Patents by Inventor Colin Gunn
Colin Gunn 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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Patent number: 9851382Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a power meter comprising a voltage sensor, at least one current and phase sensor circuit, and a central metering unit, wherein the voltage sensor is further configured to measure a voltage on an input line and transmit a signal related to the voltage to the central metering unit, wherein the at least one current and phase sensor circuit is further configured to measure a current and a voltage phase shift of a feeder line, and to transmit a signal related to at least one of the current of the feeder line and the voltage phase shift of the feeder line to the central metering unit, and wherein the central metering unit is configured to calculate power provided to a load via the feeder line based on the signal transmitted from the at least one current and phase sensor circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Marc Bruel, Paul Buda, Colin Gunn, Roy Colby, Alexander Filippenko
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Patent number: 9651584Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments described herein provide a sensor comprising a housing configured to be coupled around a portion of the transmission line, at least one probe capacitor configured to encircle the portion of the transmission line with the housing coupled around the portion of the transmission line, a measurement capacitor configured to encircle the portion of the transmission line with the housing coupled around the portion of the transmission line, a capacitance acquisition system, and a voltage measurement system, wherein the capacitance acquisition system is configured to determine a first value related to capacitance of the at least one probe capacitor, and based on the first value, determine a second value related to capacitance of the measurement capacitor, and wherein the voltage measurement system is configured to receive a signal providing the second value and calculate a third value related to a voltage level of the transmission line.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventor: Colin Gunn
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Publication number: 20150346240Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments described herein provide a sensor comprising a housing configured to be coupled around a portion of the transmission line, at least one probe capacitor configured to encircle the portion of the transmission line with the housing coupled around the portion of the transmission line, a measurement capacitor configured to encircle the portion of the transmission line with the housing coupled around the portion of the transmission line, a capacitance acquisition system, and a voltage measurement system, wherein the capacitance acquisition system is configured to determine a first value related to capacitance of the at least one probe capacitor, and based on the first value, determine a second value related to capacitance of the measurement capacitor, and wherein the voltage measurement system is configured to receive a signal providing the second value and calculate a third value related to a voltage level of the transmission line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2012Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventor: Colin Gunn
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Publication number: 20150331024Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a power meter comprising a voltage sensor, at least one current and phase sensor circuit, and a central metering unit, wherein the voltage sensor is further configured to measure a voltage on an input line and transmit a signal related to the voltage to the central metering unit, wherein the at least one current and phase sensor circuit is further configured to measure a current and a voltage phase shift of a feeder line, and to transmit a signal related to at least one of the current of the feeder line and the voltage phase shift of the feeder line to the central metering unit, and wherein the central metering unit is configured to calculate power provided to a load via the feeder line based on the signal transmitted from the at least one current and phase sensor circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC USA, INC.Inventors: Marc Bruel, Paul Buda, Colin Gunn, Roy Colby, Alexander Filippenko
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Patent number: 8342494Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw (108) coupled to a second jaw (110) to form an opening (114) when the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110) are closed. An aligning structure couples to at least one of the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110). A portion of the aligning structure may be disposed within the opening (114) and aligns a power line (128) to a sensor (418) disposed within the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Marc A. Ricci, Colin Gunn, Sam Gaib, Stewart Harding
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Patent number: 7902854Abstract: Devices that couple to high voltage transmission lines obtain power themselves using the body capacitance of an element of the devices. The devices generate a comparatively lower voltage from the current flowing between the high voltage line and the element of the device that generates the body capacitance. The devices can be used to operate sensors that monitor the transmission lines or parameters of the power distribution system, such as current, line temperature, vibration, and the like. The devices can also be used as indicators, such as aircraft warning lights, information signs, etc. In addition, the devices can operate as RF transmission/reception or repeater devices, radar devices, mesh networking nodes, video/audio surveillance, sound emitting devices for scaring animals, drones that traverse the power line, etc. Because the devices operate in response to line voltage rather than current, the devices are reliable even in low current conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Power Measurement, Ltd.Inventors: Colin Gunn, Simon H. Lightbody, John Bradford Forth, Martin A. Hancock, Geoffrey T. Hyatt
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Publication number: 20080246507Abstract: Devices that couple to high voltage transmission lines obtain power themselves using the body capacitance of an element of the devices. The devices generate a comparatively lower voltage from the current flowing between the high voltage line and the element of the device that generates the body capacitance. The devices can be used to operate sensors that monitor the transmission lines or parameters of the power distribution system, such as current, line temperature, vibration, and the like. The devices can also be used as indicators, such as aircraft warning lights, information signs, etc. In addition, the devices can operate as RF transmission/reception or repeater devices, radar devices, mesh networking nodes, video/audio surveillance, sound emitting devices for scaring animals, drones that traverse the power line, etc. Because the devices operate in response to line voltage rather than current, the devices are reliable even in low current conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2004Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: POWER MEASUREMENT LTD.Inventors: Colin Gunn, Simon H. Lightbody, Bradford J. Forth, Martin A. Hancock, Geoffrey T. Hyatt
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Publication number: 20080129314Abstract: An apparatus includes a first jaw (108) coupled to a second jaw (110) to form an opening (114) when the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110) are closed. An aligning structure couples to at least one of the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110). A portion of the aligning structure may be disposed within the opening (114) and aligns a power line (128) to a sensor (418) disposed within the first jaw (108) and the second jaw (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: June 5, 2008Inventors: Marc A. Ricci, Colin Gunn, Sam Gaib, Stewart Harding
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Publication number: 20080065335Abstract: A line device monitors at least one power parameter of an electric power line and produces at least one representation thereof. The at least one representation is communicated to a microprocessor based device. The representation is compared with a measurement of the at least one power parameter produced by legacy instrumentation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Paul Doig, Martin Hancock, Colin Gunn, J. Forth, Peter Cowan, Simon Lightbody
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Publication number: 20070136010Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the current in a power line of a power system and systems incorporating the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus may comprise an enclosure providing a window operable to permit the passage of the power line therethrough. The apparatus may further comprise an active current transformer set within the enclosure and operative to produce a scaled version of the current. The apparatus may further comprise an amplifier coupled with the active current transformer and operative to reduce the phase shift and ratio error between the current and the scaled version of the current. The apparatus may further comprise a powering current transformer set within the enclosure and operative to receive power from the power line on a primary winding and deliver power on a secondary winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2007Publication date: June 14, 2007Inventors: Colin Gunn, Martin Hancock, J. Forth, Simon Lightbody, Jason Sheppard, Brian Kingham
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Publication number: 20060284647Abstract: A sensor apparatus for measuring power parameters on a power conductor, such as a high voltage transmission line may include a corona structure, an electronics assembly and a conductor mountable device. The corona structure may define an outer boundary surrounding the electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device. The corona structure may shield the electronic assembly and conductor mountable device from a corona produceable with the power conductor. The conductor mountable device may be a power parameter measurement device, such as a current sensor assembly. The current sensor assembly may be a split-core design that includes multiple transformer cores. The electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device may powered from a line voltage suppliable on the power conductor. Data may be wirelessly transmitted and received with the sensor apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2006Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Colin Gunn, Stewart Harding, Marc Ricci, Peter Cowan, Martin Hancock
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Publication number: 20060279910Abstract: A sensor apparatus for measuring power parameters on a power conductor, such as a high voltage transmission line may include a corona structure, an electronics assembly and a conductor mountable device. The corona structure may define an outer boundary surrounding the electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device. The corona structure may shield the electronic assembly and conductor mountable device from a corona produceable with the power conductor. The conductor mountable device may be a power parameter measurement device, such as a current sensor assembly. The current sensor assembly may be a split-core design that includes multiple transformer cores. The electronics assembly and the conductor mountable device may powered from a line voltage suppliable on the power conductor. Data may be wirelessly transmitted and received with the sensor apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2006Publication date: December 14, 2006Inventors: Colin Gunn, Stewart Harding, Marc Ricci, Daniel Loewen, Peter Cowan, Martin Hancock
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Publication number: 20060066456Abstract: Power quality detection, monitoring, reporting, recording and communication in a revenue accuracy electrical power meter is disclosed. Transient events are detected by monitoring the wave shape of the electrical power and comparing deviations to a known threshold. Sags and Swells are detected by computing root mean square value over a rolling window and comparing the computed value with a known threshold. Harmonic frequencies and symmetrical components are quantified by a known algorithm and compared with a known threshold. Incoming waveforms are stored to memory. All recorded and computed data is moved to non-volatile storage via direct memory access transfer in the event that a power quality event jeopardizes the operating power of the meter. Further, the meter provides a power supply utilizing high and low capacitive storage banks to supply sufficient energy to survive short duration power quality events which jeopardize the meter's operating power.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Inventors: Rene Jonker, Piotr Przydatek, Colin Gunn, Michael Teachman, Constantine Antoniou
