US4159446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic diagnostic system for contacts in power distribution systems
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1978-02-21
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Granted: 1979-06-26
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic diagnostic system for detecting misalignment of switch blade contacts in power distribution systems is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the high frequency component of the acoustic signal generated by the make and break of electrical contacts in high energy power distribution equipment is filtered and demodulated to produce a waveform from which significant timing information is provided. A method for producing these waveforms is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernard Darrel
- 👤 Richard Blackburn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/327; G01R31/3271; G01R31/3272; G01R31/3274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An acoustic diagnostic system for determining timing information related to the making and breaking of switch blade contacts comprising: transducer means to detect acoustic signals generated by the contacting operation of said switch blades; high pass filter means receiving the signals generated by the transducer means; rectifier means receiving the signal generated by the high pass filter means; low pass filter means with frequency cutoff below that of the high pass filter means, said low pass filter receiving the signals generated by the rectifier means; and means to record the output of said low pass filter means, whereby misalignment in said switch blades may be detected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An acoustic diagnostic system for determining timing information related to the making and breaking of switch blade contacts comprising: transducer means to detect acoustic signals generated by the contacting operation of said switch blades; high pass filter means receiving the signals generated by the transducer means; rectifier means receiving the signal generated by the high pass filter means; low pass filter means with frequency cutoff below that of the high pass filter means, said low pass filter receiving the signals generated by the rectifier means; and means to record the output of said low pass filter means, whereby misalignment in said switch blades may be detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The acoustic diagnostic system in claim 1 in which the transducer means is an accelerometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which the high pass filter means has a cut-off frequency of approximately 10 kilohertz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which the high pass filter means has a cut-off frequency of between approximately 8 and approximately 12 kilohertz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which the low pass filter means has a cut-off frequency of approximately 5 kilohertz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which the low pass filter means has a cut-off frequency of between approximately 1 kilohertz and approximately 7 kilohertz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which the rectifier means comprise a full wave rectifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which said recording means comprises a strip chart recorder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 in which the recording means operate to place the low pass filter output on a magnetic medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 further comprising: means to actuate said system substantially only for the duration of said acoustic signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The acoustic diagnostic system of claim 1 further comprising: amplifier means accepting signals generated by said transducer means and outputing an amplified signal to said hgih pass filter means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for determining misalignment of switch blade contacts, said contacts being characterized by the generation of acoustic signals upon the making and breaking of contact, said method comprising the steps of: A. converting said acoustic signals to electrical signals; B. passing said electrical signals generated in step A through a high pass filter means; C. rectifying the signal generated in step B; D. passing the rectified singal generated in step C through low pass filter means; and E. analyzing the signal output from said low pass filter means in step D to compute an index of misalignment, I, in accordance with the formula I==(T C -T B )/(T C - T A ), where T A is the time at which a first pulse burst occurs, T B is the time at which a second pulse burst occurs, and T C is a time at which a third pulse burst occurs.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A method for determining misalignment of switch blade contacts, said contacts being characterized by the generation of acoustic signals upon the making and breaking of contact, said method comprising the steps of: A. converting said acoustic signals to electrical signals; B. passing said electrical signals generated in step A through a high pass filter means; C. rectifying the signal generated in step B; D. passing the rectified singal generated in step C through low pass filter means; and E. analyzing the signal output from said low pass filter means in step D to compute an index of misalignment, I, in accordance with the formula I==(T C -T B )/(T C - T A ), where T A is the time at which a first pulse burst occurs, T B is the time at which a second pulse burst occurs, and T C is a time at which a third pulse burst occurs.
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) | 1982-06-25 | 1982-12-25 | 1983-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-06-25 | 1986-12-25 | 1987-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-06-25 | 1990-12-25 | 1991-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |