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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for accurately detecting and monitoring leakage currents on porcelain and glass insulator disc strings is disclosed. The sensor apparatus includes a sensor unit configured to attach to a cap of an insulator disc string. The sensor unit includes a sensor disc configured to surround the cap and a housing connected to the sensor disc. The sensor disc includes a conducting lower disc set, a conducting upper disc set, an insulating disc set sandwiched between the upper and lower conducting disc sets, and a conducting mesh connected to a bottom of the lower disc set. The housing including electronics configured to measure and communicate leakage currents on an insulator disc. Leakage currents on a surface of the insulator disc are intercepted by the sensor disc and transferred to the housing for processing and communication by the electronics.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and method is disclosed. The heat pump water heater includes a stratified water tank configured to hold water of different temperatures therein and a heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit includes a pump configured to remove water from a bottom of the stratified tank, a heat pump having a condenser configured to receive the water from the pump and supply heat to the water flowing through the condenser such that the condenser heats the water to a pre-determined temperature, and a resistance heater configured to receive the heated water from the condenser. The resistance heater supplies additional heat to the water if the pre-determined temperature of the water exiting the condenser does not equal or exceed a pre-determined set-point. The heated water from the resistance heater is supplied to a top of the stratified tank for use by a residence or utility.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for inspecting high voltage insulators is disclosed. The inspection apparatus includes a first platform having first and second linkages, at least one outer gripping mechanism having first and second arms extending outwardly from the first platform, a second slidable platform adapted to slide along the first and second linkages, and at least one inner gripping mechanism having third and fourth arms extending outwardly from the second slidable platform. The outer and inner gripping mechanisms are adapted to move between an open position where the insulator is received by the outer and inner gripping mechanisms and a closed position where the outer and inner gripping mechanisms engage the insulator.

Abstract: An organic synthesis of materials to achieve removal of low molecular weight ionic species, such as transition metal ions including cobalt, iron, nickel, and zinc, from aqueous solutions. The synthesis includes the steps of providing a cation exchange resin, functionalizing the cation exchange resin using a chloride intermediate to form a sulfonyl chloride resin, and reacting a multi-amine based ligand with the sulfonyl chloride resin to form a sequestration resin. The synthesis further includes the steps of cooling the sequestration resin, and washing and drying the sequestration resin.

Abstract: A system and method for anomaly detection is provided. The system (100) and method (200) include utilizing one or more processors, such as in a server, for receiving (108) operational and dynamics data (104) from sensors associated with devices (102), filtering the data, establishing a set of baseline dynamics data and eliminating data dependencies (110). The system and method further include generating an expected level of data variation (112), identifying an anomaly based on a deviation of the device data from the baseline data normalized by the expected level of data variation (114), optionally correlating an anomaly with potential causes, and providing an output indicating an anomaly (116).

Abstract: A system and method for post-tensioned tendon monitoring includes at least one optical sensor arranged in monitoring proximity to a post-tensioned tendon, a test instrument in communication with the optical sensor, a processor capable of managing operation of the test instrument, a storage device and a display. They further include a database adapted to contain sensor baseline information and sensor measurement data. The test instrument is capable of sending a first wavelength to the optical sensor and receiving a second wavelength from the optical sensor, wherein at least one of the instrument or the processor is configured to analyze the second wavelength and output sensor measurement data for storage in the database. The processor is configured to calculate an amount of tensile loading which exists in the post-tensioned tendon, based on the sensor measurement data and the sensor baseline data, and to provide an output.

Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.

Abstract: A conductor cleaning system for cleaning aluminum strands of all aluminum and steel reinforced conductors, such as ACSS, ACSR, ACAR, and AAA. The conductor cleaning system having a container adapted to receive a portion of a conductor to be cleaned, a housing adapted to receive and support the container, and a cleaning solution contained in the container for cleaning the portion of the conductor. The cleaning solution being adapted to clean the conductor without reacting with or damaging the conductor.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting electrical power transmission lines is provided. The electrical connector is capable of conducting 1×106 to 2.5×106 siemens per meter squared (S/m2), and includes a base metal having a surface layer doped with a conductive material dopant. The conductive dopant material improves the reliability and performance of the electrical connector. An electrical power transmission system including electrical power transmission lines connected by the electrical connector, and a method of joining power transmission lines with the electrical connector are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for handling synchrophasor measurements relating to an electrical power system. The method includes: (a) acquiring a plurality of synchrophasor measurements containing data representing at least one power system event; (b) inserting and storing the event related synchrophasor measurements in a database as a partitioned binary large object (BLOB); (c) reading and transferring the synchrophasor measurements related to a user selected current or historical event from the database to a client computer partition by partition; and (d) processing the event data at the client computer on a partition-by-partition basis such that the client computer will be able to start a replay of the event replay as soon as processing of the first partition of the event BLOB data is completed.

Abstract: A composite component having a two layer protective coating is disclosed. The composite component is adapted for use in the power transmission industry and includes a fiberglass inner core, a pliable first coating layer applied to the fiberglass core, and a hard second coating layer applied to the first coating layer.

Abstract: An underground utility vault inspection system and method includes a pre-defined railway installed in an underground utility vault, and an inspection vehicle adapted to traverse the railway to provide inspection results to inspection personnel. The inspection vehicle includes inspection tools for inspecting underground power lines and equipment, recording inspection results, and transmitting the inspection results to the inspection personnel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously monitoring substation disconnects and transmission line switches to detect improper closing of the disconnects or switches is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing an apparatus adapted to measure, process, and transmit data associated with a disconnect or switch. The method further includes the steps of positioning the apparatus on or in close proximity to the disconnect or switch, using the apparatus to collect data of the disconnect or switch and processing the data for transmission to a remote receiver, and transmitting the processed data to a remote receiver.

Abstract: An insulator inspection tool and method for identifying defects or conditions that may prevent the insulator from performing properly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a launcher adapted to launch a projectile towards an insulator being tested, a listening device adapted to receive a response signal from the insulator upon being struck by the projectile, and a processing device adapted to measure the response signal received by the listening device and process the response signal to determine whether the insulator contains any defects or conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overhead transmission line inspection robot and system for inspecting transmission line components and right of way conditions. The overhead transmission line inspection robot includes a communications and control system adapted to control the robot and transmit information and a drive system for propelling the robot along a shield wire to enable inspection over a large area. The robot further includes a camera adapted to inspect right of way and component conditions; a light detection and ranging (LiDar) sensor adapted to measure conductor position, vegetation, and nearby structures; and a global positioning system adapted to identify the robot's position and speed.

Abstract: A method for measuring the temperature of an electrical conductor, the method comprising (a) providing a clamp comprising a flexible, thermally conductive material in thermal contact with the electrical conductor, wherein the clamp has an outer surface of a known emissivity value, or a coating of a known emissivity value is disposed on the outer surface of the clamp and (b) measuring the infrared (IR) temperature of the clamp to determine the temperature of the electrical conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an overhead transmission line inspection robot and system for inspecting transmission line components and right of way conditions. The line inspection robot includes at least one drive system for propelling the robot along a line, a platform adapted to pivot relative to the at least one drive system, and a control system adapted to control the robot.

Abstract: A method of compensating for thermal contraction of superconducting and cryo-resistive cables. The method includes the steps of determining a compensation length for a cable such that when the cable is subjected to an operating temperature, the cable is in or near a stress-free state, and installing the cable into a pipe such that portions of the cable extend outwardly past ends of the pipe. The method further includes the steps of marking each end of the cable such that the determined compensation length is visibly shown, forcing the cable into the pipe at an ambient installation temperature such that a cable pattern is formed therein, and maintaining the cable in the pipe to prevent the cable from being pushed out of the pipe.

Abstract: A system and method for post-tensioned tendon monitoring includes at least one optical sensor arranged in monitoring proximity to a post-tensioned tendon, a test instrument in communication with the optical sensor, and a processor capable of managing operation of the test instrument, a storage device and a display. The system and method further include a database adapted to contain sensor baseline information and sensor measurement data. The test instrument is capable of sending a first wavelength to the optical sensor and receiving a second wavelength from the optical sensor, wherein at least one of the instrument or the processor is configured to analyze the second wavelength and output sensor measurement data for storage in the database. The processor is configured to calculate an amount of tensile loading which exists in the post-tensioned tendon, based on the sensor measurement data and the sensor baseline data, and to provide an output.