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Publication number: 20050288876Abstract: Systems and methods for reclassifying instrument transformers. A line mounted device that includes a sensor that can be attached to a power line. The line mounted device generates data or representations of the power parameters of the power line. A processor in the line mounted device produces modified representations of the power parameters that are transmitted wirelessly to a microprocessor based device. The microprocessor based device also receives second representations of the power parameters from legacy instrumentation. Compensation data is produced based on the modified representations from the line mounted device and the second representations from the legacy instrumentation. The compensation data can be used to compensate or correct the representations of the power parameters from the legacy instrumentation even after the line mounted device is no longer attached to the power line.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Paul Doig, Martin Hancock, Colin Gunn, J. Forth, Peter Cowan, Simon Lightbody
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Publication number: 20050288877Abstract: Systems and methods for reclassifying instrument transformers. A line mounted device that includes a sensor that can be attached to a power line. The line mounted device generates data or representations of the power parameters of the power line. A processor in the line mounted device produces modified representations of the power parameters that are transmitted wirelessly to a microprocessor based device. The microprocessor based device also receives second representations of the power parameters from legacy instrumentation. Compensation data is produced based on the modified representations from the line mounted device and the second representations from the legacy instrumentation. The compensation data can be used to compensate or correct the representations of the power parameters from the legacy instrumentation even after the line mounted device is no longer attached to the power line.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2005Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Paul Doig, Martin Hancock, Colin Gunn, J. Forth, Peter Cowan, Simon Lightbody, Marcie Cochrane, Stewart Harding, Daniel Loewen
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Publication number: 20050275397Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring power in a conductor. A flex circuit may include multiple layers including a voltage sensing layer, a coil layer, and a ground layer. The coil layer includes traces that form a coil structure around a conductor when the flex circuit is wrapped around the conductor. The coil layer generates a voltage that may be integrated to determine a current in the conductor. When the flex circuit is wrapped around the conductor, the voltage sensing layer is closest to the conductor. The voltage sensing layer forms a capacitor with the conductor. Using an adjustable capacitive voltage divider, the voltage of the conductor may be determined from a voltage signal received from the voltage sensing layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2004Publication date: December 15, 2005Inventors: Simon Lightbody, Michael Teachman, Colin Gunn, Benedikt Huber
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Publication number: 20050206530Abstract: An energy measurement system including a radio frequency (“RF”) device powered by a solar panel. The RF device comprising a wireless communication port operative to transmit and receive communication over a wireless network of additional RF devices. The energy measurement system able to transmit energy parameters of the RF device over the wireless network.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Daniel Cumming, Michael Teachman, Arthur Wynans, Eric Haight, Daniel Loewen, Martin Hancock, Colin Gunn
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Publication number: 20050027464Abstract: Power quality detection, monitoring, reporting, recording and communication in a revenue accuracy electrical power meter is disclosed. Transient events are detected by monitoring the wave shape of the electrical power and comparing deviations to a known threshold. Sags and Swells are detected by computing root mean square value over a rolling window and comparing the computed value with a known threshold. Harmonic frequencies and symmetrical components are quantified by a known algorithm and compared with a known threshold. Incoming waveforms are stored to memory. All recorded and computed data is moved to non-volatile storage via direct memory access transfer in the event that a power quality event jeopardizes the operating power of the meter. Further, the meter provides a power supply utilizing high and low capacitive storage banks to supply sufficient energy to survive short duration power quality events which jeopardize the meter's operating power.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2003Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Rene Jonker, Piotr Przydatek, Colin Gunn, Michael Teachman, Constantine Antoniou
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Publication number: 20050017751Abstract: Devices that couple to high voltage transmission lines obtain power themselves using the body capacitance of an element of the devices. The devices generate a comparatively lower voltage from the current flowing between the high voltage line and the element of the device that generates the body capacitance. The devices can be used to operate sensors that monitor the transmission lines or parameters of the power distribution system, such as current, line temperature, vibration, and the like. The devices can also be used as indicators, such as aircraft warning lights, information signs, etc. In addition, the devices can operate as RF transmission/reception or repeater devices, radar devices, mesh networking nodes, video/audio surveillance, sound emitting devices for scaring animals, drones that traverse the power line, etc. Because the devices operate in response to line voltage rather than current, the devices are reliable even in low current conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Colin Gunn, Simon Lightbody, J. Forth, Martin Hancock, Geoffrey Hyatt