Carl J Laplace

US Patent:

6667866, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Dec 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/749973

Inventors:

Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
David G. Hart - Raleigh NC
William M. Egolf - Apex NC
Graeme N. McClure - Highett Victoria, AU

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

H02H 342

US Classification:

361 87, 361 42, 361 71

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6687573, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/803839

Inventors:

William M. Egolf - Apex NC
David G. Hart - Raleigh NC
Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
Graeme N. McClure - Highett Victoria, AU

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

H02H 3093

US Classification:

700292, 700293, 700295, 361 71

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6707655, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Dec 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/749195

Inventors:

Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
David G. Hart - Raleigh NC
William M. Egolf - Apex NC
Graeme N. McClure - Highett Victoria, AU

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 71, 361 72, 361 73

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6735533, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/810352

Inventors:

Graeme N. McClure - Highett Victoria, AU
Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
David G. Hart - Raleigh NC
William M. Egolf - Apex NC

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

G01R 3100

US Classification:

702 58, 361 61, 361 71, 361 72, 361 73, 361 74, 361 75

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6735534, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/810810

Inventors:

Graeme N. McClure - Highett Victoria, AU
Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
David G. Hart - Raleigh NC
William M. Egolf - Apex NC

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

G01R 3100

US Classification:

702 58, 361 61, 361 71, 361 72, 361 73, 361 74, 361 75

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6778370, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Mar 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/810599

Inventors:

Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
David G. Hart - Raleigh NC
William M. Egolf - Apex NC

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 71, 361 62, 361 66, 361 74

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6816757, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Sep 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/247191

Inventors:

Jaime De La Ree - Blacksburg VA
James D. Stoupis - Raleigh NC
Jeffrey L. McElray - Wendell NC
Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC
Timothy Fahey - Apex NC

Assignee:

ABB Technology AG - Zurich

International Classification:

G06F 1900

US Classification:

700286, 700 79, 702 60

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

6836121, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/875059

Inventors:

Erskine R. Barbour - Benson NC
Carl J. LaPlace - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

ABB Inc. - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

G01R 3302

US Classification:

324418, 324256, 324424, 3611681, 3611691

Abstract:

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.