System Protection (e.g., Circuit Interrupter, Circuit Limiter, Voltage Suppressor) Patents (Class 700/292)
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Publication number: 20100100251Abstract: The invention relates to the fault tree analysis system for a nuclear power plant with advanced boiling water reactor. The full digital instrument control system uses six different modes to simulate the transmission of the digital signals and the analog signals from the detection units. It is to develop the fault tree for various signal transmission modes to support the nuclear power plant in probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) and meet requirements for simulated signal detection, transmission, logic operation and equipment actuation. Thus, the digital instrument control flow process can fit into PRA model and properly reflect its importance in risk assessment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Chun-Chang Chao, Meng-Chi Cehn
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Publication number: 20100090542Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a node that includes an outlet or switch and a first set of contacts. An appliance may be provided including a second set of contacts configured to engage the first set of contacts to provide power and/or communication to the appliance. The disclosure also relates to a method of providing load identification wherein a node capable of monitoring current may be provided, current may be drawn from an AC power distribution network through the node, current may be modulated by a device associated with the node and an identifiable sequence of incremental current pulses may be created. The modulated current may be measured by the node and a serial number identified.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: OUTSMART POWER SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Kevin M. Johnson, Paul C. M. Hilton
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Publication number: 20100094475Abstract: A system and method consisting of networked modular sensors and a data processing/display system to detect, process, manage and present both real-time and historic electrical energy usage data (metrics, statistics, etc), additionally allowing the intelligent management of energy usage through consumer education as well as both manual and automated usage controls. Wherein sensors are integrated into the standardized form-factor components typical of household and commercial electrical interfaces, such as circuit breakers, wall outlets, light switches, plug ends, power strips, etc, additionally allowing integration with appliances or other load devices and being capable of processing data; Wherein sensors and the associated processing, display and management systems are capable of communicating with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Gilbert Masters, Marcos B. Pernia
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Publication number: 20100087962Abstract: A system and method for operating a transferable feeder system on an electrical distribution system is provided. The system includes a controller that is disposed in communication with switches associated with feeders of a first substation and circuit breakers associated with a second substation. The first substation and second substation are electrically coupled in a manner to allow load transfer from the first substation to the second substation. The system is arranged to disconnect a first pair of circuits from the first substation before connecting the pair of circuits to the second substation while leaving a third circuit coupled to the first substation. During the entire process of transferring load from one substation to the second substation, customer load does not experience any interruption in electrical service.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.Inventors: Abdol Reza Ghafurian, Noel Rivera
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Publication number: 20100087961Abstract: Examples of systems and methods are provided for a hybrid electrical system for supplying power to an external load. The system may include an external load bus configured to be coupled to an external load. The system may include a first bus coupled to the external load bus. The system may include a first battery coupled to the first bus. The system may include a second bus coupled to the first bus and the external load bus. The second battery may be coupled to the second bus. The second battery may have a higher extracted specific power output value than the first battery and a faster energy transfer rate than the first battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Thomas A. VELEZ
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Patent number: 7693607Abstract: A system for protection, control, metering, and monitoring of the delivery of electrical power is disclosed. Embodiments of the system provide input/output devices called bricks to receive analog and binary field data from primary equipment located in a power substation switchyard. The bricks are linked via fiber-optic patch cables and patch panels with one or more intelligent electronic devices (“IEDs”). In operation, the bricks convert the received binary and/or analog field data into digital signals, and transmit the digital signals synchronously to their associated IEDs using clock signals provided by each IED to the individual bricks. The bricks may accept a computer software code download from each of its master IED(s). Multiple code implementations, each tailored to the requirements of its master IED(s) can therefore co-exist on a single brick.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Dale Finney, Jeffrey Mazereeuw, Ioan Marusca
