Patents Assigned to Power Monitors
  • Patent number: 10466139
    Abstract: A system and method as disclosed herein develops a predicted current remaining useful life (RUL) of a component through a generalized fault and usage model that is designed through a process of simplifying Paris' Law (or other power law) in conjunction with a Kalman Smoother (or other filtering technique). One of the many advantages of this state observer technique is that the backward/forward filtering technique employed by the Kalman Smoother has no phase delay, which allows for the development of a generalized, zero tuning model that provides an improved component health trend, and therefore a better estimate of the predicted current RUL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 10365297
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a tachometer signal from a vibration sensor is disclosed in which an approximately idealized band pass filter is used along with a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to create a sufficient analytic signal to derive the tachometer signal for a shaft or other rotating component. In addition, jitter in the generated tachometer signal, or any tachometer signal, can be reduced by using an approximately idealized low pass filter and then transforming the filtered signal using a real FFT. These processes can be performed using a smart vibration sensor, which facilitates improved vibration analysis on rotating equipment where in the past the addition of a tachometer would be prohibitive due to cost, weight, certification requirements, or physical impracticality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 10262516
    Abstract: An integrated hanger bearing monitor is provided for reducing installation time and added weight that includes a sensor and an interconnect on a mounting bracket that is sized and configured to be attached to a hanger bearing mounting bracket via connectors that mount the hanger bearing mounting bracket to the helicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 10197594
    Abstract: Assessing and removing jitter from tachometer signals enhances the performance of condition monitoring systems where accurate tachometer signals are needed. A system as disclosed herein can be designed and configured to have a low order of operations, so as to allow for implementation on low cost microcontrollers, which can be important for bused, distributed monitoring systems in which the tachometer zero crossing data is collected at a tachometer sensor and then broadcast to other remote sensors needing that information for vibration or other advanced analysis. Moreover, for monolithic architecture systems (e.g., a centralized processing and control architecture), the low order of operation and small software code base allows the system to be a simple/low cost addition to existing monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Publication number: 20180261022
    Abstract: A system is provided for aircraft that automates the download of flight data in the event of a hard landing or mishap that can increase the likelihood that the flight data is preserved so the flight data could be used to facilitate the reconstruction of events leading up to the flight mishap. An aircraft regime recognition technique is provided in which measured parameters are used to determine a likely regime based on a noise tolerant algorithm that is both scalable and has a low computational complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 10060957
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of power quality devices for continuously measuring and buffering power quality data and transmitting the buffered power quality data on a periodic basis and one or more cloud-based servers communicatively coupled to the plurality of power quality devices. The one or more cloud-based servers are operable to: receive the buffered data transmitted by the power quality devices; decompress and store the buffered data in a database; and display on a web page one or more of a stripchart, daily profile, histogram, waveform, vector diagram, harmonic bar chart, and 3D harmonic graph generated using the stored data. The system also includes one or more computing devices communicatively coupled to the plurality of power quality devices and the one or more cloud-based servers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter M. Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Publication number: 20180059135
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a tachometer signal from a vibration sensor is disclosed in which an approximately idealized band pass filter is used along with a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to create a sufficient analytic signal to derive the tachometer signal for a shaft or other rotating component. In addition, jitter in the generated tachometer signal, or any tachometer signal, can be reduced by using an approximately idealized low pass filter and then transforming the filtered signal using a real FFT. These processes can be performed using a smart vibration sensor, which facilitates improved vibration analysis on rotating equipment where in the past the addition of a tachometer would be prohibitive due to cost, weight, certification requirements, or physical impracticality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Green Power Monitoring Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Publication number: 20170350919
    Abstract: Assessing and removing jitter from tachometer signals enhances the performance of condition monitoring systems where accurate tachometer signals are needed. A system as disclosed herein can be designed and configured to have a low order of operations, so as to allow for implementation on low cost microcontrollers, which can be important for bused, distributed monitoring systems in which the tachometer zero crossing data is collected at a tachometer sensor and then broadcast to other remote sensors needing that information for vibration or other advanced analysis. Moreover, for monolithic architecture systems (e.g., a centralized processing and control architecture), the low order of operation and small software code base allows the system to be a simple/low cost addition to existing monitoring systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Green Power Monitoring Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Publication number: 20170350913
