Patents by Inventor Gary W. Scheer

Gary W. Scheer 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: 9653904
    Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Dhruba P. Das, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Mark L. Zeller
  • Patent number: 9515475
    Abstract: An electro-optical (EO) radiation collector for collecting and/or transmitting EO radiation (which may include EO radiation in the visible wavelengths) for transmission to an EO sensor. The EO radiation collector may be used with an arc flash detection device or other protective system, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED). The arc flash detection device may detect an arc flash event based upon EO radiation collected by and/or transmitted from the EO radiation collector. The EO radiation collector may receive an EO conductor cable, an end of which may be configured to receive EO radiation. A portion of the EO radiation received by the EO radiation collector may be transmitted into the EO conductor cable and transmitted to the arc flash detection device. The EO radiation collector may be adapted to receive a second EO conductor cable, which may be used to provide redundant EO transmission and/or self-test capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Gary W. Scheer
  • Publication number: 20150244160
    Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Dhruba P. Das, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout
  • Patent number: 9046391
    Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Dhruba P. Das
  • Publication number: 20140346327
    Abstract: An electro-optical (EO) radiation collector for collecting and/or transmitting EO radiation (which may include EO radiation in the visible wavelengths) for transmission to an EO sensor. The EO radiation collector may be used with an arc flash detection device or other protective system, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED). The arc flash detection device may detect an arc flash event based upon EO radiation collected by and/or transmitted from the EO radiation collector. The EO radiation collector may receive an EO conductor cable, an end of which may be configured to receive EO radiation. A portion of the EO radiation received by the EO radiation collector may be transmitted into the EO conductor cable and transmitted to the arc flash detection device. The EO radiation collector may be adapted to receive a second EO conductor cable, which may be used to provide redundant EO transmission and/or self-test capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Gary W. Scheer
  • Patent number: 8803069
    Abstract: An electro-optical (EO) radiation collector for collecting and/or transmitting EO radiation (which may include EO radiation in the visible wavelengths) for transmission to an EO sensor. The EO radiation collector may be used with an arc flash detection device or other protective system, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED). The arc flash detection device may detect an arc flash event based upon EO radiation collected by and/or transmitted from the EO radiation collector. The EO radiation collector may receive an EO conductor cable, an end of which may be configured to receive EO radiation. A portion of the EO radiation received by the EO radiation collector may be transmitted into the EO conductor cable and transmitted to the arc flash detection device. The EO radiation collector may be adapted to receive a second EO conductor cable, which may be used to provide redundant EO transmission and/or self-test capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Gary W. Scheer
  • Patent number: 8735798
    Abstract: An electro-optical (EO) radiation collector for collecting and/or transmitting EO radiation (which may include EO radiation in the visible wavelengths) for transmission to an EO sensor. The EO radiation collector may be used with an arc flash detection device or other protective system, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED). The arc flash detection device may detect an arc flash event based upon EO radiation collected by and/or transmitted from the EO radiation collector. The EO radiation collector may receive an EO conductor cable, an end of which may be configured to receive EO radiation. A portion of the EO radiation received by the EO radiation collector may be transmitted into the EO conductor cable and transmitted to the arc flash detection device. The EO radiation collector may be adapted to receive a second EO conductor cable, which may be used to provide redundant EO transmission and/or self-test capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Gary W. Scheer
  • Patent number: 8664961
    Abstract: An arc flash validation unit may generate stimulus to be received by an arc flash detection unit (AFDU) and observe the response of the AFDU thereto. The response of the AFDU to the stimulus may allow for validation of the AFDU (e.g., validation that the AFDU is operating as expected). In addition, the arc flash validation unit may determine the response time of the AFDU. Different types of stimulus may be provided to the AFDU, including electro-optical (EO) stimulus (e.g., visible light), current stimulus, and the like. Results of the validation may be displayed on a human-machine interface, which may display an estimate of the total energy that would be released in an actual arc flash event. The estimate may be used to define appropriate safety parameters for the equipment monitored by the AFDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Mark L. Zeller, Angelo D'Aversa, Gary W. Scheer
  • Publication number: 20120312971
    Abstract: An electro-optical (EO) radiation collector for collecting and/or transmitting EO radiation (which may include EO radiation in the visible wavelengths) for transmission to an EO sensor. The EO radiation collector may be used with an arc flash detection device or other protective system, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED). The arc flash detection device may detect an arc flash event based upon EO radiation collected by and/or transmitted from the EO radiation collector. The EO radiation collector may receive an EO conductor cable, an end of which may be configured to receive EO radiation. A portion of the EO radiation received by the EO radiation collector may be transmitted into the EO conductor cable and transmitted to the arc flash detection device. The EO radiation collector may be adapted to receive a second EO conductor cable, which may be used to provide redundant EO transmission and/or self-test capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Gary W. Scheer
  • Publication number: 20120312977
    Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SCHWEITZER ENGINEERING LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Dhruba P. Das
  • Patent number: 8319173
    Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Dhruba P. Das
  • Publication number: 20100072352
    Abstract: An electro-optical (EO) radiation collector for collecting and/or transmitting EO radiation (which may include EO radiation in the visible wavelengths) for transmission to an EO sensor. The EO radiation collector may be used with an arc flash detection device or other protective system, such as an intelligent electronic device (IED). The arc flash detection device may detect an arc flash event based upon EO radiation collected by and/or transmitted from the EO radiation collector. The EO radiation collector may receive an EO conductor cable, an end of which may be configured to receive EO radiation. A portion of the EO radiation received by the EO radiation collector may be transmitted into the EO conductor cable and transmitted to the arc flash detection device. The EO radiation collector may be adapted to receive a second EO conductor cable, which may be used to provide redundant EO transmission and/or self-test capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Gary W. Scheer
  • Publication number: 20100073013
    Abstract: An arc flash validation unit may generate stimulus to be received by an arc flash detection unit (AFDU) and observe the response of the AFDU thereto. The response of the AFDU to the stimulus may allow for validation of the AFDU (e.g., validation that the AFDU is operating as expected). In addition, the arc flash validation unit may determine the response time of the AFDU. Different types of stimulus may be provided to the AFDU, including electro-optical (EO) stimulus (e.g., visible light), current stimulus, and the like. Results of the validation may be displayed on a human-machine interface, which may display an estimate of the total energy that would be released in an actual arc flash event. The estimate may be used to define appropriate safety parameters for the equipment monitored by the AFDU.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Mark L. Zeller, Angelo D'Aversa, Gary W. Scheer
  • Publication number: 20100072355
    Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Dhruba P. Das
  • Patent number: 5793750
    Abstract: The communication system includes transmitting output status bits indicative of a function of the relay directly from one microprocessor-based protective relay in a power system to a second companion microprocessor-based relay. Each relay has transmit and receive modules connected by a communications link, with the transmit and receive modules using the logic output and input bits produced by the respective relays in their respective relay calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Gary W. Scheer
  • Patent number: 4551718
    Abstract: A system for transmitting status information from a first location to a remote second location includes a monitoring device at the first location for monitoring the state of a plurality of relays or other devices that are capable of being in either an active or inactive state. The monitoring device produces a digital signal representative of the state of the relays. A first memory storage device contains a table of digital codes arranged so that a unique code is associated in a predetermined manner with each relay in each state. A processor is provided for processing the digital signal from the monitoring device and for accessing the table to retrieve the code associated with the present state of each relay. The processor also produces a first signal indicative of a change of state of any relay from the inactive to the active state. A transmitter transmits the codes retrieved from the processor in a predetermined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Tetragenics, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Cookson, Richard L. Schatzka, Richard A. Echard, Gary W. Scheer