Apparatus and system for adjusting settings of a power system device using a magnetically coupled actuator

• US 7,868,776 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2007
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Incorporated
• Inventors: Kesler, James R., Teller, Witold R., McMahon, Steven A., Anderson, Luther S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan; Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US11/750,904
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,334 Days
• Field of Search: 340/529, 340/635, 340/643, 340/538, 324/529
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 1/0061 concerning transmission of signals transmission of measured quantities or switching orders; sectionalised protection involving signal transmission between at least two stations H02H7/261; comparison of the voltage or current values at two spaced portions of a single system H02H3/28; transferring the output of a sensing member to another variable G01D5/00; electrical measuring arrangements using modulation of electromagnetic waves, e.g. light beams G01R15/24, G01R15/26
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/006 Calibration or setting of parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/042 combined with means for locating the fault locating faults in cables G01R31/08

Abstract

A system is provided for adjusting settings of a power system device. In one embodiment, the setting adjusted is an identification setting of the power system device. The system generally includes an actuator having a select arrangement of magnets. A magnetic field sensor is provided for sensing the select arrangement of magnets. A microprocessor is coupled to the magnetic field sensor such that upon sensing the select arrangement of magnets by the magnetic field sensor, the microprocessor establishes an identification setting based upon the select arrangement. The various embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and system for adjusting settings of power system devices in harsh conditions, such as persistent in water.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adjusting settings of a power system device, comprising:

an actuator, said actuator including at least one magnet inducing a magnetic field which corresponds to a particular setting value of the power system device;

a magnetic field sensor positioned in relation to said actuator, said magnetic field sensor adapted to detect the presence or absence of the magnetic field when activated,

wherein upon detection, the magnetic field sensor;

causes a transmission of a signal representative of the particular setting to the power system device; and

,

is deactivated,

wherein the particular setting is a device identification setting for the power system device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device identification setting is either a designation setting or an address setting.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power system device is a radio interface unit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power system device is a faulted circuit indicator for indicating a fault in a conductor of an electric power system.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator and magnetic field sensor are each housed in separate substantially self-contained units.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein either the actuator or the magnetic field sensor are encapsulated in an encapsulate material.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator and magnetic field sensor are in an environment exposed to a harsh condition.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is a hall-effect sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is a reed switch.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator and magnetic field sensor are in an environment exposed to water.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is activated upon powerup of the apparatus.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic field sensor is activated upon receipt of an external request command.

10. A system for distinguishing a power system device from another power system device, including

an actuator having a select arrangement of magnets,

at least one magnetic field sensor for sensing the select arrangement of magnets,

a microprocessor coupled to the magnetic field sensor, wherein upon sensing the select arrangement of magnets by the magnetic field sensor, the microprocessor establishes an identification setting based upon the select arrangement and deactivates the magnetic field sensor;

wherein the identification setting is a device identification setting for the power system device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the device identification setting is either a designation setting or an address setting.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the actuator is a dial.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor is further adapted to activate or deactivate a power management circuit based upon sensing of a select arrangement of magnets.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the power system device is a radio interface unit.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the power system device is a faulted circuit indicator.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the power system device is a faulted circuit indicator for indicating a fault in a conductor of an electric power system.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnets are separately housed from the magnetic field sensor in substantially self-contained units.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein either the magnets or the magnetic field sensor are encapsulated in an encapsulate material.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnets and magnetic field sensor are related to a power system device which is situated in an environment exposed to water.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnetic field sensor is a hall-effect sensor.

21. The system of claim 10, wherein the magnetic field sensor is a reed switch.

25. The system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor causes the magnetic field sensor to activate upon powerup of the system.

26. The system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor causes the magnetic field sensor to activate upon receipt of an external request command.