Patents by Inventor Alan E. Freeman
Alan E. Freeman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230325332Abstract: A method is performed by a bus coupler of a subnetwork of one or more local subnetworks coupled to an overall network is provided, including performing a local discovery process for discovering and identifying one or more bus devices included in the subnetwork. The method further includes submitting an internet protocol (IP) address request to obtain an IP address for the bus coupler, receiving at the bus coupler the IP address of the bus coupler in response to the IP address assignment request, submitting a configuration request for configuration information associated with a device name for the bus coupler, receiving the configuration information in response to the configuration request, and configuring at least one feature of the bus coupler using the configuration information, wherein the device name is based on identifier(s) of the respective one or more bus devices obtained by the discovery process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Alan E. Freeman, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Kevin Jefferies
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Patent number: 11646681Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Alan E. Freeman, Richard K Weiler, Matthew L. White
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Publication number: 20220399837Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Alan E. FREEMAN, Richard K WEILER, Matthew L. WHITE
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Patent number: 11451171Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Alan E. Freeman, Richard K Weiler, Matthew L. White
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Patent number: 11353485Abstract: A measurement module receives a defined system topology and system component characteristics information for a system. The measurement module calculates an expected system impedance for the defined system topology. The measurement module collects one or more impedance measurements using a high frequency voltage stimulus. Finally, the measurement module compares the one or more impedance measurements with the expected system impedance to determine adequacy of protective grounding of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Matthew L. White, Benjamin W. Edwards, Richard K. Weiler, Alan E. Freeman
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Patent number: 11333690Abstract: A measurement module uses harmonic compensation factors to minimize the effects of harmonic distortion in measurements of a source current by a current sensor of the module. The module samples at a first sampling rate, measurements of the source current to generate a first current measurement. The module samples at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate, for an interval of time, measurements of the source current to generate a second current measurement. The module determines a harmonic compensation factor based, at least, on a difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement. The module determines a reported current computed as a function of at least the first current measurement, the difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and the harmonic compensation factor. The reported current represents a magnitude of the source current adjusted by the harmonic compensation factor.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Richard K. Weiler, Alan E. Freeman
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Publication number: 20220103549Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided to automatically adjust a device setting of a plurality of networked devices. The method includes performing autonomously at a device of the plurality of networked devices, receiving a request to update a device setting to a new value, comparing a characteristic of the plurality of networked devices to a corresponding characteristic of the device, determining one or more similar devices of the plurality of devices that satisfy a similarity criteria based on a result of the comparison, and accessing the one or more similar devices to change the device setting of the one or more similar devices to the new value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Matthew L. White, Richard K. Weiler, Alan E. Freeman
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Publication number: 20210247429Abstract: A measurement module receives a defined system topology and system component characteristics information for a system. The measurement module calculates an expected system impedance for the defined system topology. The measurement module collects one or more impedance measurements using a high frequency voltage stimulus. Finally, the measurement module compares the one or more impedance measurements with the expected system impedance to determine adequacy of protective grounding of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2020Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Matthew L. WHITE, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Richard K. WEILER, Alan E. FREEMAN
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Publication number: 20210181243Abstract: A measurement module uses harmonic compensation factors to minimize the effects of harmonic distortion in measurements of a source current by a current sensor of the module. The module samples at a first sampling rate, measurements of the source current to generate a first current measurement. The module samples at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate, for an interval of time, measurements of the source current to generate a second current measurement. The module determines a harmonic compensation factor based, at least, on a difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement. The module determines a reported current computed as a function of at least the first current measurement, the difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and the harmonic compensation factor. The reported current represents a magnitude of the source current adjusted by the harmonic compensation factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Richard K. WEILER, Alan E. FREEMAN
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Publication number: 20210135942Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring a computing device in a computing environment are provided. One embodiment includes determining that the computing device has been added to a computing environment and that at least one feature of the computing device is unconfigured. Device name data specifying at least two potential device identifiers for the computing device is received from a plurality of endpoint devices communicatively coupled to the computing device. A first device identifier is selected from the at least two potential device identifiers and device configuration data associated with the first device identifier is requested from a device configuration server. The at least one feature of the computing device can then be configured using the device configuration data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Matthew L. White, Alan E. Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler
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Publication number: 20210119441Abstract: A progressive protection method automatically adapts a protection trip delay or fault timeout for a motor that is a member of a group of motors performing mutually similar or related tasks, based on the occurrence of a fault in another motor within the group, without requiring manual intervention. If the user requires stringent protection of the motors in a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be shortened in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group. Alternatively, if the user prefers continuity of service for a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be increased in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group, based on past experience with the occurrence of fault self-clearing for the motors in the group.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Matthew L. WHITE, Alan E. FREEMAN, Richard K. WEILER
