Other

Grid20/20, Inc.

Kinectrics Inc.

Kinects Solutions, Inc.

Eric George De Buda

Lan Xu

John Cecil Kuurstra

Michael P Dolbey

John R Boon

Anthony L Allen

The present disclosure is a system for monitoring power that has a unified polyphase distribution transformer monitoring (PDTM) device that interfaces with at least three electrical conductors electrically connected to a transformer. In addition, the PDTM device measures a current and a voltage of each of the three electrical conductors. Additionally, the system has logic that calculates values indicative of power corresponding to the transformer based upon the currents and the voltages measured and transmit data indicative of the calculated values.

Power monitoring systems and methods

A system and device for measuring voltage in a conductor having a voltage provides a first electrode surrounding and spaced from the conductor, and a second electrode surrounding and spaced from both the conductor and the first electrode such that there is no contact between the conductor and the electrodes or between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is connected to a first input of a differential amplifier circuit and the second electrode is connected to the other input of the differential amplifier circuit. The output of the differential amplifier circuit provides a voltage signal in proportion to the voltage of the conductor, thus providing a non-contact means for measuring the voltage of a conductor without requiring a connection to ground while simultaneously providing a high level of rejection of external interference.

System and device for measuring voltage in a conductor

There is disclosed a method of metering electricity that includes calculating a first accumulated in-phase current indicative of a non-voltage component of energy flow to one or more customer premises during a period of time by a distribution transformer meter (DTM) coupled to a distribution transformer (DT) and calculating second accumulated in-phase current (AIPC) indicative of a non-voltage component of energy flow during a period of time by a feeder current meter coupled to a feeder line. The method further includes transmitting the first AIPC and the second AIPC to a data collecting computing device and comparing the first AIPC with the second AIPC to determine if electricity theft has occurred.

System for metering electricity by integrating in-phase current

There is disclosed a method of detecting the configuration of a network having a feeder line with a plurality of feeder meters and distribution transformer meters (DTMs) coupled thereto and with one or more customer meters and/or customer configuration modules coupled to the distribution transformers. The method includes the steps of having each of the feeder meters transmit a uniquely identifiable signal through the feeder line. The DTMs then identifying the phase of each of the uniquely identifiable signals and then transmitting the phase of each of the uniquely identifiable signals to a data collector along with a unique DTM identifier. The connectivity relationship between the feeder meters and distribution transformer meters is then extrapolated by comparing the phase information transmitted by the DTMs. The relationship of the customer meters relative to the DTMs can also be plotted by having each DTM transmit the DTM identifier to all of their respective customer meters, who then transmit this to the data collector along with their customer meter identifier. The method also permits the determination of which phase the DTM is connected to by analyzing the phase angle of a demodulated feeder meter signal.

System for automatically detecting power system configuration

A meter for recording voltage and current on a transformer has current sensors positioned on a housing such that the meter can be mounted to the terminals of the transformer. The device also includes two voltage leads which can be attached to the transformers terminals. An instrumentation module is contained in the housing and is coupled to the current sensors and the voltage leads, the instrumentation module being adapted and configured to record voltage and current measurements from the current sensors and voltage leads. The instrumentation module includes a signal processing module for processing the voltage and current signals to provide other information such as energy and accumulated in-phase current data. Finally, the device includes a communications module coupled to the instrumentation module for communicating the voltage and current measurements and the derived data to a remote user.

Transformer meter and system for using same

A time varying current sensor is constructed using surface coils uniformly spaced around a central cavity adapted to receive the conductor through which the current to be measured flows. Accurate and uniform coil geometry is achieved using printed circuit board technology, thereby eliminating the high cost of precision toroidal coil winding. An optional hinge in the housing can allow the sensor to be easily installed on existing conductors without the need to disconnect and reconnect.

Coreless current sensor

A bi-directional solid state switch has two main transistors which are connected to each other with input to input and input referenced output to input referenced output. Each unreferenced transistor output is separately connected to an output terminal of the switch. An electrical impedance is connected between the input connection and the input referenced output connection. A driver signal is connected across the input connection and one output terminal. This circuit topology is counter-intuitive, but provides advantages which can include eliminating the need for electrical isolation, being capable of turning on or off at any time, at or between zero crossings, having a high speed of response, simplicity, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and energy-efficiency.

High speed bi-directional solid state switch

A powerline communication system including a transmitter having a pair of terminals for connection to the power lines. The transmitter comprises a carrier frequency generator for generating a carrier frequency modulated by the data signal and a switching circuit connected to the carrier frequency generator for being switched by the carrier frequency generator for generating a carrier signal having the carrier frequency. The switching circuit is connected to the terminals for providing the generated carrier signal thereto. The switching circuit comprises at least one storage means for storing energy when generating a portion of a cycle of the carrier signal and providing the stored energy when generating another portion of the cycle of the carrier signal. The system also comprises a receiver coupled to the power lines. The receiver includes a filter means for filtering the carrier signal from the power line signal and a demodulator connected to the filter means for extracting the data signal from the carrier signal. Both the transmitter and receiver may utilize a digital algorithm in a computing device to synchronize the carrier signal to the power line frequency to adaptively track changes in the power line frequency to minimize interference with power line harmonics and provide accurate frequency alignment between the transmitter and receiver.

Device for sending and receiving data through power distribution transformers

A system for tuning pianos and other string instruments utilizes a clamp-on probe with a feedback loop to induce a controlled vibration of the string and its natural frequency of vibration. This frequency is electronically compared to an accurate reference frequency. An associated electronic circuit controls an electric motor driven mechanism which adjusts the string tension until the correct frequency is achieved.

Piano tuning system

An inspection device for use in scanning the interior of a pipe at a remote location is accurately centered within the pipe at the required location by two spiders. Each spider has three sickle-shaped arms which can be extended and retracted between operative and inoperative positions. The six spider arms are interconnected by a crank mechanism which ensures that all the arms move in unison between their limit positions.

Pipe inspection device

A pneumatically operated pipe crawler for transporting inspection equipment along the interior of a pipe comprises an elongate cylindrical tube of flexible resilient material, such as latex rubber, the tube being partitioned by longitudinally spaced plugs which are hermetically sealed to the wall of the tube thus defining three longitudinally separated chambers. The inspection equipment is mounted at the leading end of the crawler. To advance the crawler along the pipe, air or other gas is supplied to the chambers and exhausted therefrom in repeated cyclic sequence for sequentially expanding the chamber wall portions into clamping relation with the pipe, each wall portion recovering to its axial length upon deflation of the chamber, thereby to propel the tube step by step along the pipe.

Growing community of inventors

Toronto, Canada

Eric George De Buda