Patents by Inventor Kenneth James Caird

Kenneth James Caird 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: 20150294037
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium may include computer-executable code. In turn, the computer-executable code may include instructions to receive a system specification definition (SSD) file based on a proposed substation design (PSD) and determine a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IED) in the PSD based on the SSD file. The computer-executable code may also include instructions to receive an IED configuration description (ICD) file for each of the plurality of IEDs in the PSD and to generate a system configuration description (SCD) file based on the SSD file and the ICD files.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kenneth James Caird
  • Patent number: 8831788
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for maintaining stable conditions within a power grid are provided. A local device that includes one or more computer processors may identify one or more power sources associated with a structure. The local device may additionally monitor one or more parameters associated with a power grid configured to supply power to the structure. Based at least in part on the monitoring, the local device may identify a power grid fluctuation. Based at least in part on the identification of the power grid fluctuation, the local device may adjust operation of at least one power source included in the one or more identified power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Byron Richard Flynn, Kenneth James Caird
  • Patent number: 8774143
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of communicating with smart appliances through a smart grid and smart meter infrastructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adil Ansari, Richard Dale Slates, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Kenneth James Caird
  • Patent number: 8698648
    Abstract: A method for communicating utility data includes receiving a voice signal and a data signal via a utility network, combining the voice signal and the data signal to form a communication signal, and transmitting the communication signal to a plurality of utility asset controllers and handheld devices via the utility network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nathan Bowman Littrell, Kenneth James Caird, Lincoln Mamoru Fujita
  • Publication number: 20130054144
    Abstract: Systems and methods for distributed feeder outage reduction are usable to reduce power outages by tracking weather conditions and/or receiving weather condition information. Such systems and methods can be used to control protective relays and/or recloser breakers of utility systems to increase relay trip levels during storm conditions. Additionally, normal operating settings may be implemented when weather activity is not predicted to impact such components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Kenneth James Caird
  • Patent number: 8326554
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for utility meter phase identification are provided. A utility meter may receive, from a remote system, a plurality of reference signals for respective zero crossings for a plurality of phases in a multiple-phase power system. The reference signals may be generated utilizing a precision time source. The utility meter may also receive a precision time signal from a time source. The precision time signal may be utilized to time stamp a zero crossing of a voltage signal at the meter, and the time stamped voltage signal may be compared to the plurality of reference signals in order to determine a phase to which the utility meter is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kenneth James Caird
  • Patent number: 8321296
    Abstract: A method of distributing charge capacity to electric vehicles in a charging system that includes a solar charge capacity generated locally. The method may include: determining a requested charge for the plurality of electric vehicles, calculating a requested charge time, the solar charge capacity comprising the total charging capacity of the charging system via solar generated energy; calculating a charge time capacity, the charge time capacity comprising the available charge time of the charging system; comparing the requested charge to the solar charge capacity; comparing the requested charge time to the charge time capacity; and if it is determined that either the requested charge is greater than the solar charge capacity or the requested charge time is greater than the charge time capacity, auctioning the solar charge capacity to operators of the plurality of electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adil Ansari, Kenneth James Caird
  • Publication number: 20120271470
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for maintaining stable conditions within a power grid are provided. A local device that includes one or more computer processors may identify one or more power sources associated with a structure. The local device may additionally monitor one or more parameters associated with a power grid configured to supply power to the structure. Based at least in part on the monitoring, the local device may identify a power grid fluctuation. Based at least in part on the identification of the power grid fluctuation, the local device may adjust operation of at least one power source included in the one or more identified power sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Byron Richard Flynn, Kenneth James Caird
  • Publication number: 20120259723
    Abstract: A method of distributing charge capacity to electric vehicles in a charging system that includes a solar charge capacity generated locally. The method may include: determining a requested charge for the plurality of electric vehicles, calculating a requested charge time, the solar charge capacity comprising the total charging capacity of the charging system via solar generated energy; calculating a charge time capacity, the charge time capacity comprising the available charge time of the charging system; comparing the requested charge to the solar charge capacity; comparing the requested charge time to the charge time capacity; and if it is determined that either the requested charge is greater than the solar charge capacity or the requested charge time is greater than the charge time capacity, auctioning the solar charge capacity to operators of the plurality of electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Adil Ansari, Kenneth James Caird
  • Publication number: 20120253532
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forecasting electrical load are provided. A baseline load forecast for a future time period may be determined by a forecasting system associated with a power utility. As desired, the forecasting system may include one or more computers. Information associated with at least one of (i) a scheduled demand for the future time period or (ii) a planned outage associated with the future time period may be determined by the forecasting system. Based at least in part on the determined information, the forecasting system may modify the baseline load forecast. Based at least in part on the modified baseline load forecast, the forecasting system may generate a bid contract for the future time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dale Robert McMullin, Kenneth James Caird
  • Publication number: 20120131324
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of communicating with smart appliances through a smart grid and smart meter infrastructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Adil Ansari, Richard Dale Slates, Rahul Jaikaran Chillar, Kenneth James Caird
  • Publication number: 20110161022
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for utility meter phase identification are provided. A utility meter may receive, from a remote system, a plurality of reference signals for respective zero crossings for a plurality of phases in a multiple-phase power system. The reference signals may be generated utilizing a precision time source. The utility meter may also receive a precision time signal from a time source. The precision time signal may be utilized to time stamp a zero crossing of a voltage signal at the meter, and the time stamped voltage signal may be compared to the plurality of reference signals in order to determine a phase to which the utility meter is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Kenneth James Caird
  • Publication number: 20100176966
    Abstract: A method for communicating utility data includes receiving a voice signal and a data signal via a utility network, combining the voice signal and the data signal to form a communication signal, and transmitting the communication signal to a plurality of utility asset controllers and handheld devices via the utility network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Nathan Bowman Littrell, Kenneth James Caird, Lincoln Mamoru Fujita