) can each be configured to counteract a DC signal component of an AC signal at the transformer. The compensator circuit(s) can include a converter circuit having an AC side and a DC side and configured to convert a DC voltage on the DC side to an AC signal at the AC side. The compensator circuit(s) can include a DC link coupled to the DC side of the converter circuit. The compensator circuit(s) can include a controller configured to measure a DC signal component between the load and the ground; to determine, based at least in part on the DC signal component, a compensating signal configured to counteract the DC signal component; and to inject, by the converter circuit, the compensating signal to counteract the DC signal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: KLAEHN W. BURKES, VINCENT J. CEYSSENS, JOHAN H.R. ENSLIN, MOAZZAM NAZIR
  • Patent number: 10151788
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for use of an autonomously powered inductive time domain reflectometer sensor device are provided. A sensor device for a power line can include a first induction coil and a second induction coil coupled to the power line and a control device. The first induction coil can be configured to inject a first signal on a power line by inducing a first current on the power line. The second induction coil can be configured to inject a second signal on the power line by inducing a second current on the power line. The control device can be configured to control the second induction coil to inject the second signal to cancel a portion of the first signal. As a result of the second signal cancelling a portion of the first signal, the first signal can be configured to propagate in a single direction on the power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew D. Folsom, Klaehn W. Burkes
  • Publication number: 20180254124
    Abstract: A system for detecting water trees in branching underground electrical cables includes a pulse generator configured to inject a pulse into a first underground cable that branches into a second underground cable and a third underground cable. The system includes a first sensor associated with the first cable, a second sensor associated with the second cable, and a third sensor associated with the third cable. The system includes a control device configured to obtain a first, second, and third signal associated with the first, second and third sensors, respectively. The control device determines a lead-lag relationship between the second and third signals and determines presence of a water tree within at least one of the second and third cable based on the lead-lag relationship. When presence of a water tree is determined, the control device generates a control action associated with repairing or replacing the second and/or third cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventor: Klaehn W. Burkes
  • Publication number: 20180217195
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for use of an autonomously powered inductive time domain reflectometer sensor device are provided. A sensor device for a power line can include a first induction coil and a second induction coil coupled to the power line and a control device. The first induction coil can be configured to inject a first signal on a power line by inducing a first current on the power line. The second induction coil can be configured to inject a second signal on the power line by inducing a second current on the power line. The control device can be configured to control the second induction coil to inject the second signal to cancel a portion of the first signal. As a result of the second signal cancelling a portion of the first signal, the first signal can be configured to propagate in a single direction on the power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew D. Folsom, Klaehn W. Burkes