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Patent number: 7693608Abstract: A system for filtering and interpreting real-time sensory data from an electrical system is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a power analytics server and a client terminal. The data acquisition component acquires real-time data output from the electrical system. The power analytics sewer is comprised of a virtual system modeling engine, an analytics engine, and a decision engine. The virtual system modeling engine generates predicted data output for the electrical system. The analytics engine monitors real-lime data output and predicted data output of the electrical system. The decision engine compares the real-time data output against the predicted data output to filter out and interpret indicia of electrical system health and performance. The client terminal is communicatively connected to the power analytics server and configured to display the filtered and interpreted indicia.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: EDSA Micro CorporationInventor: Adib Nasle
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Publication number: 20100082173Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a plurality of UPS modules. Each of the UPS modules has a battery that provides power to a protected load in the event of a utility power failure. A plurality of controllers control how much power each of the batteries deliver to the protected load, and a communication bus allows the controllers to exchange information about the battery voltages. One of the controllers calculates the average battery voltage of the plurality of batteries and adjusts the amount of energy provided by an individual battery such that the battery voltage is about equal to the average battery voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Liebert CorporationInventors: Brian P. Heber, Kevin Eschhofen, Mohammad Nanda Marwali, Terry D. Bush
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Patent number: 7684880Abstract: Embodiments for servicing a system including a fuel cell and at least one sensor. In one embodiment, the at least one sensor is implemented for generating information indicative of operation of the system. The information is communicated to a tool operatively connected with the system. The information is evaluated to determine if the system is operating as intended. Based on the information, a recommendation for returning the system to intended operation is determined. The recommendation is performed. The first three steps are repeated until the system is operating as intended.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2003Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Mark C. Bach
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Publication number: 20100057266Abstract: A control and signalling device adapted to be integrated in a photovoltaic module and to enable or disable electric energy output in relation to the condition of regular operation of the photovoltaic module. In particular, said device comprises a wireless interface through which it can receive a message. When said message is not received correctly within a certain time lapse, then the output of the module is disabled, making it unusable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Mario Resadi, Sara Costa, Mario Cesana
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Publication number: 20100036538Abstract: A system and method for operating an autoloop system on a electrical distribution system is provided. The system includes a master controller that is disposed in communication with controllers associated with reclosers and switches coupled to a first and second branch circuit. The system is arranged to momentarily block the one fast tripping function of a feeder recloser in response to the detection of a fault on the other branch circuit. The system further includes means for isolating a segment on which a fault is located and restoring electrical power service to those areas upstream and downstream from the isolated segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: CONSOLIDATED EDISON COMPANY OF NEW YORK, INC.Inventors: Paul V. Stergiou, William J. Harris
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Patent number: 7660640Abstract: A method for controlling a power system control area according to a first and a second control performance standard, wherein operation of the control area determines area control parameter values.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Dingguo Chen
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Publication number: 20100023175Abstract: A method and a guidance system for operating an industrial scale installation, especially a power plant installation, are provided. For this method and guidance system a number of installation operating parameters characterizing the operating state of the installation and several component operating parameters of selected components of the installation are monitored and stored in a memory device. A characteristic fatigue value characterizing the current fatigue state of each component is determined, as required, using the stored installation operating parameters and/or the stored associated component operating parameters. The purpose of this method and guidance system is to develop an operation of the installation which protects resources. To this end, an associated fatigue prognosis value is determined from the characteristic fatigue value characterizing the current fatigue state for each selected component using guiding parameters characterizing a planned change of state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2007Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Ulrich Kunze, Arno Römpke
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Publication number: 20100010923Abstract: A system for distributing alternatively generated power to a real estate development includes at least one alternative energy electrical power generator forming a cooperative power farm. A power grid receives electrical power from the cooperative power farm. A metering credit system is configured to determine a metered credit of power received by the power grid from the cooperative power farm. A plurality of real estate properties are electrically coupled to the power grid and receive at least a portion of the metered credit of power. Ownership of at least one of the plurality of real estate properties includes rights to the portion of the metered credit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Michael Wayne Shore, Stuart Douglas Dwork
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Publication number: 20100004792Abstract: An Acquisition, Control and Measurement device has the capability to operate as element in an Electrical Distribution of Average Tension Network or in an Electrical Substation, operating as master device (initiates the communication) or slave (responds the communication) in SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems. The device can process logical states and analogical signals, and has the capability to handle digital outputs using relay contacts and optoisolated digital inputs. The device can be used to simultaneously interconnect control equipment into diverse systems of acquisition through communication ports and standard communication protocols. Remote devices can access a data base using any means available. The device can be used as a data concentrator and/or protocol translator and includes a virtual connection of the transparent port type for communication towards other devices that manage software without data conversion through the communication ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: SENSA CONTROL DIGITAL, S.A. DE C.V.Inventors: Jose Luis Polina Lopez, Alberto Acosta Gomez, Fernando Berumen Escalera, JR., Milton Rivera Carrillo, Norma Aguilar Bueno
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Publication number: 20090326727Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provides an adaptive power system to relieve manual efforts for performing appropriate power procedures. The adaptive power system can include a power source unit including a plurality of power sources and a power bus. The power source unit can be configured to provide electrical power from one or more of the power sources to the power bus. Further, the adaptive power system can include a power distribution unit configured to distribute electrical power from the power bus to a plurality of electrical devices. In addition, the adaptive power system can include a power control unit configured to control a power sequence for the power distribution unit to distribute electrical power from the power bus to the plurality of electrical devices in a coordinated manner consistent with load or time interval for each of the electrical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventor: Joseph A. Gothard
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Patent number: 7640120Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Sven Axenbeck, Markus Bannwarth, Martin Steuber, Peter Wiedemuth, Lothar Wolf
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Patent number: 7636616Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2006Date of Patent: December 22, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David G. Fletcher, Thomas F. Papallo, John J. Dougherty, Ertugrul Berkcan, Emad Andarawis Andarawis
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Publication number: 20090312881Abstract: The present invention refers to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operational condition of a power transformer. The system for monitoring and controlling the operational condition of a power transformer comprised at different substations comprises a plurality of substations, each substation comprising a control panel linked to at least one power transformer, said control panel receives data referring to the measurements of parameters of said at least one transformer, and a monitoring center comprising an engineering server, an internet server and software that does the communication of said engineering server to said internet server, said engineering server being in communication with control panels of each of the substations and said internet server provides remote access to the system to the users of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2005Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Luiz Américo Venturini Cheim, José Geraldo Gervino Silveira
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Publication number: 20090312882Abstract: A multiple application automated test set (MAATS) system can simulate the operation of a power plant. To simulate the operation of the power plant, the MAATS system can be configured to “stand in” for the power plant by receiving the control signals from a controller and by generating electrical signals, readable by the controller, that represent the operating parameters and conditions of the power plant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventor: Warren John HAMMERBECK
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Publication number: 20090312880Abstract: The present invention refers to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operational condition of a power transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2005Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Luiz Américo Venturini Cheim, Jose Geraldo Gervino Silveira
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Patent number: 7634329Abstract: An electrical power distribution system comprises a solid state power controller in communication with an aircraft system main data bus via a gateway module and a condition based maintenance module in communication with the solid state power controller via a communication network distinct from the main data bus. A method of load/feeder health assessment for an electrical power distribution system includes applying a controlled excitation to a load; sampling information from the load/feeder system for the load; characterizing a normal behavior of the load/feeder system for the load; determining if the load characteristics are within the normal behavior profile for the load; and shutting down power to the load if load characteristics are not within the profile when immediate action is indicated or generating a health message for the load when immediate action is not required.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Zhenning Z. Liu, Wenjiang Yu, Yang Ye, Rocco DiVito, Randy J. Fuller, Guangjun G. Liu
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Publication number: 20090299538Abstract: The present invention has an object of realizing a power source redundancy of each of devices constructing a network while suppressing a processing load of each device with a simplified configuration. A power monitoring device includes a power configuration generator for preparing power control information based upon device information including necessary power information, being information indicative of a power necessary for operating each monitored device itself, and power status information indicative of a received power in each monitored device, causing a power configuration information storage to store the prepared power control information, and further transmitting the prepared power control information to each monitored device. Further, the monitored device includes a power controller for controlling the power of its own device based upon the transmitted power control information.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventor: YOUJI SUZUKI
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Publication number: 20090292403Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a predetermined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: ADMMicro Properties, LLCInventors: Donald W. HOWELL, Mark W. Vinson, Frank O. Blevins, Armand J. Tamagni, JR., Michael L. Campbell
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Publication number: 20090265041Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided multiple embodiments of systems and methods monitoring a power system. The system and methods provide a robust and comprehensive monitoring system to accurately assess system performance and identify system interference and power failures. The system is designed to capture parameters capable of being monitored in a power distribution system, such as voltage, current, temperature or the like. A basic embodiment of the present invention includes at least one line monitor for measuring electrical parameters on the line side of a power system, a load monitor for measuring electrical parameters from the load side of a power system, a control panel for compiling the data, and a remote server for providing further analysis of the system and monitoring the system in real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventor: Daniel E. Benjamin
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Patent number: 7603203Abstract: A method of voltage instability load shedding, that includes the steps of measuring current and voltage waveforms of an electrical system at a local bus estimating the Thevenin equivalent admittance based on Kalman Filter techniques, then a voltage stability margin index is calculated using the voltage magnitude. The determined Thevenin admittance and the load at the local system bus and the calculated voltage stability margin index is compared with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether to initiate a load shedding action.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Pei Zhang, Liang Min, Nan Zhang
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Patent number: 7599818Abstract: A method of monitoring a power delivery system includes receiving a gating signal packet from a power cell or other component of the power delivery system. The received packet includes bits that correspond to the status of one or more devices within the component. The packet also includes one or more bits that contain a subset of stored data that was retrieved from a component memory. Optionally, the method also may include repeating the receiving until multiple gating signal packets are received. The multiple gating signal packets collectively contain the stored data, so that the subsets of the data point may be assembled into the stored data. Optionally, the one or more bits that contain a subset of stored data may be mode bits of the gating signal packet.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.Inventors: John Channing Bousfield, III, Albert Roc
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Patent number: 7599760Abstract: A fuel cell system control system includes a fuel cell system and a controller. The controller includes a display and a processor configured to execute a program for managing an operation of a fuel cell state machine having a plurality of states and capable of executing logic to execute state transitions, and a fuel cell failure detection and correction program, configured to detect one or more fuel cell system failures and correct each detected failure while the fuel cell system continues to operate. The control process includes the steps of representing an operation of a fuel cell control system as a state machine having one or more states, controlling the operation of the fuel cell system using the state machine, executing one or more states of the state machine, and correcting operational errors in the fuel cell control system while the fuel cell system continues to operate.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Abhijit Dutta, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Publication number: 20090222144Abstract: Systems and methods for electromechanical oscillation monitoring are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for monitoring electromechanical oscillation in a power system includes forming a power density spectrum in frequency domain based on phasor measurements collected from a plurality of locations in the power system and identifying an oscillation in the power density spectrum. The oscillation has a power density larger than other oscillations. The method also includes analyzing the identified oscillation in time domain to determine a damping characteristic of the identified oscillation and indicating that an insufficiently damped oscillation exists in the power system if the determined damping characteristic of the oscillation meets a predetermined condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: Washington State UniversityInventors: Vaithianathan Venkatasubramanian, Guoping Liu
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Patent number: 7576449Abstract: A method of converting a direct voltage generated by a decentralized power supply system into three-phase alternating voltage by means of a plurality of single-phase inverters (WR1-WR3), said alternating voltage being provided for supplying an electric mains, is intended to avoid inadmissible load unbalances using single-phase inverters. This is achieved in that, upon failure of one inverter (WR1-WR3), an asymmetrical power supply distribution is reduced by limiting the output of the other inverters. The method makes it possible to simplify three-phase voltage monitoring.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AGInventors: Holger Becker, Günther Cramer, Sven Bremicker, Thorsten Dingel, Bernd Engel, Wilfried Groote, Frank Greizer, Ralf Joachim Laschinski, Matthias Victor, Torben Westphal
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Publication number: 20090204268Abstract: The disclosed power distribution system regulates the transfer of energy from a source 1 to a load 3. Source Controller 5 on the source side closes Disconnect Device 7 and monitors the transfer of a pulse or “packet” of energy to the load side. A Load Controller 9 on the load side communicates the amount of energy received at the load back to the source controller via Communication Link 11. If it is confirmed that the energy received on the load side corresponds to that sent by the source side, another energy packet is sent. If the energy received does not correspond with that sent by the source side, energy transfer is stopped, indicating a system fault or safety hazard. The energy content of a single packet is kept small, such that if it is not properly delivered, it can not cause damage to equipment or harm personnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Stephen Spencer Eaves
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Patent number: 7574310Abstract: Network-enabled electrical power distribution equipment comprises at least one networked intelligent device coupled to a power distribution system and measuring and storing at least one sensed condition in the power distribution system; a server for storing and retrieving data relating to the sensed condition and the power distribution equipment; local storage coupled to the server; remote network storage accessible to the server via the network containing that server; and a program operating on the server for controlling the storing of data in, and the retrieval of data from, the local and remote network storages.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Inventors: Robert A. Kennedy, Michael W. Pyle, James F. Clark
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Publication number: 20090198384Abstract: The electric smart meter enabling demand response and method for the demand response are disclosed capable of acquiring an option and response information from a subscriber for enabling an active demand control, and to this end, the electric smart meter is embedded therewithin at least one or more integrated monitoring modules and includes microprocessors for transmitting a power control command to a relevant integrated monitoring module in response to a power control program based on the rate system, and controllably transmitting the measured and monitored data stored in the memory to the master server side via the communication module as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventor: Sang-Ho AHN
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Publication number: 20090187284Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: David G. Kreiss, Daniel S. Brancaccio
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Publication number: 20090187285Abstract: A system, device, and method of providing information for a power distribution system is provided. In one embodiment, a method of using a device that receives power from the low voltage power of the power distribution system and experiences a power loss during a local power outage may perform the processes of monitoring a voltage of the low voltage power line, detecting a voltage reduction below a threshold voltage for a predetermined time period, storing information of the voltage reduction in a non-volatile memory prior to the power outage, and transmitting a notification to a remote computer system prior to the outage. The monitoring may comprise making a plurality of measurements of the voltage during a time interval and averaging the plurality of voltage measurements. In addition, the method may include transmitting an alert message upon power up after the outage to indicate a power restoration local to the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: David S. Yaney, Robert D. Kehn
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Publication number: 20090171509Abstract: A farm including a plurality of electric power generation units connected to a grid point of a power network. The power generation units are organized in a plurality of upstream branches. Each upstream branch is separable from an adjacent downstream branch by an interrupter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2004Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.Inventors: Sture Lindahl, Juhani Mantere, Lars Gertmar, Hans Christian Christensen, Erik Kolby-Nielsen, Leif-Erik Wraae
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Publication number: 20090171510Abstract: A method and a system for controlling LED with power line carrier are disclosed. The system contains a host controller, an electric power conductor, and at least a luminous device, and the luminous device further containing an environmental data collection module. The method comprises the steps of providing a power line carrier module to both the host controller and the luminous devices; the luminous devices detecting a set of environmental data by the environmental data collection module; the luminous devices transmitting the set of environmental data to the host controller; the host controller recording and analyzing the set of environmental data; and the host controller sending a control signal to the luminous devices according to the analysis. Therein the control signal and the set of environmental data are transmitted by the power line carrier module through the electric power conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: INTEMATIX TECHNOLOGY CENTER CORP.Inventor: YU-CHOU HU
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Patent number: 7555366Abstract: A thermal overload protection for an electrical device, particularly an electric motor (M), measures a load current supplied to the electrical device (M), and calculates the thermal load on the electrical device on the basis of the measured load current, and shuts off (S2) a current supply (L1, L2, L3) when the thermal load reaches a given threshold level. The protection comprises a processor system employing X-bit, preferably X=32, fixed-point arithmetic, wherein the thermal load is calculated by a mathematic equation programmed into the microprocessor system structured such that a result or a provisional result never exceeds the X-bit value.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: ABB OyInventors: Janne Kuivalainen, Peter Österback
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Patent number: 7551984Abstract: A method for analyzing historical outages at the customer level for the purposes of determining root-cause and possible corrective actions is described herein. The present invention enables a utility to identify problem areas and prevent future outages from occurring.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: First Energy Corp.Inventors: Karl J. Fickey, David V. Homsher
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Publication number: 20090149972Abstract: A system for real-time verification of protective device system configuration settings on a monitored system, is disclosed. The system includes a data acquisition component, a virtual system model database, a protective device system verification engine. The data acquisition component is communicatively connected to a sensor configured to real-time protective device configuration data output from a protective device that is part of the monitored system. The virtual system model database is configured to update a virtual mode of the system based on the status of the protective devices and to store a virtual system model of the monitored system, including preset protective device configuration settings for the protective device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: EDSA MICRO CORPORATIONInventor: Adib Nasle
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Publication number: 20090135018Abstract: When a metering coupled to a network loses its primary power source and has a secondary power source, such as a super-capacitor, it recognizes and reports a power outage. In this case, the head end server may verify the power outage report by querying through the downstream nodes coupled to the network about the power outage. When a node loses its primary power source and has no secondary power source, it will fail to make a regularly scheduled report at the appropriate time. Consequently, the head end server verify the power outage by polling downstream nodes coupled to the HAN about the power outage to deduce whether a power outage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventors: Michel VEILLETTE, Kevin House
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Publication number: 20090125158Abstract: A State and Topology Processor (STP) may be communicatively coupled to one or more intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) communicatively coupled to a electrical power system to obtain one or more current measurements, voltage measurements, and dynamic topology data therefrom. The STP may receive the measurement data and may determine a current topology and a voltage topology therefrom. A current processor may use the current topology and the current measurements to refine the measurements, perform KCL, unbalance, symmetrical component, and consistency checks on the electrical power system. The voltage processor may use the voltage topology and the voltage measurements to perform similar checks on the electrical power system. One or more alarms may be generated responsive to the checks. The data may be displayed to a user in a display of a human machine interface and/or may be transmitted to a user programmable task module, and/or an external control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Marcos A. Donolo, Armando Guzman-Casillas
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Publication number: 20090125157Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring an output driver that can be parameterized and is suitable for controlling actuators in industrial automation technology, for applying analog signals to an output channel, with the following steps: determining resulting internal leakage power based on the parameterization data provided for parameterizing the output driver, comparing the leakage power relative to a leakage power limiting value, and, dependent functionally on the comparison result, stopping the application of an analog signal on the output channel corresponding to the parameterization data provided for parameterizing the output driver. The invention further relates to an analog signal output device, suitable for controlling actuators in industrial automation technology and in accordance with the aforementioned method, comprising at least one output driver and a monitoring device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Klaus Brand, Stephan Grewe, Hubertus Lohre
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Patent number: 7532955Abstract: There is disclosed a protection system for a power distribution system having a plurality of breakers arranged in a hierarchy. The protection system has a network and a breaker coupled to the power distribution system. A module is coupled to the network and the breaker is at a first level in the hierarchy. The module samples an electrical condition of the power distribution system at the breaker and monitors the electrical condition for a predetermined trip condition. The module, upon detection of the predetermined trip condition, trips said breaker if the first level is a lowest level of the hierarchy, but monitors the network for a notification message if the first level is not the lowest level of the hierarchy.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: John J. Dougherty
