Abstract: A method and system of providing for the rapid availability of assets to customers wherein a lease method and system is provided which includes lease terms, a leasable asset with a unique identifier, associating the lease terms with the asset through the unique identifier, at least one sensor on the asset for detecting the status of at least one condition that starts a lease, a communications system for transmitting information from the sensors on the asset to a central management system, determining the amount due based on the status of the sensors and the lease terms associated with the unique identifier, and preparing an invoice based on the amount due determined.

Abstract: The invention involves a radio frequency (RF) antenna, having both reduced size and optimized impedance matching to free space over a range of wavelengths. The invention also involves methods for hiding an antenna by reducing its size and concealing it behind or within an object that is transparent to electromagnetic waves over a range of wavelengths being transmitted or received by the antenna.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically replacing the geographic location of geo-fences stored in memory of a telematics system is described. The location of an asset is determined using an on-board telematics device with a location device. The location of the asset is compared with the location of predefined geo-fences stored in memory on the asset. When the asset is located within a geo-fence which triggers the replacement of geo-fences, the telematics system causes the asset to receive a new set of geo-fences, which replace the existing set of geo-fences in the telematics system memory. The operational cost of the system is reduced by minimizing communications charges when a reduced number of transmissions is needed to replace geo-fences stored in memory on the asset.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for charging a battery in the least possible time in the presence of competing energy demands. A single source of energy is used to charge a battery and also to provide energy to one or more devices. Circuitry insures that the maximum possible amount of energy is being delivered to the battery at all times, consistent with the energy demands of the other devices.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically replacing the geographic location of geo-fences stored in memory of a telematics system is described. The location of an asset is determined using an on-board telematics device with a location device. The location of the asset is compared with the location of predefined geo-fences stored in memory on the asset. When the asset is located within a geo-fence which triggers the replacement of geo-fences, the telematics system causes the asset to receive a new set of geo-fences, which replace the existing set of geo-fences in the telematics system memory. The operational cost of the system is reduced by minimizing communications charges when a reduced number of transmissions is needed to replace geo-fences stored in memory on the asset.

Abstract: Electrical equipment is provided with an upgradable communication converter module in the form of a printed circuit board. The module is plugged into a communication converter module receptacle on the equipment for providing communication exchange between the equipment internal communication system and an external communication network. The communication converter module printed circuit board contains a network protocol interface, an isolated interface, a protocol converter, and an internal protocol interface.

Abstract: A characteristic timer, for a protective relay which provides protection for a portion of an AC transmission line, exhibits a phase characteristic which is always integrating and a ground characteristic which changes from non-integrating to integrating as a function of input signal pulse width and a preselected cut off time. The ground characteristic begins to integrate upon expiration of the preselected cut off time or if the input signal pulse width exceeds a predetermined check level of magnitude during the cut off time. If the pulse width magnitude of the input pulse is less than or equal to the predetermined check level magnitude during the cut off time, the characteristic will be non-integrating.

Abstract: A synchronism check relay includes both a high set and a low set slip cut-off circuit. The low slip cut-off setting is based upon the maximum slip frequency that can be tolerated and still allow reclosing. The high slip cut-off setting is a function of the maximum phase angle difference permissible between the voltages on the bus and line sides of the circuit breaker, and the time that the line is de-energized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a characteristic timer for a protective relay which provides protection for a portion of an A.C. transmission line. The characteristic timer has digital logic elements adapted to external circuitry for selecting one or more desired phase angles which determines the activation time of a characteristic timer, which, in turn, determines the operational characteristic of the protective relay. The digital logic of the characteristic timer is further adapted to an external circuitry for selecting an integrating or non-integrating type function for the characteristic timer.

Abstract: A characteristic timer for a protective relay utilized as part of a system that provides protection for a portion of a high voltage transmission line is disclosed. The characteristic timer provides a time-base for measuring the duration of a signal developed by the protective relay indicative of a normal or an abnormal condition related to the protective portion of the high voltage transmission line. The characteristic timer is comprised of digital devices, such as; programmable counters for preselecting the frequency related limits to which the developed signal is compared, counters that monitor the duration and presence of the developed signal, and a shift register that controls the resetting of the characteristic timer. If the developed signal is disrupted for a predetermined time the shift register resets the digital devices and awaits for the reoccurrence of the developed signal for a revised determination of its time duration.

Abstract: A static instantaneous overcurrent relay with reduced transient overreach is provided for use in protecting an a-c power line from overcurrents. The relay operates on an input signal representative of the magnitude of the current in the a-c power line and develops a relay output signal when the magnitude of the current reaches a predetermined magnitude. In a preferred embodiment, the relay includes a level detector circuit for receiving the input signal which is in the form of a pulsating waveform having the same frequency as the a-c power line. The level detector circuit develops a discrete level detector output signal in response to each pulse of the waveform which attains a magnitude representative of the predetermined magnitude. Output circuit means is coupled to receive the discrete level detector output signals and includes temporary inhibit means for inhibiting the development of the relay output signal until the output circuit has received two of the discrete level detector signals.