Method and apparatus for determining electrical contact wear
First Claim
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1. A method for determining erosion of a contact assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a fluorescent trace material within the contact assembly;
allowing the contact assembly to be eroded until at least a portion of the fluorescent trace material is released into a surrounding medium; and
monitoring at least one point in the surrounding medium to detect a quantity of fluorescent trace material dispersed into the surrounding medium as an indicator of erosion of the contact assembly.
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Abstract
A fluorescent trace material is provided within at least a portion of an electrical contact or interrupter assembly component, or a cavity defined therein. At least a portion of the fluorescent trace material is exposed or released from the electrical contact or interrupter assembly component, indicating a degree of component wear.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for determining erosion of a contact assembly, the method comprising:
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providing a fluorescent trace material within the contact assembly; allowing the contact assembly to be eroded until at least a portion of the fluorescent trace material is released into a surrounding medium; and monitoring at least one point in the surrounding medium to detect a quantity of fluorescent trace material dispersed into the surrounding medium as an indicator of erosion of the contact assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for determining the presence of fluorescent material associated with wear of an electrical contact assembly, comprising the steps of:
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generating electromagnetic radiation; directing the electromagnetic radiation to fluorescent material indicating wear of the contact assembly; detecting the amount of fluorescent radiation generated by the fluorescent material in response to the electromagnetic radiation; and determining a level of wear of the electrical contact assembly from the amount of fluorescent radiation detected.
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11. A method for determining the level of a fluorescent trace material present in a medium surrounding an electrical contact assembly, comprising the steps of:
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circulating the surrounding medium through a particulate concentration device containing a collection surface; directing electromagnetic radiation to the particulate concentration device; and detecting the amount of fluorescent radiation generated by the fluorescent trace material collected by the particulate concentration device in response to the electromagnetic radiation.
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Specification