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Publication number: 20090112375Abstract: A system for controlling a multi-feed power distribution network is described herein. The network includes a first network sector that includes a first plurality of devices connected to a first power source and a second network sector that includes a second plurality of devices connected to a second power source. The system includes a first controller and a second controller. The first controller is configured to control operation of the first network sector and exchange data with the second controller. The second controller is configured to control operation of the second network sector and exchange data with the first controller. The system is modular and it can be expanded to include additional controllers as necessary. Methods and a computer program product for controlling a multi-feed power distribution network are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventor: Bogdan Cristian Popescu
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Patent number: 7526393Abstract: A load estimation algorithm for automatically estimating power consumed by each branch load connected to circuit breakers in a power distribution panel (PDP) without requiring individual current sensing at each branch. The load, estimation algorithm can be operated in a manual mode, remote manual mode, or an agile mode. In manual mode, the user turns off individual circuit breakers in an ordered sequence, and the load estimation algorithm calculates the difference in the power consumption when all loads are connected versus when one load is disconnected to estimate the power consumption of the disconnected load. In the remote manual mode, the circuit breakers are remotely operable, so that load estimation algorithm controls their states through software. In agile mode, the algorithm continuously attempts to estimate power consumption of each load connected to the PDP by comparing present load estimates with previous load estimate and flagging any discrepancies.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Inventors: M. Jason Thurmond, Avery D. Long
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Publication number: 20090105887Abstract: A redundant fieldbus redundant system includes two independent conditioned power modules which automatically detect cable faults, such as short or open circuits on both the host and field sides of the network. The power modules are interfaced directly on one side to the primary and backup H1 cards of the host system, and are directly interfaced on the other side to an automatically terminating network device coupler module which provides connections to field devices. The redundant fieldbus system provides power and communications in a parallel physical configuration between the host system and the field devices irrespective of any single point failure in the network. In case of a fault, the redundant fieldbus system automatically eliminates the faulty section of the network, switches power and communications to the healthy portion of the network and terminates the network for signal integrity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventor: Hassan M. El-Sayed
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Patent number: 7519454Abstract: A system for detecting and locating a disturbance event within a power grid includes a series of frequency disturbance recorders (FDRs) taking measurements in the power grid at dispersed points of the power grid, an information management system, configured to receive data from the series of FDRs and analyze the received data and a communications network interconnecting the series of FDRs and the information management system. The information management system is configured to examine orders and patterns of receipt of frequency changes at the FDRs in the data caused by the disturbance event and to triangulate a location of the disturbance event based on the orders and patterns of receipt of the frequency changes. Example methods of detection and location of disturbance events are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Robert Matthew Gardner, Zhian Zhong, Yilu Liu
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Patent number: 7509221Abstract: A method of setting up a genset system for operation includes selecting one of a plurality of different sensors to monitor an operating parameter of a genset system, and coupling the selected sensor with a data processor of the genset system. The method further includes configuring the data processor for processing inputs from the selected sensor, for example an optional replacement sensor, by entering custom sensor calibration data for the selected sensor and recording the custom sensor calibration data on at least one computer writable medium of a control system for the genset system. A genset system includes a combustion engine, a generator, a set of standard sensors, and a control system. The control system includes a data processor configured to receive and process inputs from custom sensors, and includes a computer writable medium for storing custom sensor calibration data.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Keith R. Folken, Michael A. Dvorsky, James D. McBurney, Julie Boley, Stephen C. Nofsinger, David L. Zwetz, II, Andrew W. Black
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Patent number: 7509188Abstract: Methods, systems, computer products and a website for electrical power maintenance and restoration. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical power maintenance and restoration system, including a server having an interface for communicating over a computer network, a database having a region of memory having data related to an inventory of electrical power equipment, a website coupled to the database for accessing the inventory of electrical power equipment in response to an event and a webpage for displaying location-specific data of the inventory of electrical power equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I,L.P.Inventor: Kenneth Jake Hyatt