Patents by Inventor Mark Andrew Runkle

Mark Andrew Runkle 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: 9280617
    Abstract: A system may include a model library configured to model a system, wherein the model library includes a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The system further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The system further includes a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Frederick William Block, Pablo Enrique Acevedo Giraldi, Charles Scott Sealing, Atanu Talukdar, Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 9158303
    Abstract: A system may include a model library configured to model a safety system, wherein the model library comprises a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The system further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The system further includes a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Frederick William Block, Pablo Enrique Acevedo Giraldi, Charles Scott Sealing, Atanu Talukdar, Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 9122253
    Abstract: A system may include a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) system. The DRCE includes a model library configured to model a system, wherein the model library comprises a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The DRCE further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The DRCE additionally includes a run-time risk calculation engine configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input, and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Pablo Enrique Acevedo Giraldi, Charles Scott Sealing, Atanu Talukdar, Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 9091262
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a wattmeter to obtain diagnostics of a hydraulic system during transient-state start-up operation. In one aspect, a controller uses the electric power measured by the wattmeter during the transient-state start-up operation to determine fluid flow parameters. In another aspect, the controller determines diagnostics for the hydraulic fluid consuming device and the hydraulic pump unit as a function of the fluid flow parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 8812264
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a wattmeter to determine hydraulic fluid parameters. In one aspect, a controller uses the electric power measured by the wattmeter to determine the power delivered to hydraulic fluid delivered by a hydraulic pump unit to a hydraulic fluid consuming device and the volumetric flow rate of the hydraulic fluid delivered to the hydraulic fluid consuming device by the hydraulic pump unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20140129000
    Abstract: A system may include a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) system. The DRCE includes a model library configured to model a system, wherein the model library comprises a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The DRCE further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The DRCE additionally includes a run-time risk calculation engine configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input, and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick William Block, Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Pablo Enrique Acevedo Giraldi, Charles Scott Sealing, Atanu Talukdar, Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20140129187
    Abstract: A system may include a model library configured to model a system, wherein the model library comprises a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The system further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The system further includes a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Frederick William Block, Pablo Enrique Acevedo Giraldi, Charles Scott Sealing, Atanu Talukdar, Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20130262064
    Abstract: A system may include a model library configured to model a safety system, wherein the model library comprises a plurality of subsystem models, and each of the plurality of subsystem models is configured to derive a reliability measure. The system further includes a fault tolerance input and a maintenance policy input. The system further includes a dynamic risk calculation engine (DRCE) configured to use a user-defined set of the plurality of subsystem models, the fault tolerance input and the maintenance policy input, to derive a system risk for an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Maria Cecilia Mazzaro, Frederick William Block, Pablo Enrique Acevedo Giraldi, Charles Scott Sealing, Atanu Talukdar, Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 8487557
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a motor protection system to protect a process operation. In one aspect, a motor protection system in conjunction with a controller monitor the performance of redundant motor-driven prime movers having a lead motor-driven prime mover and a lag motor-driven prime mover. In one embodiment, the controller controls operation of the redundant motor-driven prime movers as a function of motor protection measurements generated from the motor protection system. In particular, the controller uses the motor protection measurements to determine if the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress. The controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover in response to determining that the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress. In one embodiment, the controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to tripping the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 8463567
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that presents unbalance information obtained from electrical assets in a manner that facilitates management of the electrical assets. In one aspect, a screen view is generated that provides a visual representation of the electrical assets as partitioned into one or more groupings that are each based on a common operational characteristic associated with the electrical assets. The screen view also contains unbalance information that is associated with each of the electrical assets in the one or more groupings and an indication of whether there is a presence of abnormal operation associated with each of the one or more groupings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20130042616
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a motor protection system to assist in determining power plant metrics. In one aspect, a motor protection system obtains operational data from motor-driven sub-processes operating within a power plant. A controller receives the operational data and determines power plant metrics that may include net power plant output and costs each of the motor-driven sub-processes has on the overall operation of the power plant. In another aspect, the controller may partition the power metrics into one or more user-specified groupings for viewing thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Runkle, Harold Edward Miller
  • Publication number: 20120301322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a wattmeter to obtain diagnostics of a hydraulic system during transient-state start-up operation. In one aspect, a controller uses the electric power measured by the wattmeter during the transient-state start-up operation to determine fluid flow parameters. In another aspect, the controller determines diagnostics for the hydraulic fluid consuming device and the hydraulic pump unit as a function of the fluid flow parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 8302625
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that validates the sensitivity of a working fluid parameter indicator in a system using centrifugal machines. In one aspect, a lead centrifugal machine and a lag centrifugal machine supply a working fluid to a distribution conduit. A working fluid parameter indicator measures a process parameter associated with the working fluid supplied to the distribution conduit by the lead centrifugal machine and the lag centrifugal machine. A controller validates the sensitivity of the working fluid parameter indicator to measure the process parameter associated with the working fluid as a function of operation of the lag centrifugal machine relative to the lead centrifugal machine during an operational test performed on the centrifugal machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Runkle, Frederick William Block
  • Publication number: 20120253718
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that presents unbalance information obtained from electrical assets in a manner that facilitates management of the electrical assets. In one aspect, a screen view is generated that provides a visual representation of the electrical assets as partitioned into one or more groupings that are each based on a common operational characteristic associated with the electrical assets. The screen view also contains unbalance information that is associated with each of the electrical assets in the one or more groupings and an indication of whether there is a presence of abnormal operation associated with each of the one or more groupings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20120245894
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a wattmeter to determine hydraulic fluid parameters. In one aspect, a controller uses the electric power measured by the wattmeter to determine the power delivered to hydraulic fluid delivered by a hydraulic pump unit to a hydraulic fluid consuming device and the volumetric flow rate of the hydraulic fluid delivered to the hydraulic fluid consuming device by the hydraulic pump unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20120209548
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power consumer approach that monitors the occurrence of grid code events within electric power transmission operations. In one aspect, a grid code event meter is used to detect the occurrence of a grid code event. The grid code meter includes a metering component configured to obtain data for power-related parameters associated with consumption needs. A grid code criteria tracking component tracks the data related to the power-related parameters obtained by the metering component for compliance with grid code criteria required by a transmission company of a consumer for power quality and reliability. A grid code event detection component detects an occurrence of a grid code event in accordance with the tracked data for the power-related parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20120207617
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a motor protection system to protect a process operation. In one aspect, a motor protection system in conjunction with a controller monitor the performance of redundant motor-driven prime movers having a lead motor-driven prime mover and a lag motor-driven prime mover. In one embodiment, the controller controls operation of the redundant motor-driven prime movers as a function of motor protection measurements generated from the motor protection system. In particular, the controller uses the motor protection measurements to determine if the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress. The controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover in response to determining that the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress. In one embodiment, the controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to tripping the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20120206260
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power consumer approach that monitors the occurrence of grid code events within electric power transmission operations. In one aspect, a grid code event meter is used to detect the occurrence of a grid code event. The grid code meter includes a metering component configured to obtain data for power-related parameters associated with consumption needs. A grid code criteria tracking component tracks the data related to the power-related parameters obtained by the metering component for compliance with grid code criteria required by a transmission company of a consumer for power quality and reliability. A grid code event detection component detects an occurrence of a grid code event in accordance with the tracked data for the power-related parameters. A wireless transmitter is configured to communicate detection of an occurrence of a grid code event with at least one remote computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Runkle, John Anthony Merola, III
  • Patent number: 8234088
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that presents unbalance information obtained from electrical assets in a manner that facilitates management of the electrical assets. In one aspect, a screen view is generated that provides a visual representation of the electrical assets as partitioned into one or more groupings that are each based on a common operational characteristic associated with the electrical assets. The screen view also contains unbalance information that is associated with each of the electrical assets in the one or more groupings and at least one statistical measure that is associated with each of the one or more groupings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Publication number: 20110246108
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that presents unbalance information obtained from electrical assets in a manner that facilitates management of the electrical assets. In one aspect, a screen view is generated that provides a visual representation of the electrical assets as partitioned into one or more groupings that are each based on a common operational characteristic associated with the electrical assets. The screen view also contains unbalance information that is associated with each of the electrical assets in the one or more groupings and at least one statistical measure that is associated with each of the one or more groupings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle