Patents by Inventor Edmund O. Schweitzer, III

Edmund O. Schweitzer, III 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: 8319628
    Abstract: A three-phase faulted circuit indicator adjustable to accommodate a variety of three-phase power cables is disclosed. In one embodiment, faulted circuit indicator comprises a flexible holder that encircles the monitored conductor slightly more than one time. The flexible holder includes a plurality of magnetic sensors for monitoring the current within the internal conductors of the power cable, a logic circuit for determining the occurrence of a fault, and an output device for providing an indication of a fault. In a second embodiment, the faulted circuit indicator comprises a plurality of sensor compartments, each disposed about a central point, and each coupled to two other sensor compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Laurence V. Feight, James Manely Duros, Joseph Robert Rauch
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8112235
    Abstract: A State and Topology Processor (STP) may be communicatively coupled to one or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) communicatively coupled to a electrical power system to obtain one or more current measurements, voltage measurements, and dynamic topology data therefrom. The STP may receive the measurement data and may determine a current topology and a voltage topology therefrom. A current processor may use the current topology and the current measurements to refine the measurements, perform KCL, unbalance, symmetrical component, and consistency checks on the electrical power system. The voltage processor may use the voltage topology and the voltage measurements to perform similar checks on the electrical power system. One or more alarms may be generated responsive to the checks. The data may be displayed to a user in a display of a human machine interface and/or may be transmitted to a user programmable task module, and/or an external control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Marcos A. Donolo, Armando Guzman-Casillas
  • Patent number: 8059006
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Luthor S. Anderson, Witold R. Teller, Mark J. Bosold, Douglas A. Park, Steven A. McMahon, James R. Kesler, Laurence Virgil Feight, Donald C. Hicks
  • 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: 20110085272
    Abstract: A generator winding-to-ground fault detection system is disclosed that includes a signal injection source in electrical communication with a winding of an electric power generator via an injection transformer. The winding may be coupled to ground via a winding-to-ground path and the signal generation source may generate an injection signal capable of being injected to the winding using the injection transformer. The disclosed system may further include a protection module in communication with the signal injection source and the electric power generator configured to receive the injection signal and a signal relating to the current through the winding-to-ground path, and to determine the occurrence of a winding-to-ground fault condition based at least in part on the injection signal and the signal relating to the current through the winding-to-ground path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Gabriel Benmouyal, Bruce A. Hall, Rogerio Scharlach
  • 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: 20110004425
    Abstract: A State and Topology Processor (STP) may be communicatively coupled to one or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) communicatively coupled to a electrical power system to obtain one or more current measurements, voltage measurements, and dynamic topology data therefrom. The STP may receive the measurement data and may determine a current topology and a voltage topology therefrom. A current processor may use the current topology and the current measurements to refine the measurements, perform KCL, unbalance, symmetrical component, and consistency checks on the electrical power system. The voltage processor may use the voltage topology and the voltage measurements to perform similar checks on the electrical power system. One or more alarms may be generated responsive to the checks. The data may be displayed to a user in a display of a human machine interface and/or may be transmitted to a user programmable task module, and/or an external control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Marcos A. Donolo, Armando Guzman-Casillas
  • Patent number: 7856327
    Abstract: A State and Topology Processor (STP) may be communicatively coupled to one or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) communicatively coupled to a electrical power system to obtain one or more current measurements, voltage measurements, and dynamic topology data therefrom. The STP may receive the measurement data and may determine a current topology and a voltage topology therefrom. A current processor may use the current topology and the current measurements to refine the measurements, perform KCL, unbalance, symmetrical component, and consistency checks on the electrical power system. The voltage processor may use the voltage topology and the voltage measurements to perform similar checks on the electrical power system. One or more alarms may be generated responsive to the checks. The data may be displayed to a user in a display of a human machine interface and/or may be transmitted to a user programmable task module, and/or an external control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Marcos A. Donolo, Armando Guzman-Casillas
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100231040
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for increasing the reliability of an electric power transmission or distribution system by injecting controlled electric power into the transmission or distribution system using mobile electric power sources. The mobile electric power source may be a locomotive engine. The mobile electric power source may be controlled using an IED. The mobile electric power source may be controlled to provide active power or reactive power or act as a governor or exciter to the electric power transmission or distribution system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III