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Patent number: 10985550Abstract: A progressive protection method automatically adapts a protection trip delay or fault timeout for a motor that is a member of a group of motors performing mutually similar or related tasks, based on the occurrence of a fault in another motor within the group, without requiring manual intervention. If the user requires stringent protection of the motors in a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be shortened in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group. Alternatively, if the user prefers continuity of service for a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be increased in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group, based on past experience with the occurrence of fault self-clearing for the motors in the group.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Alan E. Freeman, Richard K. Weiler
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Publication number: 20200403537Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2019Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Alan E. FREEMAN, Richard K WEILER, Matthew L. WHITE
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Patent number: 10637383Abstract: A system and method is provided to monitor wear on a power factor correction capacitor in a motor system. The system and method obtains a baseline inductance angle, reactive power or power factor corresponding to a baseline power factor correction by the capacitor in the circuit; monitors a current supplied to the motor at a location upstream of the capacitor; monitors a voltage supplied to the motor, and determines a present inductance angle, reactive power or power factor based on the monitored current and voltage. The present inductance angle, reactive power or power factor corresponds to a present power factor correction by the capacitor. The system and method can then determine when the power factor correction of the capacitor has degraded to an unsatisfactory level based on a change in the inductance angle, reactive power or power factor from the baseline values, and take appropriate action.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Richard K. Weiler, Benjamin W. Edwards, Alan E. Freeman, Kevin M. Jefferies, Julius M. Liptak, Matthew L. White
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Patent number: 10539596Abstract: A system and method are provided to perform current sensor error compensation. The system and method involve obtaining a current measurement of a current on a circuit from a current sensor; obtaining a voltage measurement of a voltage associated with the current from a voltage sensor; determining a fundamental frequency of the voltage from the voltage measurement; and performing error compensation on the current measurement based on the determined fundamental frequency to produce a corrected current measurement. The current sensor error compensation may be performed to correct current measurements in a motor system, such as in a motor overload relay, at a low cost by using functionality already available in the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Alan E. Freeman
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Patent number: 10511238Abstract: A method of performing temperature-based diagnostics for motor starters within a physical grouping of motor starters is performed by determining a presently expected temperature operating range for each starter based on measuring operating temperatures of the starters; measuring their current draws, and evaluating the temperature and load draw data in light of compensation values assigned for the known power ratings of the starter and the starter's physical location within the grouping. With the presently expected temperature operating range of the starter determined, and the periodic monitoring of starter temperatures, when an individual starter's temperature exceeds its expected range, a diagnostic warning will be issued for that starter and/or for the control panel itself as a guide for preventative maintenance. Alternately, the warning may be issued for an unexpected temperature rise for a given rise in current draw, or for values exceeding an expected rate of temperature change.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Kevin M Jefferies, Benjamin W Edwards, Matthew L White, Alan E Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler, Konstantin Alexander Filippenko, Julius Michael Liptak
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Patent number: 10424913Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, in an overload relay for a three-phase motor, an adjusted threshold for detected current phase unbalance is dynamically determined at which the relay will be tripped. The adjusted threshold is a function of a ratio of an average of currents in the three-phases to the rated full load current of the motor, i.e., motor load. As the motor load decreases, the adjusted current phase unbalance threshold is increased, causing the resulting trip time to increase, thereby increasing motor run time and reducing downtime.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Alan E. Freeman, Richard K. Weiler
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Publication number: 20190195922Abstract: A system and method are provided to perform current sensor error compensation. The system and method involve obtaining a current measurement of a current on a circuit from a current sensor; obtaining a voltage measurement of a voltage associated with the current from a voltage sensor; determining a fundamental frequency of the voltage from the voltage measurement; and performing error compensation on the current measurement based on the determined fundamental frequency to produce a corrected current measurement. The current sensor error compensation may be performed to correct current measurements in a motor system, such as in a motor overload relay, at a low cost by using functionality already available in the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Matthew L. WHITE, Alan E. FREEMAN
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Publication number: 20190190428Abstract: A system and method is provided to monitor wear on a power factor correction capacitor in a motor system. The system and method obtains a baseline inductance angle, reactive power or power factor corresponding to a baseline power factor correction by the capacitor in the circuit; monitors a current supplied to the motor at a location upstream of the capacitor; monitors a voltage supplied to the motor, and determines a present inductance angle, reactive power or power factor based on the monitored current and voltage. The present inductance angle, reactive power or power factor corresponds to a present power factor correction by the capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Richard K. WEILER, Benjamin W. Edwards, Alan E. FREEMAN, Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Julius M. LIPTAK, Matthew L. WHITE
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Publication number: 20190190253Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, in an overload relay for a three-phase motor, an adjusted threshold for detected current phase unbalance is dynamically determined at which the relay will be tripped. The adjusted threshold is a function of a ratio of an average of currents in the three-phases to the rated full load current of the motor, i.e., motor load. As the motor load decreases, the adjusted current phase unbalance threshold is increased, causing the resulting trip time to increase, thereby increasing motor run time and reducing downtime.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Matthew L. WHITE, Alan E. FREEMAN, Richard K. WEILER