Abstract: A sensor system for an electric power asset includes a sensor instrument coupleable to sensors associated with the electric power asset to receive sensor signals therefrom, and an antenna connection cable coupled to the sensor instrument. The antenna connection cable includes a cable sheath and a plurality of twisted pair signal carriers contained within the cable sheath to carry sensor signals received from the electric power asset. A first subset of the plurality of twisted pair signal carriers carry antenna signals and a second separate subset of the plurality of twisted pair signal carriers carry signals for partial discharge monitoring.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a plurality of antennas that can be interconnected with each other and with a central receiver in a self-assembling manner, such that antennas can be added, removed, and replaced with minimal configuration. Each antenna comprises an antenna feed circuit, an input connector, and an output connector. Each of the antennas may be configured to assign a first set of signal channels at its output connector to a second set of signal channels at its input connector (or vice versa) according to a predetermined or dynamically determined mapping. Each antenna may be further configured to assign a signal channel at its input connector to the signal it receives at its antenna feed circuitry. By sharing the same configuration for mapping signal channels between the antennas' input and output connectors and feed circuitry, the antennas can be added or removed in a sequence of antennas using simple cable connections and without having to rewire the connections at the central receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical discharge includes a component that generates an electrical discharge, a measurement circuit configured to measure a magnitude of the electrical discharge, and a controller configured to control the magnitudes of the electrical discharge. A method for controlling a reference partial discharge signal in an electric power system includes generating a partial discharge for built in self test, controlling an expected discharge magnitude of the partial discharge, and includes measuring an actual discharge magnitude of the partial discharge.

Abstract: A method for determining a dynamic rating for a conductive path includes using a sensor to measure a value for a load parameter and selecting a heating process associated with the load parameter. A rated temperature change is changed by removing temperature changes due to a heating process other than the selected heating process to produce an impaired rated temperature change. A thermal load percentage is determined from the impaired rated temperature change. The thermal load percentage and the measured value are then used to determine the dynamic rating for the load parameter. A method also includes measuring a temperature rise, a current, and a voltage on the conductive path multiple times. Using at least two basis functions and the multiple measured temperature rises, currents and voltages, the values for at least two variables are determined. Trends in each variable are determined to determine a condition of electric equipment.

Abstract: A sensor system for an electric power asset includes a sensor instrument coupleable to sensors associated with the electric power asset to receive sensor signals therefrom, and an antenna connection cable coupled to the sensor instrument. The antenna connection cable includes a cable sheath and a plurality of twisted pair signal carriers contained within the cable sheath to carry sensor signals received from the electric power asset. A first subset of the plurality of twisted pair signal carriers carry antenna signals and a second separate subset of the plurality of twisted pair signal carriers carry signals for partial discharge monitoring.

Abstract: A sensor module for monitoring an asset in an electrical power generation or distribution system includes a module body, a sensor, a sensor near field coupling structure, and an interrogation near field coupling structure. The sensor is supported by the module body, arranged to sense a parameter of the asset and configured to generate a sensor output relating to the parameter. The sensor near field coupling structure is connected to the sensor and supported on a first side of a module body. The interrogation near field coupling structure is supported on a second side of the module body. The sensor output is transmitted from the sensor near field coupling structure to the interrogation near field coupling structure. The sensor module is configured to provide electrical isolation between the asset and a monitoring circuit configured to receive the sensor output through the interrogation near field coupling structure.

Abstract: A sensor package includes at least one conductive trace providing a voltage common and a base supporting the at least one conductive trace. A conductive extension extends from the base so as to contact a conductor of an insulated conductor when the sensor package is mounted on an insulator of the insulated conductor and thereby provide an electrical connection between the conductive trace providing the voltage common and the conductor.

Abstract: A sensor module for monitoring an asset in an electrical power generation or distribution system includes a module body, a sensor, a sensor near field coupling structure, and an interrogation near field coupling structure. The sensor is supported by the module body, arranged to sense a parameter of the asset and configured to generate a sensor output relating to the parameter. The sensor near field coupling structure is connected to the sensor and supported on a first side of a module body. The interrogation near field coupling structure is supported on a second side of the module body. The sensor output is transmitted from the sensor near field coupling structure to the interrogation near field coupling structure. The sensor module is configured to provide electrical isolation between the asset and a monitoring circuit configured to receive the sensor output through the interrogation near field coupling structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electrical discharge includes a component that generates an electrical discharge, a measurement circuit configured to measure a magnitude of the electrical discharge, and a controller configured to control the magnitudes of the electrical discharge. A method for controlling a reference partial discharge signal in an electric power system includes generating a partial discharge for built in self test, controlling an expected discharge magnitude of the partial discharge, and includes measuring an actual discharge magnitude of the partial discharge.

Abstract: A sensor package includes at least one conductive trace providing a voltage common and a base supporting the at least one conductive trace. A conductive extension extends from the base so as to contact a conductor of an insulated conductor when the sensor package is mounted on an insulator of the insulated conductor and thereby provide an electrical connection between the conductive trace providing the voltage common and the conductor.

Abstract: A method for determining a dynamic rating for a conductive path includes using a sensor to measure a value for a load parameter and selecting a heating process associated with the load parameter. A rated temperature change is changed by removing temperature changes due to a heating process other than the selected heating process to produce an impaired rated temperature change. A thermal load percentage is determined from the impaired rated temperature change. The thermal load percentage and the measured value are then used to determine the dynamic rating for the load parameter. A method also includes measuring a temperature rise, a current, and a voltage on the conductive path multiple times. Using at least two basis functions and the multiple measured temperature rises, currents and voltages, the values for at least two variables are determined. Trends in each variable are determined to determine a condition of electric equipment.

Abstract: Quartz cuts are provided which exhibit temperature characteristics which are favorable for making differential SAW temperature sensors. Families of Y cuts rotated between 0° and 60° degrees in combination with placement of two resonators at specified angles to each other are disclosed. Further, preferred embodiments in which the resonators are placed on opposite sides of a zero TCF line are disclosed, to provide wide temperature differences while efficiently utilizing the available bandwidth. The design permits placement of the resonator at angles smaller than 12.5° and even less than 5° therebetween, most preferably on quartz rotated Y cut between 28.5° and 42.75°.

Abstract: A measurement device for operating in high voltage electrical fields such in high voltage electrical switchgear, having a sensor and a ?/2 monopole helical antenna coupled thereto. The antenna is coupled to a ground via return stub in lieu of the common ground plane. The antenna is made of wire having a sufficiently large diameter to prevent forming corona discharge point electrode throughout the outer surface of the volume defined by the antenna, thus minimizing corona discharge risk. The antenna further provide relative immunity from induced voltage at the 50-400 Hz range from the high voltage fields, allowing ESD sensitive devices to operate in close proximity to the high voltage conductors.

Abstract: A tapered core waveguide which may be configured as a spectral component splitter, a spectral component combiner, and various combinations thereof including a reflective mode of operation. The tapered core waveguide has an aperture and cladding, and is dimensioned such that radiant energy admitted into the core via the aperture and having at least two spectral components would be emitted via the cladding at a location dependent on its frequency and/or its polarization, and that a plurality of spectral components injected to the core via the cladding will be mixed and emitted via the aperture.

Abstract: Methods for creating Continuous Resonant Trap Refractors (CRTR's), and methods for creating stratum structure in which the CRTR is to be disposed, are disclosed The invention further include novel methods for patterning an etch mask, and forming collimators of adjustable length.

Abstract: A layered waveguide stack radiant energy converter array having a plurality of superposed waveguides, each waveguide having a core layer having a radiant energy converter disposed therein, and two cladding layers disposed on opposing sides of the core. In some embodiments the conductive layers are electrically coupled to the converter and act as charge carriers for it, and in other wires are provided for individual converters. Each waveguide has at least one inlet for passage of radiant energy therethrough, the inlet extending between the cladding layers, such that radiant energy entering the waveguide impinges on at least two layers of the waveguide, the inlet further defining a minimum cutoff frequency for the energy to propagate in the waveguide. In some embodiments such as solar panels, energy is harvested. In other embodiments energy is detected such as for example is done in a camera focal plane sensor. In some embodiments the stack is used to emit light.

Abstract: A CRTR (Continuous Resonant Trap Refractor) is the name given to waveguides having a tapered core and a cladding which disperses radiant energy admitted via the aperture at the wide end of the tapered core, and emits the energy in sorted fashion via the cladding. As individual waves reach a width of the core in which they can not propagate along the tapered core waveguide, and are emitted via the cladding sorted at frequency dependent depth. Alternatively, the CRTR admits radiant energy via the cladding and mixes and emits the combined energy via the aperture. The present invention is directed The invention discloses several uses of CRTRs and aspects of the invention include inter alia imagers, camouflage devices, radar and heat signature reduction devices, communications, target designation, and the like.

Abstract: Quartz cuts are provided which exhibit temperature characteristics which are favorable for making differential SAW temperature sensors. Families of Y cuts rotated between 0° and 60° degrees in combination with placement of two resonators at specified angles to each other are disclosed. Further, preferred embodiments in which the resonators are placed on opposite sides of a zero TCF line are disclosed, to provide wide temperature differences while efficiently utilizing the available bandwidth. The design permits placement of the resonator at angles smaller than 12.5° and even less than 5° therebetween, most preferably on quartz rotated Y cut between 28.5° and 42.75°.

Abstract: A measurement device for operating in high voltage electrical fields such in high voltage electrical switchgear, having a sensor and a ?/2 monopole helical antenna coupled thereto. The antenna is coupled to a ground via return stub in lieu of the common ground plane. The antenna is made of wire having a sufficiently large diameter to prevent forming corona discharge point electrode throughout the outer surface of the volume defined by the antenna, thus minimizing corona discharge risk. The antenna further provide relative immunity from induced voltage at the 50-400 Hz range from the high voltage fields, allowing ESD sensitive devices to operate in close proximity to the high voltage conductors.

Abstract: A layered waveguide stack radiant energy converter array having a plurality of superposed waveguides, each waveguide having a core layer having a radiant energy converter disposed therein, and two cladding layers disposed on opposing sides of the core. In some embodiments the conductive layers are electrically coupled to the converter and act as charge carriers for it, and in other wires are provided for individual converters. Each waveguide has at least one inlet for passage of radiant energy therethrough, the inlet extending between the cladding layers, such that radiant energy entering the waveguide impinges on at least two layers of the waveguide, the inlet further defining a minimum cutoff frequency for the energy to propagate in the waveguide. In some embodiments such as solar panels, energy is harvested. In other embodiments energy is detected such as for example is done in a camera focal plane sensor. In some embodiments the stack is used to emit light.