Fault powered fault indicator having timed reset

• US 5,677,623 A
• Filed: 04/08/1996
• Issued: 10/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edmund O. Schweitzer III, Jean E. Schweitzer, Marilyn L. Schweitzer
• Original Assignee: Edmund O. Schweitzer Jr
• Inventors: Schweitzer, Edmund O. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Karlsen, Ernest F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Solis, Jose M.
• Application Number:
  US08/629,373
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 340/664, 340/659, 324/133, 324/127
• US Class Current: 324/133
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 15/183 using transformers with a magnetic core
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16523 using diodes, e.g. Zener diodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/1659 to indicate that the value is within or outside a predetermined range of values (window) G01R19/16514, G01R19/16519, G01R19/16528 and G01R19/16533 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72

Abstract

A fault indicator is described having a winding disposed on a magnetic pole assembly. The winding delivers energy from a monitored conductor to circuitry of the fault indicator. A series-connected threshold device, such as a four layer bilateral diode or a zener diode, precludes a capacitor from charging during normal current flow in the monitored conductor. The series-connected threshold device, however, breaks down when a fault current flows in the monitored conductor. After break down, the fault current charges the capacitor. A shunt-connected threshold device, such as a zener diode, limits the voltage developed across the capacitor. After its charging phase, the capacitor drives a multivibrator which actuates an LCD, displaying the occurrence of the fault current to an operator. A series-connected threshold device shuts the LCD off when the voltage across the capacitor drops to a sufficiently low level. The arrangement of these electrical components allows the operator to accurately define the duration of time in which the LCD displays the occurrence of the fault current in the monitored conductor.

Claims

1. A fault indicator for indicating an occurrence of a fault current in a monitored electrical conductor, comprising:

a housing;

status indicating means within said housing for indicating a status of said fault indicator, said status indicating means having a reset-indicating state and a fault-indicating state;

first circuit means for deriving operating power only from said fault current in said conductor;

second circuit means operable from the operating power derived by said first circuit means for conditioning said status indicating means to said fault-indicating state in response to said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor; and

third circuit means for conditioning said status indicating means to said reset-indicating state upon expiration of a predetermined period of time after said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor.

2. A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said second circuit means include a capacitor for supplying an operating current to said status indicating means during said predetermined period of time after said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor.

3. A fault indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said second circuit means include a voltage limiting element for said capacitor.

4. A fault indicator as defined in claim 3 wherein said voltage limiting element comprises a zener diode.

5. A fault indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said second circuit means include a multivibrator for periodically reversing a direction of said operating current applied to said status indicating means during said predetermined period of time after said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor.

6. A fault indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said first circuit means include at least one threshold device which is conductive during said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor and non-conductive during an occurrence of a normal non-fault current in said conductor.

7. A fault indicator as defined in claim 6 wherein said at least one threshold device comprises a zener diode.

8. A fault indicator as defined in claim 6 wherein said at least one threshold device comprises a bilateral diode.

9. A fault indicator as defined in claim 8 wherein said at least one threshold device further comprises a zener diode.

10. A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said status indicating means comprises a high impedance display device.

11. A fault indicator as defined in claim 10 wherein said display device includes at least a pair of display electrodes disposed in operative association with a layer of voltage-responsive light controlling material.

12. A fault indicator as defined in claim 11 wherein said display device is conditioned to said reset-indicating state in an absence of an actuating signal applied to said electrodes by said second circuit means.

13. A fault indicator as defined in claim 11 wherein said second circuit means condition said display device to said fault-indicating state by applying an actuating signal to said electrodes of said display device.

14. A fault indicator as defined in claim 11 wherein said second circuit means include a multivibrator for periodically reversing a polarity of a voltage across said electrodes of said display device during said predetermined period of time after said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor.

15. A fault indicator as defined in claim 12 wherein said second circuit means include a multivibrator for periodically reversing a polarity of a voltage across said electrodes of said display device during said predetermined period of time after said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor.

16. A fault indicator as defined in claim 13 wherein said second circuit means include a multivibrator for periodically reversing a polarity of a voltage across said electrodes of said display device during said predetermined period of time after said occurrence of said fault current in said conductor.