Fiber optic arc monitor
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting arcing in an enclosed electrical device, the apparatus comprising:
- a radio-frequency monitor disposed adjacent the electrical device;
a plurality of individual fiber optic cables arranged in predetermined positions within the electrical device for detecting light incident to said arcing; and
monitoring means for providing a signal external to the electrical device when radio-frequency signals are detected by the radio-frequency monitor and light is detected by said light sensing means, wherein said monitoring means is further comprised of;
means for determining the intensity of light detected by each of said fiber optic cables;
means for converting said detected light into an electrical signal equivalent to the intensity of the light received by each of said fiber optic cables;
means for comparing said equivalent electrical signals with respect to the position of each of said fiber optic cables; and
means for indicating the location within the electrical device where the arcing has occurred based upon said comparison.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus 50 for the detection and location of arcing within an enclosed electrical device, such as an electric generator 20. Fiber optic cables 53 are strategically mounted within the generator 20 detect emitted light 44 incident to arcing of the stator windings 32. Positive indication is given that the source of the arcing is within the generator 20 itself. By examining and comparing the relative magnitude and intensity of the light 44 received by each of the individual fiber optic cables 53, the location of arcing within the generator 20 can be established.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting arcing in an enclosed electrical device, the apparatus comprising:
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a radio-frequency monitor disposed adjacent the electrical device; a plurality of individual fiber optic cables arranged in predetermined positions within the electrical device for detecting light incident to said arcing; and monitoring means for providing a signal external to the electrical device when radio-frequency signals are detected by the radio-frequency monitor and light is detected by said light sensing means, wherein said monitoring means is further comprised of; means for determining the intensity of light detected by each of said fiber optic cables; means for converting said detected light into an electrical signal equivalent to the intensity of the light received by each of said fiber optic cables; means for comparing said equivalent electrical signals with respect to the position of each of said fiber optic cables; and means for indicating the location within the electrical device where the arcing has occurred based upon said comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a dynamo-electric machine including a rotor and a stator, an arc monitoring apparatus for detection of arcing in the stator, the arc monitor comprising:
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light sensing means disposed within the dynamo-electric machine for detecting light incident to said arcing; means for detecting radio-frequency signals within the dynamo-electric machine; and monitoring means for providing a signal external to the dynamo-electric machine when light is detected by said light sensing means and radio-frequency signals are detected by said radio-frequency detecting means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In an electric generator including a rotor and a stator, a method of detecting and locating arcing in the stator, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing an RF-monitor adjacent the electric generator for detecting radio-frequency signals within the electric generator; arranging a plurality of fiber optic light cables in predetermined positions within the generator, said cables being arranged therein so as to receive substantially all light incident to arcing; determining the intensity of light detected by each of said fiber optic cables; converting said detected light into an electrical signal equivalent to the intensity of the light received by each of said fiber optic cables; comparing said equivalent electrical signals with respect to the position of each of said fiber optic cables within the generator; indicating the location within the generator where the arcing has occurred based upon said comparison; and providing a signal external to the generator when radio-frequency signals are detected by the RF-monitor and light is detected by said fiber optic cables. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. In an electric generator including a rotor and a stator, an arc monitoring apparatus for detection of arcing in the stator, the arc monitor comprising:
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an RF-monitor for detecting radio-frequency signals within the electric generator incident to said arcing; a plurality of fiber optic light cables, said cables being disposed within a plurality of conduits disposed within the generator, each of said conduits having a spherical, transparent end cap, said fiber optic cables terminating within the spherical end cap and arranged in predetermined positions therein so as to receive substantially all light incident to arcing; and monitoring means for providing a signal external to the generator when radio-frequency signals are detected by the RF-monitor and light is detected by said light sensing means, said monitoring means comprising; a. means for determining the intensity of light detected by each of said fiber optic cables; b. means for converting said detected light into an electrical signal equivalent to the intensity of the light received by each of said fiber optic cables; c. means for comparing said equivalent electrical signals with respect to the position of each of said fiber optic cables within the generator; d. means for indicating the location within the generator where the arcing has occurred based upon said comparison; and e. an audio alarm for indicating when arcing has been detected within the generator.
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Specification