Polyphase Patents (Class 324/107)
  • Publication number: 20030173946
    Abstract: A method for measuring the current in each phase of a three-phase motor (26) by the sensor (32), the motor (26) being controlled by a plurality of switching devices (S1-S6) that receive pulse width modulation signals from a controller (34). In one embodiment, a first and second sampling window (t1 and t2) are monitored. When both the first and second sampling windows (t1 and t2) are less than a minimum sampling window (mw), the voltage pulse trains associated with the highest output (V_h) and the lowest output (V_l) are shifted to form a first modified sampling window (t1′) and a modified second sampling window (t2′). When the first sampling window (t1) is less than the minimum sampling window and the second sampling window (t2) is greater than the minimum sampling window (mw), then the voltage pulse train associated with the highest output (V_h) and/or the middle output (V_m) may be shifted to form the first and second modified sampling windows (t1′ and t2′).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Guang Liu, Alexander Kurnia, Ronan De'Larminat
  • Patent number: 6614217
    Abstract: A power supply negative-phase detecting circuit (10) for electronic equipment (12) using a three-phase AC power supply source includes a pulse generator (13) for generating a first pulse indicating the phase difference between any pair of two phases of three-phase AC power to be supplied to the electronic equipment and a second pulse indicating the phase difference between another pair of two phases of the three-phase AC power, a differentiating circuit (25) for generating a third pulse from the second pulse in synchronism with the rise-up of the second pulse so that the third pulse has a pulse width smaller than the phase difference between the first and second pulses, and a switching unit (14) for subjecting the first pulse and the third pulse to OR operation and turning on/off the power supply to be supplied to the electronic equipment on the basis of the OR operation result of the first and third pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignees: Sanyo Electronic Co., Ltd., Sanyo Electric Air Conditioning
    Inventor: Eiji Oohashi
  • Patent number: 6590397
    Abstract: In a three terminal power line current differential protection system, all three phase current values (IA, IB and IC) are obtained from all three terminals. The current values for each phase are processed in three successive processing operations, using in turn the current values from each terminal as local current values and the combination of the other two terminal current values in each case as the remote current values. The resulting local and remote current values are then processed against preselected values which establish a restrain region in the current ratio (alpha) plane. Current values for each set of local and combined remote currents which result in the ratio being within the restrain region result in a blocking signal while current values which result in a ratio outside of the region result in a tripping signal. If the outputs of the three processing operations agree, then that signal is the system output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030122535
    Abstract: A heater cable is deployed in a well bore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or carried by the heater cable which is placed along a desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string is utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. The heater cable is heated above the temperature of the well bore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Glynn R. Williams, David H. Neuroth, Larry V. Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 6559652
    Abstract: The method of correcting measurements is intended to limit the risk of unnecessary tripping of a differential phase current protection system that computes the vector sum of the currents of an area to determine the differential current between the inputs and outputs of said area in the course of regular tests. It is based on a statistical balancing method using measured current vectors each obtained from a measurement of the real current vector supplied at the time of each test by a current transformer, and it uses at the time of at least one test an iterative convergence algorithm for determining from the erroneous differential current vector formed by the sum of the measured current vectors the correction vector to be applied to each measured current vector in order to correct statistically the erroneous differential current vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Carrillo
  • Patent number: 6541954
    Abstract: The present invention is a power monitoring circuit for sensing line conditions in a three phase power line. In the circuit a plurality of series connected power supplies for powering various components of the circuit are connected in series with a current sensing element for sensing current supplied to the power supplies. The power supply and current sensing element arrangement, in turn, is connected across a three phase bridge rectifier, which is in communication with the three phase power supply line. A circuit analyzer in communication with the current sensing element senses unbalanced line conditions based at least in part on a signal developed by the current sensing element. Preferably, the circuit further includes a three voltage reducing resistors interposed between the three phase power line and the bridge rectifier for reducing the voltage stresses encountered by the circuit's components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: SSAC, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrzej Julian Gluszek
  • Patent number: 6507184
    Abstract: A measure of the current through a first terminal of a device in a three-phase power system is obtained for each phase of the system. A measure of the current through a second terminal is also obtained for each phase. To compensate for any changes in phase introduced by the device between the first and second terminals, the measured currents obtained for each phase at those terminals are normalized using a novel, generalized normalization transform having the form: G(&thgr;)=cos(&thgr;)U+sin(&thgr;)J where U represents a unit zero degree phase shift with zero sequence components removed, and J represents a unit ninety degree phase shift with zero sequence components removed. From the normalized currents, a differential current is then calculated for each phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: ABB Automation Inc.
    Inventor: Joel A. B. Elston
  • Patent number: 6483291
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical power consumption. An apparatus for measuring electrical power consumption is provided. The total power is obtained by multiplying the instantaneous voltage of the load by the instantaneous current of the load and summing the results of multiple phases. The total power voltage is calibrated to the full scale of the power meter for display to the operator. The power meter digitally displays the output in operator selectable measurement units and on a rapid response bar graph representing the proportion of full scale. Additionally, the power meter provides a current output and both scaled and unscaled voltage outputs representing the total power consumption, high and low trip settings, a peak power hold feature, and a scaling feature to allow precise measurements at for power levels less than the full scale rating of the power meter. Finally, the power meter can be connected to external devices for monitoring or control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventors: Chander P. Bhateja, Rajiv K. Bhateja
  • Publication number: 20020167300
    Abstract: A method for measuring three-phases alternating current using a current sensor and an apparatus therefor, which are capable of not changing an average voltage for a switching period by changing reference voltages for modulating pulse width in a switching period of an inverter and compensating for the changed reference voltages in the same switching period. It is possible to prevent current from being distorted, to detect three-phases output current in all of the switching periods, and to rapidly control instantaneous current by changing the reference voltages of arbitrary two phases in one switching period of an inverter, measuring current of each phase for the switching period using the current sensor, and compensating for the amounts of changes in the changed reference voltages of the two phase in the switching period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Kyung-Seo Kim
  • Patent number: 6456097
    Abstract: A method for measuring the impedance of electrical distribution equipment includes: applying a voltage at a first selected frequency to electrical distribution equipment, waiting a delay time for transient effects to settle, measuring current through the electrical distribution equipment, and selecting additional frequencies to repeat the steps of applying, waiting, and measuring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Peter E. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20020101229
    Abstract: In a three terminal power line current differential protection system, all three phase current values (IA, IB and IC) are obtained from all three terminals. The current values for each phase are processed in three successive processing operations, using in turn the current values from each terminal as local current values and the combination of the other two terminal current values in each case as the remote current values. The resulting local and remote current values are then processed against preselected values which establish a restrain region in the current ratio (alpha) plane. Current values for each set of local and combined remote currents which result in the ratio being within the restrain region result in a blocking signal while current values which result in a ratio outside of the region result in a tripping signal. If the outputs of the three processing operations agree, then that signal is the system output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6397157
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining, in real time, the key parameters of a three phase system electrical generator's output. A pair of reference vectors in quadrature (orthogonal) is phase-locked to a selected input open delta line to line voltage vector. Preferably, the cosine reference vector is locked 45° out of phase from the selected input vector whereby a best projection of the input vector onto the quadrature pair is provided and increases accuracy in subsequent magnitude and phase calculations. The phase-locked reference vectors provide a basis for computing the magnitude and phase angle for the remaining open delta line to line voltage vectors and three line to neutral current vectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joseph A. Hogle, Michael G. Wise
  • Patent number: 6377037
    Abstract: A watt-hour meter employs a power factor compensation technique that inserts a delay into the digitized current or voltage sample stream. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic watt-hour meter comprising a voltage sensor, a current sensor, a conversion circuit, and a processing circuit: The voltage sensor generates a voltage measurement signal responsive to a voltage provided to a load. Similarly, the current sensor generates a current measurement signal responsive to a current provided to a load. The conversion circuit further comprises: a first converter connected to the voltage sensor for generating sampled voltage data stream based on said voltage measurement signal; a second converter connected to the current sensor for generating a sampled current data stream based on said current measurement signal, and a phase correction circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon R. Burns, Javier Adame, John T. Voisine, John P. Junker, Jeff Kotowski, Richard D. Davis
  • Patent number: 6373238
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a first transformer enclosed within a first housing and magnetically linked to a first cable where the first transformer senses changing current within the first cable and in response produces a first output voltage. A second transformer is enclosed within a second housing and magnetically linked to a second cable where the second transformer senses changing current within the second cable and in response produces a second output voltage. A third transformer is enclosed within a third housing and magnetically linked to a third cable where third transformer senses a changing current within the third cable and in response produces a third output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Veris Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Lewis, Paul Stoffregen
  • Publication number: 20020014887
    Abstract: A measurement system includes a first transformer enclosed within a first housing and magnetically linked to a first cable where the first transformer senses changing current within the first cable and in response produces a first output voltage. A second transformer is enclosed within a second housing and magnetically linked to a second cable where the second transformer senses changing current within the second cable and in response produces a second output voltage. A third transformer is enclosed within a third housing and magnetically linked to a third cable where third transformer senses a changing current within the third cable and in response produces a third output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: JIM LEWIS, PAUL STOFFREGEN
  • Patent number: 6291986
    Abstract: A conduit apparatus for an electrical enclosure that allows safe, convenient access for current measurement of circuits therein is provided. The conduit apparatus has one or more non-magnetic conduits extending therethrough. The conduits, in turn, each house a conductor. The conduits are accessible from outside the enclosure. By placing a hook-on type ammeter over the conduit, the current in the conductor may be measured. In one embodiment, the conduit apparatus is a component that mounts within a load center or other electrical enclosure. In another embodiment, the conduit apparatus is an integral portion of such an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Sheldon J. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6147616
    Abstract: The present invention provides a digital automatic power interruption and re-supply relay for performing detection and comparing operation to inform a state of an accident with voice and numerals and automatically operating a connected relay to interrupt power when there occur abnormal changes such as interruption of electric power, open-phase, anomalous voltage, unbalanced voltage, negative-phase, overcurrent, and electric leakage in a power transmit and supply line of high and low voltage or special high voltage and high (low) voltage and, after compensating for the accident, for automatically re-supplying the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Myung Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 6112159
    Abstract: The present invention includes an electrical utility meter operable to measure power consumption. The method detects and compensates for one or more wiring errors that affects the power consumption measurement of the electrical utility meter. The method includes the steps of: obtaining measured phase angle data for a plurality of phases in a polyphase electrical system; periodically performing one or more diagnostic tests using the measured phase angle data to determine whether a wiring error is present, automatically adjusting the operation of the electrical utility meter to effect a compensation for the wiring error, said compensation increasing an accuracy of power consumption measurement of the electrical utility meter. The meter is operable to detect and compensate for wiring errors including polarity errors and cross phasing errors. According to another method of the present invention, the meter is operable to determine automatically the service type to which it is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, LLC
    Inventors: Randall K. Bond, Gordon G. Burns, Robert E. Slaven, Christopher L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6112158
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and arrangement for use in an electrical utility meter, the electrical utility meter operable to be connected to a plurality of electrical service types. The arrangement is operable to identify a present service type, the present service type being one of the plurality of electrical service types to which the electrical utility meter is connected. The arrangement comprises: conversion circuit for obtaining measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data for a plurality of phases in a polyphase electrical system; a memory; and a processor connected to said memory and said conversion circuit. The processor is operable to execute programming steps stored in the memory to receive the measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data from the conversion circuit and identify the present electrical service type based on the measured voltage magnitude and phase angle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, LLC
    Inventors: Randal K. Bond, Christopher L. Anderson, Robert E. Slaven
  • Patent number: 6097182
    Abstract: An electronic energy meter for use with a 3-wire delta service having a resistive voltage divider for sensing and scaling the line voltages is disclosed. The resistive voltage divider includes three resistive dividers, one being associated with each phase of the electrical energy being metered. Each resistive divider includes a current limiter for reducing the current into the meter to a safe level when the meter electronics are operating at an elevated level, and a resistor for scaling the line voltage to a predetermined maximum peak-to-peak value. The scaled voltage that is generated has minimal phase shift, and therefore, does not require phase shift compensation prior to processing by a processing system of the electronic meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hemminger, Mark L. Munday, Fred F. Schleifer
  • Patent number: 6008635
    Abstract: An electricity meter with differentiating input converters, in particular current converters, attains improved signal processing by providing a respective analog filter, in particular a low-pass filter, following each of the input converters. In this way, voltage peaks are limited for electronics downstream. Adulteration of measured signals caused by filters is compensated for by a digital filter in a downstream signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunter Haefele, Manfred Schwendtner, Rainer Forthner, Klaus Windsheimer
  • Patent number: 6008711
    Abstract: An arrangement for securing a current transformer to an electric utility meter housing. The arrangement includes a utility meter base plate which forms a portion of the electric utility meter housing. The utility meter base plate includes (i) a first central axis and (ii) a transformer receptacle defined therein. The transformer receptacle has an opening and a first retention surface. The arrangement also has a current transformer assembly including (i) the current transformer and (ii) a wall member affixed to the current transformer. The wall member defines an annular channel having a second central axis, and the current transformer is positioned within the annular channel. The transformer assembly also includes a tab having a second retention surface. The tab extends from the wall member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution
    Inventor: Charles Bolam
  • Patent number: 5903145
    Abstract: A universal electronic energy meter for measuring electrical energy usage of a circuit having a 4-wire service is disclosed. The universal meter is operable with both 4-wire wye and 4-wire delta services without modification to the meter's hardware or software. The universal meter is further operable over a wide range of standard service voltages that are supplied in connection with 4-wire services. The universal meter includes a voltage divider network that senses the line voltages from the circuit and scales the line voltages to a voltage suitable for processing by the meter. The scaled voltage has a maximum peak-to-peak voltage irrespective of the particular standard service supplying the electrical energy to the circuit, and therefore, the voltage divider network is not reconfigured to accommodate a wide range of service voltages. The voltage divider network includes resistive dividers that scale the line voltage to provide a linear voltage with minimal phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: ABB Power T & D Company Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hemminger, Mark L. Munday, Fred F. Schleifer
  • Patent number: 5834932
    Abstract: An electrical energy consumption measuring system is disclosed which includes a watthour meter, a meter socket, a set of voltage transformers and two plugs. The meter is energized when it is received within the meter socket. Selected socket terminals of the meter socket are electrically connected to one of the two plugs. The set of voltage transformers is electrically connected to the other of the two plugs. The system is constructed and arranged so that, when the plugs are matingly engaged, the set of voltage transformers electrically isolates the windings internal to the watthour meter from the service voltage of the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Gregory R. May
  • Patent number: 5798932
    Abstract: A digital decaying current offset correction method and apparatus, in one aspect, separates the requirements of detecting fault existence from the requirements of detecting fault location. Once the decaying offset removal routine is initiated, current and voltage are sampled and, for each current and voltage sample, current and voltage phasors are generated. The current phasor values, which are not offset corrected, may be used to determine whether to trip a breaker. Once the breaker is tripped, the decaying offsets are removed from the current phasors. The offset corrected current phasors are then used to locate the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Mark Gerard Adamiak, Dingari Sreenivas, Eyyunni Venugopal
  • Patent number: 5751132
    Abstract: An electric motor monitoring circuit apparatus for an electric motor has a three phase electric motor having an electric motor starter circuit. An insulation monitoring circuit is coupled to the electric motor and monitors insulation leakage of the electric motor and inhibits activation of the electric motor starter circuit when an insulation leakage exceeds a preselected threshold. A three phase monitor circuit is coupled to the electric motor for monitoring phase sequence in voltage amplitude for the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Automeg, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Horvath, James C. Miller
  • Patent number: 5691634
    Abstract: A device for monitoring power in a wye power service having three phases includes a sampling element arranged and configured to sample a current value and a voltage value from each of the three phases. A processor, coupled to said sampling element, calculates power either (i) by using the current value and the voltage value for the at least one phase when the voltage value for the at least one phase is available, or (ii) by using the current value for the at least one phase and the voltage values for the other two phases if the voltage value for the at least one phase is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Coy Stephen Lowe
  • Patent number: 5652505
    Abstract: Disclosed is a watt/watthour meter which is capable of automatically correcting incorrect connections between the apparatus and a multiphase AC system. Each power line of the multiphase system is connected to the watt/watthour meter by means of a voltage input line and a current sensing coil. The apparatus is able to determine whether a given voltage input line is connected to the same power line as a given current sensing coil by determining whether the voltage applied to the given voltage input line has the same phase as the current running through the given current sensing coil. If the current and the voltage are the same, this information is stored, and the given voltage input line may be taken as being connected to the same power line as the given current sensing coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Neilsen-Kuljian, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred H. Brune
  • Patent number: 5623201
    Abstract: A 3-phase power meter for measuring and displaying a set of physical quantities of R-, S- and T-phase electric power generated by a 3-phase AC alternator includes a display unit for displaying the set of the measured physical quantities of the R-, S- and T-phase electric power, the display unit having three display arrays integrally formed therein, each of the display arrays having a plurality of thin and elongated display elements closely stacked in a column to produce a bar-type graph, each of the display arrays serving to indicate the level of each of the measured physical quantities of the R-, S- and T-phase electric power in a discrete manner, respectively and a screen attached on the surface of the display unit and having an opening through which the levels of the R- S- and T-phase electric power indicated by the display arrays are made visible all together, wherein the opening has an outline to form a shape of a symbol used to identify of a measured physical quantity of the electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyo-Jeong Park
  • Patent number: 5574362
    Abstract: A metering device includes a standard AC energy meter, and a conversion circuit. The conversion circuit measures the voltages and currents of an installation incompatible with the functional characteristics of the meter. The conversion circuit supplies the meter with AC voltages and currents of values in compliance with the specifications of the meter. The total power supplied to the meter is proportional, except for a known scale factor, to the total power measured on the power system. This device is applied to measuring electrical energy on DC power systems and on AC power systems of a frequency or form incompatible with standard electrical energy meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Jean-Noel Fiorina, Jean-Jacques Pillet
  • Patent number: 5548207
    Abstract: A missing phase detector circuit which monitors the ac three-phase output voltages of power equipment or sources and produces an output signal in the event a missing ac phase is detected. The circuit reduces the monitored phase voltages to low values and produces an ac ripple voltage waveform where each ripple represents a phase. An analyzer circuit examines the ac ripple voltage waveform for its zero crossings and produces a pulsed dc waveform where the width of the pulses is normally small. If any of the pulses is found to be wide, indicating a missing phase, a positive high signal is output by an AND gate. This output signal may be used to initiate illumination of a "Missing Phase" indicator or it may be used for equipment control purposes. Provision is made to prevent a false output signal when there is no input power. The circuit is not sensitive to frequency, power factor or unbalanced loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Magl Power Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald L. Smith
  • Patent number: 5517106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitally measuring electrical energy consumption parameters from a transmission line carrying alternating current. Current flowing in the conductor is sampled at multiple times which are independent of the current phase. Using an appropriate microcomputer, this sampled current is analytically filtered by expressing the current with Fourier Series using only selected harmonics thus eliminating those harmonics which define noise. An approximation of the power and power consumption is then computed by multiplying the current as expressed in Fourier Series and a voltage measurement from the conductor to obtain a power reading, and the power reading is summed to obtain a number value proportional to the energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Digital KWH, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Longini
  • Patent number: 5508617
    Abstract: The current invention is directed to a method of measuring an electric power and in particular to a precise power measurement by measuring a current and a voltage of high-frequency distortion waves. The current power measuring method is based upon a summation of the power values measured for every frequency component of the distortion wave. After being frequency converted in a mixer 5, a voltage is inputted from an input terminal 1 through a voltage amplifier 3 to a vector voltmeter 7. A current is supplied into an input terminal 2, and converted into a voltage signal by a current-to-voltage converter 4. Then, the voltage signal is frequency-converted in a mixer 6, and thereafter inputted into a vector voltmeter 8. The input signals to the mixers 5 and 6 are separated into frequency components by sweeping of a local signal generator 10, which are measured by the vector voltmeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Yasuaki Komatsu
  • Patent number: 5467011
    Abstract: A data transmission system for power line carriers includes a transmitter which generates a stable carrier frequency at a bandwidth of less than one hertz. The transmitter is connected to the power line to transmit the generated frequency over the power line to a receiver. The receiver implements filters of a bandwidth of one hertz or less to attenuate any signals that do not correlate with the generated frequency. Information on the phase of the power line to which the transmitter is connected is represented in the form of a generated signal which modulates the stable frequency generated by the transmitter on the power line. The receiver is located on another portion of the power line and compares the phase information from the transmitter with the phase of the power line to which the receiver is connected and displays the resulting comparison for interpretation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: National Rural Electric Cooperative Assn.
    Inventor: Paul C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 5467012
    Abstract: Electrical power monitoring apparatus comprises a loop and a first conductor. A current sensor coupled to the first conductor provides a current signal that is representative of the current in the first conductor. A voltage sensor coupled at least to the first conductor provides a voltage signal that is representative of the voltage on the first conductor relative to that on a reference terminal. A multiplier coupled to the current sensor and voltage sensor has a power output which provides a power signal that is proportional to the instantaneous value of electrical power carried by the first conductor. A calibration circuit in the loop has an input coupled to the power output and has an adjustable output. A current regulator in the loop has an input coupled to the adjustable output to maintain the current in the loop between predetermined minimum and maximum loop current values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Load Controls Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert W. Nystrom
  • Patent number: 5442279
    Abstract: An electric power detector for a three-phase AC voltage supply which measures the current of one phase and the voltage between the one phase and another phase and computes the phase difference between the voltage and the current, decides the phase rotation direction by comparing the phase difference with a specified angle, and obtains a power factor angle by adding or subtracting 30.degree. to or from the phase difference corresponding to the result of the decision to produce a power factor angle for computing three-phase power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Haruyoshi Kitayoshi, Atsuhiko Tamaki
  • Patent number: 5426590
    Abstract: The computing device comprises non-recursive, digital filters, with finite impulse response, computing, from samples taken over a period of the power system, for at least two distinct phases, two components with a phase difference of 90.degree. between them and representative of the quantity involved in the phase involved. A matrix computation using a two-dimensional rotation matrix enables the components with a 90.degree. phase difference of the inverse component to be deduced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Merlin Gerin
    Inventor: Eric Martin
  • Patent number: 5410243
