Conductor Identification Or Location (e.g., Phase Identification) Patents (Class 324/66)
  • Patent number: 8624577
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for identifying a cable path may be provided. The system may include a cable set operable to transmit data, the cable set comprising power delivery wires designed to transmit electrical power. The cable set may also comprise two adapters proximate respective ends of the cable set, the first adapter operable to be coupled to a signal generator operable to transmit electrical power across the power delivery wires. In some embodiments, the cable set may further comprise a circuit coupled to the power delivery wires of the cable set, the circuit operable to receive electrical power from the signal generator and allow at least a portion of the electrical power to continue across the power delivery wires. The cable set may further comprise an indicator coupled to the circuit and operable to emit light when electrical power from the circuit is received at the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Bradley, II
  • Patent number: 8599029
    Abstract: An electrical circuit identification means is revealed. The electrical circuit identification device includes a signal generator connected directly to an AC power socket and a signal receiver set in a power control panel. The signal generator blocks a half cycle of sine waves and produces a short off-and-off signal at an interval. The signal receiver includes a signal sensor receiving signals from the signal generator and connected to both a control voltage divider and a signal strength switch for modulating and amplifying signals received by the control voltage divider, and a signal integration module that is connected to the signal strength switch and a microcontroller for outputting digital signals with different waveform. An identification system in the microcontroller cross checks the digital signals and the identification accuracy is determined according to the position of a light lit up in an indicator light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Peaceful Thriving Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Hsiang Chien
  • Patent number: 8570024
    Abstract: A phase identification system identifies the unknown phase attribute of any energized conductor within a three-phase power distribution network by comparing remote location non-contact phase identification instrument phase measurements to phase measurements taken at a reference location. The vector sum of three-phase conductor voltages at the remote measurement location are used to determine the near, center, and far conductor phase attributes of the three-phase lines being measured. This allows phase attributes of high overhead conductors to be determined from ground level using a non-contact handheld instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 8570023
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the relative phase of each of a plurality of load meters connected to a three-phase power distribution system. The system includes a gateway that communicates information to and from each of the individual load meters. The gateway generates a timing pulse that is received by each of the load meters. Based upon the delay from the receipt of the timing pulse to the next zero crossing of the single phase power supply received by the meter, the utility can determine the phase of the individual meter. The system can include a feeder meter connected to each phase of the electrical supply system to determine the energy consumption for each of the meters connected to a specific phase. The utility can compare the energy consumption information from the feeder meter to all of the load meters connected to the same phase to determine whether any energy theft is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sensus USA Inc.
    Inventors: George Uram, Jeff Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8560263
    Abstract: A device that estimates a positional relationship between loads individually connected through sensors to electric power-supply ends provided in a power distribution network includes a communication unit configured to change a resistance value located between each of electric power-supply ends and a ground terminal of each of sensors and measure a voltage value produced between each of the electric power-supply ends and the ground terminal; and a determination unit configured to acquire voltage values from the two selected sensors from among the sensors after a resistance value of one of the two sensors that has a higher acquired voltage value is changed, calculate a ratio between voltage values acquired before and after the resistance value is changed, and determine that the two sensors are connected to a branch circuit in a same system in the power distribution network, when each ratio about the two sensors is within a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Toshiaki Funakubo, Nobutsugu Fujino, Hirotaka Oshima
  • Patent number: 8552709
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein locate and/or identify a circuit within an electrical system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example. the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tasco Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Thomas A. McCasland
  • Patent number: 8547108
    Abstract: The present document describes an assembly for connecting a test unit to a wiring harness or equipment to be tested, and a method for testing using the assembly. The assembly may comprise a test box unit, a generic mate-in interface, and at least one specific mate-in interface. The generic mate-in interface is for connection to the test box unit on one end, and to the at least one specific mate-in interfaces at the other end. The mate-in interfaces are for testing different existing wiring harnesses or equipment. Each one of the generic and specific mate-in interfaces has a specific ID. Information relating to the IDs of the connectors and the contact configuration of each mate-in interface is stored in a database of the test unit for identifying the appropriate test contacts that should be used for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ziota Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Lussier
  • Patent number: 8533121
    Abstract: A remote phase identification system identifies the unknown phase attribute of any energized conductor within a three-phase power distribution network. A field probe at a remote location obtains an instantaneous phase measurement at a precise GPS second and communicates this phase, GPS second, and GPS coordinates to a field client. Either wireless Internet or satellite modem communications is used by the field client to retrieve the reference phase taken by a base station at the same GPS second. Field client tagging reference phase configuration files are automatically created for any circuit and applied to the base station reference phase. Configuration files can be named, saved, and loaded and are used by the field client to identify and display the unknown phase attribute. A field client can be any personal computer, smartphone, or personal digital assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 8476892
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to prevent a human error, greatly reducing man-hours and to securely identify a core. To achieve the object, a request for a serial number is first made via a conductor of a core from a recognition unit that functions as a master to a recognition unit that functions as a slave. Next, the recognition unit as the slave reads a serial number for an IC tag and transmits the serial number via the conductor of the core. The recognition unit as the master receives the serial number transmitted from the recognition unit as the slave and collates the serial number and a serial number stored in an IC tag. It is ascertained by the collation that the conduction of the core is correctly made and it is displayed on a display of the recognition unit as the master and others that no disconnection on the way and no error in selecting an end of wiring are caused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Usami, Ryosuke Shigemi
  • Publication number: 20130147460
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes: a sensor device adapted to selectively monitor a plurality of sensors, wherein the sensor device includes a wireless transceiver within the sensor device adapted to transmit measurement information from the selected sensor; and a receiver indicator device adapted to wirelessly receive the measurement information from the sensor device, and provide an indication based on the measurement information to a user operating the receiver indicator device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Flir Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130141075
    Abstract: A method for multiphase electrical power phase identification by a monitoring component includes: receiving a request for the power phase identification for a given power component phase connection from a power component; in response, sending signal characteristics to the power component; monitoring power signals on distribution panel phase connections; determining that the signal characteristics are found on a given distribution panel phase connection; and in response, sending an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection to the power component. In receiving the signal characteristics, the power component: selects the given power component phase connection; applies a signal with the signal characteristic on the given power component phase connection; receives an identifier of the given distribution panel phase connection from the monitoring component; and associates the identifier with the given power component phase connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: POWERGETICS, INC.
    Inventors: David Erhart, Craig Southeren
  • Publication number: 20130134960
    Abstract: An audio tone probe is used by a technician to identify a conductor carrying an applied tracing tone signal. A probe tip is positioned proximate a conductor. A mains warning circuit and a tracing circuit are provided in communication with the probe tip and a speaker is provided in communication with the mains warning and tracing circuits. Signals detected by the probe tip are provided to the mains warning circuit and the tracing circuit. The mains warning circuit determines whether a mains signal is present in the detected signal and activates a warning generator if a mains signal is present. The tracing circuit filters mains signals from the detected signals. A tracing circuit output provides a tone generating signal to the speaker for use in identifying the presence of the applied tracing tone. The probe includes a test tone generator to verify that the probe is operational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: MARK SAMUEL GOVIER, SANDEEP NAGARAJ KABADI, BENJAMIN VIJAY VISUVASAM
  • Publication number: 20130119971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for identifying an allocation of control circuits to at least one control device. In this context, it can be checked whether wiring for example of heating circuits and/or sensors to a central control device is correct. Provided actuation patterns are switched on at a number of control circuits. This makes it possible to identify correct wiring efficiently and without error. The invention can be used in vehicle construction, and especially in aircraft construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Karsten ROEDERER, Maik JALASS
  • Patent number: 8441364
    Abstract: A power outlet locator for locating concealed inductive power outlet. A sensor is provided for detecting a signal emitted by an inductive power outlet. A processor uses the detected signal to compute location coordinates of the power outlet. A user interface is provided to communicate the location of the power outlet to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Powermat Technologies, Ltd
    Inventors: Yossi Azancot, Amir Ben-Shalom, Oola Greenwald, Arik Rofe
  • Patent number: 8436741
