US4086529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fault indicator and means for resetting the same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-07-26
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Granted: 1978-04-25
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Expires: 1996-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A fault indicator for alternating current distribution systems includes a pair of spaced pole pieces for receiving therebetween at one end the conductor and at the other end a pivoted permanent magnet carrying a target that is biased to a fault indicating position by a stationary permanent magnet. The pole pieces are demagnetized on flow of fault current in the conductor. They are remagnetized by a winding which is energized by discharge of a capacitor that is charged through a rectifier from an oscillator circuit. The winding is carried by a receptacle into which the other ends of the pole pieces are inserted and a circuit is completed thereby to charge the capacitor. The receptacle is carried at one end of a tubular housing the other end of which has an eye to receive a claw of a live line tool for applying the fault indicator to and removing it from the conductor.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund O. Schweitzer, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/145; G01R19/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
297 words
A fault indicator responsive to the occurrence of an alternating fault current of predetermined minimum amplitude in a conductor and means for resetting the same, comprising in combination: a generally cylindrical housing; a target mounted at one end of said housing for rotation in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said housing between a fault indicating position and a reset position, at least a portion of said target being visible from the exterior of said housing to indicate the position of said target; a target permanent magnet having diametrically opposed magnetic poles of like gender mounted for rotation with said target; a stationary permanent magnet of high coercive force disposed in magnetic communication with said target magnet, and having magnetic poles arranged for biasing said target magnet to position said target in said fault indicating position; a pair of pole pieces extending longitudinally in generally parallel-spaced relationship within said housing from said one end of said housing to the other end thereof, each of said pole pieces being formed of a magnetizable material of low coercive force subject to being demagnetized upon occurrence of a current in the conductor in excess of said predetermined minimum level, said pole piece each including an end portion projecting from said other end of said housing and defining therewith means for receiving the conductor, the other ends of said pole pieces being disposed in magnetic communication with opposing poles of said target magnet; and reset means comprising a receptacle dimensioned for telescopic engagement with said housing and including winding coaxially disposed therein for magnetic communication with said pole pieces when said housing is seated in said receptacle for magnetizing said pole pieces whereby said other ends thereof bias said target magnet to position said target in said reset position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
297 words
A fault indicator responsive to the occurrence of an alternating fault current of predetermined minimum amplitude in a conductor and means for resetting the same, comprising in combination: a generally cylindrical housing; a target mounted at one end of said housing for rotation in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said housing between a fault indicating position and a reset position, at least a portion of said target being visible from the exterior of said housing to indicate the position of said target; a target permanent magnet having diametrically opposed magnetic poles of like gender mounted for rotation with said target; a stationary permanent magnet of high coercive force disposed in magnetic communication with said target magnet, and having magnetic poles arranged for biasing said target magnet to position said target in said fault indicating position; a pair of pole pieces extending longitudinally in generally parallel-spaced relationship within said housing from said one end of said housing to the other end thereof, each of said pole pieces being formed of a magnetizable material of low coercive force subject to being demagnetized upon occurrence of a current in the conductor in excess of said predetermined minimum level, said pole piece each including an end portion projecting from said other end of said housing and defining therewith means for receiving the conductor, the other ends of said pole pieces being disposed in magnetic communication with opposing poles of said target magnet; and reset means comprising a receptacle dimensioned for telescopic engagement with said housing and including winding coaxially disposed therein for magnetic communication with said pole pieces when said housing is seated in said receptacle for magnetizing said pole pieces whereby said other ends thereof bias said target magnet to position said target in said reset position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
248 words
A fault indicator responsive to the occurrence of an alternating fault current of predetermined minimum amplitude in a conductor comprising, in combination: a generally cylindrical housing; a target mounted at one end of said housing for rotation in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said housing between a fault indicating position and reset position, at least a portion of said target being visible from the exterior of said housing to indicate the position of said target; a target permanent magnet having diametrically opposed magnetic poles of like gender mounted for rotation with said target; a stationary permanent magnet of high coercive force disposed in magnetic communication with said target magnet, and having magnetic poles arranged for biasing said target magnet to position said target in said fault indicating position; and a pair of pole pieces extending longitudinally in generally parallel-spaced relationship within said housing from one end of said housing to other end thereof, each of said pole pieces being formed of a magnetizable material of low coercive force subject to being demagnetized upon occurrence of a current in the conductor in excess of said predetermined minimum level, said pole pieces each including an end portion projecting from said other end of said housing and defining therewith means for receiving the conductor, the other ends of said pole pieces being disposed in magnetic communication with opposing poles of said target magnet so as to bias said target magnet to position said target in said reset position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
248 words
A fault indicator responsive to the occurrence of an alternating fault current of predetermined minimum amplitude in a conductor comprising, in combination: a generally cylindrical housing; a target mounted at one end of said housing for rotation in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of said housing between a fault indicating position and reset position, at least a portion of said target being visible from the exterior of said housing to indicate the position of said target; a target permanent magnet having diametrically opposed magnetic poles of like gender mounted for rotation with said target; a stationary permanent magnet of high coercive force disposed in magnetic communication with said target magnet, and having magnetic poles arranged for biasing said target magnet to position said target in said fault indicating position; and a pair of pole pieces extending longitudinally in generally parallel-spaced relationship within said housing from one end of said housing to other end thereof, each of said pole pieces being formed of a magnetizable material of low coercive force subject to being demagnetized upon occurrence of a current in the conductor in excess of said predetermined minimum level, said pole pieces each including an end portion projecting from said other end of said housing and defining therewith means for receiving the conductor, the other ends of said pole pieces being disposed in magnetic communication with opposing poles of said target magnet so as to bias said target magnet to position said target in said reset position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 1 wherein said permanent magnets are each circular magnets having four equally spaced poles with poles of like gender being diametrically located.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 1 wherein spring means are provided on said housing for detachably securing said conductor between said projecting portions of said pole pieces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 1 wherein conducting means overlie at least one of said pole pieces for limiting the reduction in magnetic flux therein resulting from transient current flow in said conductor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 1 wherein said other ends of said pole pieces are magnetized to the same polarity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 1 wherein said means for magnetizing said pole pieces include means for energizing said winding from a source of direct current.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 7 wherein said means for energizing said winding are responsive to said housing being received within said receptacle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The fault indicator and resetting means called for in claim 3 wherein said means for energizing said winding include a capacitor, and means for charging said capacitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fault indicator called for in claim 2 wherein said permanent magnets are each permanent magnets having four equally spaced poles with of like gender being diametrically located.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fault indicator called for in claim 2 wherein spring means are provided on said housing for detachably securing said conductor between said projecting portions of said pole pieces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The fault indicator called for in claim 2 wherein conducting means overlie at least one of said pole pieces for limiting the reduction in magnetic flux therein resulting from transient current flow in said conductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The fault indicator called for in claim 2 wherein said other ends of said pole pieces are magnetized to the same polarity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said target is mounted for rotation about the axis of said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fault indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said end portions of said pole pieces are radially outwardly flared.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fault indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said target is mounted for rotation about the axis of said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fault indicator as defined in claim 2 wherein said end portions of said pole pieces are radially outwardly flared.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3702966A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-24 | 1981-10-24 | 1982-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-24 | 1985-10-24 | 1986-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-24 | 1989-10-24 | 1990-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |