Detecting hidden faults in reliable power systems

Details Detecting hidden faults in reliable power systems Detecting hidden faults in reliable power systems

1999-06-10

2000-12-05

Lieu, Julie

Communications: electrical

Condition responsive indicating system

Specific condition

340650, 340651, 340652, 340660, 340661, 324512, 324522, 324523, G08B 2100

Patent

active

061573086

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for detecting silent faults in feeding diodes of redundant DC power supplies. The voltages on both sides of the feeding diodes are measured. Arrangements are then made to ensure that if corresponding feeding diodes are both operative, that current flows through a particular one of these diodes. The measurements of voltage under the various conditions will reveal any open or shorted feeding diodes. The voltage across a diode can be altered by heating the diode through the process of heating a power resistor that is in thermal contact with that diode. Alternatively, a controllable rectifier of a power source can be controlled to reduce the voltage of that power source, and thereby drive current through the diode connected to the other power source. Advantageously, this arrangement allows silent faults in these diodes to be detected without substantial risk of causing the failure in the powered system.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3679970 (1972-07-01), Winters et al.
patent: 4346347 (1982-08-01), Kamata et al.

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