Patents by Inventor Richard Dean Blackburn

Richard Dean Blackburn 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).

  • Method and apparatus for determining voltage regulator tap position
    Patent number: 6472850
    Abstract: A method for dynamically determining tap position in a step voltage regulator is disclosed. A present tap position is determined and the value of an applied voltage across a tap changing mechanism is measured. Based upon the value of the applied voltage, a directional change in the tap position is detected. A trigger signal is also generated which is responsive to a detected change in tap position. Finally, a new tap position is calculated based upon the present tap position and the directional change in the tap position, when the trigger signal indicates that a change in tap position has taken place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Fletcher, Richard Dean Blackburn, Joseph Rao
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING VOLTAGE REGULATOR TAP POSITION
    Publication number: 20020067153
    Abstract: A method for dynamically determining tap position in a step voltage regulator is disclosed. A present tap position is determined and the value of an applied voltage across a tap changing mechanism is measured. Based upon the value of the applied voltage, a directional change in the tap position is detected. A trigger signal is also generated which is responsive to a detected change in tap position. Finally, a new tap position is calculated based upon the present tap position and the directional change in the tap position, when the trigger signal indicates that a change in tap position has taken place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: David Fletcher, Richard Dean Blackburn, Joseph Rao