In-situ fault detection apparatus and method for an encased energy storing device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting a breach in an electrically insulating surface of an electrically conductive power system enclosure, comprising:
- a plurality of series connected energy storing devices each coupled to a series connection and disposed in the enclosure; and
a detector coupled to the series connection that detects a change of state in a test signal derived from the series connected energy storing devices, the change of state of the test signal from a nominal state to a non-nominal state indicating a development of a short between the series connected energy storing devices and the enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for detecting a breach in an electrically insulating surface of an electrically conductive power system enclosure within which a number of series connected energy storing devices are disposed. The energy storing devices disposed in the enclosure are connected to a series power connection. A detector is coupled to the series connection and detects a change of state in a test signal derived from the series connected energy storing devices. The detector detects a breach in the insulating layer of the enclosure by detecting a state change in the test signal from a nominal state to a non-nominal state. A voltage detector detects a state change of the test signals from a nominal state, represented by a voltage of a selected end energy storing device, to a non-nominal state, represented by a voltage that substantially exceeds the voltage of the selected opposing end energy storing device. Alternatively, the detector may comprise a signal generator that produces the test signal as a time-varying or modulated test signal and injects the test signal into the series connection. The detector detects the state change of the time-varying or modulated test signal from a nominal state, represented by a signal substantially equivalent to the test signal, to a non-nominal state, representative by an absence of the test signal.
64 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting a breach in an electrically insulating surface of an electrically conductive power system enclosure, comprising:
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a plurality of series connected energy storing devices each coupled to a series connection and disposed in the enclosure; and a detector coupled to the series connection that detects a change of state in a test signal derived from the series connected energy storing devices, the change of state of the test signal from a nominal state to a non-nominal state indicating a development of a short between the series connected energy storing devices and the enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for detecting a breach in an electrically insulating surface of an electrically conductive power system enclosure, comprising:
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a plurality of series connected energy storing devices each coupled to a series connection and disposed in the enclosure; and a detector comprising a signal generator that produces a test signal as a time-varying test signal and injects the time-varying test signal into the series connection, the detector detecting a state change of the time-varying test signal from a signal substantially equivalent to the time-varying test signal, representative of a nominal state, to an absence of the time-varying test signal, representative of a non-nominal state. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for detecting a breach in an electrically insulating surface of an electrically conductive power system enclosure, comprising:
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a plurality of series connected energy storing devices each coupled to a series connection and disposed in the enclosure; and a detector comprising a signal generator that produces a modulated test signal and injects the modulated test signal into the series connection, the detector detecting a state change of the modulated test signal from a signal substantially equivalent to the modulated test signal, representative of a nominal state, to an absence of the modulated test signal, representative of a non-nominal state.
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Specification