US4067052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for detecting electrical faults
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-05-03
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Granted: 1978-01-03
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Expires: 1996-05-03
Abstract
Abstract Process and apparatus for detecting electrical phase to ground or phase to phase fault currents occuring in enclosures retaining electric switch gear, switchboards, panel boards, and the like providing ionization chamber sensing of the particulate and/or ionized matter generated by the electrical fault, and generating a signal as a result of the parameter. The signal is transmitted to a means for opening the circuit and the circuit is opened to stop further current flow and damage to the devices to which it is connected. Audio or visual alarms as well as sensor status readouts may also be used with the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles J. Neuhoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:42
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H1/00; H02H1/0007; H02H1/0015; H02H1/0023; H01; H01H; H01H71/00; H01H2071/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A process for detecting at an incipient stage thereof, phase-to-phase and phase to ground faults characterized by arcing and generated in an enclosure configured and dimentioned to provide a volumetric capacity substantially only for retaining select electrical power distribution and regulation components within a normally enclosed and stable environment of atmospheric air, said enclosure being situate at a predetermined location within a power input system wherein electrical circuits extend in power supply relationship into said enclosure and are coupled electrically with said components, comprising the steps of: monitoring the said atmospheric air environment only of said enclosure by the surveillance thereof with ionization chamber detection means, the presence of said arcing characterized fault derived ionized matter and subsequently generated particulate matter within said enclosure altering a known electrical parameter thereof from a first to a second condition to sense the said incipient stage of a said fault; generating an electrical signal in response to the said ionization chamber detection means electrical parameter alteration to said second condition; transmitting said generated electrical signal to means for opening the said electrical circuit coupled to said component at which said fault occurs; and opening the said electrical circuit to halt the flow of current therewithin to said component at which said fault occurs in response to said signal transmitted to said means for opening said electrical circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A process for detecting at an incipient stage thereof, phase-to-phase and phase to ground faults characterized by arcing and generated in an enclosure configured and dimentioned to provide a volumetric capacity substantially only for retaining select electrical power distribution and regulation components within a normally enclosed and stable environment of atmospheric air, said enclosure being situate at a predetermined location within a power input system wherein electrical circuits extend in power supply relationship into said enclosure and are coupled electrically with said components, comprising the steps of: monitoring the said atmospheric air environment only of said enclosure by the surveillance thereof with ionization chamber detection means, the presence of said arcing characterized fault derived ionized matter and subsequently generated particulate matter within said enclosure altering a known electrical parameter thereof from a first to a second condition to sense the said incipient stage of a said fault; generating an electrical signal in response to the said ionization chamber detection means electrical parameter alteration to said second condition; transmitting said generated electrical signal to means for opening the said electrical circuit coupled to said component at which said fault occurs; and opening the said electrical circuit to halt the flow of current therewithin to said component at which said fault occurs in response to said signal transmitted to said means for opening said electrical circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The process of claim 1 including the steps of providing a first visible indicia that said surveillance is being carried out by said ionization chamber means; providing a second visible indicia of said parameter alteration sensing the presence of a said fault; and providing a third indicia when said surveillance derived electrical parameter is returned from said second condition to said first condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
The process of claim 1 including steps of: simultaneously monitoring the said atmospheric air environment of said enclosure for a temperature condition thereof equaling or exceeding a predetermined level; altering a select electrical parameter in response to said condition; generating an electrical signal in response to said select electrical parameter alteration; and transmitting said electrical signal to said means for opening the electrical circuit containing said fault.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for detecting, at an incipient stage thereof, arc characterized phase-to-phase and phast-to-ground faults generated with electrical power distribution and regulation components at a given location within a power supply system, comprising: enclosure means configured for retaining select said electrical power distribution and regulation components within a normally enclosed environment of atmospheric air and situate at said given location; monitoring means communicating with said enclosure environment of atmospheric air and including ionization chamber detection means operative to alter a known electrical parameter from a clear condition to a signal condition in response to the arc characterized fault-derived ionized matter and subsequently generated particulate matter within said environment; shunt means actuable to divert the supply of said electrical power to said enclosure means retained distribution and regulation components to provide a cessation of the effects of a said fault; and control means responsive to the presence of said electrical parameter signal condition for actuating said shunt means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for detecting, at an incipient stage thereof, arc characterized phase-to-phase and phast-to-ground faults generated with electrical power distribution and regulation components at a given location within a power supply system, comprising: enclosure means configured for retaining select said electrical power distribution and regulation components within a normally enclosed environment of atmospheric air and situate at said given location; monitoring means communicating with said enclosure environment of atmospheric air and including ionization chamber detection means operative to alter a known electrical parameter from a clear condition to a signal condition in response to the arc characterized fault-derived ionized matter and subsequently generated particulate matter within said environment; shunt means actuable to divert the supply of said electrical power to said enclosure means retained distribution and regulation components to provide a cessation of the effects of a said fault; and control means responsive to the presence of said electrical parameter signal condition for actuating said shunt means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 4 in which: said ionization chamber detection means is situate within said enclosure means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 4 in which said monitoring means includes at least one hollow tube extending from a said enclosure means to said ionization chamber detection means, access of said particulate and/or ionized matter with said detection means being provided by said tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4 in which said control means includes relay actuator means responsive to said signal condition to actuate said shunt means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 4 in which said control means includes: first visible indicia means responsive to the input of operational power to said monitoring means for providing a perceptible output corresponding with the monitoring performance thereof; second indicia means responsive to the presence of said signal condition for deriving a perceptible alarm output; and third indicia means for providing a perceptible output in response to a transition of said monitoring means from said signal condition to said clear condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 4 in which said monitoring means includes heat detector means, situate within said enclosure means and configured to derive a said signal condition when said atmospheric air environment exhibits a temperature equaling or exceeding a perdetermined level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 4 in which at least one surface of said enclosure means is specular and said monitoring means includes at least one photo-responsive component configured to derive a said signal condition in response to arcing induced by a said fault.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 10 in which said monitoring means includes fiber optic bundle means extending from said photo-responsive component to regions of said enclosure means predetermined as prone to exhibit occurances of a said fault.
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) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |