Automatic Reclosing Patents (Class 361/71)
  • Patent number: 11728638
    Abstract: A control system and method for tie point fault interrupter and sectionalizing recloser devices in an electrical grid feeder. The technique enables automated sectionalizing reclosers equipped with three-phase current sensing and single- or three-phase voltage sensing, and able to detect pulse-closing operations, to isolate faults and restore load based on pulse count rather than requiring source re-energization and waiting for loss of voltage timers. The system includes a fault interrupter initiating a pulse-testing sequence upon detecting loss of voltage, where a number of preliminary pulses are used to distinguish transient faults from persistent faults, and pulses are counted by the sectionalizing reclosers to determine which of these devices should open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Meisinger, Sr., David Klein
  • Patent number: 11477071
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method carried out at a network device for restarting one or more components of the network device, comprising the steps of monitoring whether at least one condition has been satisfied at any component of the network device. If at least one condition satisfied, one or more components are restarted of the network device, based, at least in part, on the at least one condition. When the network device has been restarted a management server is informed that one or more components of the network device have been restarted. According to the present invention, whether a configuration has been received for the network device is determined from a user or administrator at the management server. When a configuration has been received the configuration is retrieved from the management server. The network device is then configured with the configuration retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Pismo Labs Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ho Ming Chan, Nusrat Rahman
  • Patent number: 11348747
    Abstract: A switch assembly including a switch and a high impedance element used for energy harvesting purposes that are connected to a power line at one end and assembly electronics at an opposite end, where in one non-limiting embodiment the switch assembly has particular application for use in connection with a vacuum interrupter. The high impedance element has higher impedance than the switch so that current flows through the switch from the power line when the switch is closed and through the high impedance element from the power line when the switch is open, where power from the high impedance element can power a switch closing device, such as a solenoid actuator. The high impedance element can be a resistive element, a capacitive element or a combination of a resistive and capacitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Jim Barker, Michael Maroney, Keith Benson, Nicholas Seng, Jason R. Bogusz, Bethany McDearmon, Alireza Tajfar, Alejandro Montenegro
  • Patent number: 10530356
    Abstract: The present invention provides an overcurrent detection circuit, an overcurrent detection method, a load circuit, and a portable device. The overcurrent detection circuit comprises: a first overcurrent detection sub-circuit and a second overcurrent detection sub-circuit; wherein: the first overcurrent detection sub-circuit is configured to perform overcurrent detection for a switch circuit when a voltage of an output terminal of the switch circuit is greater than or equal to a preset threshold; and the second overcurrent detection sub-circuit is configured to perform overcurrent detection for the switch circuit when the voltage of the output terminal of the switch circuit is less than the preset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maoxu Li, Shide Zheng
  • Patent number: 10418200
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus of an electrical power distribution network may be controlled by accessing, at a control system, one or more operating parameters, the operating parameters being associated with the operation and control of the electrical apparatus; adjusting one or more of the accessed operating parameters, the adjustment being based on data associated with the electrical apparatus; and generating a control signal for the electrical apparatus based on at least one adjusted parameter, the control signal being sufficient to control the electrical apparatus in accordance with the adjusted operating parameter, where controlling the electrical apparatus includes causing contacts of the electrical apparatus to disconnect from each other to prevent electrical current from flowing through the electrical apparatus and causing the contacts of the electrical apparatus to connect to each other to allow current to flow through the electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton lntelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Glen Connor Spence, Daniel Rian Kletti, Gavin Ray Kinsley
  • Patent number: 10298109
    Abstract: A control signal is applied to a pulse generating circuit configured to generate pulses that are modulated in width. A circuit provides for slope-compensation of the control signal. The circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter that generates a decreasing sawtooth signal. A triggering circuit operates to trigger steps of the sawtooth signal and resetting the sawtooth signal. The sawtooth signal is reset at a cadence of a frequency of the pulses that are modulated in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Rousset) SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Link, Vincent Onde
  • Patent number: 10198329
    Abstract: A power supply device including a working power supply module with a plurality of power supply units; a plurality of monitoring units outputting a power failure signal when the corresponding power supply unit is in a power failure; a plurality of latching units respectively corresponding to the plurality of monitoring units one to one, receiving the power failure signal and a disabling signal, and outputting a latching signal when the power failure signal is received but the disabling signal is not received; and a positioning module used for receiving the latching signal and outputting a disabling signal when the positioning module receives a first latching signal output by one latching unit to disable other latching units, so as to enable the positioning module to position the latching unit which firstly outputs the latching signal to position the corresponding power supply unit which is firstly in a power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignees: INVENTEC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, INVENTEC CORPORATION CO., LTD
    Inventors: Erhu Bai, Jianxin Huang
  • Patent number: 10193325
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for a trip unit of a circuit interrupter includes a current transformer, a startup circuit receiving a regulated voltage and a DC/DC converter. The startup circuit is structured to: (i) burden the current transformer with an impedance approximating the trip unit and cause the DC/DC converter to enter the shutdown mode when the regulated voltage is below a predetermined value, (ii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to the regulated voltage reaching the predetermined value, and (iii) remove the burden and cause the DC/DC converter to exit the shutdown mode and provide power to the trip unit responsive to a rate of change of the regulated voltage being at least a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Theodore James Miller
  • Patent number: 9971322
    Abstract: Methods for operating appliances, as well as appliances such as cooktop appliances, are provided. A method includes locking the appliance such that user inputs to a user interface assembly of the appliance are prevented from altering operation of the appliance. The method further includes activating an indicator light when the appliance is locked, and deactivating the indicator light after a predetermined time period from activation of the indicator light when the appliance is locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James Carter Bach, Anthony Michael Shaw
  • Patent number: 9921916
    Abstract: Provided is a memory device, comprising a non-volatile memory, an energy store coupled to an input power module of the non-volatile memory, and a power management module configurable to determine whether or not to supply backup power to the non-volatile memory via the energy store to initiate a shutdown process, based on differentiating a voltage glitch from an actual loss of power in a power line. Provided also is a computational device that includes the memory device. Provided also is a method in which a power management module of the memory device determines whether or not to supply backup power to the non-volatile memory via the energy store to initiate a shutdown process, based on differentiating a voltage glitch from an actual loss of power in a power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Morning-Smith, Adrian Mocanu, Zeljko Zupanc, Mike M. Ngo
  • Patent number: 9343216
    Abstract: In a bi-stable permanent magnet actuator system, an electrical circuit arrangement for activating bi-stable permanent magnet actuators that is more adaptable to energy saving power sources, includes a power source that can be of any power level, a voltage conditioner, an energy storage device, an output circuit, and a control circuit for controlling delivery of a discharge current from the energy storage device through the output circuit to the control coil of a bi-stable permanent magnet actuators. Thus, low voltage batteries, solar cells, and energy harvesting devices with low average watts (energy per time) can be used as the power source for bi-stable permanent magnet actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Glen A. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20150116878
    Abstract: A dropout recloser is capable of in accordance with its operating programming after a predetermined number of fault interrupting operations, e.g., 1, 2, 3 or more but typically 3, to drop out of a cutout and hang freely in a hinge contact of the cutout providing sectionalization with an observable visible gap. The recloser includes fault interrupting and reclosing components, a drop out mechanism and a controller. The drop out mechanism may include a bi-stable actuator to affect fault interrupting operation and dropout operation. The device may include motion limiting structures. The recloser may have a number of operating modes or sequences.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: S&C ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Smith G. Richard, Yujian Zhou, Jorge Montante, Montengro Alejandro, Michael Ross
  • Patent number: 9000615
    Abstract: A solar power module, and related method of operation, that protects the bypass diodes in the solar power module from overheating due to partial shading, and also protects firefighters and installer personnel from electrical shock hazard. The solar power module includes active bypass switches, and isolation switches that disconnect the PV cells from the bypass switches when all the bypass switches are closed concurrently, thereby allowing the PV cells to continue supplying power to the control circuitry. The isolation switches are also used to maintain the solar power module in a safe state during installation, or in case of fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sunfield Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Andrew Robbins
  • Publication number: 20150092310
    Abstract: An electronic circuit arrangement may include a first and a second electrical supply line for connecting an electronic device with a rechargeable battery. The first electrical supply line may be connected at one end with the rechargeable electric battery and at the other end with the electronic device for supplying electric energy. At least two switching elements may be provided in the first electrical supply line, which each may be switchable between an open state, in which the respective switching element electrically interrupts the first supply line, and a closed state. The electronic circuit arrangement may include a protective circuit arrangement and a reset circuit arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Norbert Sack
  • Publication number: 20150043115
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for protection of a solid-state relay includes a switch element connected between an input signal source and an input terminal of the solid-state relay. The solid-state relay includes an output terminal for connection to a load. A sensing element is associated with the solid-state relay to sense an operating parameter associated with the solid-state relay. A feedback element controls the switch element to switch an operating state in response to the operating parameter exceeding a reference parameter. The solid-state relay changes state in response to the switch element to control an output current of the solid-state relay between an energized or de-energized state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohammad S. AHMED, David Bruce SARRAF
  • Patent number: 8941960
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for use in conjunction with a fuse, the switching apparatus including a circuit interrupter having a pair of separable contacts, a sensor for sensing a line fault, and an actuator for moving the contacts to an open state when a line fault is sensed, and wherein the switching apparatus is arranged such that the contacts always return to a closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Ltd.
    Inventor: David Russell Murray
  • Patent number: 8861154
    Abstract: A device for interrupting the flow of electrical power in an electrical distribution system is provided. The device includes a sensor operably coupled to the electrical distribution system. A switching mechanism is coupled to the electrical distribution system, the switching mechanism movable between an open position and a closed position. A controller operably coupled to the sensor and the switching mechanism, the controller having a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor incrementing a first counter in a first mode of operation and a second counter in a second mode of operation. Wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for switching from the first mode to the second mode in response to a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
    Inventor: John Witte
  • Publication number: 20140277804
    Abstract: A device for interrupting a flow of electrical power in an electrical distribution system is provided. The electrical distribution network includes a circuit interrupting device, the circuit interrupting device having a reclose time. The device includes a sensor configured to generate a signal in the event of loss of system power. A switch is coupled to the electrical distribution system and is movable between an open and closed position. A controller is operably coupled to the sensor and the switch, the controller having a processor that initiates a timer in response to the signal and determines a measured reclose time with the timer. The processor is further responsive to actuate the switch in response to the measured reclose time is substantially equal to the reclose time of the at least one circuit interrupting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: John Witte
  • Patent number: 8810983
    Abstract: A system for protecting a load from a fault on a line comprising: a detection circuit monitoring the line; and a switch interposed between the line and the load; wherein the detection circuit triggers the switch to disconnect the load from the line when the fault is detected. The detection circuit may trigger the switch within one second of detecting the fault. The detection circuit may monitor the line voltage of the line and the fault may be detected when the line voltage exceeds 125% or 130% of the normal voltage. The load may be automatically reconnected to the line when the line voltage drops to within 5% or 10% of a normal voltage. The fault may be any one or more of an open-neutral, an over-voltage, an under-voltage, a phase loss, and an external trigger, such as an access sensor, a smoke sensor, and/or a heat sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ASCO Power Technologies, L.P.
