Patents by Inventor David James Ball

David James Ball 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).

  • Patent number: 11958728
    Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David Karl Wabnegger, Daniel Neil O'Connell, David James Ball, Robert Wayne Palmer, Jody Milton Greer, Raymond Henry Jodoin
  • Patent number: 11834309
    Abstract: A system and method using at least one inductor operatively coupled to an electrically insulating structure suppresses transient currents generated during a bond-on process by a human worker with energized electrical equipment so as to inhibit passage of the transient currents through the electrically insulating structure operatively coupled to the energized electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball
  • Publication number: 20230117979
    Abstract: Load-bearing apparatus/systems for location in the vicinity of energized power lines are provided. The apparatus includes a base member. The base member has an upper layer and a backing surface layer. An uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to support on it at least power line workers and/or related stringing equipment. At least the uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to be electrically conductive. Methods for forming the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: David James BALL, Jody Milton GREER, David Karl WABNEGGER, Robert Wayne PALMER
  • Patent number: 11545817
    Abstract: Load-bearing apparatus/systems for location in the vicinity of energized power lines are provided. The apparatus includes a base member. The base member has an upper layer and a backing surface layer. An uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to support on it at least power line workers and/or related stringing equipment. At least the uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to be electrically conductive. Methods for forming the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David James Ball, Jody Milton Greer, David Karl Wabnegger, Robert Wayne Palmer
  • Patent number: 11362517
    Abstract: Determining direct current (DC) leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage DC power system wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC current having one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having a DC component and an alternating current (AC) component, wherein the AC component has a first rate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate of change less than the first, having (a) providing a waveform separator which is configured to receive the composite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and to separate the composite DC current into the corresponding DC component and AC component, and (i) receive at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, ii) analyze the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (iii) determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure, (b) electrically connecting the waveform separator to the insulating structure, (c) separating, in the waveform s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball
  • Publication number: 20210221666
    Abstract: A system and method using at least one inductor operatively coupled to an electrically insulating structure suppresses transient currents generated during a bond-on process by a human worker with energized electrical equipment so as to inhibit passage of the transient currents through the electrically insulating structure operatively coupled to the energized electrical equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Zoran BILIC, David James BALL
  • Patent number: 11016127
    Abstract: An apparatus and method measures and analyzes DC current passing through a substantially insulating member or dielectric material that is electrically connected to, or otherwise conductive, between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential or ground. An apparatus may utilize a DC current measuring device, a DC voltage level selection switch, a DC display, a graphical display of momentary leakage current, and an audio speaker. A process may entail extending a substantially insulating member or dielectric material between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential, detecting a DC momentary leakage current, using a DC momentary leakage current meter to measure DC current through the member or material, and a computer to analyze and compare the DC current, and deliver results or a warning that the DC current has reached a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David James Ball, Donald William McLennan
  • Patent number: 10974939
    Abstract: A system and method using at least one inductor operatively coupled to an electrically insulating structure suppresses transient currents generated during a bond-on process by a human worker with energized electrical equipment so as to inhibit passage of the transient currents through the electrically insulating structure operatively coupled to the energized electrical equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball
  • Publication number: 20210098975
    Abstract: Load-bearing apparatus/systems for location in the vicinity of energized power lines are provided. The apparatus includes a base member. The base member has an upper layer and a backing surface layer. An uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to support on it at least power line workers and/or related stringing equipment. At least the uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to be electrically conductive. Methods for forming the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: David James BALL, Jody Milton GREER, David Karl WABNEGGER, Robert Wayne PALMER
  • Publication number: 20210044116
    Abstract: Determining direct current (DC) leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage DC power system wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC current having one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having a DC component and an alternating current (AC) component, wherein the AC component has a first rate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate of change less than the first, having (a) providing a waveform separator which is configured to receive the composite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and to separate the composite DC current into the corresponding DC component and AC component, and (i) receive at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, ii) analyze the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (iii) determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure, (b) electrically connecting the waveform separator to the insulating structure, (c) separating, in the waveform s
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Zoran BILIC, David James BALL
  • Patent number: 10804703
    Abstract: A waveform separator system for determining DC leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage direct current power system, wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having a DC component and an AC component includes: (1) a waveform separator configured to receive the composite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and to separate the composite DC current into corresponding direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) components wherein the AC component has a first rate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate of change, and wherein the first rate of change is greater than the second rate of change; (2) at least one comparator configured to receive the AC component and produce at least one corresponding digital signal; and (3) a processor configured to: (a) receive the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (b) analyze the at least one corresponding d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball
  • Patent number: 10620256
    Abstract: A system for determining DC leakage current flowing through an electrically insulating structure in a high voltage direct current power system is provided. The DC leakage current is a composite DC current. The insulating structure is operatively coupled to at least an overhead energized DC electrical line. The system further includes a direct current meter adapted to be electrically coupled to at least the insulating structure. The meter includes a waveform separator. The separator is configured to receive and separate the composite DC current into a corresponding direct current (DC) and an alternating current (AC) component. The separator further includes at least one comparator which is configured to produce at least one corresponding digital signal from the AC component; and a processor. The processor receives and analyzes the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component to determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball, Donald William McLennan
  • Publication number: 20190257859
    Abstract: An apparatus and method measures and analyzes DC current passing through a substantially insulating member or dielectric material that is electrically connected to, or otherwise conductive, between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential or ground. An apparatus may utilize a DC current measuring device, a DC voltage level selection switch, a DC display, a graphical display of momentary leakage current, and an audio speaker. A process may entail extending a substantially insulating member or dielectric material between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential, detecting a DC momentary leakage current, using a DC momentary leakage current meter to measure DC current through the member or material, and a computer to analyze and compare the DC current, and deliver results or a warning that the DC current has reached a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: David James Ball, Donald William McLennan
  • Publication number: 20190135603
    Abstract: A system and method using at least one inductor operatively coupled to an electrically insulating structure suppresses transient currents generated during a bond-on process by a human worker with energized electrical equipment so as to inhibit passage of the transient currents through the electrically insulating structure operatively coupled to the energized electrical equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Zoran BILIC, David James BALL
  • Publication number: 20190112172
    Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: David Karl WABNEGGER, Daniel Neil O'CONNELL, David James BALL, Robert Wayne PALMER, Jody Milton GREER, Raymond Henry JODOIN
  • Patent number: 10254316
    Abstract: An apparatus and method measures and analyzes DC current passing through a substantially insulating member or dielectric material that is electrically connected to, or otherwise conductive, between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential or ground. An apparatus may utilize a DC current measuring device, a DC voltage level selection switch, a DC display, a graphical display of momentary leakage current, and an audio speaker. A process may entail extending a substantially insulating member or dielectric material between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential, detecting a DC momentary leakage current, using a DC momentary leakage current meter to measure DC current through the member or material, and a computer to analyze and compare the DC current, and deliver results or a warning that the DC current has reached a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Quanta Associates, L.P.
    Inventors: David James Ball, Donald William McLennan
  • Publication number: 20180313885
    Abstract: A system for determining DC leakage current flowing through an electrically insulating structure in a high voltage direct current power system is provided. The DC leakage current is a composite DC current. The insulating structure is operatively coupled to at least an overhead energized DC electrical line. The system further includes a direct current meter adapted to be electrically coupled to at least the insulating structure. The meter includes a waveform separator. The separator is configured to receive and separate the composite DC current into a corresponding direct current (DC) and an alternating current (AC) component. The separator further includes at least one comparator which is configured to produce at least one corresponding digital signal from the AC component; and a processor. The processor receives and analyzes the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component to determine a resultant leakage current flowing through the insulating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Zoran Bilic, David James Ball, Donald William McLennan
  • Publication number: 20180159331
    Abstract: A waveform separator system for determining DC leakage current flowing through an insulating structure in a high voltage direct current power system, wherein the DC leakage current is a composite DC current comprising one or more high magnitude momentary spikes, and having a DC component and an AC component includes: (1) a waveform separator configured to receive the composite DC current flowing through the insulating structure and to separate the composite DC current into corresponding direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) components wherein the AC component has a first rate of change, and wherein the DC component has a second rate of change, and wherein the first rate of change is greater than the second rate of change; (2) at least one comparator configured to receive the AC component and produce at least one corresponding digital signal; and (3) a processor configured to: (a) receive the at least one corresponding digital signal and the DC component, (b) analyze the at least one corresponding d
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Zoran BILIC, David James BALL
  • Publication number: 20160356826
    Abstract: An apparatus and method measures and analyzes DC current passing through a substantially insulating member or dielectric material that is electrically connected to, or otherwise conductive, between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential or ground. An apparatus may utilize a DC current measuring device, a DC voltage level selection switch, a DC display, a graphical display of momentary leakage current, and an audio speaker. A process may entail extending a substantially insulating member or dielectric material between an energized DC electrical transmission line and an Earth potential, detecting a DC momentary leakage current, using a DC momentary leakage current meter to measure DC current through the member or material, and a computer to analyze and compare the DC current, and deliver results or a warning that the DC current has reached a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: David James Ball, Donald William McLennan