Patents Assigned to ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
  • Patent number: 5980995
    Abstract: An insulated metallic strip suitable for use in the coils of power transformers and method of producing the same. Following the extrusion of a flat metallic strip of conductive material for winding into a magnet coil, the flat strip having a predetermined thickness and first and second sides bounded by a pair of fully rounded edges, the method of insulating the strip of conductive material by supporting the flat strip in a level state at a predetermined temperature in a vacuum chamber and while in the vacuum chamber applying a liquid coating of resin to the entire first side of the strip and the pair of rounded edges and extending onto the second side of the strip from each of the edges a distance at least as great as about 0.25" to prevent turn to turn discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Linsenbardt, Norris L. Hill, Hoan Duy Le
  • Patent number: 5975145
    Abstract: Arc-quenching fuse tubes comprising an elongated tubular body having an inner arc-quenching surface layer which comprises an arc-quenching matrix comprising a fibrous material and an arc-quenching composition. The arc-quenching compositions comprise a cured composition of an aromatic epoxy resin and a linear aliphatic epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Brown, Allan G. Loosemore, Ian J. Harvey, Brent A. Sievers
  • Patent number: 5978371
    Abstract: A repeater communications module (RCM) that enhances signals in a communications network comprises a processor coupled to a communications medium and optionally to a host application. The RCM operates in one of two modes: (1) interface or host application controlled, and (2) standalone. In the interface mode, the RCM receives packets from a host application, modifies the packets and transmits message packets in accordance with a transmit role table (TRT). In standalone mode, the RCM initiates packets and transmits message packets in accordance with the TRT. All RCMs can be configured to repeat message packets which are received from the communications medium in accordance with a repeater role table (RRT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Mason, Jr., Ted H. York
  • Patent number: 5971374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seismic damper for ground equipment such as high voltage breakers and disconnect switches. The disclosed seismic damper is reactive to low frequency seismic disturbances and provides damping in response to both upward and downward vertical forces. The seismic damper is adapted to be connected to such equipment without modifying the equipment. When the seismic dampers are connected to the equipment, the equipment's natural frequency in response to seismic disturbances is reduced. This reduction results from the particular use of a stacked ring compression spring and the particular configuration and assembly of the components of the seismic damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Willie B. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5974361
    Abstract: A method employed in a condition monitoring unit (CMU) for monitoring a circuit breaker or interrupter to obtain a substantially undistorted version of a waveform suffering from saturation distortion comprises employing a current transformer (CT) to measure a current waveform. The output of the CT is prone to be a partially distorted waveform. The invention is generic in the sense that it does not require parameters associated with the CT characteristics or with the burden impedance on the secondary side of the CT. A digital representation of the partially distorted waveform is obtained, and then undistorted portions of the partially distorted waveform are identified by comparing the amplitude of the partially distorted waveform within a sliding window to a pair of boundary values and identifying as undistorted those portions having an amplitude between the boundary values. Next, distorted portions of the waveform are separated from the undistorted portions, thereby yielding a data record with holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Khoi Vu, Aftab Khan
  • Patent number: 5966010
    Abstract: An electrical energy meter is provided with snap fit interlocking parts that eliminate the need for screws or fasteners. The current sensor, located within the meter, has a plurality of current conductors and a notched blade attached to each current conductor that functions as an interlocking component to the meter base without the need for additional fasteners. A circuit board used by the meter is attached to a plurality of integral posts projecting from the base and the periphery of the circuit board has a pair of spaced notches for connection to the ends of a radial communications antenna without the requirement for additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Garry Melvin Loy, Rodney C. Hemminger, Russell C. Broome, Mark L. Munday
  • Patent number: 5963734
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing point to point verification of devices in a SCADA system are provided. An intelligent electronic device (IED), having two modes of operation--normal and simulation--provides simulated IED data to a SCADA device on command. The IED is capable of continuing to perform its normal functions of monitoring a process under control during the simulation mode. The IED accepts simulation data either locally through a user interface or from a SCADA device over/through a communication port. The simulation data is then stored in a memory area of the IED. During simulation mode, the IED does not update the memory area but rather provides data from this area to a SCADA device on command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Ackerman, Steven A. Kunsman
  • Patent number: 5959523
    Abstract: Magnetic core structure of the stacked type having outer legs, at least one inner leg, and top and bottom yokes formed of a plurality of stacked groups of layers of metallic laminations. The yoke and leg laminations have their ends cut diagonally to provide a closed magnetic circuit having diagonal joints between adjoining ends of the yoke and leg laminations. The length dimensions of the inner leg laminations are uniform from layer to layer within each group, while the junction of the diagonally cut ends of the inner leg laminations are offset from the centerline thereof from layer to layer in a step pattern that progresses an equal number of steps on each side of the centerline of each group of layers of inner leg laminations to be step dependent. The configuration of the outer leg laminations and the top and bottom yoke laminations are uniform from layer to layer within each group to be step independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Johan Westberg
  • Patent number: 5959243
    Abstract: There is disclosed a plastic mating ring for a meter cover and base assembly. The mating ring includes provisions for attaching the meter cover to the mating ring and the mating ring also includes provisions for reducing distortions of the cylindrical wall of the mating ring when the ring is pulled tight against the edge of the meter cover during twisting of the cover onto the meter base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick L. Thiel
  • Patent number: 5956220
    Abstract: An adaptive distance relaying system provides improved performance for parallel circuit distance protection. The system utilizes the parallel circuit's current, when available, in conjunction with measurements of voltage and current on the protected line to compensate for the zero sequence current mutual coupling effect. The sequence current ratio (zero or negative sequence) is used to avoid incorrect compensation for relays on the healthy circuit. If the parallel circuit current is not available and the line operating status is, the best zero sequence current compensation factors are selected accordingly as a next level adaptation. If both the parallel circuit current and line operating status are unavailable, a fallback scheme that offers better results than classical distance protection schemes is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignees: ABB Power T&D Company Inc., ABB Network Partner AB
    Inventors: Damir Novosel, Yi Hu, Murari M. Saha
  • Patent number: 5953192
    Abstract: A solid state control system for controlling activation signals to circuit breaker electro-mechanical close coils is disclosed. The system employs a novel arrangement of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and other electronic components, such as a FET, to provide "anti-pump." The system locks out continuous close signals until after the close signal has been removed and then reapplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Tyner
  • Patent number: 5949017
    Abstract: High oleic acid triglyceride compositions that comprise fatty acid components of at least 75% oleic acid, less than 10% diunsaturated fatty acid component; less than 3% triunsaturated fatty acid component; and less than 8% saturated fatty acid component; and having the properties of a dielectric strength of at least 35 KV/100 mil gap, a dissipation factor of less than 0.05% at 25.degree. C., acidity of less than 0.03 mg KOH/g, electrical conductivity of less than 1 pS/m at 25.degree. C., a flash point of at least 250.degree. C. and a pour point of at least -15.degree. C. are disclosed. Electrical insulation fluids comprising the triglyceride composition are disclosed. Electrical insulation fluids that comprise the triglyceride composition and a combination of additives are disclosed. Electrical apparatuses comprising the electrical insulation fluids and the use of electrical insulation fluids to provide insulation in electrical apparatuses are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Thottathil V. Oommen, C. Clair Claiborne
  • Patent number: 5943229
    Abstract: A solid state transformer having an input stage operatively coupled to an isolation stage. The input stage converts a high voltage, single phase AC input voltage to a plurality of unisolated DC output voltages. Each unisolated DC output voltage is at a voltage level which is less than the voltage level of the AC input voltage and each of the unisolated DC output voltages is separately isolated in the isolation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Sudhoff
  • Patent number: 5940009
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting tampering with an electrical energy meter comprising a disconnect switch, interposed into feeder lines that deliver electrical energy from a voltage source to an electrical load, which switches between an open circuit in which electrical energy is not supplied to the electrical load and a closed circuit in which electrical energy is supplied to the electrical load, a load-side voltage sensor, which provides voltage signals indicative of load-side voltage, and a microprocessor that determines whether a tamper conditions exists by determining whether the disconnect switch is open or closed, determining whether a load-side voltage is present, and, if the disconnect switch is open and a load-side voltage is present, indicating that a tamper condition exists. The tamper detection apparatus preferably includes a communications module, connected to the microprocessor, for providing a two-way communications interface to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Garry M. Loy, Kenneth C. Shuey, Mark L. Munday, Rodney C. Hemminger
  • Patent number: 5938103
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for minimizing the distortion in cold pressure welding and producing a spot lap weld with a controlled thickness. A distortion control device is utilized which includes a cavity of predetermined depth and area adequate to receive the metal flow resulting from the spot lap weld to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Norris L. Hill, Thomas L. Lisenbardt, Kevin D. Ronden
  • Patent number: 5933073
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for establishing communications between electrical and electronic devices utilizing existing power signal distribution networks are disclosed. In such methods and apparatus the transmitting and receiving components of such devices are coupled between line and ground. Such coupling is achieved utilizing a coupler, a first frequency reactive device, such as a drain coil or inductor, connected in series with neutral and a second frequency reactive device, such as a capacitor connected between neutral ground. For use with existing electronic equipment, an adaptor for coupling the communications signal to a power signal distribution network is also disclosed. Since, line and neutral paths may sometimes be mis-wired, the apparatus and methods also disclose the use of a switch for enabling the coupling of a communication signal when a power signal is sensed on the line path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Shuey
  • Patent number: 5925201
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, significant time reduction in the assembly of a conductive transmission line is achieved by using a novel assembly process to adhesively bond sleeves having adhesive channels formed therein to a hollow conductor. Exemplary embodiments are quick, easy and avoid any need to reexamine the inner conductor and components attached thereto for imperfections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T & D Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold I. Marsden, Nathan J. Kelley, Edward M. Petrie
  • Patent number: 5923269
    Abstract: A solid state electrical meter incorporates the ability to support two-way radio, dialback telephone and CEBus personal LAN. These three communications media require different protocols to meet their respective requirements. Embedding multiple protocols within the meter controller makes the device extremely flexible for current and future applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Shuey, Robert T. Mason, Jr., Arnold W. Bragg, David C. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 5912604
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator and an automatic recloser incorporating such actuator are disclosed. The actuator is shown to include a housing, a permanent magnet member, a coil, an armature, mounted to move axially within the housing between first and second positions, and a non-magnetic spacer. The armature, when in the second position, is spaced a distance from the housing by the spacer. The spacer is mounted to stop movement of the armature in the second position. In the preferred embodiment, the permanent magnet member includes a core and a number of magnet segments attached thereto. It is especially preferred for each of the permanent magnet segments to be arcuate shaped and that each segment be polarized substantially radially or in a direction parallel to the center radius of each segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian James Harvey, Aftab H. Khan, Robert A. Smith, James E. Smith
  • Patent number: D412859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick L. Thiel