    Inventors: Glenn Wilson, Daniel Buchanan
  • Patent number: 8693153
    Abstract: A device for interrupting the flow of electrical power in an electrical distribution system is provided. The device includes a sensor operably coupled to the electrical distribution system. A switching mechanism is coupled to the electrical distribution system, the switching mechanism movable between an open position and a closed position. A controller operably coupled to the sensor and the switching mechanism, the controller having a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor incrementing a first counter in a first mode of operation and a second counter in a second mode of operation. Wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for switching from the first mode to the second mode in response to a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
    Inventor: John Witte
  • Patent number: 8688301
    Abstract: In a power converter a controller determines that an AC motor is in an abnormal state when a voltage of each phase of the AC motor detected by a voltage detector is in an unbalanced state where the voltage exceeds a predetermined value, and turns an opening/closing unit OFF to prevent damage generated in the AC motor from becoming worse. Moreover, the controller determines abnormality of the opening/closing unit based on a current of each phase detected by a current detector, and the controller performs control to reduce the number of revolutions of the AC motor upon determining that at least one of the AC motor and the opening/closing unit is in an abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kitanaka
  • Patent number: 8682603
    Abstract: A substation instrument control system is disclosed. The substation instrument control system includes a plurality of transformers that generate a plurality of waveform signals representing electric properties of a substation instrument main body. A merging unit is communicatively coupled to the plurality of transformers and includes a signal processing unit and a control unit. The signal processing unit receives the plurality of waveform signals from the plurality of transformers and converts the plurality of waveform signals to a digital signal. The control unit controls operation of the signal processing unit using a setting data. An intelligent electronic device is communicatively coupled to the merging unit and receives the digital signal from the merging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maehara, Tomonori Nishida, Shigeki Katayama, Yukihiko Maede, Minoru Saito, Wataru Yamamori, Jun Takehara, Takaya Shono
  • Patent number: 8681462
    Abstract: A circuit testing closer is capable of closing a power distribution circuit and interrupting the resulting current at the next current zero. Upon detecting a fault, the circuit testing closer is operable to open contacts to isolate the fault. Next, the circuit testing closer tests the faulted line to determine whether the fault has cleared. The circuit testing closer may generate a first test signal having a first polarity and a second test signal having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. Generation of the second test signal may be limited to occur when the first test signal indicates a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond P. O'Leary, Christopher R. Lettow, Alejandro Montenegro, John C. Opfer
  • Publication number: 20140049865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for softly restarting a power network using an inverter-controlled energy storage system are provided. In response to an event such as a fault or other condition, a power network bus that provides power to one or more industrial loads (e.g. motors) can be disconnected from the utility grid. Instead of automatically recoupling the power network bus to the grid after a specified time period, a soft restart is accomplished by pre-energizing the power network bus with an energy storage system (ESS) according to a ramp up process and synchronizing the power network bus with the utility grid while the power network bus operates in an islanded mode. The power network bus can then be reconnected to the utility grid, for instance, by reclosing the one or more circuit breakers coupled between the power network bus and the utility grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Roger A. Dougal, Asif Anwar, Yucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8649146
    Abstract: A circuit protection device includes a trip mechanism and at least one capacitor configured to store electrical energy and to provide the electrical energy to the trip mechanism. The circuit protection device also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one capacitor and configured to measure a charge property of the at least one capacitor, compare the measured charge property to a threshold, and output a signal indicative of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Craig Benjamin Williams
  • Patent number: 8599526
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to engineering of protection lockout functionality in a Substation Automation (SA) system. The system includes a breaker IED having protection-zone related intelligence in a lockout function block lockout function instances are assigned to respective protection zones, and are specified for each protection function which protection-zone(s) it shall trip and reset after lockout. Hence for switch yard configurations and power networks where a protection function trips multiple breakers by using several bay control or protection devices a more efficient implementation of lockout functionality is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Wimmer
  • Patent number: 8587910
    Abstract: A functional module for a switch device control is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the functional module includes—a communication unit having a communication interface for communicating with at least one further functional module and/or at least one coupling module,—a control unit connected to the communication unit and designed to receive signals transmitted from the at least one further functional module and/or the at least one coupling module to the communication unit and to transmit switch commands via the communication unit to the at least one further functional module and/or the at least one coupling module,—a first control current interface for the electric connection to a first switch device or an external energy supply unit, and—a second control current interface for supplying control current to the at least one further functional module and/or the at least one coupling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Peter Harmsen, Rainer Keil, Helmut Kraus
  • Publication number: 20130265681
    Abstract: This is a solid state switch device, capable of receiving and differentiating electrical signatures by a number of electronic and optical elements, the arrangement of which makes it possible to recognize the type of fault condition (short circuit), to interrupt the current and to restore the latter automatically or manually with no electric arcs, no falls in the threshold, and no heat dissipation, thus increasing the service life, reducing the response time, and restoring the operation of the installation or electrical apparatus to be protected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Guadalupe Gildardo Blanco Barrera
  • Publication number: 20130208381
    Abstract: Control circuits for breaker control switches with a time-delay function and associated methods of making and using these devices to prevent an aurora event are disclosed. An exemplary control circuit may include a signaling device configured to provide a close signal for a circuit breaker to close; a timer configured to complete a countdown after the circuit breaker is opened; and a switch configured to close the circuit breaker after the countdown is complete and when the close signal is provided by the device. This may prevent engaging a piece of equipment with the power grid when the piece of equipment is out of phase or frequency with the power grid, which often leads to significant damage or destruction of the piece of equipment. Other embodiments are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Don Burkart
  • Patent number: 8508897
    Abstract: Upon detecting a fault, a circuit testing closer is operable to open contacts to isolate the fault. Next, the circuit testing closer tests the faulted phase to determine whether the fault has cleared. The circuit testing closer may employ one or more dynamic thresholds to determine the existence of a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Alejandro Montenegro, Raymond P. O'Leary
  • Publication number: 20130200710
    Abstract: A solar power module, and related method of operation, that protects the bypass diodes in the solar power module from overheating due to partial shading, and also protects firefighters and installer personnel from electrical shock hazard. The solar power module includes active bypass switches, and isolation switches that disconnect the PV cells from the bypass switches when all the bypass switches are closed concurrently, thereby allowing the PV cells to continue supplying power to the control circuitry. The isolation switches are also used to maintain the solar power module in a safe state during installation, or in case of fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Steven Andrew Robbins
  • Publication number: 20130182360
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the moisture to which an electronic device is exposed may alter or vary operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device may be altered or varied to provide a notification that the electronic device has been exposed to moisture. When an electronic device is exposed to moisture, an operational mode of the electronic device may be changed. A change in the operational mode of the electronic device may include termination of the supply of power to one or more components, which may protect those components. Programs or apps that provide a user of the electronic device with information regarding exposure of the electronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture response threshold are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: HZO, INC.
    Inventors: Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20130170083
    Abstract: A circuit interrupting device, such as a GFCI receptacle device, is provided that automatically resets itself when power is initially applied to the device, for example, when the device is first installed or when power is reapplied after a power outage occurs. When power is applied correctly to the line side of the device, as opposed to the load side, a voltage is generated that turns on a switching device. Turning on the switching device allows a low level of electric current to flow which, in turn, allows a higher level electric current to flow which closes the latching mechanism of the device and places the device in the reset condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert F. Fanzutti, Gaetano Bonasia
  • Publication number: 20130135778
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively automatically resetting an electronic protection device. The electronic protection device may protect a motor load by disconnecting the load from a power source when the current drawn by the load exceeds a threshold, when the power source suffers from a phase imbalance or phase loss, or when another condition is detected. The electronic protection device discriminates between different types of fault conditions and determines whether to suppress an automatic reset function of the device. The electronic protection device includes a reset energy storage device for automatically resetting the electronic protection device following a trip event using energy from the reset energy storage device. In operation, the electronic protection device detects a fault condition not calling for an automatic reset, then discharges the reset energy storage device and trips the electronic protection device before the reset energy storage device recharges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Jefferies, Philippe Guibert, Pablo Garcia Viano
  • Patent number: 8427010
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a photovoltaic power converter. The photovoltaic power converter includes one or more photovoltaic arrays configured convert solar energy into a DC signal and two or more N-level converters coupled to a common DC bus (N being an integer greater than 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sumit Bose, Ralph Teichmann, Kathleen Ann O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20130070378
    Abstract: A device for interrupting the flow of electrical power in an electrical distribution system is provided. The device includes a sensor operably coupled to the electrical distribution system. A switching mechanism is coupled to the electrical distribution system, the switching mechanism movable between an open position and a closed position. A controller operably coupled to the sensor and the switching mechanism, the controller having a processor that is responsive to executable computer instructions when executed on the processor incrementing a first counter in a first mode of operation and a second counter in a second mode of operation. Wherein the processor is further responsive to executable computer instructions for switching from the first mode to the second mode in response to a signal from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: John Witte
  • Patent number: 8284531
    Abstract: A voltage protection arrangement for an electronic device, in particular for a control system in automation engineering has a great functionality, and also a greater range of applications, due to the fact that the arrangement has a switching-off unit and a voltage detection unit connected to the output of the switching-off unit, the switching-off unit having a voltage comparator and a normally electrically closed switch connected to the output of the voltage comparator, arranged between the input and the output of the switching-off unit, wherein the voltage detection unit has a voltage comparator and a switch output connected to the output of the voltage comparator for signaling an impermissible voltage, and wherein, in the event of an impermissible voltage occurring at the input of the switching-off unit, the electrical switch is opened and, in the event of a subsequent permissible voltage occurring, the switch is closed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz-Carsten Landwehr
  • Publication number: 20120250202
    Abstract: Upon detecting a fault, a circuit testing closer is operable to open contacts to isolate the fault. Next, the circuit testing closer tests the faulted phase to determine whether the fault has cleared. The circuit testing closer may employ one or more dynamic thresholds to determine the existence of a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: S & C ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alejandro Montenegro, Raymond P. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 8145443
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Fourier transform-based phasor estimation method and apparatus capable of eliminating the influence of exponentially decaying DC offsets. According to a Fourier transform-based phasor estimation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, an input signal is sampled, and samples of one-cycle data of the input signal are separated into at least two sample groups. A Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) is performed on each of the sample groups. A DC offset included in the input signal is calculated on a basis of results of the DFT on each of the sample groups, and an error caused by the DC offset is calculated using the calculated DC offset. A phasor of a fundamental frequency component included in the input signal is estimated by eliminating the calculated error, caused by the DC offset, from the results of the DFT on the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Myongji University Industry and Academia Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Sang Hee Kang, Dong Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8139333
    Abstract: A short circuit protection circuit which readily recovers a relay drive circuit to an output operation state after a short circuit is cancelled while preventing the relay drive circuit from being damaged by a short circuit. The relay drive circuit outputs a drive current to a load in accordance with a first control signal. A short circuit detection circuit detects the occurrence of a short circuit at an output side of the relay drive circuit and suspends output operation of the relay drive circuit when a short circuit occurs. Further, the short circuit detection circuit intermittently transmits a recovery signal to the relay drive circuit in a certain time interval after a predetermined time elapses from when the short circuit occurs to recover the output operation of the relay drive circuit. The time interval is gradually increased whenever the recovery signal is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takao Imai, Hiroshi Mori, Jun Ito, Hisao Niwa
  • Patent number: 8000913
    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: January 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Current Communications Services, LLC
    Inventors: David G. Kreiss, Daniel S. Brancaccio
  • Patent number: 8000069
    Abstract: A circuit testing closer is capable of closing a power distribution circuit and interrupting the resulting current at the next current zero. Upon detecting a fault, the circuit testing closer is operable to open contacts to isolate the fault. Next, the circuit testing closer tests the faulted line to determine whether the fault has cleared. The circuit testing closer may employ one or more dynamic thresholds to determine the existence of a fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventors: Alejandro Montenegro, Raymond P. O'Leary
  • Publication number: 20110170220
    Abstract: There is provided a reclosing system for a power transmission line, which performs high-speed reclosing using protection relays. The protection relays are provided at different terminals of the power transmission line. Each of the protection relays is configured to send the reclosing command to the circuit breaker when a line voltage at the phase with the accident, detected by the metering voltage transformer after the phase with the accident is cut off, falls within an allowable range. The allowable range is determined based on a line voltage assumed at the phase when the phase is normal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Shigeo Iinuma, Masao Hori, Satoshi Shinsyou
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110032650
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reclosing control system and method using a superconducting fault current limiter. The reclosing control system includes a superconducting fault current limiting device in which two circuits, each having a switch and a superconducting fault current limiter connected in series with each other, are connected in parallel with each other. A recloser is disposed between the superconducting fault current limiting device and a distribution line and is configured to control reclosing. The distribution line is connected to the recloser and is configured to transfer power to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FOR CORPORATE COLLABORATION
    Inventors: Kim Chul Hwan, Rhee Sang Bong, Seo Hun Chul, Ko Yun Tae
  • Patent number: 7821755
    Abstract: A resettable short circuit protection configuration includes a power input terminal, a power output terminal, a first electrically controlled switch, which has a control end and two conducting ends, the two conducting ends being respectively electrically connected to the power input terminal and the power output terminal, a second electrically controlled switch, which has a control end and two conducting ends, the two conducting ends being respectively electrically connected to the power input terminal and the control end of the first electrically controlled switch, a first resistor, which has two opposite ends respectively electrically connected to the control end of the first electrically controlled switch and a grounding terminal, and a second resistor, which has two opposite ends respectively electrically connected to the control end of the second electrically controlled switch and the power output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Chih Huang, Ta-Te Hsieh, Chieh-Jung Li
  • 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: 7660089
    Abstract: Included are a Zener diode D2 having a cathode connected onto a voltage output line, dividing resistors having one terminal connected to the anode of the Zener diode D2 and having the other terminal grounded, a transistor Q1 having a base connected to the junction point between the dividing resistors via a resistor and having an emitter grounded, a transistor Q2 having a base connected to the junction point between the dividing resistors and having an emitter grounded, and a microcomputer having an undervoltage detection terminal 10a which is connected to the collector of the transistor Q1 and to which 3.3 V is externally applied and a power supply terminal 10b which is connected to the collector of the transistor Q2 and via which a P-ON-H signal of 3.3 V that starts a power supply circuit 126 when the power supply is turned on is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keigo Shibata
  • Patent number: 7616419
    Abstract: A switchgear control apparatus includes a zero point interval detecting circuit, an interruption time judgment circuit and a reclosing time decision circuit. The zero point interval detecting circuit detects time intervals between successive zero points of a main circuit current. The interruption time judgment circuit judges that interruption time of the main circuit current is time of a zero point immediately preceding a zero point at which a difference between the time interval between two successive zero points and half the period of a commercial AC voltage exceeds a specific value. Upon detecting the gradient of the main circuit current at the interruption time, the reclosing time decision circuit sets reclosing time at a point in phase where the AC voltage has a maximum negative value if the gradient is positive, and at a point in phase where the AC voltage has a maximum positive value if the gradient is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Koyama, Tomohito Mori, Kenji Kamei, Sadayuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7605352
    Abstract: In a method for sorting PTC elements having different resistance-temperature characteristics, a predetermined voltage that allows a current to sufficiently decay is applied to each of PTC elements A and B, and the PTC elements are sorted on the basis of the difference between the times required for the currents passing through the PTC elements B to reach a predetermined value (e.g., 52 mA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Nagao, Hiroshi Ibaragi, Yutaka Ikeda, Kazuto Miyagawa, Yoshiaki Abe