Abstract: A system and method for point on wave closing of a switching device, where the close initiation point is selected so that a minor current loop is generated that minimizes the accumulated current during the closing operation. The method includes determining bounce characteristic of contacts in the switching device during the closing operation, identifying available close initiation points on a voltage wave for a voltage across the contacts, selecting one or two of the close initiation points on the voltage wave that minimizes the accumulation of current during the closing operation, and closing the switching device using the selected close initiation point.

Abstract: A support bracket assembly for supporting a pair of bushing well interrupter devices provided within a transformer enclosure that encloses a transformer. The support bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly rigidly secured to a parking stand on the enclosure and including a plurality of mounting bosses. The support bracket assembly further includes support brackets, a first adjustable link secured to one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting boss on a support bracket, a second adjustable link secured to another one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting bosses on a support bracket, and a third adjustable link secured to mounting bosses on two support bracket, where the first, second and third adjustable links form a triangular configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an open or closed position of a magnetically actuated vacuum interrupter. The method includes applying a voltage signal of a known voltage to the actuator over a predetermined period and determining a change in current over time during the period when the voltage signal is applied to the actuator using an output of a Rogowski coil. The method also includes calculating the inductance using the voltage and the change in current over time at a predetermined time during the period and using the calculated inductance to determine whether the actuator and thus the vacuum interrupter are in the open or closed position.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a capacitor voltage sensor that measures voltage on a power line coupled through a switch to a primary coil of a transformer. The method includes measuring a control voltage on a secondary coil of the transformer and measuring voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is known to be closed. The method identifies a calibration factor that when multiplied by the measured voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is closed makes the measured voltage on the capacitor sensor substantially equal to the control voltage. The method subsequently measures voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is open or closed during operation of the transformer, and multiplies the subsequently measured voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is open or closed by the calibration factor to obtain a measured voltage.

Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.

Abstract: A support bracket assembly for supporting a pair of bushing well interrupter devices provided within a transformer enclosure that encloses a transformer. The support bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket assembly rigidly secured to a parking stand on the enclosure and including a plurality of mounting bosses. The support bracket assembly further includes support brackets, a first adjustable link secured to one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting boss on a support bracket, a second adjustable link secured to another one of the mounting bosses on the mounting assembly and a mounting bosses on a support bracket, and a third adjustable link secured to mounting bosses on two support bracket, where the first, second and third adjustable links form a triangular configuration.

Abstract: A switch assembly that is part of a transformer in an underground residential power distribution circuit and that provides fault isolation and restoration. The switch assembly includes first and second switching devices each having an outer housing, a transformer interface electrically coupled to the transformer, a connector interface electrically coupled to a first connector and a first vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, where the fixed contact is electrically coupled to the connector interface and the movable contact is electrically coupled to the transformer interface. A control board controls the first and second switching devices, where the control board is responsive to voltage signals from capacitors in the first and second switching devices.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for securing a control unit that controls a bushing well interrupter device provided within a transformer enclosure associated with an underground loop circuit. The mounting bracket includes a support portion configured to hold the control unit and a mounting portion coupled to the mounting portion, where the mounting portion including a hook portion configured to hook onto one terminal in the enclosure and a notch portion configured to rest against another terminal in the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a capacitor voltage sensor that measures voltage on a power line coupled through a switch to a primary coil of a transformer. The method includes measuring a control voltage on a secondary coil of the transformer and measuring voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is known to be closed. The method identifies a calibration factor that when multiplied by the measured voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is closed makes the measured voltage on the capacitor sensor substantially equal to the control voltage. The method subsequently measures voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is open or closed during operation of the transformer, and multiplies the subsequently measured voltage on the capacitor sensor when the switch is open or closed by the calibration factor to obtain a measured voltage.

Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.

Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.

