Patents by Inventor David E. Whitehead

David E. Whitehead 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).

  • Publication number: 20120323397
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20120313490
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the rotation of a generator rotor. The monitor uses a light beam directed toward the rotor to detect a marking thereon, and generates an electrical pulse when the marking is detected. The time between the pulse and a reference point (such as a zero crossing) of the signal waveform from the terminals of the generator may be used to calculate the power angle of the generator. The system is adaptive in that it can account for new markings on the rotor. The system may be connected to a network so that power angles from various generators on the electrical network may be compared. The system may further be connected to a common time source such that a time stamp may be applied to the power angles from various generators, allowing for more accurate comparison of the power angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8275485
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Patent number: 8275486
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Patent number: 8275487
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Patent number: 8248060
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the rotation of a generator rotor and calculating a power angle using an optical rotor displacement monitor. The monitor uses a light beam directed toward the rotor to detect a marking thereon, and generates an electrical pulse when the marking is detected. The time between the pulse and a reference point (such as a zero crossing) of the signal waveform from the terminals of the generator is used to calculate the power angle of the generator. The system is adaptive in that it can account for new markings on the rotor. The system may be connected to a network so that power angles from various generators on the electrical network may be compared. The system may further be connected to a common time source such that a time stamp may be applied to the power angles from various generators, allowing for more accurate comparison of the power angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8248061
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the rotation of a generator rotor and calculating a power angle using an optical rotor displacement monitor. The monitor uses a light beam directed toward the rotor to detect a marking thereon, and generates an electrical pulse when the marking is detected. The time between the pulse and a reference point (such as a zero crossing) of the signal waveform from the terminals of the generator is used to calculate the power angle of the generator. The system is adaptive in that it can account for new markings on the rotor. The system may be connected to a network so that power angles from various generators on the electrical network may be compared. The system may further be connected to a common time source such that a time stamp may be applied to the power angles from various generators, allowing for more accurate comparison of the power angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8155326
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of one or more devices is provided. The system includes a microphone acoustically coupled to one the monitored device. An analog-to-digital-converter samples the microphone and a processor examines the resultant digital signal for the occurrence of an abnormal event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20110260042
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the rotation of a generator rotor and calculating a power angle using an optical rotor displacement monitor. The monitor uses a light beam directed toward the rotor to detect a marking thereon, and generates an electrical pulse when the marking is detected. The time between the pulse and a reference point (such as a zero crossing) of the signal waveform from the terminals of the generator is used to calculate the power angle of the generator. The system is adaptive in that it can account for new markings on the rotor. The system may be connected to a network so that power angles from various generators on the electrical network may be compared. The system may further be connected to a common time source such that a time stamp may be applied to the power angles from various generators, allowing for more accurate comparison of the power angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20110251732
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for calculating load models and associated tunable parameters that may be used to describe the behavior of loads connected to an electric power distribution system. The load models may be utilized to predict variations in demand caused by changes in the supply voltage, and may be utilized in determining an optimized control strategy based on load dynamics. Any action which causes a disruption to the electric power distribution system may provide information regarding the composition or dynamics of connected loads. Such actions may be referred to as modeling events. Modeling events may occur with some frequency in electric power distribution systems, and accordingly, a number of data sets may be acquired under a variety of conditions and at a variety of times. Load models may include static load models, dynamic load models, or a combination of static and dynamic load models.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Marcos A. Donolo, David E. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20110080283
    Abstract: A system for communicating information between a detection device and a wireless device is provided. The system generally includes a detection device adapted to monitor a condition related to a power system. A radio interface unit is in communication with the detection device via a communication member. A wireless device is further provided which is in radio communication with the radio interface unit such that the detection device communicates information to the wireless device through a radio interface unit. The system's components are further adapted to endure harsh conditions (e.g., prolonged exposure to water).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20110035065
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20110035076
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20110035066
    Abstract: A system for controlling and automating an electric power delivery system by executing time coordinated instruction sets to achieve a desired result. A communication master may implement the execution of time coordinated instruction sets in a variety of circumstances. The communication may be embodied as an automation controller in communication with intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). The communication master may also be embodied as an IED that is configured to coordinate the actions of other IEDs. The time coordinated instruction sets may include steps for checking status of power system equipment before executing. The time coordinated instruction sets may include reactionary steps to execute if one of the steps fails. The time coordinated instruction sets may also be implemented based on a condition detected in the electric power delivery system, or may be implemented through high level systems, such as a SCADA system or a wide area control and situational awareness system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Gregary C. Zweigle, Normann Fischer, Robert E. Morris
  • Publication number: 20100318238
    Abstract: Regulation of a remote load center voltage from a local location of a voltage regulator and a voltage regulator control using voltage measurements from the remote load center obtained using a metering device at the load center in communication with the voltage regulator control. The metering device may obtain remote voltage information at the load center and communicate such to the voltage regulator control using a direct communications line, a wide area network, or the like. The communications may include electrical (e.g. copper cable), light (e.g. infrared over fiber optics), radio frequency, or the like. The voltage regulator control may be configured to use local measurements and a line drop compensation algorithm in the event that the remote voltage information becomes unavailable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Michael B. Bryson, David E. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20100254225
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing accurate time information to geographically separated communications devices are disclosed. Additionally, the desired systems and methods may adjust local time signals to compensate for measured signal drifts relative to more accurate time signals. Moreover, a system may determine a best available time signal based on a weighted average of available time signals or select a best available time signal based on weighted characteristics of various time signals. A system may be further configured to transmit time information embedded in an overhead portion of a SONET frame, including transmission of a standard or common time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Kenneth J. Fodero, Veselin Skendzic, David E. Whitehead, Christopher Huntley
  • Patent number: 7680273
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for optimizing error detection to detect unauthorized modification of transmitted data. The system includes an encrypting device and a decrypting device operatively coupled to the first encrypting device. The encrypting device is configured to re-order and encrypt a first data stream to form a second data stream, and the decrypting device is configured to re-order and decrypt the second data stream to form a third data stream substantially identical to the first data stream. Each of the encrypting and decrypting devices includes at least one pseudo-random number generator, a reversible function device responsive to a first pseudo-random number generator to cause data stream bits to be re-ordered, and a XOR function responsive to a second or the first pseudo-random number generator to cause either consecutive portions of the data stream bits to be encrypted or decrypted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Whitehead, Allen D. Risley
  • Publication number: 20090091441
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of one or more devices is provided. The system includes a microphone acoustically coupled to one the monitored device. An analog-to-digital-converter samples the microphone and a processor examines the resultant digital signal for the occurrence of an abnormal event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Timothy M. Minteer
  • Publication number: 20090091303
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the rotation of a generator rotor and calculating a power angle using an optical rotor displacement monitor. The monitor uses a light beam directed toward the rotor to detect a marking thereon, and generates an electrical pulse when the marking is detected. The time between the pulse and a reference point (such as a zero crossing) of the signal waveform from the terminals of the generator is used to calculate the power angle of the generator. The system is adaptive in that it can account for new markings on the rotor. The system may be connected to a network so that power angles from various generators on the electrical network may be compared. The system may further be connected to a common time source such that a time stamp may be applied to the power angles from various generators, allowing for more accurate comparison of the power angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20090088990
    Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring and controlling various power system device and elements. The device generally includes a communications channel for receiving phasor data associated with a location on the power system. The device further includes a logic engine which performs scalar, vector and/or other complex calculation based on the phasor data to provide control data or an output signal for effecting the various other power system devices or elements to provide local or wide area protection, control, and monitoring to maintain power system stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, David E. Whitehead, Armando Guzman-Casillas, Charles E. Petras