# US 12,009,652 B2 · Systems and methods to detect and react to objects in proximity to power systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,009,652 B2 - Document ID: US12009652B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/346,492 - Filed: 2021-06-14 - Published: 2022-01-06 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-10-12 - Assignees: Avista Corporation - Applicants: Avista Corporation - Inventors: Greg Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009652B2 ## CPC - H02H 1/0023: {sensing non electrical parameters, e.g. by optical, pneumatic, thermal or sonic sensors} - H02H 1/0092: {concerning the data processing means, e.g. expert systems, neural networks} - H02H 5/12: responsive to undesired approach to, or touching of, live parts by living beings - H02H 7/26: Sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, e.g. for disconnecting a section on which a short-circuit, earth fault, or arc discharge has occured (locating faults in cables G01R31/08) - H02H 1/0061: {concerning transmission of signals (transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26)} - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) ## Abstract Systems and techniques are disclosed that monitor an area adjacent to power system components and detect objects that may pose a probable risk of causing a fault, for example, making contact with the power system component. Various embodiments initiate a preventative, a corrective, and/or a mitigative action in advance of the fault. Examples of possible actions include, but are not limited to, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote notification, a limiting of machinery motion, a stopping of machinery motion, a reversing of machinery motion, de-energization of the power system component, or combinations thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: identifying a zone of interest that includes at least a portion of a power system component; receiving one or more signals from a sensor monitoring the zone of interest; determining, based at least in part on the one or more signals, that an object is within the zone of interest; determining, based at least in part on the one or more signals, one or more characteristics of the object, the one or more characteristics including a size of the object; determining a threshold distance associated with at least one of the object or the power system component; determining that the object is within the threshold distance; and causing, based at least in part on the one or more characteristics and the object being within the threshold distance, an action to be performed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving one or more second signals from the sensor or a second sensor monitoring the zone of interest, and wherein determining the one or more characteristics is further based at least in part on the one or more second signals. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more characteristics further include at least one of a speed of the object, an acceleration of the object, a trajectory of the object within the zone of interest, the method further comprising: determining that at least one of: the speed satisfies a speed threshold, the acceleration satisfies an acceleration threshold, or the trajectory satisfies a trajectory threshold, wherein causing the action to be performed is further based at least in part on determining that the at least one of: the speed satisfies a speed threshold, the acceleration satisfies an acceleration threshold, or the trajectory satisfies a trajectory threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more characteristics further include at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, a direction, a trajectory, a shape, a mass, a density, a thermal footprint, a color, a material composition, one or more moving parts, an identification tag, an identification, a classification, or a type of power system component associated with the power system component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the size satisfies a threshold size, and wherein causing the action to be performed is based at least in part on the size satisfying the threshold size. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving one or more second signals from the sensor; determining, based at least in part on at least one of the one or more signals or the one or more second signals, that a second object is within the zone of interest; determining, based at least in part on the at least one of the one or more signals or the one or more second signals, one or more second characteristics of the second object, the one or more second characteristics including a second size of the second object; determining that the second object is within the threshold distance; and refraining, based at least in part on the one or more second characteristics, from causing a second action to be performed. ### Claim 7 A system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform acts comprising: receiving one or more sensor signals associated with a zone of interest adjacent to a power system component; determining, based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals, a first location of an object within the zone of interest; determining, based at least in part on the one or more sensor signals, a second location of the power system component; determining one or more characteristics associated with the object; determining criteria associated with causing an action to be performed, the action being associated with the power system component; determining that the one or more characteristics satisfy the criteria; and causing, based at least in part on the one or more characteristics satisfying the criteria, the first location, and the second location, the action to be performed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, the acts further comprising receiving one or more second sensor signals, and wherein determining the one or more characteristics associated with the object is based at least in part on at least one of: the one or more sensor signals; or one or more second sensor signals. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the one or more characteristics of the object comprise at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, a direction, a trajectory, a size, a shape, a mass, a density, a thermal footprint, a color, a material composition, an identification tag, an identification, a classification, or a type of power system component associated with the power system component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the criteria comprises at least one of a distance between the object and the power system component, a velocity of the object, an acceleration of the object, a direction of the object within the zone of interest, a trajectory of the object within with the zone of interest, a size of the object, a density of the object, a thermal footprint of the object, a color of the object, a material composition of the object, an identification of the object, or a classification of the object. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, the acts further comprising: determining that a second object is within the zone of interest; determining one or more second characteristics associated with the second object; determining that one of: the one or more second characteristics satisfy the criteria, or the one or more second characteristics fail to satisfy the criteria; and one of: causing a second action to be performed, or refraining from causing the second action to be performed. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the action comprises at least one of a warning, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote signal notification, an override of a device control, an override of a system control, a lockout of device control, a lockout of system control, a changing device settings, a changing system settings, a limiting motion, a stopping motion, a reversing motion, a changing motion, a starting motion, or de-energizing the power system component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, the acts further comprising determining a power system component type associated with the power system component, and wherein the criteria is based at least in part on the power system component type. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the power system component comprises at least one of a conductor, a wire, a busbar, a tap, an insulator, a support structure, a control panel, a panelboard, a switchboard, a switchgear, a switch, a disconnect, a transformer, a recloser, a regulator, a capacitor, a reactor, a resistor, an inductor, an arrester, a fault indicator, a luminaire, a rectifier, an inverter, a converter, a battery, a generator, a motor, an outlet, a communication device, an overcurrent protection device, an overload device, a fuse, or a breaker. ### Claim 15 A method comprising: determining a zone of interest adjacent to a power system component; determining that a first object is within the zone of interest; determining one or more first characteristics associated with the first object; determining criteria that causes an action to be performed associated with the power system component; determining that the one or more first characteristics satisfy the criteria; causing, based at least in part on the one or more first characteristics satisfying the criteria, the action to be performed at a first instance in time; determining that a second object is within the zone of interest; determining one or more second characteristics associated with the second object; determining that the one or more second characteristics fail to satisfy the criteria; and refraining, based at least in part on the one or more second characteristics failing to satisfy the criteria, from causing the action to be performed at a second instance in time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the criteria is based at least in part on at least one of: the one or more first characteristics of the first object; the one or more second characteristics of the second object; or a type of component associated with the power system component. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more first characteristics of the first object comprises at least one of a position, a velocity, an acceleration, a direction, a trajectory, a size, a shape, a mass, a density, a thermal footprint, a color, a material composition, one or more moving parts, an identification tag, an identification, or a classification. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining that a third object is within the zone of interest; and determining one or more third characteristics associated with the third object; wherein causing the action to be performed at the first instance in time is further based at least in part on the one or more third characteristics. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising receiving an indication that at least one of the first object or a third object is within a second zone of interest adjacent to a second power system component, wherein causing the action to be performed at the first instance in time is further based at least in part on the indication. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the action comprises at least one of a warning, an audible alert, a visual alert, a tactile alert, a remote signal notification, an override of a device control, an override of a system control, a lockout of device control, a lockout of system control, a changing device settings, a changing system settings, a limiting motion, a stopping motion, a reversing motion, a changing motion, a starting motion, or de-energizing the power system component.