Test probe
First Claim
1. A probe for detecting abnormalities in an electrical device having a structure through which leakage flux passes, comprising:
- a sense coil; and
a probe core disposed with the sense coil and configured so that first and second sensing end portions of the core are supported in a spaced contact-free relationship between opposed adjacent surfaces of portions of the electrical device to form first and second air gaps between the first and second sensing end portions of the core and the respective surfaces adjacent thereto.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A probe includes at least one core and at least one sense coil associated with the core. The ends of the core are arranged in a contact-free, spaced relationship between opposed surfaces of adjacent lamination teeth of a stator. Air gaps are maintained between the ends of the probe core and the opposed surfaces. The total of the two air gaps is constant. The probe is supported on a carriage arrangement and moved along the teeth. Variations in leakage flux produced with the stator energized with an energization winding to produce a flux which is a few percent of is normal energization level, are monitored.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A probe for detecting abnormalities in an electrical device having a structure through which leakage flux passes, comprising:
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a sense coil; and
a probe core disposed with the sense coil and configured so that first and second sensing end portions of the core are supported in a spaced contact-free relationship between opposed adjacent surfaces of portions of the electrical device to form first and second air gaps between the first and second sensing end portions of the core and the respective surfaces adjacent thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of detecting faults in an electrical device comprising the steps of:
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supporting a probe, having a solid core and a coil disposed with the core, so that sensing portions of the core are maintained in a contact-free, spaced relationship between adjacent surfaces of members which form part of the device and through which leakage flux passes;
inducing energization of the device to a predetermined level which is lower than a normal operating level and thus produce leakage flux;
detecting a leakage flux which occurs between the opposed surfaces using the probe;
moving the probe to a new position with respect to the opposed surfaces and detecting a leakage flux at the new position; and
monitoring the fluctuation in probe output and detecting a fault in response to the detection of an abnormal leakage flux. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for detecting faults in an electrical device comprising:
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means for supporting a probe, which has a solid core and a coil disposed with the core, so that sensing end portions of the core are maintained in a contact-free, spaced relationship between opposed surfaces of members which form part of the device and through which leakage flux passes;
means for inducing energization of the device to a predetermined level which is lower than a normal operating level;
means responsive to the probe for detecting a leakage flux which occurs between the opposed surfaces;
means for moving the probe to a new location with respect to the opposed surfaces and detecting leakage flux at the new location; and
means for monitoring the fluctuation in probe output and determining a presence and location of a fault in response to the detection of an abnormal leakage flux fluctuation. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for detecting faults in an electrical device comprising:
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a single probe having a core of a material having high initial permeability and high resistivity characteristics, and a coil disposed with the core, the probe being adapted to be supported so that all sensing portions of the core are maintained in a contact-free spaced relationship between predetermined opposed surfaces of the electrical device and so that the sensing portions of the core are exposed to leakage flux which is produced by the electrical device and which passes between the opposed surfaces and through air gaps defined between the opposed surfaces and the sensing portions of the core;
an excitation winding removably disposed with the electrical device and operatively connected with a source of excitation voltage for inducing a flux in an electrical circuit in the electrical device; and
a data acquisition system operatively connected with the excitation winding and the sensor coil for monitoring the output of the sensor and detecting faults in the electrical device which cause change in the leakage flux. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification