Patents by Inventor Donald William McLennan

Donald William McLennan 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 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