Patents by Inventor Edward Randolph Collins, Jr.

Edward Randolph Collins, Jr. 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: 20140015555
    Abstract: A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) electrical grid simulation system and method that combines a reactive divider with a variable frequency converter to better mimic and control expected and unexpected parameters in an electrical grid. The invention provides grid simulation in a manner to allow improved testing of variable power generators, such as wind turbines, and their operation once interconnected with an electrical grid in multiple countries. The system further comprises an improved variable fault reactance (reactive divider) capable of providing a variable fault reactance power output to control a voltage profile, therein creating an arbitrary recovery voltage. The system further comprises an improved isolation transformer designed to isolate zero-sequence current from either a primary or secondary winding in a transformer or pass the zero-sequence current from a primary to a secondary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Clemson University
    Inventors: John Curtiss Fox, Edward Randolph Collins, JR., Nikolaos Rigas
  • Patent number: 8362789
    Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide an Impedance-based Arc-Fault Determination Device (IADD) and method that, when attached to an electrical node on the power system and through observations on voltage, current and phase shift with a step load change, determine the effective Thevenin equivalent circuit or Norton equivalent circuit at the point of test. The device and method determine the expected bolted fault current at the test location of interest, which enables calculation of incident energy and the assignment of a flash-hazard risk category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Clemson University Research Foundation, Duke Energy Carolina, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Randolph Collins, Jr., Timothy Lee Smith, Randall J. Emanuel
  • Publication number: 20100026317
    Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide an Impedance-based Arc-Fault Determination Device (IADD) and method that, when attached to an electrical node on the power system and through observations on voltage, current and phase shift with a step load change, determine the effective Thevenin equivalent circuit or Norton equivalent circuit at the point of test. The device and method determine the expected bolted fault current at the test location of interest, which enables calculation of incident energy and the assignment of a flash-hazard risk category.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Edward Randolph Collins, JR., Timothy Lee Smith, Randall J. Emanuel
  • Patent number: 7598751
    Abstract: Embodiments according to the present invention provide an Impedance-based Arc-Fault Determination Device (IADD) and method that, when attached to an electrical node on the power system and through observations on voltage, current and phase shift with a step load change, determine the effective Thevenin equivalent circuit or Norton equivalent circuit at the point of test. The device and method determine the expected bolted fault current at the test location of interest, which enables calculation of incident energy and the assignment of a flash-hazard risk category.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignees: Clemson University Research Foundation, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Randolph Collins, Jr., Timothy Lee Smith, Randall J. Emanuel