    Abstract: The invention is based on a locating device for locating objects in an item being investigated, said device having a basic body, a sensor unit for detecting a movement parameter when the basic body is moved relative to the item being investigated, an output unit and a control unit which, in conjunction with the output unit, is provided for the purpose of outputting an item of information on the basis of the movement parameter. It is proposed that the output unit has a light signal unit which is provided for the purpose of outputting the information using a light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Michael Mahler, Christoph Wieland, Ulli Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8433063
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for facilitating copper-wire patching. More particularly, the assemblies and methods involve mounting patch ports arranged along a horizontal plane (horizontally-aligned) with respect to a tray. The tray is movably mounted with respect to a cabinet enclosure, e.g., via a pivotal or translational (sliding) relationship, thereby providing easy access to the ports. The horizontally-aligned configuration advantageously increases patching density within a cabinet structure while maintaining port accessibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ortronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Murano, Chester H. Rynaski
  • Patent number: 8427173
    Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for detecting a blown fuse in a three-phase line by comparing neutral points in the line before and after the fuses. Diode rectifier circuits may be used to compare the neutral points and generate a DC output voltage when neutral points are off from one another, and photocoupler circuits may provide electrical isolation when signaling a neutral point shift. The neutral points compared need not be on immediate sides of the fuses, so intermediate components may exist, and in some embodiments one of the compared points may be within a load connected to the three-phase line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba International Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Oka, Mike C Daskalos
  • Publication number: 20130082679
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein are generally directed to the location and/or identification of a circuit within a circuital system. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured for inducing signals upon a plurality of circuit lines (e.g., power lines, communication lines, lighting circuits, etc.) with each circuit line having a unique signal to identify it from other circuit lines. Each signal may be induced upon an individual circuit line by means of a inductive coupling clip coupled about the circuit line. The transmitter may be used at a distribution point of the circuit lines, such as circuit breaker box. A receiver can then receive a signal from a distal point on the circuit line to acquire the unique signal induced thereon and identify determine which inductive coupling clip is coupled thereto. For example, the signal may be decoded to display a number of the circuit line being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Thomas McCasland, Thomas A. McCasland
  • Publication number: 20130049731
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for identifying individual coaxial cables in a bundle of coaxial cables. The system includes a coaxial cable header that is configured for receiving one or more coaxial cables and establishing electrical conductive contact with only a conductive shield on a first end of each cable. The system also includes an electrical tester that is electrically connected to the coaxial cable header such that the electrical tester is configured to transmit signals through the conductive shields of each cable. The electrical tester includes a test probe that is configured to be selectively connected to a second end of each cable. The electrical tester is configured to identify whether the second end of a particular cable that is connected to the test probe corresponds with the first end of a pre-determined cable that is within the coaxial cable header.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Technical Services for Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Mathis, Ethan Mork
  • Publication number: 20130049732
    Abstract: A phase identification system includes a power distribution station and a phase detection device. The power distribution station includes a phase distortion device for generating voltage distortions of a known harmonic frequency in at least one of three phase voltage signals of the power distribution station. The phase detection is configured to receive at least one of distorted three phase voltage signals and to identify a phase of the received voltage signal. The phase detection device includes a delay circuit to generate a phase shifted voltage signal of the received voltage signal and a transformation module to transform the received voltage signal and the phase shifted voltage signal into d-q domain voltage signals of a known harmonic frequency reference frame. A phase determination module in the phase detection device determine the phase of the received voltage signal by comparing an amplitude of a harmonic of the known harmonic frequency in the received voltage signal with a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Prasad Kulkarni, Amol Rajaram Kolwalkar
  • Publication number: 20130033258
    Abstract: Several systems and methods for monitoring the proximity of a device to a power line are disclosed. Electric field monitoring systems are mounted to the device and include a plurality of electric field sensors and a monitoring system base unit. Each electric field monitoring sensor senses the strength of a magnetic field in which the sensor is positioned and transmits a corresponding magnitude output signal to the base unit when polled by the base unit. If a sensor reports a magnetic field exceeding a threshold, the frequency of polling for that sensor may be increased. If a sensor reports a magnetic field exceeding another (possibly identical) threshold, an alarm may be activated, movement of the device may be limited or stopped or another action or a combination of actions may be taken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Parr, Leo Van Kampen, William Dimopoulos, Sanjay Sood
  • Publication number: 20130002289
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes: a receptacle having a plurality of pins for connecting a plug of a transmission cable; and a transmission cable determination section adapted to apply a predetermined voltage to a predetermined one of the pins of the receptacle to determine a category of the transmission cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuaki TOBA
  • Publication number: 20120326698
    Abstract: A joint connector includes a bus bar and a housing. The bus bar juxtaposes plural tab pieces to be connected to mating terminals. The housing has a bus bar accommodating part accommodating the bus bar, and includes plural terminal receiving chambers for receiving the mating terminals. The housing is formed with plural continuity check holes at a back end of the housing so as to expose a back end of the bus bar. In a case where the plural bus bars are accommodated in the bus bar receiving parts, at least one of the continuity check holes is positioned between the adjacent bus bars, and the at least one of the continuity check holes is formed in a resin-sealed part filled with an insulating resin material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya WATANABE, Jun ISHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8314603
    Abstract: A network cable includes a data cable with cable connectors at opposing ends. A tracer optical waveguide is connected to the data cable, e.g., within the same jacket or by connectors such as heat shrink tubing. The ends of the tracer optical waveguide are physically separate from corresponding ends of the optical waveguide, e.g., the ends of the tracer optical waveguide furcate from the data cable. In use, a light signal is introduced into one end of the tracer optical waveguide, e.g., by Visual Fault Locator, and the light signal is emitted and can be observed from the opposing end, thereby identifying corresponding ends of the tracer optical waveguide, and thus, opposing ends of the connected data cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Realm Communications Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Russell
  • Patent number: 8299775
    Abstract: A method, system and program product for replacing isotropic hole shapes in a wiring layout with non-equiaxial hole shapes that are arranged in a direction of current flow, which increases current flow along the wire's longitudinal axis while decreasing current flow along the wire's transverse axis. One aspect of the invention includes a method including determining a direction of electrical current flow in a portion of a wiring layout; and placing at least one non-equiaxial hole shape within the portion of the wiring layout, wherein the non-equiaxial hole shape is arranged in the direction of electrical current flow. The invention accommodates the limitations of copper CMP within an automated tool without sacrificing the efficiency of a hand-tuned layout. The invention also includes a semiconductor device including at least one non-equiaxial hole shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Howard S. Landis, David Parker, Jeanne-Tania Sucharitaves
  • Patent number: 8283911
    Abstract: A long range wireless phasing voltmeter determines the phase difference between the time-varying voltage carried on a reference electrical conductor and another, field conductor. The voltage signal from the reference conductor is measured by a reference probe and compared by a first unit in communication with that reference probe to a precision 60 Hz signal generated from a GPS receiver. The phase difference between these, in the form of a nine-bit, audible signal using frequency shift keying to modulate the carrier frequency, is transmitted by the first unit to a second unit perhaps miles away. A receiver in the second unit decodes the signal and uses another precision 60 Hz signal generated from another GPS receiver to re-create a surrogate of the original reference voltage signal. This surrogate signal is forwarded to a meter probe that is measuring the signal on a field conductor. The meter probe can then compare the two signals to determine the phase angle difference between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Walter S. Bierer
  • Patent number: 8285500
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing utility data of a power grid is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a datamart comprised of a plurality of physical databases storing utility data, a plurality of applications comprising an automated meter application configured to process power usage data from a plurality of automated meters, a power outage application configured to identify a location of a power outage, and a power restoration application configured to identify a location of a power restoration. The system may include an analysis engine comprising a plurality of analysis objects with each analysis object configured to process data to provide a specific analysis, wherein said analysis engine is accessible via one or more of the plurality of applications, and the system may include a report module configured to receive an output from the analysis engine and to output a report.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Current Communications Services, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Kreiss, Daniel S. Brancaccio
  • Patent number: 8283910
    Abstract: A long range wireless electrical phasing system using a centrally located beacon to transmit reference phase angle information to any number of locally handheld (Meter Probes) display modules containing a receiver to receive the distant beacon signal and a contact electrode used to contact a local electrical conductor. The display module processes the distant message and local electrical phase information and displays the exact phase angle difference of the local electrical conductor with respect to a distant reference phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Walter S. Bierer
  • Publication number: 20120249118
    Abstract: Presented is a device and method for identifying a cable in a group of cables, where a transmitting inductive coupler is placed on one end of the cable and a receiving inductive coupler is used to identify the cable from among several cables. The inductive couplers are of a novel construction using split rings and copper windings around each half of the split rings. A meter is used to measure how much signal is on each of the cables tested, and a comparison of the readings indicates which cable is the same cable to which the transmitting inductive coupler is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: KENT HADDON
  • Publication number: 20120215467
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of determining a ground line within a video cable, the video cable including a left audio line, a right audio line, a third line and a fourth line, the method comprising connecting one of the third or fourth line to ground; transmitting a high frequency signal over the other of third and fourth line; measuring outputs of the left audio line or the right audio line; and determining the ground line based on the measured outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Jens Kristian POULSEN
  • Patent number: 8237427
    Abstract: A bridge module provides connection between first and second conductors of a line under test and a test instrument adapted for use with the bridge module. The bridge module provides monitoring and measurement of DSL communication signals between the telephone company DSL terminal (DSLAM) and the subscriber home DSL equipment across a wide range of frequencies. The bridge module can be used at any point in the communications link and can be used while the link is active. The bridge module provides a clickless connection to the active DSL communications link to avoid interruption in DSL service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Durston
  • Publication number: 20120176119
    Abstract: A phase line identification system including, at least one computer hardware device including: a first receiver that receives a plurality of times of a primary phase zero crossing for a plurality of primary phase lines at a feeder; a second receiver that receives a time of a secondary phase zero crossing for a secondary phase line at a single phase electric meter; a comparator that identifies which of the plurality of primary phase lines feeds the secondary phase line by comparing the plurality of times of the primary phase zero crossing for the plurality of primary phase lines at the feeder to the time of the secondary phase zero crossing of the secondary phase line at the single phase electric meter to determine which one of the plurality of times of the primary phase zero crossing matches the time of the secondary phase zero crossing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Hernan Alex Rojas
  • Patent number: 8217640
    Abstract: A method and device for determining the phases in a multi-phase electrical system includes detecting a first waveform on a phase of the multi-phase system In a first position of the multi-phase electrical system timed data is stored, synchronized with the first waveform. A second waveform is detected in a second position of the multi-phase electrical system, on an indeterminate phase of the system. Data is obtained relative to the phase on which the second waveform was read on the basis of the phase shift between the timed data and the second waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Power-One Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Davide Tazzari, Filippo Vernia
  • Patent number: 8207726
    Abstract: The service phase of the electrical connection to a customer endpoint device located within a power distribution system is determined by various techniques. At the feeder level, the system may be programmed to induce momentary power interruptions, thereby causing missed zero crossings at the customer endpoint devices. The pattern of these interruptions is a controlled one, designed specifically to avoid causing noticeable disruption even to sensitive devices, but to be unusual enough that it is statistically unlikely to be naturally occurring. The monitoring of the zero crossing information is used to determine the phase of the service line to the customer endpoint devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Vaswani, Jana van Greunen, Alexander Gostrer
  • Patent number: 8203325
    Abstract: Activation systems and methods initiate High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) communication between an HDMI source and an HDMI sink through an HDMI receptacle of the source. These systems and methods are especially suited for use with mobile sources that generally operate from a battery that cannot provide the +5V signal which the HDMI protocol requires sources to place on the +5V pin of their HDMI receptacles. These systems and methods automatically detect the insertion of an HDMI cable into the source's HDMI receptacle and subsequently generate and apply the required +5V signal to the +5V pin of the source's HDMI receptacle to initiate HDMI communication. Because they are directed to use in mobile sources, the embodiments are configured to minimize current drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney Dean Miller, Charles O'Roark, Ralph Moore, George F. Diniz
  • Patent number: 8184012
    Abstract: An air conditioner and a reverse-phase detection method thereof are provided. According to the air conditioner and the reverse-phase detection method thereof, it is possible to perform reverse-phase detection in real time by subtracting the voltage of one of two phases arbitrarily selected from the phases of an input three-phase alternating voltage from the voltage of the other phase and determining whether the input three-phase alternating voltage is reversed based on sign information of a voltage obtained by the subtraction. Thus, it is possible to prevent an air conditioner from malfunctioning due to a reversed input three-phase alternating voltage and to facilitate the management of an air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Min Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20120101765
