Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100026425 | ARC FLASH DETECTION SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD - An arc flash system for a circuit breaker and a method of operation is provided. The arc flash system includes a first sensor such as a photo-detector and a second sensor that detects a circuit breaker parameter. The arc flash system is responsive to signals from the first sensor and second sensor to determine if an arc flash event is occurring to avoid nuisance tripping of the circuit breaker. | 02-04-2010 |
20100085677 | MOTOR CONTROL CENTER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A motor control center communication system configured to interface with a communication network. The system includes a plurality of motor control units (MCUs), and a MCU controller configured to transmit and receive data signals via the communication network to and from, the plurality of MCUs. Each of the plurality of MCUs includes a magnetic contactor having electrical contacts operable between open and closed positions, and a local control module operatively connected to the associated magnetic contactor and to the MCU controller, and configured to monitor a status of the electrical contacts, transmit the monitored status information to the MCU controller, and actuate the associated magnetic contactor based on data signals received from the MCU controller. | 04-08-2010 |
20100207728 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT - An energy management system includes a module for an energy consuming device. The module has a module main controller including a computer processor in communication with a module computer readable storage medium containing computer executable code. When the computer executable code is executed by the computer processor, it performs a method including determining whether a demand state is a peak demand state, employing a reduced operational mode of the energy consuming device during a peak demand state, and employing a normal operational mode of the energy consuming device during a demand state other than a peak demand state. In an embodiment, the system also includes a system main controller in communication with the module. | 08-19-2010 |
20100211233 | ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An energy management system manages energy consumption of managed device(s) disposed to receive energy via a meter connected to an energy supply, the energy supply. A system controller has a computer processor that instructs the managed device(s) to employ an operational mode based on the priority, the energy need, the demand state, and whether the energy consumption rate of the managed device(s) exceeds energy available from at least one of the external energy source and internal energy source. | 08-19-2010 |
20110068802 | GROUND FAULT DETECTION DEVICE - A device and method to determine the presence of a ground fault that distinguishes between the capacitive portion of the currents to ground, and the resistive portion of the currents to ground by ascertaining aspects of the voltage and residual current waveforms. | 03-24-2011 |
20110127852 | Circuit Breaker Control - A method of circuit breaker control includes determining if a trip event for a circuit breaker has occurred, determining a set of redundancy parameters for the circuit breaker, and transmitting a trip signal and a shunt trip signal to the circuit breaker based on the set of redundancy parameters. | 06-02-2011 |
20120057263 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARC FLASH EVENTS USING LIGHT AND TIME DISCRIMINATOIN - A power equipment protection system includes a circuit breaker, a current sensor configured to measure a current through a circuit, a light sensor configured to detect a light event, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the light sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the light event originated from operation of the circuit breaker. | 03-08-2012 |
20120089265 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR SHEDDING LOADS FROM AN ELECTRICAL GRID - A load shedding system for operating at least one circuit breaker positioned within an enclosure is described. The load shedding system includes a processor configured to receive a demand signal and to provide a predetermined load shedding signal. The load shedding system also includes at least one load shedding apparatus configured to receive the load shedding signal from the processor. The load shedding apparatus is configured to be coupled to a door of the enclosure. The load shedding apparatus is further configured to be operatively coupled to the at least one circuit breaker and further configured to actuate the at least one circuit breaker in response to the load shedding signal. | 04-12-2012 |
20120147507 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR LEAKAGE CURRENT MASKING AND GROUND FAULT DETECTION - A leakage current masking device for use with a circuit includes at least one inductive load device coupled to the circuit and configured to supply an inductive load to the circuit, and a processor communicatively coupled to the inductive load device. The processor is configured to receive a signal representative of a current through the circuit, calculate a capacitive leakage current component of the current, and cause the inductive load device to adjust the inductive load supplied to the circuit to reduce the capacitive leakage current component. | 06-14-2012 |
20120181253 | APPARATUS FOR INTERRUPTING CURRENT - In one aspect, an apparatus, such as an electrical system, is provided. The electrical system can include a pair of conductors across which an arc is sporadically supported, the arc including load current from a load circuit. The electrical system can also include an energy source that is separate from the load circuit and configured to selectively charge an electrode assembly. The conductors and electrode assembly can be configured such that the arc, when present, will be lengthened or constricted due to the charge on the electrode assembly. | 07-19-2012 |
20130003262 | ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INCLUDING MICRO ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH (MEMS) DEVICES - An electrical distribution system includes at least one circuit breaker device having an electrical interruption system provided with an electrical pathway, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device electrically coupled in the electrical pathway, at least one hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) connection, and at least one control connection. A HALT circuit member is electrically coupled to HALT connection on the circuit breaker device and a controller is electrically coupled to the control connection on the circuit breaker device. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively connect the HALT circuit member and the at least one circuit breaker device via the HALT connection to control electrical current flow through the at least one circuit breaker device. | 01-03-2013 |
20130329325 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR DISCHARGING ENERGY FROM AN ELECTRICAL FAULT - An electrical fault mitigation system includes a mitigation device including a containment chamber defining a cavity, a first electrode positioned within the cavity and coupled to a first conductor, and a second electrode positioned within the cavity and coupled to a second conductor. The mitigation device also includes a first voltage source, and a plasma gun positioned within the cavity and configured to emit ablative plasma using the first voltage source to discharge energy from an electrical fault. The system also includes a first voltage limiter device configured to limit a voltage of the first conductor from increasing above a predetermined threshold to prevent a second voltage source from generating a second electrical arc between the first electrode and the second electrode when the second voltage source applies a voltage across the first electrode and the second electrode. | 12-12-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110172840 | CENTRALLY CONTROLLED PROTECTION SYSTEM HAVING REDUCED ENERGY LET-THROUGH MODE - A method and system for a power distribution system, the method including defining with the central controller at least one alternate mode configuration setting for the at least one of the plurality of circuit breakers of the power distribution system, wherein the at least one alternate mode configuration setting includes a reduced energy let-thru (RELT) mode setting. The method further includes determining with the central controller if the at least one of the plurality of circuit breakers is in a pick-up mode and operating the at least one of the plurality of circuit breakers using one of the at least one normal mode configuration setting and the at least one alternate mode configuration setting, wherein the operating the at least one of the plurality of circuit breakers using the at least one alternate mode configuration setting is delayed for a predetermined period if the at least one of the plurality of circuit breakers is in a pick-up mode. | 07-14-2011 |
20120014026 | PROTECTION SYSTEM HAVING REDUCED ENERGY LET-THROUGH MODE AND ZONE SELECTIVITY - A method and system to protect a circuit having at least a first circuit breaker, and a second circuit breaker arranged directly upstream of said first circuit breaker, said first circuit breaker having configuration settings selectable between a normal mode and an alternate mode, the alternate mode setting including a reduced energy let-thru (RELT) mode setting having a RELT mode trip time delay, by determining if said first circuit breaker is configured in said RELT mode, determining a dynamic delay time for opening said second circuit breaker, wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part on said RELT mode trip time delay of said first circuit breaker, and triggering said second circuit breaker to open after said dynamic delay time has elapsed. Additionally, a method and system to protect a circuit having a first circuit breaker arranged directly downstream of a second circuit breaker, said first circuit breaker configured to provide a selectivity trip time-delay, said second circuit breaker having configuration settings selectable between a normal mode and an alternate mode, the alternate mode setting including a reduced energy let-thru (RELT) mode setting having a RELT mode trip time delay, the system comprising a network and at least one control processing unit configured to operatively control said first circuit breaker and said second circuit breaker, said network being communicatively coupled to said circuit, said first circuit breaker, said second circuit breaker and said at least one control processing unit, wherein said at least one control processing unit is configured to determine a dynamic delay time for opening said second circuit breaker if said fault is detected in said circuit, wherein said dynamic delay time is based at least in part on said RELT mode trip time delay of said first circuit breaker, determine if said first circuit breaker is set in said RELT mode, and if so, delay opening said second circuit breaker until after said dynamic delay time has elapsed. | 01-19-2012 |