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US4224652A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for detecting ground shorts in the rotor circuit of a generator

Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri AG Switzerland
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Filing: 1978-02-06
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Granted: 1980-09-23
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Expires: 1998-02-06
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Abstract

Abstract A method, and apparatus for, protecting an object, and specifically detecting ground shorts in the rotor circuit of a generator, wherein for essentially completely detecting a ground short the phase of an alternating signal is modulated to produce an alternating injection or test signal which is delivered to the object to be protected, i.e. the rotor circuit. A response signal corresponding to the injection signal and indicative of the ground short is derived from the rotor circuit. The modulated alternating signal may be at the network frequency and modulation of the phase thereon preferably encompasses continuously switching the phase of the alternating signal between two phase positions in the sense of a phase oscillation. The alternating signal is preferably in the form of an alternating voltage.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael Fiorentzis

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 20:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/06; H02H7/065; H02H3/00; H02H3/16; H02H3/17

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
A method of detecting ground shorts in generator rotor circuits of an electrical network, wherein for detecting essentially completely a ground short at the rotor circuit there are carried out the steps of: modulating the phase of an alternating signal to produce an alternating injection signal; delivering the alternating injection signal to the electrical network containing the rotor circuit at which there is to be detected any ground short; and deriving from the electrical network a response signal corresponding to the alternating injection signal and indicative of the ground short at the rotor circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 94 words
A method of detecting ground shorts in generator rotor circuits of an electrical network, wherein for detecting essentially completely a ground short at the rotor circuit there are carried out the steps of: modulating the phase of an alternating signal to produce an alternating injection signal; delivering the alternating injection signal to the electrical network containing the rotor circuit at which there is to be detected any ground short; and deriving from the electrical network a response signal corresponding to the alternating injection signal and indicative of the ground short at the rotor circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as defined in claim 1, further including the steps of: utilizing as the alternating signal an alternating voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the phase modulation comprises the steps of: continuously switching the phase of the alternating signal forming the injection signal between two phase positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method as defined in claim 3, wherein: the phase of the alternating signal forming the injection signal is switching between two phase positions in the sense of a phase oscillation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein: the alternating signal which is phase modulated is at the network frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the phase modulation comprises the steps of: switching the phase of the alternating signal forming the injection signal between two phase positions which are opposite in phase to one another.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method as defined in claim 6, including the steps of: performing phase switching of the alternating signal during switching periods amounting to about 60 ms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein: each of the switching periods encompasses a triggering time of about 45 ms and a remaining time constituting a safety time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein: the alternating signal is an alternating voltage; and the amplitude of said alternating injection voltage amounts to about 2% of the network phase voltage.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 262 words
An apparatus for detecting ground shorts in a generator rotor circuit of an electrical network comprising: a transformer having two primary windings and a secondary winding for supplying an alternating injection voltage; said secondary winding serving to apply the injection voltage to the electrical network; a source for producing the injection voltage; said source having a pair of terminals; said source being connected at one terminal with a junction point of both primary windings of the transformer; two electronic switch means having inputs and outputs; said source being connected at its other terminal in parallel with the inputs of said two electronic switch means; a respective output of each of said electronic switch means being connected with the other terminal of a respective one of said primary windings; an oscillator delivering an output signal for alternately opening said electronic switch means; an insulation transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a working resistor connected in parallel with the primary winding of said insulation transformer; said secondary winding of said insulation transformer delivering a response voltage corresponding to the injection voltage and indicative of a ground short at the rotor circuit; a multiplier having a first input and a second input; said response voltage of the insulation transformer being delivered to the first input of said multiplier; means for applying a voltage constituting a reference signal to the second input of the multiplier; said multiplier having an output carrying an output signal; a filter for carrying out an integration operation; the output signal of the multiplier being delivered to the filter.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 262 words
An apparatus for detecting ground shorts in a generator rotor circuit of an electrical network comprising: a transformer having two primary windings and a secondary winding for supplying an alternating injection voltage; said secondary winding serving to apply the injection voltage to the electrical network; a source for producing the injection voltage; said source having a pair of terminals; said source being connected at one terminal with a junction point of both primary windings of the transformer; two electronic switch means having inputs and outputs; said source being connected at its other terminal in parallel with the inputs of said two electronic switch means; a respective output of each of said electronic switch means being connected with the other terminal of a respective one of said primary windings; an oscillator delivering an output signal for alternately opening said electronic switch means; an insulation transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a working resistor connected in parallel with the primary winding of said insulation transformer; said secondary winding of said insulation transformer delivering a response voltage corresponding to the injection voltage and indicative of a ground short at the rotor circuit; a multiplier having a first input and a second input; said response voltage of the insulation transformer being delivered to the first input of said multiplier; means for applying a voltage constituting a reference signal to the second input of the multiplier; said multiplier having an output carrying an output signal; a filter for carrying out an integration operation; the output signal of the multiplier being delivered to the filter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said source operates at the network frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said voltage applying means delivers a reference voltage substantially equal to the network frequency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said voltage applying means delivers said injection voltage as said reference voltage at the second input of the multiplier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said voltage applying means supplies a separate signal which is generated essentially in synchronism with the injection voltage and which appears as said reference signal at the second input of the multiplier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein: said electronic switch means comprise triacs.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein: the ampltiude of said injection voltage amounts to about 2% of the network phase voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein: the triacs have switching periods amounting to about 60 ms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein: the triacs have switching periods amounting to about 60 ms; said triacs being fired for about 45 ms and the remainder of the time serving as a safety time in order to prevent simultaneous firing of both triacs by disturbance currents.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18, further including: a capacitor connected between the secondary winding of the injection voltage-supplying transformer and the rotor circuit of the network.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 19, further including: fault relay means arranged in a connection line between the secondary winding of the injection voltage-supplying transformer and ground.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 113 words
A method of detecting ground shorts in electrical devices of an electrical network, especially at a rotor circuit of a generator, wherein for detecting essentially completely a ground short at the electrical device there are carried out the steps of: modulating by means of a modulation function the phase of an alternating signal to produce an alternating injection signal; delivering the alternating injection signal to the electrical network containing the electrical device at which there is to be detected any ground short; deriving from the electrical network a response signal corresponding to the alternating injection signal; demodulating the response signal to form a signal indicative of the ground short at the electrical device.
Claim 24
Independent Claim 113 words
A method of detecting ground shorts in electrical devices of an electrical network, especially at a rotor circuit of a generator, wherein for detecting essentially completely a ground short at the electrical device there are carried out the steps of: modulating by means of a modulation function the phase of an alternating signal to produce an alternating injection signal; delivering the alternating injection signal to the electrical network containing the electrical device at which there is to be detected any ground short; deriving from the electrical network a response signal corresponding to the alternating injection signal; demodulating the response signal to form a signal indicative of the ground short at the electrical device.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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US3710238A Cited
US3975663A Cited
US3783340A Cited
DE2317805A1 Cited
US3971007A Cited
US3991364A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-09-23 1984-03-24 1984-09-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-09-23 1988-03-24 1988-09-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-09-23 1992-03-24 1992-09-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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