Patents Assigned to SMART WIRES INC.
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Patent number: 9906031Abstract: The disclosure is generally directed to reactance modules or DSRs (30) that may be mounted on a power transmission line (16) of a power transmission system (400). A DSR (30) may be configured in a bypass mode or in an injection mode (where reactance is injected into the corresponding line (16)). Multiple DSRs (30) installed on a power line section (18) define an array (410) and have a dedicated controller (440). Such an array (410) and controller (440) may be installed on a number of different power line sections (18). The controller (440) for each array (410) may communicate with a DSR server (420), which in turn may communicate with a utility-side control system (430). Each DSR (30) may incorporate one or more features directed to core (50) configurations and assembly, communications, modal configuration control, fault protection, EMI shielding, DSR (30) assembly, and DSR (30) installation.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: SMART WIRES INC.Inventors: Stewart Ramsay, Frances Bell
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Patent number: 9843176Abstract: An installation fixture for installing a device on a power line is disclosed. The fixture includes a lower cradle that may receive one part of the device, an upper cradle that may receive another part of the device, and a base. The installation fixture may be installed on a worker carrier for a boom truck or the like. The orientation of the lower cradle may be adjusted relative to the base to facilitate the installation on the power line. The upper cradle may be moved between an open position (where the parts may be loaded into the fixture) and a closed position (where the power line is captured between the two parts of the device) and at which time that parts can be secured together.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: SMART WIRES INC.Inventors: Woody J. Gibson, Michael L. Timmer, David L. Ayers, Julie A. Couillard
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Patent number: 9753059Abstract: A device for use in a power transmission system to sense GICs. The device may be a part of a reactance-injecting device on a power line, it may be a standalone device, or it may be a part of another type of device. The device may include a sensor to sense magnetic fields (e.g., a Hall effect sensor). The sensor may be positioned in the air gap of a magnetic core formed concentrically around the power line. The signal from the sensor may be converted to a digital signal and separately processed to determine the magnitude of the AC current and the magnitude of the DC (or quasi-DC) current. If the output signal of another A/C current sensor is available, that output signal may be used to adjust/calibrate the determined magnitude of the DC current. The sensor may communicate with other devices in a network to provide GIC information.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: SMART WIRES, INC.Inventors: Frank Kreikebaum, Paul Phillipsen, Stuart E. Ross, Yuli Starodubtsev
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Patent number: 9217762Abstract: A device for use in a power transmission system to sense GICs. The device may be a part of a reactance-injecting device on a power line, it may be a standalone device, or it may be a part of another type of device. The device may include a sensor to sense magnetic fields (e.g., a Hall effect sensor). The sensor may be positioned in the air gap of a magnetic core formed concentrically around the power line. The signal from the sensor may be converted to a digital signal and separately processed to determine the magnitude of the AC current and the magnitude of the DC (or quasi-DC) current. If the output signal of another A/C current sensor is available, that output signal may be used to adjust/calibrate the determined magnitude of the DC current. The sensor may communicate with other devices in a network to provide GIC information.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: SMART WIRES INC.Inventors: Frank Kreikebaum, Paul Phillipsen, Stuart E. Ross, Yuli Starodubtsev
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Patent number: 9172246Abstract: Phase balancing techniques for power transmission systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a phase balancing protocol (240) includes executing a first phase balancing protocol (350) in relation to a first power transmission section (400a). A second phase balancing protocol (370) may be executed if the first phase balancing protocol (350) is unable to provide a phase balanced condition. The first phase balancing protocol (350) may utilize a first ordering sequence (364) to rank the current flow on the power lines (16) of the first power transmission section (400a), while the second phase balancing protocol (370) may utilize a second ordering sequence (384) to rank the current flow on the power lines (16) of the first power transmission section (400a). The order sequences (364, 384) are opposite of each other—one ranks the current flows from high-to-low, and the other ranks the current flow from low-to-high.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: SMART WIRES INC.Inventors: Stewart Ramsay, Julie A. Couillard, Andrija Sadikovic
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Publication number: 20150270689Abstract: An installation fixture for installing a device on a power line is disclosed. The fixture includes a lower cradle that may receive one part of the device, an upper cradle that may receive another part of the device, and a base. The installation fixture may be installed on a worker carrier for a boom truck or the like. The orientation of the lower cradle may be adjusted relative to the base to facilitate the installation on the power line. The upper cradle may be moved between an open position (where the parts may be loaded into the fixture) and a closed position (where the power line is captured between the two parts of the device) and at which time that parts can be secured together.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: SMART WIRES INC.Inventors: Woody J. Gibson, Michael L. Timmer, David L. Ayers, Julie A. Couillard