Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Jefferies

Kevin M. Jefferies 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: 11962470
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to facilitate the commissioning of a distributed system. The method and system obtains a base configuration which defines an expected virtual topology for a distributed system, and identifies via a control device a physical network topology of the distributed system to commission the distributed system. The control device performs network discovery to identify a plurality of connected devices that are communicatively coupled thereto, and to collect device information for each connected device relating to its identity and relative position in the distributed system which has connected devices or associated subnetworks connected in a ring network topology. The collected device information for the plurality of connected devices is compared to the expected virtual topology from the base configuration to determine an identity and physical location of the plurality of connected devices and associated subnetworks in the physical network topology of the distributed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin Edwards, Matthew White
  • Patent number: 11843704
    Abstract: The present application relates to ensuring data consistency between a modular device and an external system. Techniques are described for ensuring data consistency between devices at a control device using configuration signatures. A control device can receive and store a baseline configuration signature for a first modular device. Upon initialization of the first modular device, the control device can receive a current configuration signature from the first modular device. The control device can compare the current configuration signature with the baseline configuration signature and, if a mismatch is found, generate a notification indicating that data subsequently received from the first modular device is of uncertain integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Daniel Martin, Surya Narayana H Govindaraju, Juergen Fiess, Christian Ringwald, Wolfgang Fien
  • Patent number: 11646681
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Alan E. Freeman, Richard K Weiler, Matthew L. White
  • Publication number: 20230102683
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to facilitate the commissioning of a distributed system. The method and system obtains a base configuration which defines an expected virtual topology for a distributed system, and identifies via a control device a physical network topology of the distributed system to commission the distributed system. The control device performs network discovery to identify a plurality of connected devices that are communicatively coupled thereto, and to collect device information for each connected device relating to its identity and relative position in the distributed system which has connected devices or associated subnetworks connected in a ring network topology. The collected device information for the plurality of connected devices is compared to the expected virtual topology from the base configuration to determine an identity and physical location of the plurality of connected devices and associated subnetworks in the physical network topology of the distributed system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Freeman, Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin Edwards, Matthew White
  • Publication number: 20220396168
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product resolve the problem of unbalanced loads in an EVSE cluster of multiple EVSE charging stations. A signal is provided to the EVSEs identifying which phase of the three-phase power source has the highest current. When one of the EVSEs in the cluster determines whether it is connected to an EV's on board charging device, determines whether it is already charging the connected EV, and determines whether the EVSE is using the phase that has the highest current, then the EVSE may transmit a cluster load balancing control signal as a control pilot signal to the EV's onboard charging device to adjust the charging rate of the current that the EV is consuming from the EVSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Matthew L. White, Konstantin A. FILIPPENKO, Richard K. WEILER
  • Publication number: 20220399837
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Alan E. FREEMAN, Richard K WEILER, Matthew L. WHITE
  • Publication number: 20220329440
    Abstract: The present application relates to ensuring data consistency between a modular device and an external system. Techniques are described for ensuring data consistency between devices at a control device using configuration signatures. A control device can receive and store a baseline configuration signature for a first modular device. Upon initialization of the first modular device, the control device can receive a current configuration signature from the first modular device. The control device can compare the current configuration signature with the baseline configuration signature and, if a mismatch is found, generate a notification indicating that data subsequently received from the first modular device is of uncertain integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Daniel MARTIN, Surya Narayana H GOVINDARAJU, Juergen FIESS, Christian RINGWALD, Wolfgang FIEN
  • Patent number: 11451171
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the health of a three-phase induction motor are provided. An expected threshold value is calculated as a function of an expected ratio of current unbalance to voltage unbalance for the three-phase motor. Embodiments determine whether a measured current unbalance exceeds the expected threshold value. Responsive to the measured current unbalance exceeding the expected threshold value, a remedial action may be taken, such as generating diagnostic information or activating one or more protection operations for the three-phase induction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Alan E. Freeman, Richard K Weiler, Matthew L. White
  • Patent number: 11447027
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product resolve the problem of unbalanced loads in an EVSE cluster of multiple EVSE charging stations. A signal is provided to the EVSEs identifying which phase of the three-phase power source has the highest current. When one of the EVSEs in the cluster determines whether it is connected to an EV's on board charging device, determines whether it is already charging the connected EV, and determines whether the EVSE is using the phase that has the highest current, then the EVSE may transmit a cluster load balancing control signal as a control pilot signal to the EV's onboard charging device to adjust the charging rate of the current that the EV is consuming from the EVSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Matthew L. White, Konstantin A. Filippenko, Richard K. Weiler
  • Patent number: 11405217
    Abstract: The present application relates to ensuring data consistency between a modular device and an external system. Techniques are described for ensuring data consistency between devices at a control device using configuration signatures. A control device can receive and store a baseline configuration signature for a first modular device. Upon initialization of the first modular device, the control device can receive a current configuration signature from the first modular device. The control device can compare the current configuration signature with the baseline configuration signature and, if a mismatch is found, generate a notification indicating that data subsequently received from the first modular device is of uncertain integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Daniel Martin, Surya Narayana H Govindaraju, Juergen Fiess, Christian Ringwald, Wolfgang Fien
  • Patent number: 11366142
    Abstract: A measurement module receives crosstalk compensation factors that include distance factors based on respective distances of a current sensor of the module from respective current sensors of other measurement modules and phase difference factors based on respective differences between the phase of a source current measured by the module and respective phases of source currents measured by the other modules. The module monitors messages reporting current measurements transmitted from the other modules connected to a broadcast bus, of current measurements made by respective current sensors of the other modules measuring other respective source currents. The module determines a reported current that is computed as a function of current measurement by the module's current sensor, reported current measurements monitored from the other modules, and the received crosstalk compensation factors. The module transmits the determined reported current over the broadcast bus to the other modules and a central controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Richard K. Weiler, Alan Freeman, Konstantin Filippenko
