Abstract: A method for operating a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of components, and at least one node electronics unit coupled to at least one control processing unit. The method includes associating a unique identifier with at least one component class of the power distribution system, identifying each component based on the identifier, determining a specification associated with each identifier, and operating at least one of the node electronics unit and the control processing unit based on the determined specification.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting power distribution system data is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a plurality of node electronic units to a digital network, communicatively coupling at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) to the digital network, executing a data capture software module running on the at least one CCPU wherein the module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer, and activating the data capture module in response to a triggering event. The apparatus includes a plurality of node electronic units, at least one central control processing unit (CCPU), and a data capture software module running on the at least one CCPU wherein the module includes a data capture buffer and a secondary buffer wherein the module is configured to collect data in the data capture buffer and the secondary buffer, and the module is configured to activate in response to a triggering event.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The sensor assembly includes an optical detector arranged to receive radiation from the glass-ceramic plate and produce an output signal corresponding to a cooktop related property of the glass-ceramic plate. A controller is provided to receive the output signal from the optical detector. The controller includes means for making a correction to said output signal for corruptive flux incident on the optical detector.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to assemble communicating utility meter provides selectable measurement, calibration, display, and communications means so as to be re-configurable based on several factors including; harmonic content of the power signal measured, LCD display alternatives, time of use measurements, bandpass filter settings, power quality measurements, PLC communications. alternatives, radio frequency communications alternatives, optical communications alternatives, and hard wire communications alternatives.

Abstract: A low cost and easy to assemble communicating utility meter provides selectable measurement, calibration, display, and communications means so as to be re-configurable based on several factors including; harmonic content of the power signal measured, LCD display alternatives, time of use measurements, bandpass filter settings, power quality measurements, PLC communications alternatives, radio frequency communications alternatives, optical communications alternatives, and hard wire communications alternatives.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The cooktop appliance includes a sensor assembly having a support bar mounted on the burner assembly adjacent to the glass-ceramic plate and one or more devices for sensing cooktop related properties mounted on the support bar so as to be in contact with the glass-ceramic plate.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The cooktop appliance includes a sensor assembly having a support bar mounted on the burner assembly adjacent to the glass-ceramic plate and one or more devices for sensing cooktop related properties mounted on the support bar so as to be in contact with the glass-ceramic plate.

Abstract: A method of performing energy calculations in a power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling a first voltage at a first module in the power distribution system; communicating the first voltage from the first module to a central controller; performing an energy calculation in the central controller based at least in part on the first voltage; and applying the energy calculation to a second module in the power distribution system. In some embodiments, the energy calculation is also based upon a second current from the second module.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor is provided with a device for producing an output signal that is a function of a magnetic field to be sensed. A calibration coil is arranged so as to change the magnetic field when energized, and a switch for selectively energizing the calibration coil is included. Calibration of the magnetic field sensor is accomplished by operating the switch to cause a known current to flow through the calibration coil, measuring the resultant change in the magnetic field, and calculating a sensitivity for the magnetic field sensor from the measured change in the magnetic field and the known current.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a glass-ceramic cooktop appliance having at least one burner assembly disposed under a glass-ceramic plate. The sensor assembly includes an optical detector arranged to receive radiation from the glass-ceramic plate and produce an output signal corresponding to a cooktop related property of the glass-ceramic plate. A controller is provided to receive the output signal from the optical detector. The controller includes means for making a correction to said output signal for corruptive flux incident on the optical detector.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of forming a toroidal winding assembly comprises: forming a longitudinal assembly having a first assembly end and a second assembly end; bending the longitudinal assembly to form a generally toroidal assembly; and bonding the first assembly end to the second assembly end to form the toroidal winding assembly.

Abstract: A current sensor arrangement for measuring electrical current flow (subject flow) includes an elongated conductor for carrying the subject flow through a region. A magnetic field sensing device is located in the region, and produces a sensed voltage representative of the magnitude of the magnetic field in the region. A test generator generates a magnetic field component having “known” magnitude in the spatial region. The test generator is gated, so that the magnetic field changes when the test generator is ON. If the test generator generates its magnetic field by passing a test current through the spatial region, the change in the magnetic field, which is expressed in the sensed voltage, is related to the test current. Simple control circuit processing determines the subject current from the sensed magnetic field and the known magnitude of the test current.

Abstract: Current is sensed in a physically large conductor by a pair of noncontacting, magnetically responsive corrected current sensors. The sensors each have a preferred magnetic sensing axis. A holding arrangement, which may be a printed-circuit board, holds the two current sensors with their axes spaced apart and parallel, to thereby define a sensing plane. The holding arrangement is placed near the conductor in which current is to be sensed, with the sensing plane parallel to a tangent to outer surface of the conductor. The current in the conductor is represented by the sum of the signals of the sensors. In the case of alternating current and sensors responsive to the absolute value of magnetic field, the summing includes subtraction.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of node electronic units, and wherein each associated circuit breaker is electrically coupled with each respective node electronic unit. The system also includes at least one digital network, and at least one central control processing unit (CCPU) wherein each CCPU includes a first power system global information set, and each CCPU is communicatively coupled to the plurality of node electronic units. The method includes transmitting at least one digital message from each node electronic unit to each CCPU over a respective network, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital message, and transmitting at least one multicast message from each CCPU to each node electronic unit such that the circuit breakers are operable from each CCPU.

Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system is provided. The protection system includes a central computer, a plurality of data modules, and a data network. The data modules are each in communication with a different circuit breaker of the power distribution system. The data network communicates between the central computer and the plurality of data modules. The central computer sends an instruction to the plurality of data modules over the data network to aid in synchronization of sampling of a power condition at the plurality of data modules.

Abstract: A bidirectional flow sensor (800) for automated systems includes a heater (18) which is maintained at a constant temperature above the temperature of the fluid flowing past the heater. A pair of temperature sensors (26a,26b) is located to either side of the heater (18). The temperature sensors may be two-terminal constant-current devices, electrically connected in series, so that the current is controlled by the sensor sensing the lower temperature, which is on the upstream side of the heater. In one embodiment, a processor (1010) processes the signals produced by the temperature sensors to produce a flow-direction indicating signal. The bidirectional sensor is adapted for interfacing with a digital network.

Abstract: A method of forming a toroidal winding assembly comprises: forming a longitudinal assembly having a first assembly end and a second assembly end; bending the longitudinal assembly to form a generally toroidal assembly; and bonding the first assembly end to the second assembly end to form the toroidal winding assembly.

Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that provides a dynamic delay time to an upstream circuit breaker if a fault is detected in a circuit where the dynamic delay time can be based upon the location of the fault, such as the nearest downstream circuit breaker.

Abstract: A method for operating a power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of components, and at least one node electronics unit coupled to at least one control processing unit. The method includes associating a unique identifier with at least one component class of the power distribution system, identifying each component based on the identifier, determining a specification associated with each identifier, and operating at least one of the node electronics unit and the control processing unit based on the determined specification.