    Abstract: A three-phase collected type optical current transformer having a common hermetically sealed container miniaturized in its radial direction. The common hermetically sealed container incorporating central conductors and optical current transformers corresponding to three phases has a branch tube or flange in its radial direction. The flange incorporates optical spacial transmission members for three phases which guide the signals sent from the optical current transformers through optical fibers to the exterior of the common hermetically container. The optical spatial transmission members are arranged collectively. The common hermetically sealed container, when it has a branching portion protruding in its radial direction at its end, incorporates no flange but a concentrated optical spacial transmission member for three phases at the end in the axial direction of the common hermetically sealed container having the branching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yosinori Tagawa, Tokio Yamagiwa, Genzi Takahashi, Akihiko Horide
  • Patent number: 5408176
    Abstract: The currents flowing through high voltage conductors in a network or switchyard are monitored by magnetic field sensors in the form of air-cored epoxy-filled coils which are electrostatically shielded by discontinuous shields. The magnetic field sensors are located a safe working distance away from the conductors being monitored to remain substantially at earth potential and are orientated to maximize the magnetic field influence from the conductors being monitored. The value of the magnetic field detected by the sensors are sampled instantaneously and the sampled value is processed, having regard to calibration and cross linking effects of the network being monitored to calculate the instantaneous current flowing through the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Inventor: David W. E. Blatt
  • Patent number: 5378979
    Abstract: A real time three-phase analyzer stores digitized values of the signals of the three-phase circuits in memory so that they may be addressed according to circuit and sample number. Positive, negative and zero phase sequences are developed without the need for trigonometric calculation by combining samples offset in memory by a number of samples approximating 120.degree.. That number of samples may be determined for an arbitrary frequency of the three-phase system by identifying zero-crossing points of one such signal and assuming the number of samples equates to 360.degree. of phase of that circuit. The phase sequence of the three circuits necessary for the calculation of the positive, negative and zero phase sequences may be determined by comparing the relative position of positive going zero-crossings for each of the three circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Lombardi
  • Patent number: 5343143
    Abstract: A current sensing device includes a secondary coil positioned within the curved portion of a U-shaped primary conductor or coil. The secondary coil is surrounded by a non-ferromagnetic metallic shield to prevent capacitive coupling between the windings of the secondary coil and other nearby metallic objects. A nonconductive material is integrally formed about the U-shaped conductor and provides a cavity for receiving the secondary coil an shield in a predetermined position with respect to the U-shaped conductor. A flux guide of ferromagnetic metal, formed in an elliptical-cylindrical shape, surrounds the U-shaped conductor and the secondary coil to provide a flux steering effect to steer flux around the secondary or pick-up coil. The current sensing device is useful in measuring current in electrical utility power monitoring or watthour meter applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Christopher L. Anderson, Robert E. Slaven, Ronald C. Tate
  • Patent number: 5319304
    Abstract: A load measuring device includes a sensor for detecting power consumption surges by detecting a zero voltage point in the alternating voltage of an electrical apparatus, detecting the zero current point in the alternating current of the apparatus least remote in time from the detected zero voltage point, and measuring the interval between the two zero points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Walter Whipple, III
  • Patent number: 5300924
    Abstract: An instrument for measuring voltage harmonics and current harmonics on AC (alternating current) power systems. The instrument includes the ability to determine when threshold limits have been exceeded for harmonics. The instrument also includes timing thresholds whose inputs are activated when the harmonic thresholds are exceeded. A single harmonic threshold is applied to measurements from multiple phases on poly-phase systems by comparing the square rot of the sum of the squares of measurements from each phase to the harmonic threshold. Three indicators show when voltage harmonic limits are exceeded, current harmonics limits are exceeded, or both voltage and current harmonic limits are exceeded simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Basic Measuring Instruments
    Inventors: Alexander McEachern, Jamie Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5298885
    Abstract: An instrument for measuring voltage harmonics and current harmonics on AC (alternating current) power systems The instrument includes the ability to determine when threshold limits have been exceeded for harmonics. The instrument also includes timing thresholds whose inputs are activated when the harmonic thresholds are exceeded A single harmonic threshold is applied to measurements from multiple phases on poly-phase systems by comparing the square root of the sum of the squares of measurements from each phase to the harmonic threshold. Three indicators show when voltage harmonic limits are exceeded, current harmonics limits are exceeded, or both voltage and current harmonic limits are exceeded simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Basic Measuring Instruments
    Inventors: Alexander McEachern, Jamie Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5298857
    Abstract: A current measurement circuit for an electrical energy meter of the type having an inductive current pickup which generates a signal proportional to the derivative of current with respect to time in an electrical power line. An underdamped integrator is provided which compensates for nonideal phase characteristics of the inductive current pickup including a phase deviation from 90.degree. at the nominal line frequency. The integrator has a transfer function with a magnitude peak at a frequency below the line frequency and with a phase shift deviating from 90.degree. at the line frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Voisine, Christopher L. Anderson, Robert E. Slaven
  • Patent number: 5298888
    Abstract: An instrument for measuring voltage harmonics and current harmonics on AC (alternating current) power systems. The instrument includes the ability to determine when threshold limits have been exceeded for harmonics. The instrument also includes timing thresholds whose inputs are activated when the harmonic thresholds are exceeded. A single harmonic threshold is applied to measurements from multiple phases on poly-phase systems by comparing the square root of the sum of the squares of measurements from each phase to the harmonic threshold. Three indicators show when voltage harmonic limits are exceeded, current harmonics limits are exceeded, or both voltage and current harmonic limits are exceeded simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Basic Measuring Instruments
    Inventors: Alexander McEachern, Jamie Nicholson
  • Patent number: 5289115
    Abstract: An electronic watthour meter is digitally configurable to operate as several different types of watthour meters for metering electrical energy from a variety of different electric utility services. Automatic scaling of line input currents is provided to scale the voltage input to an analog to digital converter over selected ranges such that low level and high level input signals are measured in an optimum range. A digital signal processor is employed to calculate values for metered electrical energy and output pulses, each proportional to a quantum of energy flowing in the circuit being metered. The processor calculates the value of DC offset errors inherent in the various analog circuits of the meter and uses that value in the calculation of metered electrical energy to compensate for such offset errors. The meter employs automatic and manually initiated test functions for testing the operation of the processor and other critical circuits in the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren R. Germer, Mehrdad Negahban-Hagh
  • Patent number: 5276605
    Abstract: The phase voltages of a three phase alternating current input voltage are converted into currents. The negative half-cycles of the currents are added and the polarity of the added current is reversed. The current at the reversed (positive) polarity is converted into a positive output voltage which is a measurement of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford J. Wiener, Samuel Hsieh, George C. Pusey, III, Paul A. Verdi
  • Patent number: 5276402
    Abstract: Three-phase transformer testing method and system enabling convenient performance of ANSI-required checking of polarity and phase-relation and also enabling measurements of core loss, load loss and transformer ratio to be performed conveniently. Only a total of six test leads are needed, being connected one each to three high-voltage transformer terminals H1, H2 and H3 and being connected one each to three low-voltage terminals X1, X2 and X3. Since only six test leads are needed, it is easy to arrange them and to connect them without confusion to the six transformer terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Hipotronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Schucht
  • Patent number: 5262715
    Abstract: A circuit is disclosed for measuring reactive energy or reactive power. The circuit comprises a main multiplier, a signal/frequency converter, and a frequency divider all connected in series to form a cascade circuit having an output connected to a display. A 90.degree. phase shifter has an input for receiving a first signal component (e.g., alternating voltage) of the reactive energy or power. A second signal component (e.g., alternating current) is connected to a second input of the main multiplier. The phase shifter has a frequency dependent transfer function K[f]. In order to eliminate the effect of this transfer function on the measurement of reactive power or reactive energy, the arrangement includes a frequency measurement circuit for measuring the frequency of the first signal component and a frequency/signal converter for generating an output signal dependent on K[f].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Landis & Gyr Betriebs AG
    Inventors: Martin King, Reinhard Dobele, Ruedi Raschle