George Edward Spencer

US Patent:

43161871, Feb 16, 1982

Filed:

Jan 9, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/223748

Inventors:

George A. Spencer - Plano TX

International Classification:

G08B 2100
G01R 2702

US Classification:

340664

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for verifying the load rating of an active alternating current distribution circuit at a power outlet. The load rating of the distribution circuit is verified by measuring the change in line voltage at the power outlet as different loads are applied. The no-load line voltage is factored out by summing an analog signal derived from the no-load line voltage with a reference voltage to produce a null balance. When the distribution circuit is loaded by a programmed load or by the load of an external appliance such as a resistance heater, the loaded circuit waveform is transformed and rectified to produce a relatively low amplitude no-load direct current waveform. The transformed, loaded circuit waveform and the null balance waveform are summed, amplified and measured. The amplified sum corresponds exactly with the drop in line voltage across the distribution circuit at the power outlet. The value of the measured change is then compared with the specifications of the National Electrical Code to determine the electrical quality of the distribution circuit.

US Patent:

58750878, Feb 23, 1999

Filed:

Aug 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/695076

Inventors:

George Auther Spencer - Plano TX
LeRoy Blanton - Garland TX
Robert Henry Clunn - Richardson TX

International Classification:

H02H 326

US Classification:

361 87

Abstract:

A digitally controlled circuit breaker includes a conventional thermal circuit breaker (10) which is controlled by a solenoid (16) to override the thermal aspect thereof. The solenoid (16) is controlled by a digital processing section (20). The digital processing section (20) has a digital control module (22) with multiple profile tables associated therewith. The profile tables allow the digital control module (22) to compare a sensed current from a sensor (24) with a predetermined current value as a function of time and to generate the control signal for the solenoid (16) if the sensed current exceeds that in the profile. The profiles can optionally be downloaded to the module (22) through a serial communication port (36). The digital control module (22) is also operable to sense the voltage of the circuit breaker to determine zero crossing points and phase angle, which phase angle can be utilized to determine the type of load and, therefore, can alter the profile to be utilized. Display (30) provides a visual communication device for the control module (22).

US Patent:

49492144, Aug 14, 1990

Filed:

Aug 28, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/399151

Inventors:

George A. Spencer - Plano TX

International Classification:

H02H 308

US Classification:

361 95

Abstract:

An automatic override circuit is responsive to the magnitude of instantaneous current flow through a monitored conductor to produce an output signal which can actuate a solenoid or a ground fault interrupter to automatically trip a circuit breaker in repsonse to an excursion of current flow which exceeds a predetermined maximum current overhead level. The short circuit protector can automatically override a thermal trip delay and cause the circuit breaker to trip instantly or delay tripping for a prescribed period of short circuit events which exceed the maximum current overload level. In one embodiment, a control signal is generated which actuates a solenoid which is coupled to a thermal magnetic circuit breaker. In an alternative embodiment, the control signal is utilized for automatically triggering a ground fault interrupter. In both embodiments, the power distribution circuit is interrupted in response to a short circuit condition which would otherwise be tolerated during the thermal trip delay of a conventional circuit breaker.

US Patent:

62120492, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Nov 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/435923

Inventors:

George Auther Spencer - Plano TX
LeRoy Blanton - Garland TX
Henry Clunn - Richardson TX

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 64

Abstract:

A load center monitor (10) is disclosed for monitoring and analyzing data gathered by electronic circuit breakers (40) in a power distribution system and communicated to the load center monitor (10) via a network (26) coupling the load center monitor (10) and the circuit breakers (40) together. The load center monitor (10) includes a first communication port (24) for communicating with the circuit breakers (40), a second communication port (20 or 22) for communicating with an external device and third communication port (28) for providing diagnostic information. The load center monitor (10) further includes audible (30) and visible (34) annunciators for providing alarm or status indications. A processor (76), coupled to the communication ports and to a memory (70) having a real-time clock for time stamping data provides monitoring, control, analysis and data generating capability in the load center monitor (10).

US Patent:

61575275, Dec 5, 2000

Filed:

Nov 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/451058

Inventors:

George Auther Spencer - Plano TX
LeRoy Blanton - Garland TX
Robert Henry Clunn - Richardson TX

International Classification:

H02H 3100

US Classification:

361 64

Abstract:

A method of communicating data with a plurality of electronic circuit breakers operatively connected in a power distribution system is disclosed and claimed herein. Each circuit breaker includes a communication port coupled to a network. The method comprises coupling a communication terminal, having a processing circuit and a first communication port coupled to the processing circuit, to the network via the first communication port; operating a first communication protocol for automatically addressing individual ones of the circuit breakers and for controlling message traffic on the network; and transmitting and receiving data on the network under control of the first communication protocol relating to the monitoring and control of the individually addressable ones of the plurality of electronic circuit breakers coupled to the network. In another aspect, the method includes coupling a second communication port of the communication terminal via a communication link to a controller remote from the network and operating a second communication protocol for controlling message traffic relating to monitoring and control of the plurality of electronic circuit breakers between the controller and the communication terminal via the communication link.

US Patent:

60057580, Dec 21, 1999

Filed:

Nov 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/190748

Inventors:

George Auther Spencer - Plano TX
LeRoy Blanton - Garland TX
Robert Henry Clunn - Richardson TX

Assignee:

Zlan, Ltd. - Wylie TX

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 64

Abstract:

A communication terminal (10) is coupled to and operable in a power line network with at least one of plurality of intelligent circuit breakers (40) wherein each such circuit breaker (40) has a communication port. The terminal (10) includes a housing and connection means (12, 14) for connecting the terminal (10) to the power line network. The terminal (10) includes a processing circuit (76) and communication ports (24, 22, 20) for communicating over communication links with the circuit breakers (40) or other external devices according to a message protocol defined for the system.

US Patent:

59825960, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

May 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/073379

Inventors:

George Auther Spencer - Plano TX
LeRoy Blanton - Garland TX
Robert Henry Clunn - Richardson TX

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 64

Abstract:

A system including a load center monitor (10) connected to a plurality of digitally enhanced circuit breakers (40) by a communication bus (26) provides monitoring and control of an electrical power distribution system. A user port (20) and a service port (22) provide a communication interface with an external computer. Visual indicators (34) and an audible alarm (30) provide for alerting persons to certain conditions in the system. Buttons are provided for CLEAR (38) and RESET (36) functions, and a diagnostic port (24) is also provided. The load center monitor (10) is operable to monitor the operation of the breakers (40) and download information therefrom in the form of historical data. Also, the load center monitor (10) can upload operating information to a breaker (40) in order to change the operation thereof.

US Patent:

61952435, Feb 27, 2001

Filed:

Nov 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/191029

Inventors:

George Auther Spencer - Plano TX
LeRoy Blanton - Garland TX
Robert Henry Clunn - Richardson TX

International Classification:

H02H 300

US Classification:

361 64

Abstract:

A system including a load center monitor (10) connected to a plurality of digitally enhanced circuit breakers (40) by a communication bus (26) forms a network of reconfigurable circuit breakers which provides advanced monitoring and control of an electrical power distribution system. A user port (20) and a service port (22) provide a communication interface with an external computer. Visual indicators (34) and an audible alarm (30) provide for alerting persons to certain conditions in the system. Buttons are provided for CLEAR (38), RESET (36), and TEST functions, and a diagnostic port (24) is also provided. The load center monitor (10) is operable to monitor the operation of the circuit breakers (40) and download information therefrom for storage in the load center monitor (10) as in the form of historical data. Further, the load center monitor (10) is operable to adaptively configure the trip profiles of individual circuit breakers (40) in the network by uploading the alternate selection or revision to the trip profile to an individual circuit breaker (40) in order to change the operation thereof.