    Abstract: A suspension system for a health and usage monitoring system including an inertial measurement unit is provided that includes a plurality of elastomer standoffs coupled between an enclosure of the health and usage monitoring system and an electronics board of the health and usage monitoring system thereby allowing for hysteretic damping to reduce vibration and shock experienced by the electronics board and inertial measurement unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Publication number: 20170352239
    Abstract: An integrated hanger bearing monitor is provided for reducing installation time and added weight that includes a sensor and an interconnect on a mounting bracket that is sized and configured to be attached to a hanger bearing mounting bracket via connectors that mount the hanger bearing mounting bracket to the helicopter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 9823345
    Abstract: A helicopter rotor blade performance system (BPS) allows for accurate determination of blade track height and blade track phase while reducing size, weight, and complexity of the system. The BPS uses sensing technology that is scalable to adapt to a variety of helicopters and is readily and unobtrusively installed. The BPS includes a bused smart system methodology that can directly measure track height, while phase can be estimated using the time synchronous average of the magnitude or range of the return signal from a radar wave. The BPS includes a rotation monitor, radar tracker, and control unit, that allows for a determination of the track errors and consequentially whether a track rebalancing should occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 9778281
    Abstract: Assessing and removing jitter from tachometer signals enhances the performance of condition monitoring systems where accurate tachometer signals are needed. A system as disclosed herein can be designed and configured to have a low order of operations, so as to allow for implementation on low cost microcontrollers, which can be important for bused, distributed monitoring systems in which the tachometer zero crossing data is collected at a tachometer sensor and then broadcast to other remote sensors needing that information for vibration or other advanced analysis. Moreover, for monolithic architecture systems (e.g., a centralized processing and control architecture), the low order of operation and small software code base allows the system to be a simple/low cost addition to existing monitoring systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Green Power Monitoring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Robert Bechhoefer
  • Patent number: 9519559
    Abstract: A demand management monitoring system including a remote measurement device including a microprocessor for calculating RMS voltage data from digital samples and a wireless communications device, and a server system including a database configured to store the RMS voltage data from the remote measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 9404943
    Abstract: A safe powerline communications instrumentation front end device including a voltage input for receiving a line voltage from a powerline, a voltage reducer for reducing the voltage of the line voltage, a filtering system for extracting a Power Line Communications (PLC) signal from the line voltage, and an analog output for outputting the PLC signal as an analog signal for communications test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 9202383
    Abstract: A method and system for connecting monitoring equipment is provided. A user is provided with instant voice feedback as they are connecting monitoring equipment. Such feedback can reduce or eliminate confusing hookup instructions and enable the user to use both hands to safely connect the equipment without the distraction of looking at hard-to-read probe markings or connection labels. The use of a voice output reduces or avoids problems of poor visibility and reduced hearing in typical industrial environments, using arc flash safety gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Publication number: 20140253097
    Abstract: A safe powerline communications instrumentation front end device including a voltage input for receiving a line voltage from a powerline, a voltage reducer for reducing the voltage of the line voltage, a filtering system for extracting a Power Line Communications (PLC) signal from the line voltage, and an analog output for outputting the PLC signal as an analog signal for communications test equipment
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 8773108
    Abstract: A safe powerline communications instrumentation front end device including a voltage input for receiving a line voltage from a powerline, a voltage reducer for reducing the voltage of the line voltage, a filtering system for extracting a Power Line Communications (PLC) signal from the line voltage, and an analog output for outputting the PLC signal as an analog signal for communications test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 8775109
    Abstract: A demand management monitoring system including a remote measurement device including a microprocessor for calculating RMS voltage data from digital samples and a wireless communications device, and a server system including a database configured to store the RMS voltage data from the remote measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 8125345
    Abstract: A system is provided in which the voltage phases, neutral, and ground are monitored and an alarm is generated if specific trigger conditions are met. These conditions are indicative of a possible loose neutral, loose wiring, or general over/under voltage condition. Specific algorithms can be used to determine the possibility of a loose wiring condition, and if limits are met, various alarm modes are started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Power Monitors
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins
  • Patent number: 8037969
    Abstract: A system for improving the efficiency of drive-through delivery systems is provided. The system can provide complete error tracking and feedback; however, partial or no error tracking and/or feedback can be provided if desired. Errors in order fulfillment can be reduced. Detailed information on product weight and delivery timing can be provided. By analyzing the weight distributions of each food item or any other suitable measurements, production quality and consistency may be monitored. By analyzing the delivery times for each food item type or any other suitable measurements, production efficiency and restaurant work flow may be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Power Monitors, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Curt, Christopher Mullins