    Abstract: An improved method of determining that a current transformer is situated about a conductor includes applying a predefined load to a particular conductor from among a plurality of conductors and making a determination from a signal detected from a particular current transformer responsive to the predefined load that the particular current transformer is situated about the particular conductor. An improved metering device having an algorithm for identifying the predefined load is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Donald Thompson McComas, Praveen Sutrave
  • Patent number: 8164474
    Abstract: A connection management system comprises a plurality of sockets 1, 2 for receiving complement plugs provided on ends of cables for effecting interconnections between said sockets. Each said socket 1, 2 has an input contact 1a, 2a and an output contact 1b, 2b being electrically connected upon inserting a plug A, B into the socket 1, 2 so as to transmit the logic state. Detection of a change of said logic state at said other of said input 1a, 2a and output 1b, 2b terminals is then indicative of the presence of a plug A, B therein. A signal is then provided to one of the input and output contacts of a socket 1, 2 and the other of said input and output contacts is then monitored for the presence of said signal in order to confirm the presence of a plug A, B in the socket 1, 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hellermanntyton Data Limited
    Inventor: Jason Lee James
  • Publication number: 20120086428
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for identifying a cable path may be provided. The system may include a cable set operable to transmit data, the cable set comprising power delivery wires designed to transmit electrical power. The cable set may also comprise two adapters proximate respective ends of the cable set, the first adapter operable to be coupled to a signal generator operable to transmit electrical power across the power delivery wires. In some embodiments, the cable set may further comprise a circuit coupled to the power delivery wires of the cable set, the circuit operable to receive electrical power from the signal generator and allow at least a portion of the electrical power to continue across the power delivery wires. The cable set may further comprise an indicator coupled to the circuit and operable to emit light when electrical power from the circuit is received at the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Charles B. Bradley, II
  • Publication number: 20120081101
    Abstract: A system and method for dead-line conductor phase identification is provided. The system includes a receiver unit having a set of current sensors, such as current transformers. The receiver unit current sensors are coupled to conductors having a known phase in a multiphase power line. The current sensors are positioned adjacent a transformer connected to a section of the power line having an open circuit condition. A transmitter unit transmits a current signal on to a conductor at the open circuit section of the power line. The current sensors detect the current signal and the receiver unit transmits a signal to the transmitter unit identifying the phase on which the current signal was transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: POWER SYSTEMS INTEGRITY INC., CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Suozzo, Harold I. Marsden, Aaron P. Coolidge, Daniel P. Eggleston
  • Publication number: 20120078680
    Abstract: An electrical system and method are provided that has a software system that provides the electrical engineer or designer the capability to design and document the complete electrical infrastructure within a facility and be made available to a facility operations group to monitor and manage capacity, consumption and risk. Furthermore it provides information technology personnel or project/change management system the ability to understand the capabilities of the electrical system as well as include financial metrics for finance as well as all parties to understand the cost of the facility from an operations, capital and power consumption perspective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Brian Tharp
  • Patent number: 8143879
    Abstract: A multi-phase electrical power distribution network includes a substation; a signal generator for providing a different signal on each of a plurality of phases leaving the substation; and a signal discriminator for detecting each of the different signals at a consumer of the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Caird
  • Patent number: 8102169
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and testing apparatus for providing, managing and tracing connective cables in electrical and information management systems. In an embodiment of the invention, a selectable tracer cable system can be provided. The selectable tracer cable system can include a cable having a first terminal end and a second terminal, a display member capable of changing states of appearance in response to an applied voltage, where the display member is disposed between the first and second terminal ends, an interface device configured to provide an electrical connection between the display member and a power supply and a core member disposed within the cable and extending from the first terminal end to the second terminal end. The display member can include a first conductive plane, a second conductive plane opposite the first conductive plane, and a plurality of color microcapsules disposed between the first conductive plane and the second conductive plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas A. Law, Thomas S. Mazzeo
  • Publication number: 20110304313
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for patch panel port identification and verification are provided. In this regard, a patch panel may transmit, over a cable that is coupled to the patch panel, a signal that identifies the port of the patch panel to which the cable is coupled. The signal may comprise a common-mode signal communicated over one or more twisted pairs of the cable. The signal may comprise one or more Ethernet frames communicated in accordance with Ethernet standards. A device coupled to the patch panel may receive the signal, recover the patch port identifier from the signal, and store the patch port identifier to memory. The patch panel identifier may comprise, for example, an alphanumeric sequence comprising numbers, letters, or a combination of numbers and letters. The device may compare the received patch port identifier to an expected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventor: Wael William Diab
  • Patent number: 8076923
    Abstract: A system and method for dead-line conductor phase identification is provided. The system includes a receiver unit having a set of current sensors, such as current transformers. The receiver unit current sensors are coupled to conductors having a known phase in a multiphase power line. The current sensors are positioned adjacent a transformer connected to a section of the power line having an open circuit condition. A transmitter unit transmits a current signal on to a conductor at the open circuit section of the power line. The current sensors detect the current signal and the receiver unit transmits a signal to the transmitter unit identifying the phase on which the current signal was transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Power Systems Integrity, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Suozzo, Harold I. Marsden, Aaron P. Coolidge, Daniel P. Eggleston
  • Patent number: 8069556
    Abstract: A cable harness production system includes an electronic controller and at least one installation plate to which a plurality of mounting stations is fastened. Each of the mounting stations supports a receptacle for a functional element, which is directly connected to at least one cable harness or is shaped as a cable installation aid, such as a fork. In at least one mounting station, at least one electronic transmitter is integrated with a test sensor which can be activated by the mounting of a functional element, or by the insertion of a cable into the cable installation aid, so that a test message, as an electric wave, can be emitted and can be received and evaluated by the electronic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Inventor: Dirk Selbach
  • Publication number: 20110285379
    Abstract: The technology relates to detecting the wiring phase of an unknown phase voltage relative to a reference phase voltage in an electric power distribution system having a polyphase power line. In order to reliably detect the wiring phase at the remote location relative to a reference wiring phase even if the remote location is at a larger distance from the reference location, at least one relay location is arranged between the reference location and the remote location and connected to the wiring phase of the polyphase power line. A first phase relation is detected between the reference wiring phase voltage at the reference location and the wiring phase voltage at the relay location. A second phase relation is detected between the wiring phase voltage at the relay location and the wiring phase voltage at the remote location. The wiring phase of the remote location relative to the wiring phase at the reference location is detected based on the first phase relation and the second phase relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ENEL DISTRIBUZIONE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo GIUBBINI, Fabio VERONI
  • Patent number: 8050879
    Abstract: A method to identify phase is presented. The method includes obtaining electrical parameters at a node and a substation of an electrical grid, processing the electrical parameters of the node and the substation into processed electrical parameters comprising at least one of a voltage harmonic amplitude, a current harmonic amplitude, a geometric harmonic modulated signal, and a noise pattern. The method further includes comparing the processed electrical parameters from the node and the substation and identifying phase information of the node with respect to the substation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Glen Peter Koste, John Erik Hershey, Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Pierino Gianni Bonanni, Amol Rajaram Kolwalkar
  • Patent number: 8018220
    Abstract: An electronic identification device for identifying, among conductors of a wiring system including multiple conductors, at least one conductor that is series-connected to a magnetically controlled switch. The device comprises a test connector having pins that are connected to respective conductors to be tested, a microcontroller commanding, in a predetermined order and in two steps, the sending of a test signal to each of the pins of the test connector, and conducting measurements and comparisons for the identification of the conductors, a signal source that is connected both to the pins of the test connector and to the microcontroller, a magnetic field source, and a display for the display of the identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: GDF Suez
    Inventors: Marc Haudeville, Sylvain Orthlieb, Jerome Mangiapane
  • Patent number: RE43774
    Abstract: A communications patching system includes first and second patch panels, each having a plurality of connector ports, and a patch cord that is configured to selectively interconnect a connector port in the first patch panel with a connector port in the second patch panel. Each patch panel includes a port identification circuit that is electrically coupled with the connector ports of the respective patch panel. The port identification circuit of each patch panel is configured to transmit a signal to a connector port of the other patch panel over a common mode transmission path of the patch cord. The first and second connector ports connected by the patch cord are identified from the signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Terry R. Cobb, Lance Howard Cobb, legal representative, Bob Conte