Patents by Inventor Darko Kovac

Darko Kovac 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).

  • Fiber optic fault detection system and method for underground power lines
    Patent number: 8022708
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and fault detection system for detecting and identifying the location of faults in underground power lines that can effectively and quickly identify faults in underground power lines. Embodiments can provide a method and fault detection system that quickly identify faults in a power grid that result from open circuits or short circuits in underground conduits. A specific system for fault detection of power lines in a network having one or more substations and corresponding one or more manholes for access to underground lines, includes: a sensor device for each manhole, wherein the sensor device is capable of detecting a magnetic field generated by a power line and can send a signal through a fiber optic cable, the signal including a unique wavelength identifier; and a communication device for each substation for transmitting the signal from the sensor device to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Huikai Xie, David Clark Gibson, Darko Kovac
  • Fiber Optic Fault Detection System and Method for Underground Power Lines
    Publication number: 20100007352
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and fault detection system for detecting and identifying the location of faults in underground power lines that can effectively and quickly identify faults in underground power lines. Embodiments can provide a method and fault detection system that quickly identify faults in a power grid that result from open circuits or short circuits in underground conduits. A specific system for fault detection of power lines in a network having one or more substations and corresponding one or more manholes for access to underground lines, includes: a sensor device for each manhole, wherein the sensor device is capable of detecting a magnetic field generated by a power line and can send a signal through a fiber optic cable, the signal including a unique wavelength identifier; and a communication device for each substation for transmitting the signal from the sensor device to an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation , Inc.
    Inventors: Huikai Xie, David Clark Gibson, Darko Kovac