Detection of arcing faults using bifurcated wiring system
First Claim
1. A zone arc fault detection system for detecting series and parallel arcing faults in a defined zone of an electrical circuit supplying electrical power to a load, comprising:
- a single pair of substantially identical parallel insulated load conductors, electrically coupled at a first endpoint and a second endpoint, for each zone in which arcing is to be detected thereby defining a series fault detection zone comprising the length of said parallel conductors between end points where the two conductors are electrically coupled together;
a balancing core operatively associated at said second endpoint with said pair of parallel load conductors; and
a current sensor operatively associated at said first endpoint with each said pair of parallel load conductors, thereby defining a parallel fault detection zone between said current sensor and said balancing core, wherein said balancing core induces mutually canceling insertion impedances in said pair of parallel load conductors, and said current sensor produces a signal representative of the difference in the current flow in the two conductors.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A zone arc fault detection system for detecting arcing faults in a defined zone of an electrical circuit, such as an aircraft circuit, includes a pair of substantially identical parallel insulated conductors for each zone in which arcing is to be detected. A detection zone is defined by the parallel conductors between end points where the two conductors are coupled together. A current sensor is operatively associated with each pair of parallel conductors. The current sensor and conductors are respectively configured and arranged such that the current sensor produces a signal representative of a difference in current between the two conductors.
276 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A zone arc fault detection system for detecting series and parallel arcing faults in a defined zone of an electrical circuit supplying electrical power to a load, comprising:
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a single pair of substantially identical parallel insulated load conductors, electrically coupled at a first endpoint and a second endpoint, for each zone in which arcing is to be detected thereby defining a series fault detection zone comprising the length of said parallel conductors between end points where the two conductors are electrically coupled together;
a balancing core operatively associated at said second endpoint with said pair of parallel load conductors; and
a current sensor operatively associated at said first endpoint with each said pair of parallel load conductors, thereby defining a parallel fault detection zone between said current sensor and said balancing core, wherein said balancing core induces mutually canceling insertion impedances in said pair of parallel load conductors, and said current sensor produces a signal representative of the difference in the current flow in the two conductors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 33, 39, 40)
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17. A method for detecting series and parallel arcing faults in a defined zone of an electrical circuit supplying electrical power to a load, comprising:
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splitting a load conductor in each said defined zone into a single pair of substantially identical parallel insulated conductors, and electrically coupling and terminating the endpoints of said conductors together at a first and second endpoint, so that each of said conductors carries substantially half the total phase current during normal operating conditions, thereby defining a series fault detection zone comprising the length of said parallel conductors between the end points where the two conductors are electrically coupled together;
providing a differential current sensor operatively associated at said first endpoint with each said pair of parallel conductors a signal representative of the difference in the current flow of the two conductors; and
providing a detectable current unbalance by inducing mutually canceling insertion impedances in said pair of parallel load conductors at said second endpoint during said parallel arcing fault between said current sensor and said mutually canceling insertion impedances. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 41, 42)
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35. A zone arc fault detection system for detecting arcing faults in a defined zone of an electrical circuit supplying electrical power to a load, comprising:
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a single pair of substantially identical parallel insulated load conductors each of which is essentially half the size required of a single load conductor for the total phase current under normal operating conditions of said load, said load conductors being electrically coupled at a first endpoint and a second endpoint, thereby defining a series fault detection zone between endpoints where the two conductors are electrically connected together;
a balancing core operatively associated at said second endpoint with each said pair of parallel load conductors; and
a current sensor operatively associated at said first endpoint with each said pair of parallel load conductors, thereby defining a parallel fault detection zone between said current sensor and said balancing core, said current sensor and said conductors being respectively configured and arranged such that the current sensor produces a signal representative of the difference in the current flow in the two conductors. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. A method for detecting series and parallel arcing faults in a defined zone of an electrical circuit supplying a load, comprising:
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splitting a load conductor in each said defined zone into a single pair of substantially identical parallel insulated conductors each of which is essentially half the size required of a single load conductor for the total phase current under normal operating conditions of said load;
electrically coupling each said pair of load conductors at a first endpoint and a second endpoint, thereby defining a series fault detection zone between endpoints where the two conductors are electrically connected together;
providing a current sensor operatively associated at said first endpoint with each said pair of parallel conductors;
providing balanced insertion impedances at said second endpoint in said pair of conductors to enhance current unbalance detection during said parallel arcing fault between said current sensor and said balanced insertion impedances; and
configuring and arranging a current sensor and said conductors such that the current sensor produces a signal representative of the difference in the current flow of the two conductors. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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Specification