Patents by Inventor Travis C. Mallett

Travis C. Mallett 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: 20240077868
    Abstract: A configurable multi-sensor analog input may be utilized to connect a power system sensor to an intelligent electronic device. The configurable multi-sensor analog input may include an input port comprising a plurality of input pins and configured to receive electrical signals from one of a plurality of types of power system sensors. The configurable multi-sensor analog input may additionally include a plurality of input channels, each of the plurality of input channels coupled to a subset of the input pins, wherein the subset of input pins in electrical communication with of the plurality of types of power system sensors power system sensor is configured to selectively activate one of the plurality of input channels. A multiplexer may be in electrical communication with the plurality of input channels and configured to select an output based on the subset of input pins in electrical communication with one of the plurality of types of power system sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Veselin Skendzic, Travis C. Mallett, Syed Ali Kazi, Harshad S. Aherao, Dhruba P. Das, Sandesh Chitnis
  • Patent number: 11650264
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. A first current transformer is disposed between the stack of capacitors and the first ground connection. The current transformer provides an electrical signal corresponding to a current associated with the CCVT. A second transformer is disposed to provide a second electrical signal related to the CCVT. The second signal may be a voltage signal or a current signal. An intelligent electronic device (IED) in electrical communication with the current measurement devices monitors a health factor comprising a ratio of magnitudes or a difference between phases from the transformers at a single frequency. The health factor is compared against an acceptable range and an alarm is generated when the range is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Robert Lopez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11564309
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods using thermal vias to increase the current-carrying capacity of conductive traces on a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). In various embodiments, parameters associated with vias may be selected to control various electrical and thermal properties of the conductive trace. Such parameters include the via diameter, a plating thickness, a number of vias, a placement of the vias, an amount of conductive material to be added or removed from the conductive trace, a change in the resistance of the conductive trace, a change in a fusing measurement of the conductive trace, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Ben M. Armstrong, Forrest A. Rahrer
  • Publication number: 20220043070
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. A first current transformer is disposed between the stack of capacitors and the first ground connection. The current transformer provides an electrical signal corresponding to a current associated with the CCVT. A second transformer is disposed to provide a second electrical signal related to the CCVT. The second signal may be a voltage signal or a current signal. An intelligent electronic device (IED) in electrical communication with the current measurement devices monitors a health factor comprising a ratio of magnitudes or a difference between phases from the transformers at a single frequency. The health factor is compared against an acceptable range and an alarm is generated when the range is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Robert Lopez, JR.
  • Patent number: 11187727
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. A first current transformer is disposed between the stack of capacitors and the first ground connection. The current transformer provides an electrical signal corresponding to a current associated with the CCVT. A second current transformer is disposed between a primary winding of a step-down transformer associated with the CCVT and a second ground connection. An intelligent electronic device (IED) in electrical communication with the current measurement devices monitors a ratio of magnitudes from the current transformers at a single frequency. The ratio is compared against an acceptable range. When the ratio exceeds the acceptable range, an alarm is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C Mallett, Robert Lopez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11105832
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for detecting traveling waves in electric power delivery systems. In one embodiment, a system comprises a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. Electrical signals from accessible portions of the CCVT are used to detect traveling waves. Current and/or voltage signals may be used. In various embodiments, a single current may be used. The traveling waves may be used to detect a fault on the electric power delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Veselin Skendzic, Travis C. Mallett, Robert Lopez, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210018538
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for detecting traveling waves in electric power delivery systems. In one embodiment, a system comprises a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. Electrical signals from accessible portions of the CCVT are used to detect traveling waves. Current and/or voltage signals may be used. In various embodiments, a single current may be used. The traveling waves may be used to detect a fault on the electric power delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Veselin Skendzic, Travis C. Mallett, Robert Lopez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200341035
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to systems and methods for monitoring a capacitance-coupled voltage transformer (CCVT) in electrical communication with the electric power delivery system, the CCVT comprising a stack of capacitors and an electrical contact to a first ground connection. A first current transformer is disposed between the stack of capacitors and the first ground connection. The current transformer provides an electrical signal corresponding to a current associated with the CCVT. A second current transformer is disposed between a primary winding of a step-down transformer associated with the CCVT and a second ground connection. An intelligent electronic device (IED) in electrical communication with the current measurement devices monitors a ratio of magnitudes from the current transformers at a single frequency. The ratio is compared against an acceptable range. When the ratio exceeds the acceptable range, an alarm is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Robert Lopez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20200113043
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods using thermal vias to increase the current-carrying capacity of conductive traces on a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). In various embodiments, parameters associated with vias may be selected to control various electrical and thermal properties of the conductive trace. Such parameters include the via diameter, a plating thickness, a number of vias, a placement of the vias, an amount of conductive material to be added or removed from the conductive trace, a change in the resistance of the conductive trace, a change in a fusing measurement of the conductive trace, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Ben M. Armstrong, Forrest A. Rahrer
  • Patent number: 10537016
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods using thermal vias to increase the current-carrying capacity of conductive traces on a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). In various embodiments, parameters associated with vias may be selected to control various electrical and thermal properties of the conductive trace. Such parameters include the via diameter, a plating thickness, a number of vias, a placement of the vias, an amount of conductive material to be added or removed from the conductive trace, a change in the resistance of the conductive trace, a change in a fusing measurement of the conductive trace, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Ben M. Armstrong, Forrest A. Rahrer
  • Patent number: 10033400
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Specifically, the systems and methods described herein evaluate quantization noise properties of ADCs, including delta-sigma ADCs and successive approximation register (SAR) ADCs, to verify functionality and/or identify failures. Quantization noise properties can be evaluated in the frequency domain by, for example, comparing RMS values, magnitudes, frequency spectrums, and the like, in various frequency bands to threshold values and/or to verify an expected noise shape. Quantization noise properties can additionally or alternatively be evaluated in the time domain by, for example, comparing counts of pulse widths, average pulse widths, and/or number of transitions within a sequence of pulses to threshold values and/or to similar identifiable characteristics in other pulse width bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett
  • Patent number: 9985646
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Specifically, the systems and methods described herein evaluate quantization noise properties of ADCs, including delta-sigma ADCs and successive approximation register (SAR) ADCs, to verify functionality and/or identify failures. Quantization noise properties can be evaluated in the frequency domain by, for example, comparing RMS values, magnitudes, frequency spectrums, and the like, in various frequency bands to threshold values and/or to verify an expected noise shape. Quantization noise properties can additionally or alternatively be evaluated in the time domain by, for example, comparing counts of pulse widths, average pulse widths, and/or number of transitions within a sequence of pulses to threshold values and/or to similar identifiable characteristics in other pulse width bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett
  • Patent number: 9935646
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying failures in an analog to digital (A/D) converter. An intelligent electronic device (IED) may monitor a digital output of one or more A/D converters. The IED may determine a slope value limit associated with the A/D converter. The IED may determine an output slope value of the digital output based on a difference of a converter output value measured at a first time and a converter output value measured at a later time. If the determined output slope value exceeds the slope value limit, the IED may identify a failure of the A/D converter. An IED may determine that concurrent failures in multiple, parallel A/D converters are indicative of a problem upstream from the A/D converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett
  • Publication number: 20170311440
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods using thermal vias to increase the current-carrying capacity of conductive traces on a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB). In various embodiments, parameters associated with vias may be selected to control various electrical and thermal properties of the conductive trace. Such parameters include the via diameter, a plating thickness, a number of vias, a placement of the vias, an amount of conductive material to be added or removed from the conductive trace, a change in the resistance of the conductive trace, a change in a fusing measurement of the conductive trace, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Ben M. Armstrong, Forrest A. Rahrer
  • Patent number: 9787317
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog to digital (A/D) conversion system are presented. The systems and methods may detect and report a problem of input circuitry of an A/D converter and/or an A/D converter itself. For example, an identifiable characteristic can be introduced into the input signal provided to an A/D converter. The A/D converter may output a digital value that includes the identifiable characteristic of the A/D converter input. A monitoring system may determine and/or report a change in, or a failure of, the A/D converter or input circuitry thereto, based on the identification, non-existence of, or variation in the identifiable characteristic in the digital output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett
  • Publication number: 20170207792
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog to digital (A/D) conversion system. The systems and methods may detect and report a problem of input circuitry of an A/D converter and/or an A/D converter itself. For example, an identifiable characteristic can be introduced into the input signal provided to an A/D converter. The A/D converter may output a digital value that includes the identifiable characteristic of the A/D converter input. A monitoring system may determine and/or report a change in, or a failure of, the A/D converter or input circuitry thereto, based on the identification, non-existence of, or variation in the identifiable characteristic in the digital output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett
  • Patent number: 9698809
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog to digital (A/D) conversion system. An A/D conversion system includes a test signal generator configured to generate a test signal including an identifiable characteristic, an A/D converter configured to convert an analog signal measured at an input of the A/D converter to a digital output, and signal injection circuitry configured to inject at least a portion of the test signal from the test signal generator as an injected signal into the analog signal using trace-to-trace crosstalk. A method includes determining whether the digital output generated by the A/D converter indicates the identifiable characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Scweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C Mallett
  • Patent number: 9584148
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying and reporting failures of an analog to digital (A/D) conversion system. The systems and methods are configured to detect and report a failure of a preamplifier of the A/D conversion system and/or a failure of a A/D converter of the A/D conversion system. A high frequency component can be included in the input of an A/D converter. The A/D converter is configured to output a digital value to the A/D conversion system, wherein the digital value includes the high frequency component of the A/D converter input. The A/D conversion system is configured to determine an output status, including a frequency component and a corresponding amplitude, and to determine a failure of the A/D conversion system based on the determined output status. The A/D conversion system can report a change in, or a failure of, the A/D converter, and can operate or prevent operation of protection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett
  • Patent number: 9564914
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying changes in and failures of a reference voltage of an analog to digital (A/D) converter. A non-scalar function of the reference voltage of the A/D converter can be determined and output to the A/D converter. The A/D converter is configured to output a digital value to the A/D conversion system, wherein the digital value corresponds to the non-scalar function of the reference voltage. The A/D conversion system decodes the non-scalar function of the reference voltage with a corresponding inverse function, and may determine the drift factor associated with the reference voltage. The A/D conversion system can report a change in, or a failure of, the A/D converter or its reference voltage, and can operate or prevent operation of protection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis C. Mallett, Ben M. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20170019120
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying failures in an analog to digital (A/D) converter. An intelligent electronic device (IED) may monitor a digital output of one or more A/D converters. The IED may determine a slope value limit associated with the A/D converter. The IED may determine an output slope value of the digital output based on a difference of a converter output value measured at a first time and a converter output value measured at a later time. If the determined output slope value exceeds the slope value limit, the IED may identify a failure of the A/D converter. An IED may determine that concurrent failures in multiple, parallel A/D converters are indicative of a problem upstream from the A/D converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Travis C. Mallett