Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Arc suppression at switching point
Reexamination Certificate
2007-03-13
2007-03-13
Deberadinis, Robert L. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Arc suppression at switching point
C360S125330
Reexamination Certificate
active
10937487
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus and method for detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping (firing) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors a power input comprising an AC current, and provides high frequency components of the. AC current to the input sense circuit. The input sense circuit filters and rectifies the AC signal, and provides the rectified signal to the arcing sense circuit. The arcing sense circuit provides a voltage level accumulated over a predetermined time period, and digital signals indicative of possible electrical arcing occurring during the sampling period, to the processor. The processor measures the voltage level, stores information relating to measured voltages and the digital signals, and processes the stored information using one or more algorithms, thereby determining whether the signals resulted from an arc fault or a nuisance load. In the event the signals resulted from an arc fault, the processor activates the firing circuit to trip the electromechanical interface, thereby interrupting the power output to the load.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4694402 (1987-09-01), McEachern et al.
patent: 5229651 (1993-07-01), Baxter, Jr. et al.
patent: 5452223 (1995-09-01), Zuercher et al.
patent: 6137418 (2000-10-01), Zuercher et al.
patent: 6373257 (2002-04-01), Macbeth et al.
patent: 6532424 (2003-03-01), Haun et al.
patent: 2004/0066593 (2004-04-01), Kolker
patent: 2004/0095695 (2004-05-01), Kim et al.
patent: 1 429 437 (2004-06-01), None
Copending U.S. Appl. No. 10/314,715, filed Dec. 9, 2002 Inventor(s): Keith W. Kawate, Christian V. Pellon Title: Arc Detection Apparatus and Method.
Edmunds Lynwald
Fontaine Lucien
Kawate Keith W.
Lavado Michael J.
Mayer Roger D.
Baumann Russell E.
Deberadinis Robert L.
Román Luis E.
Sensata Technologies, Inc.
LandOfFree
Method for detecting arc faults does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for detecting arc faults, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for detecting arc faults will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3747232