Abstract: A method and system for determining a configuration of a redundant critical control system is provided. The method includes receiving power distribution system operating characteristic information, using a computer, determining a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determining efficiency characteristics of each of the alternative configurations, and selecting a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations. The system includes a computer system configured to receive power distribution system operating characteristic information, determine a plurality of alternative configurations of the power distribution system that are consistent with the operating characteristic information and determine life-cycle cost characteristics of each of the alternative configurations, and select a configuration from the plurality of alternative configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power distribution system circuit breaker is provided. The circuit breaker includes an associated node electronics unit wherein a node electronics unit redundancy requirement is predetermined. The method includes monitoring electrical system parameters associated with the circuit breaker with the node electronics unit, communicating the electrical system parameters over a digital network to at least one central control processing unit, receiving commands and actions from the at least one central control processing unit over the digital network, determining circuit breaker actuation commands based at least partially on the received commands and actions, and operating the circuit breaker based on the circuit breaker actuation commands.

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 method and system and a computer program for improving reliability of a centrally-controlled electrical protection system is provided. The method includes identifying at least one component of the centrally-controlled power distribution system, obtaining at least one of reliability data and reparability data for each at least one component of the centrally-controlled power distribution system, and constructing a reliability block diagram for each functional category. The computer system and computer program code segment are configured to implement the method for improving reliability of a centrally-controlled electrical protection system architecture based on sensitivity analysis.

Abstract: A method for communicating information bundled in digital message packets via a digital network communication system is provided. The digital network communication system a sample source and each packet includes a header and a communication payload area. The method includes sampling the source at a first sample rate, selecting at least one decimation of the samples based on at least one of a plurality of algorithmic data rates and a channel bandwidth, determining a packet rate based on a plurality of algorithmic latency requirements, and transmitting the digital message packet containing decimated data on the digital network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The method includes sampling an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmitting the sampled current signals to a central control processing unit, determining a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units, and isolating the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault. The apparatus is configured to sample an electrical current flow in the centrally controlled power distribution system, transmit the sampled current signals associated with each circuit breaker to a central control processing unit, determine a ground fault presence and location based on the current signals received from all of the node electronics units in the power distribution system, and isolate the determined ground fault by opening circuit breakers supplying power to the fault.

Abstract: A data sample and transmission module for a power distribution system is provided. The module has a microprocessor and a network interface. The microprocessor samples first signals indicative of a condition of power in the power distribution system. The network interface places the microprocessor in communication with a data network. The microprocessor samples the first signals based in part upon a synchronization signal transmitted on the data network.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a plurality of processors within a computer system is provided. The computer system includes a plurality of processors that are each communicatively coupled to a respective network wherein each network is independent of each other network. The method includes receiving a plurality of input signals at a first rate from at least one source, transmitting the input signals to a reference object, and transforming the input signal to a known temporal reference. The apparatus is configured to receive a plurality of input signals at a first rate from at least one source, transmit the input signals to a reference object, and transform the input signal to a known temporal reference.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a power distribution system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers and a plurality of node electronic units. Each node electronic unit is mounted remotely from an associated circuit breaker that is electrically coupled with one of the node electronic units. The system also includes a first digital network, and a first central control unit. The first central control unit and the plurality of node electronic units are communicatively coupled to the first digital network. The method includes receiving digital signals from each node electronic unit at the central control unit, determining an operational state of the power distribution system from the digital signal, and transmitting digital signals to the plurality of node electronic units such that the circuit breakers are operable from the first central control unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker coupled to a single node electronics unit, the node electronics unit includes a plurality of processors and a memory, and the node electronics unit is communicatively coupled to at least one central control processing unit through an associated network. The method includes triggering a first node electronics unit process with a processor interrupt, and triggering a second node electronics unit process with at least one of a background polling of process execution flags and scheduled processor interrupts. The apparatus includes a software program code segment configured to trigger a first node electronics unit process with a processor interrupt, and trigger a second node electronics unit process with at least one of a background polling of process execution flags and scheduled processor interrupts.

Abstract: A current sensor for an apparatus includes a conductor having a slit and at least one Hall effect device inserted at least partially within the slit. The conductor is configured to generate a magnetic field having a pre-determined shape, and the Hall effect device is configured to detect the pre-determined shape and generate an output.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for glass-ceramic cooktop appliances includes an optical detector having an reference component and an active component. The active component is arranged to receive radiation from the glass-ceramic plate, and the reference component is insulated from radiation from the glass-ceramic plate. The sensor assembly further includes a temperature sensor and a heater located adjacent to the reference component and a controller having a first input connected to the optical detector and a second input connected to the temperature sensor. The controller is responsive to the optical detector and the temperature sensor to calibrate the sensor assembly. Calibration is accomplished by noting the temperature reading of the temperature sensor after the burner assembly has not been used for a predetermined period of time to obtain a first calibration point. Then, the burner assembly is activated so that the temperature of the glass-ceramic plate is raised, and the output of the optical detector is noted.

Abstract: An integrated sensor for automated systems includes a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, and a network interface. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the flow sensor includes a temperature sensor (26) which determines the temperature of the fluid flowing in a flow path (12). A heater (18) is coupled to the flow path, and is energized by a controller (20) with sufficient electrical power to raise the temperature of the heater above the measured fluid temperature by a fixed temperature difference. In order to aid in determining the temperature difference, a sensor (24) may be associated with the heater (18). The amount of power required to maintain the temperature difference is a measure of the flow velocity. The volumetric flow rate is the product of the flow velocity multiplied by the area of the flow sensor. The mass flow rate is the product of the volumetric flow rate multiplied by the mass density of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling the temperature of the cooking surface of a cooking surface of a solid-surface cooktop and, consequently, the temperature of the cooking utensil on the cooking surface, by detecting cooking utensil-related properties through the solid-surface cooktop. The cooking utensil-related properties include presence/absence, removal/placement, and other physical properties such as utensil type, size, warpage, and temperature and load size. Automatic control is based on monitoring the heat transfer characteristics from the energy source to the cooktop and the utensil to infer the utensil properties. This is achieved by sensing or inferring a parameter indicative of the temperature of a monitored area that includes at least a portion of the cooktop or of the cooking utensil placed on the upper surface of a cooktop, as well as a parameter indicative of power applied to a controllable heat source, and detecting signal properties using an evolutionary algorithm.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines properties of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel that is selectively placed on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises a radiation sensor positioned below the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor senses at least a portion of, at least one of reflected radiation and ambient radiation that are provided above the cooktop surface and that pass through the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor also generates a detected radiation signal based on the sensed radiation. A processor is connected to the radiation sensor, and the processor determines properties of the cooktop from analyzing the detected radiation signal.

Abstract: An apparatus detects changes in water vapor above a cooktop surface and includes a radiation source that is positioned below the cooktop surface. The radiation source emits radiation having a predetermined water vapor absorption wavelength. A beam splitter splits the emitted radiation into a first radiation beam and a second radiation beam. The first radiation beam is directed through and above the cooktop surface. A reflective surface positioned above the cooktop surface reflects the first radiation beam. A radiation sensor detects the reflected first radiation beam and generates a sensor output. A reference radiation sensor receives the second radiation beam from the beam splitter and generates a reference output. A processor is connected to the radiation sensor and the reference radiation sensor and receives the sensor output and the reference output. Changes in water vapor above the cooktop surface are determined by analyzing the sensor output and the reference output.

Abstract: A self powered parallel bar current sensor for generating a signal which accurately represents current in a power line includes a power coil core having an opening extending therethrough, and a current sensing element including two substantially parallel sensing bars and a sensing coil. The sensing coil is disposed between the sensing bars, and the sensing bars and sensing coil extend through the power coil core opening. A reference coil may also be situated between the sensing bars. The current sensor is connected in series in the power line.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines properties of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel that is selectively placed on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises a radiation sensor positioned below the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor senses at least a portion of, at least one of reflected radiation and ambient radiation that are provided above the cooktop surface and that pass through the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor also generates a detected radiation signal based on the sensed radiation. A processor is connected to the radiation sensor, and the processor determines properties of the cooktop from analyzing the detected radiation signal.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly includes a plurality of symmetric current conductors that pass asymmetrically through an opening in a toroidal core having a sensing winding wound on the core. A blade is connected to each end of the conductors. Each of the conductors has the general shape of a “V” as viewed along a central axis passing through the opening in the toroidal core.

Abstract: A current sensor assembly includes a plurality of symmetric current conductors that pass asymmetrically through the sensor assembly. A blade is connected to each end of the conductors. The conductors have a diagonal symmetry and have the general shape of a “V” as viewed from the top of the sensor assembly. The conductors pass through an opening located at the center of the current sensor.