  • Patent number: 11353485
    Abstract: A measurement module receives a defined system topology and system component characteristics information for a system. The measurement module calculates an expected system impedance for the defined system topology. The measurement module collects one or more impedance measurements using a high frequency voltage stimulus. Finally, the measurement module compares the one or more impedance measurements with the expected system impedance to determine adequacy of protective grounding of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Matthew L. White, Benjamin W. Edwards, Richard K. Weiler, Alan E. Freeman
  • Patent number: 11333690
    Abstract: A measurement module uses harmonic compensation factors to minimize the effects of harmonic distortion in measurements of a source current by a current sensor of the module. The module samples at a first sampling rate, measurements of the source current to generate a first current measurement. The module samples at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate, for an interval of time, measurements of the source current to generate a second current measurement. The module determines a harmonic compensation factor based, at least, on a difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement. The module determines a reported current computed as a function of at least the first current measurement, the difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and the harmonic compensation factor. The reported current represents a magnitude of the source current adjusted by the harmonic compensation factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Benjamin W. Edwards, Richard K. Weiler, Alan E. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20220103549
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided to automatically adjust a device setting of a plurality of networked devices. The method includes performing autonomously at a device of the plurality of networked devices, receiving a request to update a device setting to a new value, comparing a characteristic of the plurality of networked devices to a corresponding characteristic of the device, determining one or more similar devices of the plurality of devices that satisfy a similarity criteria based on a result of the comparison, and accessing the one or more similar devices to change the device setting of the one or more similar devices to the new value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Matthew L. White, Richard K. Weiler, Alan E. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20220006407
    Abstract: Techniques for managing a distributed control system for a motor control switch are described. A request to implement a first controller for a motor control switch is received. Embodiments determine a plurality of functional modules for the first controller. Each of the plurality of functional modules comprises an instance of computer logic configured to perform a respective function. A respective Motor Control Function Set (MCFS) for performing the respective function of each of the plurality of functional modules is determined. One or more of a plurality of configurable hardware blocks are allocated to each of the plurality of functional modules. Embodiments configure each of the plurality of configurable hardware blocks based on the MCFS of the functional module to which the respective configurable hardware block is allocated. The configured plurality of configurable hardware blocks is executed as a distributed system to control the motor control switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Gerald B. CARSON, Konstantin A. FILIPPENKO, Christian PILLOT
  • Publication number: 20210247429
    Abstract: A measurement module receives a defined system topology and system component characteristics information for a system. The measurement module calculates an expected system impedance for the defined system topology. The measurement module collects one or more impedance measurements using a high frequency voltage stimulus. Finally, the measurement module compares the one or more impedance measurements with the expected system impedance to determine adequacy of protective grounding of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Matthew L. WHITE, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Richard K. WEILER, Alan E. FREEMAN
  • Publication number: 20210181243
    Abstract: A measurement module uses harmonic compensation factors to minimize the effects of harmonic distortion in measurements of a source current by a current sensor of the module. The module samples at a first sampling rate, measurements of the source current to generate a first current measurement. The module samples at a second sampling rate higher than the first sampling rate, for an interval of time, measurements of the source current to generate a second current measurement. The module determines a harmonic compensation factor based, at least, on a difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement. The module determines a reported current computed as a function of at least the first current measurement, the difference between the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and the harmonic compensation factor. The reported current represents a magnitude of the source current adjusted by the harmonic compensation factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Richard K. WEILER, Alan E. FREEMAN
  • Publication number: 20210156895
    Abstract: A measurement module receives crosstalk compensation factors that include distance factors based on respective distances of a current sensor of the module from respective current sensors of other measurement modules and phase difference factors based on respective differences between the phase of a source current measured by the module and respective phases of source currents measured by the other modules. The module monitors messages reporting current measurements transmitted from the other modules connected to a broadcast bus, of current measurements made by respective current sensors of the other modules measuring other respective source currents. The module determines a reported current that is computed as a function of current measurement by the module's current sensor, reported current measurements monitored from the other modules, and the received crosstalk compensation factors. The module transmits the determined reported current over the broadcast bus to the other modules and a central controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Richard K. WEILER, Alan FREEMAN, Konstantin FILIPPENKO
  • Publication number: 20210135942
    Abstract: Techniques for automatically configuring a computing device in a computing environment are provided. One embodiment includes determining that the computing device has been added to a computing environment and that at least one feature of the computing device is unconfigured. Device name data specifying at least two potential device identifiers for the computing device is received from a plurality of endpoint devices communicatively coupled to the computing device. A first device identifier is selected from the at least two potential device identifiers and device configuration data associated with the first device identifier is requested from a device configuration server. The at least one feature of the computing device can then be configured using the device configuration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Jefferies, Matthew L. White, Alan E. Freeman, Richard Karl Weiler
  • Publication number: 20210119441
    Abstract: A progressive protection method automatically adapts a protection trip delay or fault timeout for a motor that is a member of a group of motors performing mutually similar or related tasks, based on the occurrence of a fault in another motor within the group, without requiring manual intervention. If the user requires stringent protection of the motors in a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be shortened in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group. Alternatively, if the user prefers continuity of service for a particular application, then the trip delay time for all of the motors in the group, may be increased in response to recently-detected similar trips of other motors within the group, based on past experience with the occurrence of fault self-clearing for the motors in the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. JEFFERIES, Benjamin W. EDWARDS, Matthew L. WHITE, Alan E. FREEMAN, Richard K. WEILER