LINE BREAK DETECTION SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a line fault on a section of a power supply line, said method comprising the steps of:
- injecting a return signal at the downstream end of the section; and
detecting the return signal at the upstream end of the section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A line break detection system for detecting a break in a conductor (1.004), the system including a first return signal generator (1.020) proximate a first end of a segment of the conductor, the first return signal generator being adapted to apply a first return signal to the conductor, the system including a first return signal detector (1.016) proximate a second end of the segment of the line, the second end being upstream of the first end, the first detector being adapted to receive the first return signal from the line, wherein the first return signal generator ceases to generate the first return signal if the line is broken.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a line fault on a section of a power supply line, said method comprising the steps of:
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injecting a return signal at the downstream end of the section; and detecting the return signal at the upstream end of the section. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A power supply line fault detection return signal generator (RSG) comprising:
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means to generate a return signal; and means to apply the return signal to the power supply line. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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4. A power supply line fault detection return signal detector (RSD) comprising:
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means to receive a return signal from the power supply line; means to analyse the return signal; and means to produce a power line control signal in response to the presence or absence of the return signal. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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7. A return signal concentrator comprising:
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return signal detection means adapted to detect and distinguish two or more return signals from two or more RSGs; and return signal regeneration means adapted to produce a concentrated return signal. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A power supply line break detection system comprising:
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at least one RSG, each RSG being adapted to generate a characteristic return signal which is applied to the power supply line, wherein a RSD connected to the line upstream of the or each RSG detects the return signal to confirm continuity of the supply line, and, in the absence of the return signal, generates a fault signal. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A power supply line monitoring system monitoring a segment of a power supply line, the system comprising:
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a RSG at a downstream end of the segment of power supply line; and a RSD at the upstream end of the segment of power supply line, wherein the RSG generates a return signal and transmits the return signal to the RSD, to indicate the presence or absence of a supply voltage at the downstream end of the segment of power supply line. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A return signal generator comprising:
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a line voltage detector; a signal generator controlled by the line voltage detector to generate a return signal; and a wireless transmitter connected to the signal generator to transmit the return signal.
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Specification