Patents by Inventor Mark L Zeller
Mark L Zeller 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: 20230119025Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods to monitor communication ports. In one embodiment, a system may include a first interface to connect to a first host device and a second interface to connect to a second host device. The first interface and the second interface may include a plurality of channels to enable communication between the first host device and the second host device. Control logic may monitor a power channel between the first host device and the second host device and a communication channel between the first host device and the second host device. The control logic may detect an interruption of at least one of the power channel or the communication channel. In response to the interruption, the control logic may disable communication between the first host device and the second host device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Zeller
-
Publication number: 20230118514Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods to monitor communication ports. In one embodiment, a system may include a host device that generates a first flow of traffic to send via a host device communication port. A security dongle may receive the first flow of traffic via a security dongle communication port in communication with the host device communication port. The security dongle may generate a second flow of traffic. The security dongle may transmit the second flow of traffic through the security dongle communication port. The host device may receive the second flow of traffic from the host device communication port and may generate an alarm when the second flow of traffic deviates from an expected response. The communication between the host device and the security dongle allows the host device to detect when the security dongle is disconnected from the host device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Zeller
-
Patent number: 10804689Abstract: An arc flash validation system that detects incident energy produced by an arc flash is disclosed. The arc flash validation system comprises one or more power transformers (PT) and current transformers (CT). The voltage and current outputs from the PT and CT may indicate the incident energy of an arc flash. The PT and CT outputs may be stored in system memory. The arc flash validation system may analyze the stored data and compare the stored data to a predicted hazard level to generate a relay-event report.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Zeller
-
Patent number: 10527732Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for verification of time sources. In various embodiments, one or more secondary time sources may be used to verify the accuracy of a primary time source prior to relying on a time signal created by the primary time source. In one embodiment, a first interface is configured to receive the primary time signal from a primary time source, and a second interface in communication with a secondary time source is configured to receive a secondary time signal. A time assessment subsystem is configured to determine an occurrence of a verification criteria. Upon the occurrence of the verification criteria, the system may compare the primary time signal and the secondary time signal to determine whether that the primary time signal is consistent with the secondary time signal. If the signal is consistent, the primary time source may be utilized by the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Sagen, Mark L. Zeller, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny
-
Publication number: 20180224558Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for verification of time sources. In various embodiments, one or more secondary time sources may be used to verify the accuracy of a primary time source prior to relying on a time signal created by the primary time source. In one embodiment, a first interface is configured to receive the primary time signal from a primary time source, and a second interface in communication with a secondary time source is configured to receive a secondary time signal. A time assessment subsystem is configured to determine an occurrence of a verification criteria. Upon the occurrence of the verification criteria, the system may compare the primary time signal and the secondary time signal to determine whether that the primary time signal is consistent with the secondary time signal. If the signal is consistent, the primary time source may be utilized by the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Sagen, Mark L. Zeller, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny
-
Publication number: 20180145496Abstract: An arc flash validation system that detects incident energy produced by an arc flash is disclosed. The arc flash validation system comprises one or more power transformers (PT) and current transformers (CT). The voltage and current outputs from the PT and CT may indicate the incident energy of an arc flash. The PT and CT outputs may be stored in system memory. The arc flash validation system may analyze the stored data and compare the stored data to a predicted hazard level to generate a relay-event report.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Inventor: Mark L. Zeller
-
Patent number: 9653904Abstract: An method for automatically testing an arc flash detection system by periodically or continually transmitting electro-optical (EO) radiation through one or more transmission cables electro-optically coupled to respective EO radiation collectors. A test EO signal may pass through the EO radiation collector to be received by an EO sensor. An attenuation of the EO signal may be determined by comparing the intensity of the transmitted EO signal to an intensity of the received EO signal. A self-test failure may be detected if the attenuation exceeds a threshold. EO signals may be transmitted according to a particular pattern (e.g., a coded signal) to allow an arc flash detection system to distinguish the test EO radiation from EO radiation indicative of an arc flash event.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Veselin Skendzic, Dhruba P. Das, Gary W. Scheer, James R. Kesler, Douglas M. Trout, Mark L. Zeller
-
Patent number: 8981697Abstract: The motor monitoring system of the present disclosure uses several calculated monitoring values to determine a status of a motor and take a predetermined action when a threshold corresponding with the monitoring value is exceeded. The threshold may be calculated by an intelligent electronic device (IED) monitoring the motor. The predetermined action may include further monitoring of the motor. The predetermined action may include monitoring equipment not directly monitored by the IED.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Mark L. Zeller
-
Patent number: 8664961Abstract: An arc flash validation unit may generate stimulus to be received by an arc flash detection unit (AFDU) and observe the response of the AFDU thereto. The response of the AFDU to the stimulus may allow for validation of the AFDU (e.g., validation that the AFDU is operating as expected). In addition, the arc flash validation unit may determine the response time of the AFDU. Different types of stimulus may be provided to the AFDU, including electro-optical (EO) stimulus (e.g., visible light), current stimulus, and the like. Results of the validation may be displayed on a human-machine interface, which may display an estimate of the total energy that would be released in an actual arc flash event. The estimate may be used to define appropriate safety parameters for the equipment monitored by the AFDU.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories IncInventors: Mark L. Zeller, Angelo D'Aversa, Gary W. Scheer
-
Patent number: 8310373Abstract: Provided is a system, a tool and a method for communicating with a faulted circuit indicator (FCI), the faulted circuit indicator including a detection circuit for monitoring an electrical conductor of a power system. The system includes a display and a first light emitting diode associated with the display. The first light emitting diode generates an optical FCI status signal in response to an occurrence of a fault in the electrical conductor. The system also includes a first microcontroller operatively coupled to the display and the detection circuit, and a handheld user command tool adapted to optically signal the display. The handheld user command tool may be also adapted to generate an optical serial communication. The optical serial communication may provide data and/or commands for operation of the faulted circuit indicator. The display may be integrated into the FCI. The FCI may be an overhead FCI.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Laurence V. Feight, Mark L Zeller
-
Publication number: 20100238045Abstract: Provided is a system, a tool and a method for communicating with a faulted circuit indicator (FCI), the faulted circuit indicator including a detection circuit for monitoring an electrical conductor of a power system. The system includes a display and a first light emitting diode associated with the display. The first light emitting diode generates an optical FCI status signal in response to an occurrence of a fault in the electrical conductor. The system also includes a first microcontroller operatively coupled to the display and the detection circuit, and a handheld user command tool adapted to optically signal the display. The handheld user command tool may be also adapted to generate an optical serial communication. The optical serial communication may provide data and/or commands for operation of the faulted circuit indicator. The display may be integrated into the FCI. The FCI may be an overhead FCI.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Inventors: Laurence V. Feight, Mark L. Zeller
-
Publication number: 20100073013Abstract: An arc flash validation unit may generate stimulus to be received by an arc flash detection unit (AFDU) and observe the response of the AFDU thereto. The response of the AFDU to the stimulus may allow for validation of the AFDU (e.g., validation that the AFDU is operating as expected). In addition, the arc flash validation unit may determine the response time of the AFDU. Different types of stimulus may be provided to the AFDU, including electro-optical (EO) stimulus (e.g., visible light), current stimulus, and the like. Results of the validation may be displayed on a human-machine interface, which may display an estimate of the total energy that would be released in an actual arc flash event. The estimate may be used to define appropriate safety parameters for the equipment monitored by the AFDU.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Mark L. Zeller, Angelo D'Aversa, Gary W. Scheer
-
Patent number: D699193Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Mark L. Zeller, James R. Kesler