Patents by Inventor Sam Harrell

Sam Harrell 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).

  • Overhead conductor sensor
    Patent number: 9261414
    Abstract: An overhead conductor sensor for measuring various parameters that affect an overhead conductor is disclosed. The overhead conductor sensor includes an electronics housing having first and second opposing ends, a jaw assembly having a first jaw connected to the first end of the electronics housing and a second jaw pivotally attached to the first jaw to allow the jaw assembly to move between an open position for receiving an overhead conductor therein and a closed position for securing the sensor to the overhead conductor, and a thermocouple assembly electrically connected to electronics housed in the electronics housing and extending through the jaw assembly for engagement with the overhead conductor. The thermocouple assembly is adapted to measure a temperature of the overhead conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Mark Major, Robert Carlton Lynch, Kyle Hill, Sam Harrell, Brandon Rummage
  • Apparatus and method for identifying high risk non-ceramic insulators (NCI) with conductive or high permittivity defects
    Patent number: 9063188
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the presence of high conductivity or permittivity conditions in a wide range of electrically insulating materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a grounded enclosure containing electronics for controlling measurement and communication processes and first and second spaced-apart electrode assemblies for engaging an insulator to be tested. The first and second electrode assemblies are mounted in the enclosure for linear movement such that pressing of the first and second electrodes against an insulator causes the electronics to initiate a measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Mark Major, Robert Carlton Lynch, Phillip Nathan Beverly, Sam Harrell
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING HIGH RISK NON-CERAMIC INSULATORS (NCI) WITH CONDUCTIVE OR HIGH PERMITTIVITY DEFECTS
    Publication number: 20130043881
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the presence of high conductivity or permittivity conditions in a wide range of electrically insulating materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a grounded enclosure containing electronics for controlling measurement and communication processes and first and second spaced-apart electrode assemblies for engaging an insulator to be tested. The first and second electrode assemblies are mounted in the enclosure for linear movement such that pressing of the first and second electrodes against an insulator causes the electronics to initiate a measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Mark Major, Robert Carlton Lynch, Phillip Nathan Beverly, Sam Harrell
  • Overhead Conductor Sensor
    Publication number: 20130022078
    Abstract: An overhead conductor sensor for measuring various parameters that affect an overhead conductor is disclosed. The overhead conductor sensor includes an electronics housing having first and second opposing ends, a jaw assembly having a first jaw connected to the first end of the electronics housing and a second jaw pivotally attached to the first jaw to allow the jaw assembly to move between an open position for receiving an overhead conductor therein and a closed position for securing the sensor to the overhead conductor, and a thermocouple assembly electrically connected to electronics housed in the electronics housing and extending through the jaw assembly for engagement with the overhead conductor. The thermocouple assembly is adapted to measure a temperature of the overhead conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew John Phillips, Mark Major, Robert Carlton Lynch, Kyle Hill, Sam Harrell, Brandon Rummage