Patents by Inventor Mark A. Parsons

Mark A. Parsons 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: 20230417801
    Abstract: A power line sensing device is provided that can include a number of features. In one embodiment, a power line sensing device includes a split-core transformer comprising a first core half having a first core face and a second core half having a second core face. The first core face and/or the second core face are covered with a protective film. The power line sensing device further includes a mechanism that, when the power line sensing device is installed, removes the protective film and joins the first core face to the second core face around a power line conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Kast, David P. Knight, Mark A. Parsons, Dennis Allen Saxby
  • Patent number: 11789042
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Sentient Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kast, David P. Knight, Mark A. Parsons, Dennis Allen Saxby
  • Patent number: 10901008
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Sentient Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kast, David P. Knight, Mark A. Parsons, Dennis Allen Saxby
  • Patent number: 9954354
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. The system can further include one or more arc shields positioned near the sensing devices and configured to prevent damage to the conductor or sensing device in the event of a traveling arc. Methods of installing and protecting the system are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SENTIENT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Baker, Dennis Allen Saxby, James E. Steiner, David P. Knight, Brian Charles Hewett, Mark A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 9448257
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of monitoring devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, a monitoring device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network and utilizes a split-core transformer to harvest energy from the conductors. The monitoring devices can be configured to harvest energy from the AC power grid and apply a DC bias to core halves of the split-core transformer to maintain a positive magnetic force between the core halves. Methods of installing and using the monitoring devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SENTIENT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Saxby, Mark A. Parsons, James McKeffery
  • Publication number: 20160197470
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. The system can further include one or more arc shields positioned near the sensing devices and configured to prevent damage to the conductor or sensing device in the event of a traveling arc. Methods of installing and protecting the system are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Baker, Dennis Allen Saxby, James E. Steiner, David P. Knight, Brian Charles Hewett, Mark A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 9229036
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SENTIENT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Kast, David P. Knight, Mark A. Parsons, Dennis Saxby
  • Patent number: 9182429
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of monitoring devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, a monitoring device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network and utilizes a split-core transformer to harvest energy from the conductors. The monitoring devices can be configured to harvest energy from the AC power grid and apply a DC bias to core halves of the split-core transformer to maintain a positive magnetic force between the core halves. Methods of installing and using the monitoring devices are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SENTIENT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis Saxby, Mark A. Parsons, James McKeffery
  • Patent number: 8786292
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of monitoring devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, a monitoring device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The monitoring devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of calibrating the monitoring devices to accurately measure electric-field are also provided. In one embodiment, a first monitoring device on a first conductor can transmit a calibration pulse to a second monitoring device on a second conductor. The second monitoring device can determine a degradation of the calibration pulse, and use that degradation to calibrate electric-field measurements around the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sentient Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark A. Parsons
  • Publication number: 20130187636
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Kast, David P. Knight, Mark A. Parsons, Dennis Saxby
  • Publication number: 20130187637
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of monitoring devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, a monitoring device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network and utilizes a split-core transformer to harvest energy from the conductors. The monitoring devices can be configured to harvest energy from the AC power grid and apply a DC bias to core halves of the split-core transformer to maintain a positive magnetic force between the core halves. Methods of installing and using the monitoring devices are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Dennis Saxby, Mark A. Parsons, James McKeffery
  • Publication number: 20120139554
    Abstract: A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of monitoring devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, a monitoring device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The monitoring devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of calibrating the monitoring devices to accurately measure electric-field are also provided. In one embodiment, a first monitoring device on a first conductor can transmit a calibration pulse to a second monitoring device on a second conductor. The second monitoring device can determine a degradation of the calibration pulse, and use that degradation to calibrate electric-field measurements around the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Mark A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5725242
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a deployable airbag of a vehicle is provided with first and second airbag controllers for receiving a fault signal at the first airbag controller, and for producing at the second airbag controller a deployment command signal that indicates that the deployable airbag is to be deployed. The second airbag controller receives the deployment command signal, and is provided with a communication controller for receiving the deployment command signal, a squib for firing in response to the deployment command signal whereby the deployable airbag is deployed, and an energy transfer arrangement coupled to the communication controller and the squib for transferring a deployment energy to the squib in response to the deployment command signal. The squib is configured to require a predeterminable minimum quantum of energy to effect the firing thereof in response to the deployment command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignees: Siemens Automotive Corporation, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Horst Belau, Charles R. Cook, Jr., Marten Swart, Mark A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5722687
    Abstract: A control arrangement for a deployable airbag of a vehicle is provided with a squib for firing in response to a deployment command signal whereby the deployable airbag is deployed. Bilateral communication is effected between the control arrangement and an airbag electronic controller. Electrical energy and data, including the deployment command signal are conveyed to the control arrangement, and at least self-diagnosis information is conveyed to the airbag electronic controller. The squib is configured to require a predeterminable minimum quantum of energy to effect the firing thereof in response to the deployment command signal. A heater provides a radiated preheat to the squib, whereby the predeterminable minimum quantum of energy applied to effect firing of the squib is exceeded by a combination of the first electrical energy and the radiated preheat energy. The squib and the preheater preferably are both formed on a silicon substrate using a conventional integration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignees: Siemens Automotive Corporation, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Cook, Jr., Horst Belau, Mark A. Parsons
  • Patent number: 5719334
    Abstract: A hermetically protected electronic assembly that has (a) a housing having walls defining a shallow impervious cavity with a depth no greater than 6-12 mm and with an cavity bottom surface; (b) conductor pins extending through integrally said housing walls and along the cavity bottom surface; (c) an insulating supporting platform resting on the cavity bottom surface with ends of the conductor pins extending therethrough to secure the position of the platform, the platform carrying an electrical circuit integrated to at least the top surface of the platform and connected to the conductor pins; (d) at least one electronic sensor component supported in the housing by the platform and operatively secured to the circuit; and (e) a water-proofing silicon gel filling the entire space within the housing including surrounding the circuit, platform, sensor and pin connections therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Parsons