Abstract: A switch assembly that is part of a transformer in an underground residential power distribution circuit and that provides fault isolation and restoration. The switch assembly includes first and second switching devices each having an outer housing, a transformer interface electrically coupled to the transformer, a connector interface electrically coupled to a first connector and a first vacuum interrupter having a fixed contact and a movable contact, where the fixed contact is electrically coupled to the connector interface and the movable contact is electrically coupled to the transformer interface. A control board controls the first and second switching devices, where the control board is responsive to voltage signals from capacitors in the first and second switching devices.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies for dynamic schema determination and enforcement are described. In at least some embodiments, a system comprises: a processing component; and a schema determination and enforcement component configured to receive a first data unit; analyze the first data unit to determine an inferred data schema; receive a second data unit; analyze the second data unit to determine whether the second incoming data unit complies with the inferred data schema; if the second data unit complies with the inferred data schema, write the second data unit to storage; and if the second data unit does not comply with the inferred data schema, at least one of: modify the inferred data schema based on the second data unit; or provide a notification of a non-compliance of the second data unit.

Abstract: An energy storage system comprising a main bus, a transfer bus, and a pair of anti-parallel thyristors electrically coupled to the main bus and the transfer bus. The system also includes a first and second group of battery cells electrically coupled to the main bus and the transfer bus, and a switching network including a plurality of switches that selectively connect the first and second groups of battery cells to the main bus and the transfer bus. A controller controls the position of the switches and a bias voltage applied to the first and second thyristors so as to seamlessly transition power from the first group of battery cells to the second group of battery cells when the group of battery cells are being discharged and seamlessly transition power between the first group of battery cells and the second group of battery cells when the battery cells are being charged.

Abstract: A method for performing a low energy pulse testing in a power distribution network that causes contacts to close and then open in about one fundamental frequency cycle of current flow time and close on a voltage waveform that produces symmetrical fault current. The method includes energizing a magnetic actuator to move the actuator against the bias of a spring to move a movable contact towards a fixed contact. The method also includes de-energizing the actuator when the movable contact makes contact with the fixed contact so as to allow the spring to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact so that the amount of time that the current conducts is about one fundamental frequency cycle of the current, where energizing the magnetic actuator occurs when an applied voltage on the switch assembly is at a peak of the voltage wave so that the current is symmetric.

Abstract: An energy storage system comprising a main bus, a transfer bus, and a pair of anti-parallel thyristors electrically coupled to the main bus and the transfer bus. The system also includes a first and second group of battery cells electrically coupled to the main bus and the transfer bus, and a switching network including a plurality of switches that selectively connect the first and second groups of battery cells to the main bus and the transfer bus. A controller controls the position of the switches and a bias voltage applied to the first and second thyristors so as to seamlessly transition power from the first group of battery cells to the second group of battery cells when the group of battery cells are being discharged and seamlessly transition power between the first group of battery cells and the second group of battery cells when the battery cells are being charged.

Abstract: Techniques and technologies for dynamic schema determination and enforcement are described. In at least some embodiments, a system comprises: a processing component; and a schema determination and enforcement component configured to receive a first data unit; analyze the first data unit to determine an inferred data schema; receive a second data unit; analyze the second data unit to determine whether the second incoming data unit complies with the inferred data schema; if the second data unit complies with the inferred data schema, write the second data unit to storage; and if the second data unit does not comply with the inferred data schema, at least one of: modify the inferred data schema based on the second data unit; or provide a notification of a non-compliance of the second data unit.

Abstract: A transport, comprising an axle and at least two wheels supporting a chassis. A main support is connected to the chassis, wherein the main support comprises bottom engaging means and a locking means. A load cylinder is connected to the main support, wherein the load cylinder comprises a top engaging means. A mast cylinder is connected to the top engaging means and the bottom engaging means.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated or shorted power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by detecting whether or not any switch is shorted in the series-connected stack of switch stages.

Abstract: A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated or shorted power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by detecting whether or not any switch is shorted in the series-connected stack of switch stages.