US3686531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault locating system for electrical circuits
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-04-08
•
Granted: 1972-08-22
•
Expires: 1991-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A fault locating system for electrical circuits consisting of three major components, a fault sensor, a control circuit or channel, and an indicating device. The fault sensors indicate an abnormal current flow when a fault occurs and transmit the information through the control circuit or channel to the indicating device which in turn displays the information. The control circuit connects the fault sensors in series or parallel, and the sensors are oriented in spaced relationship along the cable or electrical circuit being monitored so that fault detection between adjacent sensors is determined by the indicating device. The system may be set up for automatic resetting. The preferred sensor is a magnetic reed switch, and the fault indicator preferably incorporates a circuit with fast response.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Decker
- 👤 Michael D Patena
- 👤 Thomas G White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/08; G01R31/081; G01R31/086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises an electrical cable, a plurality of current actuated fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors; an indicating device actuated by the actuation of at least one sensor transmitted through the control circuit to indicate if a fault in the cable occurs and between what adjacent sensors the fault occurs; each said sensor being a magnetic reed positioned adjacent to the cable with its axis substantially normal to the axis of the cable; and said sensors being connected to the control circuit in series.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises an electrical cable, a plurality of current actuated fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors; an indicating device actuated by the actuation of at least one sensor transmitted through the control circuit to indicate if a fault in the cable occurs and between what adjacent sensors the fault occurs; each said sensor being a magnetic reed positioned adjacent to the cable with its axis substantially normal to the axis of the cable; and said sensors being connected to the control circuit in series.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises an electrical cable, a plurality of current actuated fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors; an indicating device actuated by the actuation of at least one sensor transmitted through the control circuit to indicate if a fault in the cable occurs and between what adjacent sensors the fault occurs; each said sensor being a megnetic reed positioned adjacent to the cable with its axis substantially normal to the axis of the cable; and said fault sensors being connected electrically in parallel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises an electrical cable, a plurality of current actuated fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors; an indicating device actuated by the actuation of at least one sensor transmitted through the control circuit to indicate if a fault in the cable occurs and between what adjacent sensors the fault occurs; each said sensor being a megnetic reed positioned adjacent to the cable with its axis substantially normal to the axis of the cable; and said fault sensors being connected electrically in parallel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises an electrical cable, a plurality of current actuated fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors; an indicating device for each fault sensor, said indicating device comprising a radiating energy source directly connected to the control circuit and driven to emission by a predetermined voltage signal over the control circuit caused by actuation of its respective sensor; and a photocell positioned adjacent the radiating energy source and actuated thereby, and a mechanical indicator actuated by the photocell.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises an electrical cable, a plurality of current actuated fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors; an indicating device for each fault sensor, said indicating device comprising a radiating energy source directly connected to the control circuit and driven to emission by a predetermined voltage signal over the control circuit caused by actuation of its respective sensor; and a photocell positioned adjacent the radiating energy source and actuated thereby, and a mechanical indicator actuated by the photocell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system according to claim 3 which includes resistance means to control the predetermined voltage actuation level of the radiating energy source, and whereby the resistance means vary between indicators, so that each indicator is associated with a respective sensor and is not actuated unless its associated sensor is actuated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises: an electrical cable, a plurality of current responsive fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a plurality of fast-acting indicating devices; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors to the indicating devices; means to supply a predetermined control voltage to the control circuit; and means associated with the sensors to regulate the predetermined voltage upon actuation thereof whereby a respective indicator means is actuated upon actuation of each respective sensor; said sensors being electrically connected in series.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises: an electrical cable, a plurality of current responsive fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a plurality of fast-acting indicating devices; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors to the indicating devices; means to supply a predetermined control voltage to the control circuit; and means associated with the sensors to regulate the predetermined voltage upon actuation thereof whereby a respective indicator means is actuated upon actuation of each respective sensor; said sensors being electrically connected in series.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises: an electrical cable, a plurality of current responsive fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a plurality of fast-acting indicating devices; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors to the indicating devices; means to supply a predetermined control voltage to the control circuit; and means associated with the sensors to regulate the predetermined voltage upon actuation thereof whereby a respective indicator means is actuated upon actuation of each respective sensor; said sensors being electrically connected in parallel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises: an electrical cable, a plurality of current responsive fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a plurality of fast-acting indicating devices; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors to the indicating devices; means to supply a predetermined control voltage to the control circuit; and means associated with the sensors to regulate the predetermined voltage upon actuation thereof whereby a respective indicator means is actuated upon actuation of each respective sensor; said sensors being electrically connected in parallel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises: an electrical cable, a plurality of fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a plurality of indicating devices; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors to the indicating devices; means to supply a predetermined control voltage to the control circuits; and means associated with the sensors to regulate the predetermined voltage upon actuation thereof, whereby a respective indicator means is actuated upon actuation of each respective sensor; said control circuit consisting of a pair of insulated wires tightly wrapped around the cable in convolutions so that induced voltages from the power cable therein cancel each other.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fault locating system for electrical circuits which comprises: an electrical cable, a plurality of fault sensors located in spaced relation along the cable; a plurality of indicating devices; a control circuit electrically connecting the fault sensors to the indicating devices; means to supply a predetermined control voltage to the control circuits; and means associated with the sensors to regulate the predetermined voltage upon actuation thereof, whereby a respective indicator means is actuated upon actuation of each respective sensor; said control circuit consisting of a pair of insulated wires tightly wrapped around the cable in convolutions so that induced voltages from the power cable therein cancel each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |