Daniel J Rockwell

US Patent:

6798211, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Oct 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/182542

Inventors:

Daniel J. Rockwell - Ridley Park PA
James P. Steiner - Royersford PA

Assignee:

Remote Monitoring Systems, Inc. - Media PA

International Classification:

G01R 3108

US Classification:

324527

Abstract:

A fault distance indicator (FDI), locates a fault in a power line by modeling pulses of reflected travelling wave signals which are generated from electrical arcs that occur as a result of the fault. Open loop power distribution circuits are arranged in two halves, each half comprising a circuit length from the overhead feed point to an open point with transformers and cable sections located along the circuit length. An FDI is inserted in each half of the loop. The FDI device monitors the circuit using an antenna which receives radio-frequency signals emitted by line faults and records the signatures of these faults. When the âtrouble crewâ arrives at the scene the recorded signature is downloaded to a portable PC via a radio, infra-red or other telemetry link. The downloaded data is analyzed first to generate a model of the reflected travelling wave signal and then parameters of the model are adjusted to minimize differences between the model and the actual data. The result is an approximate response characteristic of the faulted power line with arcs generated in the fault condition being modeled as an impulse.

US Patent:

7075308, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Mar 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/799441

Inventors:

Daniel J. Rockwell - Media PA, US

International Classification:

G01R 31/11
G01R 13/04

US Classification:

324534, 324113

Abstract:

A power line distribution includes one or more impedance devices coupled to the neutral conductor of the power line distribution to segment the power line distribution for fault detection.

US Patent:

7714735, May 11, 2010

Filed:

Sep 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/520368

Inventors:

Daniel Rockwell - Media PA, US

International Classification:

G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340635, 34063612, 340638, 340505, 340506, 340518, 702 64, 702 65, 702126, 324126, 324142

Abstract:

A system and method of monitoring a plurality of electrical assets comprise an electricity distribution infrastructure, including a plurality of electrical asset sensors coupled to the electrical assets for monitoring an operating condition of the electrical assets as well as any fault conditions. The sensors may include a current transformer for obtaining a current waveform, a GPS receiver for applying a synchronized time-stamp to the waveform data, and a mesh network radio for transmitting the time-stamped waveform data. Data from the plurality of sensors may be encrypted and transmitted over a mesh network to one or more gateways that are in communication with a central command processor. In response to an abnormal operating condition of any electrical asset, the central command processor may determine a probable fault location, a probable fault type, and a fault response.

US Patent:

8587445, Nov 19, 2013

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/756256

Inventors:

Daniel J. Rockwell - Media PA, US

International Classification:

G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340635, 340638, 340505, 340506, 340521, 340 31, 340 56, 340 81, 702 57, 702 58, 702 59, 702 62, 324126, 324142

Abstract:

A system and method of monitoring a plurality of electrical assets comprise an electricity distribution infrastructure, including a plurality of electrical asset sensors coupled to the electrical assets for monitoring an operating condition of the electrical assets as well as any fault conditions. The sensors may include a current transformer for obtaining a current waveform, a GPS receiver for applying a synchronized time-stamp to the waveform data, and a mesh network radio for transmitting the time-stamped waveform data. Data from the plurality of sensors may be encrypted and transmitted over a mesh network to one or more gateways that are in communication with a central command processor. In response to an abnormal operating condition of any electrical asset, the central command processor may determine a probable fault location, a probable fault type, and a fault response.