Systems and methods for fault-based power signal interruption
First Claim
1. A power line fault response device, comprising:
- sensor circuitry configured for sensing an operational aspect of a power line;
analog signal processing circuitry configured to detect different types of power line faults based on the operational aspect and configured to perform an output operation in response to detecting at least one of the different types of power line faults; and
digital signal processing circuitry comprising a processor and memory that is configured to detect different types of power line faults based on the operational aspect and to perform the output operation in response to detecting at least one of the different types of power line faults.
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus for fault detection and interruption in power lines are provided. Circuitry is implemented via software and hardware that is configured to sense an operational aspect of a power line and apply signal processing to the sensed operational aspect to detect faults including different types of faults such as transient and steady state faults and can also be configured to identify the type of fault. Information on the fault and the identification of the type of fault can be displayed, stored, or some other output operation can be implemented. Circuitry can be implemented to provide digital signal processing and analog signal processing to, for example, independently and in parallel (e.g., redundant operation) detect faults and respond to faults as they occur (i.e., in real time). The types of faults can include transient type faults that can include ground, arc, line-to-line, and imbalance type faults and can also include steady state type faults (e.g., those showing wear in the machinery of a load).
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Citations
53 Claims
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1. A power line fault response device, comprising:
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sensor circuitry configured for sensing an operational aspect of a power line;
analog signal processing circuitry configured to detect different types of power line faults based on the operational aspect and configured to perform an output operation in response to detecting at least one of the different types of power line faults; and
digital signal processing circuitry comprising a processor and memory that is configured to detect different types of power line faults based on the operational aspect and to perform the output operation in response to detecting at least one of the different types of power line faults. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A power line fault response device, comprising:
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sensor circuitry configured for sensing an operational aspect of a power line;
analog signal processing circuitry configured to detect different types of power line faults based on the operational aspect and configured to perform an output operation in response to detecting at least one of the different types of power line faults; and
digital signal processing circuitry comprising a processor and memory that is configured to detect different types of power line faults based on the operational aspect and to perform the output operation in response to detecting at least one of the different types of power line faults, wherein the analog signal processing circuitry and the digital signal processing circuitry are each configured to operate independently and simultaneously to respond to faults as they occur to prevent a detected fault from damaging a load being supplied with power by the power line. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A power line fault response device comprising:
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sensors configured for sensing an operational aspect of a poly-phase power line;
analog-to-digital circuitry that receives analog signals from the sensors;
processor circuitry that is configured to receive digital signals from the analog-to-digital circuitry and to monitor the digital signals for conditions indicative of faults;
summing circuitry that is configured to operate to sum analog signals received from the sensors; and
comparator circuitry that is configured to compare the summed analog signals with a threshold, wherein the processor circuitry operates on the digital signals and the comparator operates on the summed analog signals to independently check for conditions indicative of faults during the operation of the power line. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification