Patents Assigned to Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
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Patent number: 11346874Abstract: A system may include a device that controls power to an electrical component of an electrical power distribution system. The system may also include a voltage detection device that may detect a presence of a voltage within a distance. The system may further include a control system that may receive location information via a receiver communicatively coupled to the control system, and adjust more operations of the device based on at least in part of the location information. The location information may be transmitted by the voltage detection device in response to detecting that the presence of the voltage is within the distance. The location information may correspond to the electrical component.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Christopher Michael Wilson
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Publication number: 20220158826Abstract: A system includes an entropy device configured to generate and distribute input entropy data and an intelligent electronic device (IED) of an electric power distribution system. The IED is configured to perform operations that include receiving the input entropy data distributed by the entropy device, generating a set of keys using the input entropy data, and establishing a Media Access Control Security (MACsec) communication link using the set of keys.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Colin Gordon, Dennis Gammel
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Patent number: 11336564Abstract: This disclosure pertains to identifying a host using parallel redundancy protocol (PRP) and properly configuring communication circuits for the device in a software defined network (SDN). In one embodiment, a system includes a network in communication with a first communication host and a second communication host, the network comprising a plurality of switches interconnected with a plurality of physical links. An SDN controller in communication with the network includes a PRP identification subsystem to identify PRP traffic from the first communication host and destined for the second communication host. The SDN controller generates a first address resolution protocol (ARP) message directed to the second communication host and receive a first response from the second communication host to the ARP message that conforms to PRP. Based on the response, a traffic routing subsystem provisions communication flows between the first communication host and the second communication host to route PRP traffic.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Tristan Lloyd Mullis, Rhett Smith
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Publication number: 20220146557Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for controlling part of an electric power distribution system using an intelligent electronic device that may rely on communication from wireless electrical measurement devices. Wireless electrical measurement devices associated with different phases of power on an electric power distribution system may send wireless messages containing electrical measurements for respective phases to an intelligent electronic device. When wireless communication with one of the wireless electrical measurement devices becomes inconsistent or lost, the intelligent electronic device may synthesize the electrical measurements of the missing phase using electrical measurements of remaining phases. The intelligent electronic device may use the synthesized electrical measurements to control part of the electric power distribution system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Kei Hao
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Publication number: 20220140863Abstract: A system includes a switch of an electric power distribution system, the switch being configured to receive data and to transmit data, and the system includes a controller configured to communicatively couple to the switch. The controller is configured to create a software defined network by instructing the switch to transmit data to a location, and the controller is configured to generate a set of keys and to provide the set of keys to the switch to enable the switch to communicate data via a Media Access Security (MACsec) communication link, a MACsec key agreement (MKA) connectivity association, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Colin Gordon, Duane C. Skelton
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Patent number: 11323362Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to improving resilience to single event upsets (“SEUs”) in a software-defined network (“SDN”). In one embodiment, a system may include a communications interface to receive and transmit a data packet. A primary data flow repository may store a plurality of communication flows to be used to route the data packet. A secondary data flow repository may store a subset of communication flows to be used to route a data packet. A system may search the plurality of communication flows in the primary data flow repository based on a criteria associated with the data packet. If no communication flow satisfies the criteria, a secondary data flow repository may be searched. The data packet may be routed according to a communication flow in the secondary data flow repository. The communication flow from the secondary data flow repository may be duplicated in the primary data flow repository.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: David J. Powers, Kylan T. Robinson
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Patent number: 11320495Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to determine fault types and/or directions even during a loss of potential by receiving, at one or more processors, an indication of a pre-fault power flow direction for a power delivery system. The one or more processors then determine a fault direction during a fault for the power delivery system using current vector angles and the pre-fault power flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Kanchanrao Gangadhar Dase, Mohammed Shabbir Pithapur
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Patent number: 11320475Abstract: A testing apparatus for imposing a traveling wave signal on an electric system signal for testing a fault detector is disclosed herein. The fault detector may be configured to simulate a fault at a particular location by controlling the timing of the traveling wave signal. The testing apparatus may be configured to impose multiple traveling wave signals to test the accuracy of the fault location determined by the fault detector. The testing apparatus may be configured to determine the calculation accuracy of the fault detector. The testing apparatus may impose a traveling wave signal on a signal simulating an electrical signal on an electric power delivery system. The testing apparatus may be used to test capabilities of a fault detector of detecting a fault using traveling waves or incremental quantities.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: David E. Whitehead, Tony J. Lee, Zachary King Sheffield, Tracey G. Windley
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Publication number: 20220131366Abstract: Primary protection relays and an integrator disclosed for providing primary protection and secondary applications for an electric power delivery system. The primary protection relays obtain signals from, and provide primary protection operations for the power system, and may operate independently from the integrator. An integrator receives signals and status communications from the primary protection relays to perform secondary applications for the electric power delivery system. The secondary applications may include backup protection, system protection, interconnected protection, and automation functions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Tony J. Lee, Krishnanjan Gubba Ravikumar
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Publication number: 20220128014Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED) may monitor wet stack residue buildup of a diesel engine. Once the wet stack residue accumulates to a certain amount, the IED may perform a mitigation procedure. Additionally, tracking wet stack residue buildup may allow an IED to attempt to prevent or reduce accumulation of the wet stack residue. The IED may track an operating power level of the diesel engine to estimate the rate of residue buildup.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2022Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ellery A. Blood, Scott M. Manson
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Patent number: 11316455Abstract: Detection and protection against electric power generator rotor turn-to-turn faults, rotor multi-point-to-ground faults, and rotor permanent magnet faults is provided herein. A fractional harmonic signal is used to determine the rotor fault condition. The fractional harmonic signal may be a fractional harmonic magnitude of the circulating current of one phase. The fractional harmonic may be a fractional harmonic magnitude of a neutral voltage. A tripping subsystem may issue a trip command based upon detection of a rotor turn-to-turn fault condition.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Matchyaraju Alla, Ritwik Chowdhury, Normann Fischer, Dale S. Finney, Rogerio Scharlach
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Patent number: 11316349Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a recloser control that provides autosynchronization of a microgrid to an area electric power system (EPS). For example, a recloser control may include an output connector that is communicatively coupled to a recloser at a point of common coupling (PCC) between the area EPS and the microgrid. The recloser control may include a processor that acquires a first set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the area EPS and acquires a second set of measurements indicating electrical characteristics of the microgrid. The recloser control may send synchronization signals to one or more distributed energy resource (DER) controllers to synchronize one or more DERs to the area EPS based on the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Craig Thompson, Scott M Manson
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Patent number: 11313887Abstract: Systems and methods for calculating load direction even under adverse environmental conditions are provided. A system may include sensing circuitry and processing circuitry. The sensing circuitry may sense a first parameter and a second parameter of the electrical waveform on the transmission line of the electric power distribution system. The processing circuitry may determine a present load direction of an electrical waveform using a first method based at least in part on the first parameter in response to detecting that the sensing circuitry is experiencing a first environmental condition. The processing circuitry may determine the present load direction of the electrical waveform using a second method based at least in part on the second parameter and not the first parameter in response to detecting that the sensing circuitry is experiencing a second environmental condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Kei Hao
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Patent number: 11309975Abstract: An optically powered Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) antenna may use a fiber-optic link to receive optical power and transmit an optical signal that contains a common time signal from one or more satellites, which may allow long-distance power and signal transmission with high efficiency and reliability. The common time signal may be used to synchronize intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) of an electric power delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Daniel B. Rippon
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Patent number: 11307264Abstract: Phase selection for traveling wave fault detection systems is disclosed herein. Intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) may be used to monitor and protect electric power delivery systems by detecting and acting upon traveling waves. A phase of the electric power delivery system may be selected based on the relative polarity of the traveling waves detected. The amplitude and/or polarity of the selected phase may be compared with the amplitudes and/or polarities of the other phases to determine a fault condition. For instance, the IED may determine a single-phase-to-ground fault based on the relative polarities and magnitudes of the detected traveling waves, send a protective action to the identified faulted phase, and/or continue to monitor the system for a continuation of the event or identification of a different event, such as a three-phase fault, using incremental quantities.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Armando Guzman-Casillas, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam
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Publication number: 20220116367Abstract: A system includes an intelligent electronic device (IED) of an electric power distribution system and a key device. The key device is configured to perform operations that include receiving a request from the TED for communication with an additional component of the electrical power distribution system, establishing a Media Access Control security key agreement (MKA) connectivity association with the TED in response to receipt of the request, generating a security association key (SAK) in response to receipt of the request, and distributing the SAK to the IED via the MKA connectivity association to enable the TED to use the SAK to communicate via a Media Access Control security (MACsec) communication link that is isolated from the key device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Colin Gordon
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Publication number: 20220115858Abstract: An arc-flash sensor may provide flexibilities for supporting both surface mounting and peek-through mounting on a panel (e.g., a wall panel or an electrical panel). The arc-flash sensor includes a translucent optical lens, a fiber-optic cable, and a skirt around the back side of the optical lens. The translucent optical lens diffuses the light produced in an arc flash to enhance the detectability of light signals picked by the fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable enters parallel to the panel and perpendicular to principal axis of the optical lens. The parallel fiber-optic cable configuration reduces sensor installation space occupied and potential damage to the sensor. The skirt is used to prevent false tripping caused by unexpected events on the fiber-optic cable side such as camera flashes, lightning, sunlight, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Joshua E. Hughes, Gerald K. Hein, Aaron B. Burton
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Publication number: 20220116103Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for a wireless radio repeater for integration in an electric power distribution system. Such a system may include an electrical measurement device and a wireless radio repeater. The electrical measurement device may be installed on a power line of an electric power distribution system, obtain an electrical measurement of the power line of the electric power distribution system, and transmit a wireless message indicating the electrical measurement. The wireless radio repeater may receive the wireless message from the electrical measurement device and re-transmit the wireless message to a control system of the electric power distribution system or to another wireless radio repeater to assist in sending the wireless message to the control system of the electric power distribution system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Miralem Cosic, Raymond W. Rice
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Publication number: 20220116391Abstract: A system includes an intelligent electronic device (IED) and a proxy device communicatively coupled to the TED via a Media Access Control (MACsec) communication link. The proxy device is configured to perform operations that include receiving permissions data, receiving a request to perform an action associated with the TED, determining whether the action is authorized based on the permissions data, and transmitting data to the TED via the MACsec communication link in response to determining that the action is authorized.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Colin Gordon, Dennis Gammel
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Publication number: 20220115826Abstract: A system includes a jack screw including a body portion and a keyed portion extending along a length of the body portion. The system includes a panel including a first aperture configured to receive the jack screw. The system includes a connector including a second aperture configured to receive the jack screw. The system includes a plate including a third aperture configured to receive the jack screw, where the jack screw is configured to be aligned along an axis through the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third plate aperture, where a portion of the body portion of the jack screw extends past a locking plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Brian D. LaFerriere