Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Minteer

Timothy M. Minteer 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).

  • Publication number: 20240153700
    Abstract: Systems and methods include using a magnetic core winder to install a powerline-mounted device with a non-gapped magnetic core, therefore reducing the weight of the powerline-mounted device while still harvesting equal or more power than a large cross-sectional and gapped magnetic cores. In particular, the methods include installing bobbin(s) and a core housing on a powerline and winding strip/ribbon core material onto the core housing. The bobbins may be wound axially opposed to on a toroid winder, which improves the accuracy of turns count of the magnetic core. The improved accuracy of turns count may increase the accuracy and/or tolerance of magnetic component(s) of the powerline-mounted device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kenny, Brett Taggart, Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 11961656
    Abstract: A current transformer includes a pre-formed core forming a closed loop with a flexible axially wound secondary winding. A continuous length of wire is axially coiled around a flexible bobbin to form a secondary winding. The resulting secondary winding may be slid onto the closed loop of the pre-formed core. The flexibility of the axially wound secondary winding facilitates conformity to a non-linear shape of the pre-formed core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Minteer, Eric M. Sawyer, David Kenny
  • Patent number: 11031812
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to powering distributed sensors used to monitor electrical and/or environmental conditions and to powering other equipment associated with electric power systems. In one embodiment, a system may be used to mount a sensor in proximity to a reference conductor. An electric field power conversion subsystem may generate a usable electric potential from an electric field created by the electric power system and existing between the reference conductor and another conductor (e.g., another phase conductor, a ground conductor). The sensor powered by the usable electric potential may provide a measurement of a condition associated with the electric power system. A communication subsystem powered by the usable electric potential may communicate the measurement of the condition to a monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Joe Baylon, Timothy M. Minteer, David Kenny, James Mobley, Johnny J. Moore, Raymond W. Rice, Naiden K. Spasov, Eric M. Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20200373078
    Abstract: A current transformer includes a pre-formed core forming a closed loop with a flexible axially wound secondary winding. A continuous length of wire is axially coiled around a flexible bobbin to form a secondary winding. The resulting secondary winding may be slid onto the closed loop of the pre-formed core. The flexibility of the axially wound secondary winding facilitates conformity to a non-linear shape of the pre-formed core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Minteer, Eric M. Sawyer, David Kenny
  • Patent number: 10777349
    Abstract: A current transformer includes a pre-formed core forming a closed loop with a flexible axially wound secondary winding. A continuous length of wire is axially coiled around a flexible bobbin to form a secondary winding. The resulting secondary winding may be slid onto the closed loop of the pre-formed core. The flexibility of the axially wound secondary winding facilitates conformity to a non-linear shape of the pre-formed core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Minteer, Eric M. Sawyer, David Kenny
  • Publication number: 20190122813
    Abstract: A current transformer includes a pre-formed core forming a closed loop with a flexible axially wound secondary winding. A continuous length of wire is axially coiled around a flexible bobbin to form a secondary winding. The resulting secondary winding may be slid onto the closed loop of the pre-formed core. The flexibility of the axially wound secondary winding facilitates conformity to a non-linear shape of the pre-formed core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. Minteer, Eric M. Sawyer, David Kenny
  • Patent number: 8155326
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of one or more devices is provided. The system includes a microphone acoustically coupled to one the monitored device. An analog-to-digital-converter samples the microphone and a processor examines the resultant digital signal for the occurrence of an abnormal event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 7979977
    Abstract: A transformer to isolate a primary winding from a signal winding include a primary substrate (which may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)) and a secondary substrate. The primary and secondary substrates may each have three openings to allow first and second E-E core halves to be joined therebetween. A first insulator may be disposed between the primary and secondary substrates to isolate the primary substrate from the secondary substrate. A second insulator may secure the primary and secondary substrates in place and insulate the secondary substrate from the core. The primary and secondary substrates may each include a Faraday shield its outer layers. A shield slit to prevent shorting between the legs of the E-E core may be formed by cutting a channel in the shield between the opening of the primary and secondary substrates. A retaining clip may be used to clamp together the primary substrate, first and second core E-E core halves, secondary substrate and second insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20110088251
    Abstract: A transformer to isolate a primary winding from a signal winding include a primary substrate (which may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)) and a secondary substrate. The primary and secondary substrates may each have three openings to allow first and second E-E core halves to be joined therebetween. A first insulator may be disposed between the primary and secondary substrates to isolate the primary substrate from the secondary substrate. A second insulator may secure the primary and secondary substrates in place and insulate the secondary substrate from the core. The primary and secondary substrates may each include a Faraday shield its outer layers. A shield slit to prevent shorting between the legs of the E-E core may be formed by cutting a channel in the shield between the opening of the primary and secondary substrates. A retaining clip may be used to clamp together the primary substrate, first and second core E-E core halves, secondary substrate and second insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 7889041
