Power supply for faulted circuit indicator
First Claim
1. A method for powering a faulted circuit indicator (FCI) device, comprising:
- inductively receiving energy from a power line to which the FCI device is in proximity to;
monitoring an induced voltage corresponding to the received energy;
determining whether the induced voltage is sufficient to power one or more functions of the FCI device;
determining whether available voltage from a super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device, when it is determined that the induced voltage is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device, the determining whether the available voltage from a super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device further comprising;
determining whether the available voltage from the super capacitor exceeds a boost maximum voltage, andforwarding the voltage from the super capacitor to a voltage regulator for powering the one or more functions of the FCI device when the available voltage from the super capacitor exceeds the boost maximum voltage;
drawing power from the super capacitor when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device; and
drawing power from a battery when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A faulted circuit indicator includes a microprocessor or discrete logic to determine a fault condition and initiate one or more fault indications, a super capacitor, a battery, and power supply circuitry for providing power to the microprocessor and one or more fault indicators. The power supply circuitry: inductively receives energy from a power line; determines whether an induced voltage is sufficient to power one or more functions of the FCI device; and if not, determines whether available voltage from the super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device. If so, the power supply circuitry draws voltage from the super capacitor and, if not, the power supply circuitry draws voltage from the battery when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device.
40 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for powering a faulted circuit indicator (FCI) device, comprising:
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inductively receiving energy from a power line to which the FCI device is in proximity to; monitoring an induced voltage corresponding to the received energy; determining whether the induced voltage is sufficient to power one or more functions of the FCI device; determining whether available voltage from a super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device, when it is determined that the induced voltage is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device, the determining whether the available voltage from a super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device further comprising; determining whether the available voltage from the super capacitor exceeds a boost maximum voltage, and forwarding the voltage from the super capacitor to a voltage regulator for powering the one or more functions of the FCI device when the available voltage from the super capacitor exceeds the boost maximum voltage; drawing power from the super capacitor when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device; and drawing power from a battery when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A faulted circuit indicator (FCI), comprising:
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a microprocessor, or discrete logic to determine a fault condition and initiate one or more fault indications; a super capacitor; a battery; and power supply circuitry for providing power to the microprocessor and one or more fault indicators, wherein the power supply circuitry; inductively receives energy from a power line proximate to the FCI; monitors an induced voltage corresponding to the received power; determines whether the induced voltage is sufficient to power one or more functions of the FCI device; determines whether available voltage from the super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device, when it is determined that the induced voltage is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device; draws voltage from the super capacitor when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device; and draws voltage from the battery when it is determined that the available voltage from the super capacitor is not sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device, and wherein determining whether the available voltage from a super capacitor is sufficient to power the one or more functions of the FCI device further comprises, performing by the power supply circuitry; determining whether the available voltage from the super capacitor exceeds a boost maximum voltage; and forwarding the voltage from the super capacitor to a voltage regulator for powering the one or more functions of the FCI device when the available voltage from the super capacitor exceeds the boost maximum voltage. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification