Patents by Inventor Donato Cortez

Donato Cortez 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: 20080067868
    Abstract: Method and system for transmitting data using power lines are disclosed. The method includes tying low voltage lines for the transmission of BPL signals but maintaining isolation of those voltage circuits in accordance with normal power distribution system practices. The system includes a plurality of power transformers, one or more low voltage circuits, wherein the low voltage circuits operate as separate electrical circuits, and a low voltage signal coupler, operable to couple one or more of the low voltage circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: Richard Murphy, Donato Cortez, Richard Grasshoff
  • Publication number: 20060106554
    Abstract: Electrical current in an electrical power distribution system, such as at a power distribution transformer or the like, for an electrical utility is transferred through a current sensing connector lug mounted with an end of a user or consumer's service connection conductor or line. The lug is connectable to the power distribution transformer or secondary conductor, for connecting the user's service conductor to power from the distribution system. The flow of electrical current and thus the amount of electric power provided to an individual user is measured at the current sensing lug rather than at the user's site or facility, removing the need for watt-hour meters at the user or customer site, and also thus removing the requirement for conventional meter reading crews or for automated meter reading equipment. The current sensing lug also facilitates the accumulation of other utility data information, which formerly required a site visit by utility personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Borkowski, Richard Grasshoff, R. Murphy, Donato Cortez
  • Publication number: 20060103548
    Abstract: Electrical current in an electrical power distribution system, such as underground residential distribution or the like, is transferred through a current sensing bar from a transformer secondary to separate electrical service connections with residences or other sites of customer power users. The flow of electrical current and thus the amount of electrical power provided to individual users is measured at the current sensing bar rather than at the user's site or facility. This removes the need for watt-hour measurements at the user or customer site, and also thus removes the requirement for conventional meter reading crews or for automated meter reading equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Applicant: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Borkowski, Richard Grasshoff, R. Murphy, Donato Cortez
  • Publication number: 20060007016
    Abstract: A system measures electrical energy usage and combines the measured energy usage with other utility commodity usage for communication and data collection. The system is capable of metering electrical power utility services to residential homes and apartments or other users and combining electrical usage and other utility metering functions for utilities for multiple utility end users. The system thus integrates and communicates the results of utility usage, and eliminates the need for an individual electric metering device for each end user. The system serves as a single metering data collection point for multiple utilities and facilitates interactive communication technologies between the utility service delivery points and utility consumers or consumer devices. The system also includes a plurality of meter ports and a memory for storing meter data from each metered user. The UCI provides for injection of broadband signals onto the service conductors from multiple broadband sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Borkowski, Richard Grasshoff, R. Murphy, Donato Cortez