Feeder Protection In Distribution Networks Patents (Class 361/62)
  • Patent number: 8125753
    Abstract: A device is provided for riding through brownouts, or transitory losses of control power applied to electromagnetic devices such as contactors and relays. An energy storage circuit stores charge that can be discharged into a contactor operating coil during partial or full losses of control power and for short durations. Momentary reductions in control power can thus be experienced without opening or otherwise changing the logical state of the contactor. Emergency stop override circuitry may be provided for preventing the ride-through performance, thus enabling the device to provide for both ride-through of short losses of control power, while permitting emergency stopping of loads due to the override.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Soon Lee, Jeffery John Battani
  • Publication number: 20120039006
    Abstract: A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Nagaraj Jayanth, George Ramayya
  • Publication number: 20120033338
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for monitoring an electrical power flow between a power source and a load. The monitoring device includes a monitoring module configured to monitor one or more aspects of the electrical power flow, the monitoring module configured to detect a fault condition when one or more aspects fall outside a predetermined operating range. In addition, the device includes a protection module configured to interrupt the electrical power flow upon detection of the fault condition. In some embodiments, the monitoring device includes a reset module configured to re-establish electrical power flow between the power source and the load. In some embodiments, the monitoring device further includes a diagnostic module configured to determine diagnostic information based at least in part on one or more of the monitored aspects of the electrical power flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Colin Van Leeuwen, Paul Joseph Jungwirth
  • Patent number: 8068320
    Abstract: A network unit includes an enclosure having first and second compartments, plural input terminals, and a primary switch having an input and an output, the input being electrically connected to the input terminals. The output of the primary switch is electrically connected to the input of a network transformer. A network protector includes an input, an output and a circuit breaker electrically connected between the input and the output of the network protector. The network protector input is electrically connected to the network transformer output. Plural circuit protection devices are electrically connected between the network protector output and plural output terminals. The circuit breaker is substantially enclosed by the second compartment. The network transformer, the primary switch and part of the network protector are enclosed by the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Faulkner, Rodney L. Spottsville, Jose L. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20110235224
    Abstract: A circuit device connected between a neighboring pair of terminals in a semiconductor integrated circuit is protected from electrostatic damage due to a surge voltage when the surge voltage is applied between the neighboring pair of terminals. The semiconductor integrated circuit is formed to include terminals P0-P14, MOS transistors MN0-MN15 in diode connection, protection diode circuits HD0-HD14, MOS transistors T1-T14 for discharging electricity from batteries, a battery voltage detection control circuit and a clamp circuit for overvoltage protection. Each of the MOS transistors T1-T14 for discharging electricity from the batteries is connected between each neighboring pair of the terminals P0-P14 through wirings. Each of the MOS transistors MN1-MN14 in diode connection is connected between each neighboring pair of the terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: ON Semiconductor Trading, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyouichi KASHIMA, Yoshitaka Fukushima, Masahiro Ono, Tetsuro Hirano
  • Patent number: 8027133
    Abstract: A power plate for driving a robot is provided herein. The power plate is capable of driving the robot in a stable manner. This stable drive of the robot is achieved by preventing a whole system paralysis phenomenon, which is caused by a local short-circuit occurring in a certain part of the power plate. The whole system paralysis is prevented by selectively breaking power supplied to a power supply pattern in association with the part where the short-circuit occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: IR Robot Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Hyun Park
  • Publication number: 20110205677
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switch-on protection device (1) for an electrical device supplied by a supply voltage, comprising a supply voltage input (2), a switchable electric load (3) and a supply voltage switch (4) arranged in between that can be manually actuated and has the switching positions OFF and ON. The switch-on protection device (1) is arranged in a supply voltage current path to the load (3) and detects the switch position of the supply voltage switch (4) when the supply voltage is applied to the supply voltage input (2). Only in the OFF switching position of the supply voltage switch (4) does it allow closing of the supply voltage path to the electric load (3). By means of two sensor circuits (10, 11), the supply voltage current path is scanned on the input and output sides of the supply voltage switch (4), wherein the output signals thereof are used by an electronic switching element (12) for controlling a semiconductor switching device (6) connected upstream of the load (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: LEISTER PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Pius Studer, Stefan Eberli
  • Patent number: 7986503
    Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided that utilizes a single state definition for each of the zones of protection of the circuit to increase computational efficiency. Multiple zone protective functions can be performed on a single zone of protection and can reference the single state definition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas F. Papallo, Gregory P. Lavoie, John S. Vandevanter
  • Publication number: 20110170219
    Abstract: An islanded power system with a distributed power supply includes a system abnormality detection unit, which outputs an abnormality detection signal when an abnormality in a commercial system is detected; a breaker, which interrupts a supply of power from the commercial system when the abnormality detection signal is input from the system abnormality detection unit; a status detection unit, which outputs a breaker status signal when the breaker's open state is detected; and an electrical storage device, which compensates a fluctuation in load until a rotating machine generator switches to an islanded operation after the supply of power from the commercial system is interrupted by the breaker by starting the supply of power when the breaker status signal is input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SHIMIZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yamane, Shigeo Numata, Kimio Morino, Eisuke Shimoda
  • Publication number: 20110149453
    Abstract: In one embodiment, there is a fault interrupter device comprising at least one sensor comprising at least one first transformer having at least one outer region forming an outer periphery and at least one inner hollow region. There is also at least one second transformer that is disposed in the inner hollow region of the at least one first transformer. The transformers can be substantially circular in configuration, and more particularly, ring shaped. In another embodiment there is a rotatable latch which is used to selectively connect and disconnect a set of separable contacts to selectively disconnect power from the line side to the load side. The rotatable latch is in one embodiment coupled to a reset button. In at least one embodiment there is a slider which is configured to selectively prevent the manual tripping of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: LEVITON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael KAMOR, James PORTER, Kurt DYKEMA
  • Patent number: 7948217
    Abstract: A distributed generation system that can suppress a voltage fluctuation caused by a distributed generation by an apparatus of a small power capacity in the distributed generation itself and stabilize the power system voltage without inserting interharmonic voltage or current into the power system and without interference among a plurality of distributed generations. Parameter ?(t) varying with time is estimated based on fluctuating component ?P of the active power P generated by the distributed generation and the voltage fluctuating component ?V attributable to the distributed generation developed at the point of connection between the distributed generation and power system. The distributed generation produces reactive power Q=??P or Q=???P, to thereby suppresses only the voltage fluctuation of the power system attributable to the distributed generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Oohara, Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Mitsugu Matsutake, Shoji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7944660
    Abstract: Electrical distribution systems implementing micro-electromechanical system based switching devices. Exemplary embodiments include a method in an electrical distribution system, the method including determining if there is a fault condition in a branch of the electrical distribution system, the branch having a plurality of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switches, re-closing a MEMS switch of the plurality of MEMS switches, which is furthest upstream in the branch and determining if the fault condition is still present. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical distribution system, including an input port for receiving a source of power, a main distribution bus electrically coupled to the input port, a service disconnect MEMS switch disposed between and coupled to the input port and the main distribution bus and a plurality of electrical distribution branches electrically coupled to the main distribution bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brent Charles Kumfer, William James Premerlani, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Charles Stephan Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7940508
    Abstract: A modular system for transmitting power and data between a control processor that receives and transmits signals along a trunk of a distributed control network, and one or more field devices located in a hazardous area includes a backplane bus and a trunk module connected to the backplane and interconnecting the trunk and backplane. Intrinsically safe spur modules are removably attached to the backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact Development & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton Eugene Helfrick, Aaron Richard Kreider, Brian James Vogt, Davis Mathews
  • Publication number: 20110096448
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for protecting an electric line in a vehicle, it being possible to adapt the apparatus to the properties of the electric line to be protected. The apparatus for protecting an electric line comprises an electric fuse and a controllable switching element, the controllable switching element and the electric fuse being formed as a parallel circuit, and the parallel circuit being connectable in series to the electric line, the electric fuse being disposed in a first branch of the parallel circuit, which has a first resistance, and the controllable switching element being disposed in a second branch of the parallel circuit, and the controllable switching element being configured to accommodate at least two states, a first state with a second resistance higher than the first resistance, and a second state with a third resistance lower than the first resistance, and to switch into the second state when there is a pulse load condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Wortberg
  • Patent number: 7906870
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting islanding in a Distributed Generation utility grid is described. In some examples, the system, via an inverter, injects a frequency disturbance to a location of the utility grid associated with a DG generator, measures both the frequency error due to the disturbance and the frequency drift of the location of the utility grid, and determines islanding based on a maximum value of the frequencies. In some cases, the system is able to reduce or minimize the Non-Detection Zone of the inverter by detecting islanding without always relying on a detectable frequency error due to an injected waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: PV Powered, Inc.
    Inventor: Dal Y. Ohm
  • Patent number: 7899630
    Abstract: A metering device of a power substation and method are provided for operating on a secondary analog waveform output by a transformer assembly receiving a primary waveform. The method includes stepping down the secondary waveform and generating a corresponding output signal; operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding first digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a first range; and operating on the corresponding output signal for generating a corresponding second digital signal having a value proportional to the corresponding output signal and within a second range. The method further includes processing the first digital signal and outputting a corresponding first output signal; processing the second digital signal and outputting a corresponding second output signal; processing the first and second output signals; and generating output corresponding to the processing of the first and second output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 7889476
    Abstract: An electrical distribution system for selectively connecting an electrical power source to load devices comprises a panelboard having a plurality of load circuit positions. A remote operated relay is mountable in the panelboard in an adjacent pair of the load circuit positions comprising a multipole switching device, and a switch control for controlling the switching device, the switch control comprising a control circuit for operating the switching device responsive to control commands and a communication circuit for receiving control commands. An input/output (I/O) controller is mounted in the panelboard for controlling operation of the remote operated relay, the I/O controller comprising a programmed controller for generating the control commands for commanding operation of the remote operated relay, the control system including a communication circuit for communication with the remote operated relay communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: William A King, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7852605
    Abstract: An arc-flash hazard protection system for a three-phase electrical distribution system having a plurality of switchgear interconnected with a plurality of distribution buses is disclosed. The protection system includes a plurality of first and second current transformers in signal communication with respective first and second phases of each of the plurality of switchgear, and a bus differential relay connected to receive output signals from each of the first and second current transformers of each of the plurality of switchgear to establish a bus differential protection scheme utilizing only two of the three available phases for each of the plurality of switchgear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Hill
  • Publication number: 20100259859
    Abstract: A coordinated arc fault protection scheme in a hierarchical power distribution system is disclosed. The methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be considered an “event and time graded” analysis. In event and time based analysis, the number of confirmed arc signature may be monitored with respect to time in the main feeder line as well as the branched feeders. The confirmed arc signature in the branched feeder, as well as in the main feeder, may be captured and time stamped. A trip command may be issued first in the intended branched feeder if the branched feeder experiences a minimum number of events within a given time. During the same time period, the main feeder also monitors similar arcing events. If the tripping of the branched feeder occurs and the main feeder still detects arcing events, the main feeder may be tripped after a certain period of time or a certain number of confirmed arc signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Prashant Purushotham Prabhu K, Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary, Zhenning Liu
  • Patent number: 7769497
    Abstract: A method of performing loadflow calculations for controlling voltages and power flow in a power network by reading on-line data of given/specified/scheduled/set network variables/parameters and using control means, so that no component of the power network is overloaded as well as there is no over/under voltage at any nodes in the network following a small or large disturbances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Sureshchandra B. Patel
  • Patent number: 7751165
    Abstract: A centrally controlled protection system is provided. The system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, a plurality of modules, and a central computer. Each of the plurality of breakers are in electrical communication with a respective one of the plurality of modules. The central computer is in communication with each of the plurality of modules via a network. The central computer controls the plurality of circuit breakers in either a normal mode or a reduced energy let-through mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anand S. V. Sirivella, Thomas Papallo, Gregory P. Lavoie, Theodore D. Hill, III, Radoslaw Narel, Marcelo Valdes
  • Patent number: 7745956
    Abstract: A grid interconnection device includes a relay controller configured to control separation or interconnection of a relay; a receiver configured to receive, from a predetermined transmission path, power failure information containing at least local area information indicating an area in which a power failure occurs; a determination unit configured to determine an occurrence of a power failure in a power distribution system, when the power failure information includes local area information of an area to which the power distribution system belongs; and a detector configured to detect an islanding state. The detector increases detection sensitivity of the islanding state when the determination unit determines the power failure in the power distribution system. The relay controller performs separation control for the relay when the islanding state is detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Ito, Wataru Horio, Masahiro Makino, Ryuzo Hagihara, Haruhiko Tatsumi, Takeo Ishida, Osamu Tajima
  • Publication number: 20100149708
    Abstract: An electrical distribution control system for a vehicle such as an aircraft may be provided fire-suppression protection without requiring that all control elements are located in a fire-containment enclosure. A primary electric load center (ECL) may be located in a fire-containment equipment bay. Secondary power control centers (SPC's) may be located away from the equipment bay and close to set of loads which are controlled by the SPC's. Each SPC may be provided with a fire detecting sensor that may signal the ECL to interrupt input power to the SPC in the event of a fire in the SPC. The SPC may be constructed from self-extinguishing material. In an absence of input power to the SPC, a fire may self extinguish, thus preventing flame propagation or production of excessive external heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Randy Fuller, Don Tegart, Sprios Sideris
  • Publication number: 20100142108
    Abstract: A network unit includes an enclosure having first and second compartments, plural input terminals, and a primary switch having an input and an output, the input being electrically connected to the input terminals. The output of the primary switch is electrically connected to the input of a network transformer. A network protector includes an input, an output and a circuit breaker electrically connected between the input and the output of the network protector. The network protector input is electrically connected to the network transformer output. Plural circuit protection devices are electrically connected between the network protector output and plural output terminals. The circuit breaker is substantially enclosed by the second compartment. The network transformer, the primary switch and part of the network protector are enclosed by the first compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: MARK A. FAULKNER, Rodney L. Spottsville, Jose L. Martinez
  • Patent number: 7710697
    Abstract: An electrical circuit protection system provides circuit protection in an electrical power distribution system. The electrical circuit protection system according to one embodiment comprises: an automatic reset circuit breaker; a commutation module electrically connected to the automatic reset circuit breaker; and a controller that sets a state of the commutation module based on detected state of the automatic reset circuit breaker and externally input commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney G. Michalko, Brian C. Young
  • Patent number: 7710698
    Abstract: A protective relay for an electrical power distribution system and a method. The protective relay includes first and second current transformers arranged to sense a respective current flowing into a power line, and a voltage sensing device arranged to sense the voltage of the power line. The protective relay further includes a first and a second device for determining the direction of a fault within the system based on a current signal from the first and second current transformers and a voltage signal from the voltage sensing means. The protective relay further includes a third device for determining the fault direction based on a sum of the current signals from the first and second current transformers and a voltage signal from said voltage sensing means. A controller determines whether a fault is internal or external based on the fault directions determined by the first, second and third devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Zoran Gajic, Torbjörn Einarsson, Sethuraman Ganesan
  • Publication number: 20100085674
    Abstract: A power distribution unit that switches off power outlets in the event of an over-current condition by using circuitry that measures how long input current has exceeded a threshold and sending a reset signal to the power outlets when input current has exceeded the threshold for a predetermined time duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Carlos E. Martins
  • Patent number: 7667938
    Abstract: A circuit fault detector and interrupter which consists of parallel current conduction paths, including a path through a mechanical contactor and a path through a power electronics switch. A fault can be detected by a fault detection circuit within 50 microseconds of the occurrence of the fault, causing the mechanical contactor to be opened and the fault current to be commutated via a laminated, low-inductance bus through the power electronics switch. The power electronics switch is thereafter turned off as soon as possible, interrupting the fault current. The fault current can be interrupted within 200 microseconds of the occurrence of the fault, and the device reduces or eliminates arcing when the mechanical contactor is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: SPD Electrical Systems
    Inventors: John I Ykema, John P. Barber, Antonios Challita
  • Patent number: 7663348
    Abstract: A distributed generation system that can suppress a voltage fluctuation caused by a distributed generation by an apparatus of a small power capacity in the distributed generation itself and stabilize the power system voltage without inserting interharmonic voltage or current into the power system and without interference among a plurality of distributed generations. Parameter ?(t) varying with time is estimated based on fluctuating component ?P of the active power P generated by the distributed generation and the voltage fluctuating component ?V attributable to the distributed generation developed at the point of connection between the distributed generation and power system. The distributed generation produces reactive power Q=??P or Q=???P, to thereby suppresses only the voltage fluctuation of the power system attributable to the distributed generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Oohara, Masaya Ichinose, Motoo Futami, Mitsugu Matsutake, Shoji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7656629