    Abstract: A transformer to isolate a primary winding from a signal winding include a primary substrate (which may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)) and a secondary substrate. The primary and secondary substrates may each have three openings to allow first and second E-E core halves to be joined therebetween. A first insulator may be disposed between the primary and secondary substrates to isolate the primary substrate from the secondary substrate. A second insulator may secure the primary and secondary substrates in place and insulate the secondary substrate from the core. The primary and secondary substrates may each include a Faraday shield its outer layers. A shield slit to prevent shorting between the legs of the E-E core may be formed by cutting a channel in the shield between the opening of the primary and secondary substrates. A retaining clip may be used to clamp together the primary substrate, first and second core E-E core halves, secondary substrate and second insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 7557655
    Abstract: An accurate linear equivalent of an analog signal may be produced across an isolation barrier by driving a primary transformer winding with a drive amplifier and compensation amplifier, where the compensation operational amplifier amplifies a difference between a signal produced on a sense winding of the transformer and a combination of the input analog signal and output of the drive amplifier. The system may be stabilized by a lead-lag network between the sense winding, input signal, and operational amplifier. The transformer may comprise an isolation barrier to isolate the input analog signal from a signal winding. The primary winding of the transformer, driven by the operational amplifier and driver amplifier circuit, may produce a linear equivalent of the input analog signal across the isolation barrier on a signal winding of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20090115564
    Abstract: A transformer to isolate a primary winding from a signal winding include a primary substrate (which may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)) and a secondary substrate. The primary and secondary substrates may each have three openings to allow first and second E-E core halves to be joined therebetween. A first insulator may be disposed between the primary and secondary substrates to isolate the primary substrate from the secondary substrate. A second insulator may secure the primary and secondary substrates in place and insulate the secondary substrate from the core. The primary and secondary substrates may each include a Faraday shield its outer layers. A shield slit to prevent shorting between the legs of the E-E core may be formed by cutting a channel in the shield between the opening of the primary and secondary substrates. A retaining clip may be used to clamp together the primary substrate, first and second core E-E core halves, secondary substrate and second insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20090115509
    Abstract: An accurate linear equivalent of an analog signal may be produced across an isolation barrier by driving a primary transformer winding with a drive amplifier and compensation amplifier, where the compensation operational amplifier amplifies a difference between a signal produced on a sense winding of the transformer and a combination of the input analog signal and output of the drive amplifier. The system may be stabilized by a lead-lag network between the sense winding, input signal, and operational amplifier. The transformer may comprise an isolation barrier to isolate the input analog signal from a signal winding. The primary winding of the transformer, driven by the operational amplifier and driver amplifier circuit, may produce a linear equivalent of the input analog signal across the isolation barrier on a signal winding of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20090091441
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of one or more devices is provided. The system includes a microphone acoustically coupled to one the monitored device. An analog-to-digital-converter samples the microphone and a processor examines the resultant digital signal for the occurrence of an abnormal event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 7034604
    Abstract: A communications device, such as a transceiver, is used with a fiber optic communication line, wherein the communications device is powered from a host device. A voltage supply circuit, which comprises a full wave bridge rectifier responsive to data and control signals from the host device, produces plus and minus rectified voltage signals. First and second voltage regulators are responsive to the rectified voltage signals to produce plus and minus regulated voltages, for example ±5 volts, which is sufficient to power the communications device. A charge circuit alternately transfers energy from the plus and minus voltage lines to ensure the presence of plus and minus voltage signals when only positive or negative signals are provided by the host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20040183584
    Abstract: An improvement in a communications device, such as a transceiver, which is used with a fiber optic communication line, wherein the communications device is powered from a host device. The improvement is a voltage supply circuit which comprises a full wave bridge rectifier responsive to data and control signals from the host device to produce plus and minus rectified voltage signals. First and second voltage regulators are responsive to the rectified voltage signals to product plus and minus regulated voltages, for example ±5 volts, which is sufficient to power the communications device. A charge circuit alternately transfers energy from the plus and minus voltage lines to ensure the presence of plus and minus voltage signals when only positive or negative signals are provided by the host device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 6188494
    Abstract: A fiber-optic transceiver receives from and transmits to an associated electronic terminal device, such as a protective relay, digital data signals. Fiber-optic transceivers can be positioned at opposite ends of a connecting fiber-optic line. Power for each transceiver is obtained from its associated electronic device. The transceiver includes a transmit section, a receive section, a handshake section to provide feedback of control signals which may be required by the associated electronic terminal device, and a voltage supply section. A particular optical coding arrangement is used to convert the digital data signal from the terminal device to a series of optical pulses, wherein a pair of optical pulses represents a rising edge of the digital data signal from the electronic device, while a single pulse represents the falling edge of the data signal. Additional pairs of pulses and single pulses may follow the initial one, depending upon the length of the high and/or low portions of the data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Minteer
  • Patent number: 5905758
    Abstract: The fiber-optic transceiver system combines EIA-232 data with IRIG-B time code information in a time multiplexing arrangement. The combined signal is transmitted to a receiver where the time code information is decombined from the data so that the two signals are replicas of their originals. The time multiplexing is accomplished by inserting a pulse into the data stream following the occurrence of a minimum time for each data bit and the coincidence of a time code pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweiter, III, Timothy M. Minteer