Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

Abb Technology Ag

Abb Inc.

Siemens Power Transmission & Distribution, Inc.

Elster Solutions, LLC

Elster Electricity, LLC

Abb T&d Technology Ltd.

Carl J Laplace

John J Trainor

Michael A Bellin

David G Hart

William M Egolf

Graeme N McClure

Graeme N Mcclure

Erskine R Barbour

Jeffrey L McElray

James Stoupis

Robert T Mason

Keith D Richeson

Wayne Mitchell Zavis

James H Harlow

Jack Trainor

Jaime De La Ree

James J Honochick

Jeffery Cullen Mizener

Joseph F Reilly

Mark R Hoffmann

Jeffrey L Mcelray

Marty Lynn Trivette

Michael A Kinney

Edward John Beroset

Kornel Scherrer

Timothy S Fahey

David C Whyte

Mark Hoffmann

William M Thorsen, Jr

David F Hart

Robert A Smith

Edward J Beroset

Methods and apparatus are provided for routing DNP (or other) protocol messages over a network of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system that employs a different communications protocol.

Other protocol message routing over a wireless network of metering devices

Techniques for using an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system for Utility Automation (UA) purposes in a utility distribution system are disclosed herein. In an AMI system, a metering node often includes a communications option board for connecting to a wide area network (WAN), which can be shared between the AMI system and a UA system. The metering node may be near other devices that can be controlled by a utility company to monitor and control components of the utility distribution system. A data packet is received in a communication device. The communication device determines whether the received data packet is formatted according to a first protocol employed by the AMI system. If so, then the data packet is forwarded to a first device in communication with the AMI system. If not, then the data packet is forwarded to a second device in communication with the UA system.

Multiple communications protocol routing in advanced metering infrastructure context

A method for determining an electrical current value using at least two current sensing circuits. One current sensing circuit is provided if the current value is below a switching threshold. The other current sensing is provided if the current value is above a switching threshold. Both current sensing circuits having a processing means to process the current signal and a determining means to determine the value of the current signal.

Method for measuring electrical current levels in a power switching device

A preferred embodiment of a system comprises a recloser electrically coupled to a voltage source of a power-distribution network and adapted to isolate a section of a distribution feeder of the power-distribution network from the voltage source in response to an overcurrent condition in the section of the distribution feeder. The system also comprises a sectionalizer electrically coupled to the section of the distribution feeder. The sectionalizer and the recloser are adapted to communicate via a data network and the recloser is responsive to control inputs sent to the recloser from the sectionalizer over the data network.

Adaptive protection system for a power-distribution network

A digital serial communications hub has the ability to delay, route and regenerate data on the fly at mixed baud rates, mixed character framing bits, and mixed protocols without prior setup. In addition, the communications hub stores and retrieves serial data in the time domain, and employs a simple and reliable error correction routine that takes advantage of the time domain format of the data. Physically, the communications hub is implemented as a circuit card integrating a central processor with several serial communications ports. The serial ports connect to a combination of electrical interfaces that include RS232, RS485, TTL, and Fiber Optic. The serial communication ports are routed through a central flow processor that controls data flow into and out of the circuit card via serial communications connectors.

Digital serial communications hub

A power switching control device and methods for using the same to control a magnetic actuator within a power switching device are disclosed. The power switching control device uses a series of modulated current pulses to control a magnetic actuator within a power switching device. The power switching control device inputs a power signal and applies a series of modulated current pulses through the coil of the magnetic actuator in a first direction such that the actuator moves from a first position to a second position. Certain operating characteristics of a power switching device can be ascertained by analyzing the impedance of the magnetic actuator coil within the power switching device. The power switching device control device also has an improved energy management system therein. In this manner, the controller includes a voltage regulator that has the ability to switch between operating modes.

Apparatus for controlling a magnetically actuated power switching device and method of controlling the same

A preferred embodiment of control unit for a power-distribution network comprises a processor, a memory-storage device electrically coupled to the processor, a set of computer-executable instructions stored on the memory-storage device, and an input/output interface electrically coupled to the processor. The control unit receives data from a plurality of switching devices of a power-distribution network, identifies ones of the switching devices located immediately up-line and down-line of a fault in a faulted section of the power-distribution network based on predetermined characteristics of the data, and generates and sends a first control input to at least one of the switching devices located immediately up-line and down-line of the fault to cause the at least one of the switching devices to open and thereby isolate the faulted section from a second section of the power-distribution network.

Control unit for a power-distribution network

A recloser is monitored and adaptively controlled so that it will operate in a manner responsive to prevailing conditions as either a recloser or as a sectionalizer. The prevailing conditions that are determined are those that will affect the operation of the recloser, such as the number of faults, the fault current versus time, or the presence of reverse power.

Adaptive recloser/sectionalizer

A recloser trips on one phase for single-phase only fault conditions, or all phases for multi-phase fault conditions. During power delivery, the recloser monitors the three phases of a power line (e.g., phases A, B, and C). If a fault is detected on one phase, then a timer is started and subsequently decremented. If the timer finishes counting down while the fault is still present, then it is determined if any of the other two phases are timing a fault. If so, then all three phases are tripped; otherwise, only the faulted phase is tripped.

One or all phases recloser control

A recloser trips on one phase for single-phase only fault conditions, two phases for two-phase fault conditions, or all three phases for three-phase fault conditions. During power delivery, the recloser monitors the three phases of a power line (e.g., phases A, B, and C). If a fault is detected on one phase, then a timer is started and subsequently decremented. If the timer finishes counting down while the fault is still present, then it is determined if any of the other two phases are timing a fault. If so, then those phases having a fault are tripped. Thus, only the faulted phase(s) is (are) tripped.

Only picked up phases recloser control

A recloser is adaptively controlled so that it will operate in a manner responsive to prevailing conditions such as time of day, day of week, and/or load current. A protection setting group is stored in a memory accessible by the recloser controller, and contains a set of instructions for controlling the recloser based on the prevailing conditions. The prevailing conditions are continuously monitored, and the control of the recloser is based on the prevailing conditions and the protection setting group.

Adaptive protection for recloser control

An automatic power restoration device has a modifiable end point. The end point is indicative of the operational parameters of the automatic power restoration device. A user can modify the end point and thus the operational parameters of the automatic power restoration device. The end point can be modified according to the protection characteristics of other fault protection devices within a power system.

Recloser and fuse coordination scheme

A three phase trip of a power line is prevented in a power distribution network delivering electrical power through multiple current carrying conductors and a neutral/ground line. The three phase trip is prevented after a change in the current in the neutral/ground line caused by a partial trip of a recloser. A partial trip is detected in the power distribution network, and then a threshold current is automatically adjusted from a first level to a second level for the neutral/ground line.

Virtual ground following single-phase trip

A controller for a voltage regulator has an input keypad for designating selected operating parameters of the voltage regulator. The keypad is formed with a dedicated function portion and a menu navigation portion, and the parameters are divided into first and second categories. The controller has a display for displaying the parameters, and a computer is connected to the input and to the display for controlling the display in response to activation of the keypad. Any parameter in the first category can be displayed on the display by activation of the dedicated function portion of the keypad. Any parameter in the second category can be displayed by activation of the menu navigation portion. The menu navigation portion can optionally also be used to control display of parameters in the first category.

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Carl J Laplace