    Abstract: A safety switch for safety circuit arrangement has a control part for processing an input signal and at least one switching element with at least one active and one inactive switching state. The control part controls the switching element in order to generate an output signal dependent on the input signal at an output. In addition, the safety switch has a diagnostic function for identifying a functional fault. The control part is configured to transfer the switching element into the inactive state when a functional fault is identified. According to one aspect of the invention, the control part is also configured to generate a data message at the output, which data message is dependent on the functional fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Pullmann, Roland Rupp
  • Patent number: 7652862
    Abstract: A power distribution unit that switches off power outlets in the event of an over-current condition by using circuitry that measures how long input current has exceeded a threshold and sending a reset signal to the power outlets when input current has exceeded the threshold for a predetermined time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Avocent Huntsville Corporation
    Inventor: Carlos E. Martins
  • Patent number: 7640120
    Abstract: An arc detection means for detecting arcs in a plasma process includes at least one comparator to which an evaluation signal such as an output signal or an internal signal of an AC generator relating to the output signal and a reference value are supplied. The comparator is connected to a logic component that generates a signal for an arc suppression device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Sven Axenbeck, Markus Bannwarth, Martin Steuber, Peter Wiedemuth, Lothar Wolf
  • Publication number: 20090316317
    Abstract: A power plate for driving a robot is provided herein. The power plate is capable of driving the robot in a stable manner. This stable drive of the robot is achieved by preventing a whole system paralysis phenomenon, which is caused by a local short-circuit occurring in a certain part of the power plate. The whole system paralysis is prevented by selectively breaking power supplied to a power supply pattern in association with the part where the short-circuit occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: IR ROBOT CO. LTD
    Inventor: Chang Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7636616
    Abstract: There is disclosed a protection system for a power distribution system. The system has a processor, a breaker; a network coupled to the processor, a first module coupled to the network and the breaker, a second module coupled to the network, and an algorithm. The algorithm monitors for a permission to trip request. If a plurality of permission to trip requests are received during a given time period, the algorithm issues a permission granted command to the first module and a hold command to the second module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David G. Fletcher, Thomas F. Papallo, John J. Dougherty, Ertugrul Berkcan, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
  • Publication number: 20090273419
    Abstract: In one example embodiment of the present application, the switching device includes a first switching point for normal switching of at least one current path, and includes a second switching path for disconnection of a short-circuit current. The first and second switching points are connected in series, and are accommodated in a common enclosure. Electrical connections and, if required, a control connection for inputting a switching command, are provided in or on the enclosure for connection of the current paths. The first switching point is designed for a maximum continuous current. The second switching point is designed to disconnect a short-circuit current which is a multiple of the maximum continuous current. The first switching point includes at least one main contact which can withstand a short-circuit at least for the time by means of a contact holding system or a contact locking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Norbert Mitlmeier, Norbert Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7613548
    Abstract: A method for controlling a ramp rate of a wind farm is described. The method includes predicting an initial predicted power to be output by a wind farm including a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Edward Cardinal, Reinhard Brügger, Andreas Kirchner
  • Patent number: 7599161
    Abstract: A method of operating a relay device, in an electrical circuit comprising first and second main circuit breakers, and a bus tie circuit breaker connecting the first and second main circuit breakers, the method comprising computing a first positive sequence current phasor for the first main circuit breaker and a second positive sequence current phasor for the second main circuit breaker computing a first positive sequence voltage phasor for the first main circuit breaker and a second positive sequence voltage phasor for the second main circuit breaker; computing a correction of the first positive sequence voltage and second positive sequence voltage to a line-to-neutral phase angle reference if there is any rotation in a potential transformer connection; determining a fault has occurred when a magnitude of a current through at least one of the first main circuit breaker or the second main circuit breaker exceeds a predetermined threshold; determining a phase angle difference by comparing the phase angle of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Premerlani, Marcelo Valdes, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Gregory P. Lavoie, Radoslaw Narel
  • Publication number: 20090228223
    Abstract: A power line communication-based aircraft power distribution system may allow for both power line communication (PLC) technology and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) technology to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions. Unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may, for example, use only SSTDR for fault detection, the present invention includes a hardware platform that may allow both the PLC and the SSTDR to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions, such as real time wire fault location, and cost and weight savings. Further, unlike conventional power distribution systems, which may only detect and locate damage in feeder conductor wire sections before the power is applied to the load, the power distribution system of the present invention may permit real time wire fault location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: ZHENNING LIU, Randy J. Fuller, Wenjiang Yu, Yang Ye, Guangjun G. Liu
  • Patent number: 7583487
    Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of power control groups, with each group comprising a plurality of individual point-of-load regulators each adapted to provide respective regulated voltage outputs. The point-of-load regulators may be selected for inclusion in a power control groups based on characteristics of loads supplied by the point-of-load regulators. An intermediate bus controller is coupled to each of said power control groups through a serial data bus interface common to each group and an OK status line for each respective group. A front end regulator provides an intermediate bus voltage to each of the plurality of power control groups and to the intermediate bus controller. The plurality of point-of-load regulators of each group each further comprises a respective fault manager adapted to detect fault conditions and selectively communicate notifications of the fault conditions to other ones of the plurality of point-of-load regulators of the group and to the intermediate bus controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Power-One, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Chapuis
  • Patent number: 7579963
    Abstract: A protection device for circuit-breakers that comprises a wireless communication system for transmitting locally, to a dedicated computerized device, information corresponding to measurements of electrical quantities, to the setting of the parameters typical of the protection functions, or to diagnostics information corresponding to the electrical system, to the circuit-breaker or to the protection device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: ABB S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Viaro, Marco Stucchi, Federico Gamba
  • Patent number: 7576963
    Abstract: A protection system for a power distribution system with one or more zones that includes at least one power-switching device connected to a power or current sensing device and a communications device. The power-switching device is communicatively coupled to at least one processing device. The at least one processing device is adapted to execute a plurality of protective functions for a zone based on information of power conditions within the zone and predetermined protective requirements of the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Charles Hill, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Ajit Wasant Kane
  • Patent number: 7570469
    Abstract: A dynamically configurable relay element configured to protect an electrical system, including a dynamically calculated relay operating quantity, a dynamically calculated relay pickup setting, a dynamically calculated time dial, a plurality of dynamically calculated variables that define a characteristic of the dynamically configurable relay element, and a dynamically calculated operating time, the dynamically calculated operating time based on the dynamically calculated relay operating quantity, the dynamically calculated relay pickup setting, the dynamically calculated time dial and the plurality of dynamically calculated variables. The relay element may be an inverse-time overcurrent element, an instantaneous overcurrent element, an adaptive pickup overcurrent element, and inverse-time overvoltage element, a voltage restrained overcurrent element, and an inverse-time undervoltage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Armando Guzman-Casillas, Luther S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7570471
    Abstract: A zone-selective-interlocking system for an electrical power distribution system that has at least one upstream breaker and at least one downstream breaker is provided. Each breaker in the power distribution system has a zone-selective-interlocking circuit that includes a zone-selective-interlocking-input circuit and a zone-selective-output circuit. The zone-selective-interlocking system also includes a monitoring device to monitor the voltage sent from the zone-selective-interlocking-output circuit of the at least one downstream breaker to the zone-selective-interlocking-input circuit of the at least one upstream breaker and determine whether there is a proper or improper connection between the upstream and downstream breaker and whether the downstream breaker is sending a restraint signal to the upstream breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Utility Relay Company
    Inventors: Helmut Weiher, Jeffrey W. Patterson, Richard C. Fleischer
  • Patent number: 7561392
