Patents by Inventor Lucas J. McPhee

Lucas J. McPhee 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: 20230184848
    Abstract: A fault detector detects grounded-neutral faults. The fault detector is configured to: receive a first signal from a first induction circuit, the first induction circuit configured to detect a current imbalance between a line conductor and a neutral conductor; determine a first frequency and a first phase of a noise signal component of the first signal; output a noise cancellation signal to a primary side of the first induction circuit, the noise cancellation signal having the first frequency of the noise signal component and an opposite phase than the first phase of the noise signal component; and generate a trip signal based on determining that an impedance of the neutral conductor to ground is at or below a threshold level based upon the first signal received during the injection of the noise cancelation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Chandrashekar Nagawaram, Lucas J. McPhee, John P. Filipetti
  • Patent number: 11563317
    Abstract: A detector is provided that generates a leakage signal corresponding to a current imbalance between a line conductor and a neutral conductor for a load, and selectively injects a test signal into the neutral conductor. A frequency of the test signal substantially corresponds to a utility frequency. The detector measures a first value of the leakage signal, determines if the first value is less than first threshold value, and begins injection of the test signal into the neutral conductor in response to determining that the that first value is less than the first threshold value. In response to injecting the test signal, the detector measures a second value of the signal, determines if the second value is greater than a second threshold value, and disconnects the line conductor from the load in response to determining that the second value is greater than the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Chandrashekar Nagawaram, Lucas J. McPhee