    Abstract: A process control system (1) comprises at least one process control computer (2) and field units (4) connected thereto via a bus system. An, in particular, intrinsically safe data transmission device (5) is connected between the process control computer and the assigned field units. This data transmission device comprises a data adaptation device (6) and a data distributing device (7). In order to be able to connect more field units per data adaptation device while simultaneously reducing the costs per field unit, the data adaptation device (6) and its assigned supply devices (8) have an explosion-proof design, and each supply device is connected to the data distributing devices via an explosion-proof line, whereby these data distributing devices or field units connected thereto have a barrier device for limiting the applied power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Becker, Manfred Scharfenberg
  • Patent number: 7561393
    Abstract: A method of protecting a circuit having power switching devices that includes communicating a current in at least one secondary switching device to at least one master switching device and determining a presence of a fault condition within at least a first zone based at least in part upon characteristics of the current in the at least one secondary switching device communicated to the at least one master switching device to perform differential protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Charles Hill, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Ajit Wasant Kane
  • Patent number: 7554778
    Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of power control groups, with each group comprising a plurality of individual point-of-load regulators each adapted to provide respective regulated voltage outputs. The point-of-load regulators may be selected for inclusion in a power control groups based on characteristics of loads supplied by the point-of-load regulators. An intermediate bus controller is coupled to each of said power control groups through a serial data bus interface common to each group and an OK status line for each respective group. A front end regulator provides an intermediate bus voltage to each of the plurality of power control groups and to the intermediate bus controller. The plurality of point-of-load regulators of each group each further comprises a respective fault manager adapted to detect fault conditions and selectively communicate notifications of the fault conditions to other ones of the plurality of point-of-load regulators of the group and to the intermediate bus controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Power-One, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Chapuis
  • Patent number: 7552367
    Abstract: A method for recording analog signals and digitally encoded information associated with primary and secondary devices of an electric power system includes: receiving a plurality of analog output signals and a plurality of ON/OFF status signals from the electric power system; receiving a time-synchronization analog signal and/or a time-synchronization data packet from a time synchronization source; maintaining an internal clock synchronized with the synchronization source; sampling and digitizing the plurality of analog output signals; monitoring a status and/or a change of status of the plurality of ON/OFF status signals; receiving digitally encoded information signals as incoming data packets; decoding and analyzing the incoming data packets; analyzing the plurality of analog output signals and digitally encoded information signals using a triggering algorithm; and storing digitized analog output signals and digitally encoded information signals together with corresponding timing information in a record as f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bogdan Kasztenny, Jeffrey Mazereeuw
  • Patent number: 7542256
    Abstract: A method of operating a relay device, the method comprising the steps of: providing main circuit-breakers and a bus-tie-breaker connecting the main-circuit-breakers; defining a partial-differential-zone comprising a main circuit breaker and the bus-tie breaker; assigning a first value to the direction of the fault current flowing into the partial differential zone;—assigning a second value to the direction of the fault currents flowing out of the partial-differential-zone, wherein the first value is not equal to the second value;—comparing the values assigned to the fault currents; determining if the fault currents are flowing into the partial differential zone; and determining if at least two of the fault-currents is flowing in a different direction with respect to the partial-differential-zone wherein one of the fault currents is flowing into the partial-differential-zone and one of the fault currents is flowing out of the partial differential zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Premerlani, Marcelo Valdes, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr., Radoslaw Narel, Gregory P. Lavoie
  • Patent number: 7536284
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for assessing risk to an aircraft electrical wire interconnect system (EWIS). Information describing an aircraft EWIS, historical failure information, and expert opinion information is populated in a database. The EWIS risk assessment tool performs an EWIS risk assessment based on analytic techniques performed using information stored in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Lectromechanical Design Company
    Inventors: William Linzey, Eric Wiesenfeld, Michael Traskos, Thomas Mazzuchi
  • Publication number: 20090111294
    Abstract: A bus bar and a related electrical assembly for an electric traction system of a vehicle are provided. The bus bar includes an electrically conductive body configured for coupling to an electrical device high current node, the electrically conductive body comprising a circuit board mounting end, and a plurality of electrically conductive fingers extending from the circuit board mounting end. The fingers are configured to accommodate soldering to at least one conductive trace of a circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ALAN L. BARRY, MARK D. KORICH, TIM S. FRAGALE