US4998098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Overvoltage detector to indicate voltage to a remote monitor
Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1989-01-26
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Granted: 1991-03-05
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Expires: 2009-01-26
Abstract
Abstract An voltage monitoring system including means for providing a voltage from a current and for reducing the voltage. The system also includes means for integrating the current. The integrating means provides an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to the voltage. The system further includes means for sensing when the output of the integrating means is above a predetermined level and for resetting the integrating means to the initial condition. Additionally, the system includes means for indicating when the output of the integrating means exceeds the predetermined level.
Inventors
- 👤 Edmund O. Schweitzer, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R19/00; G01R19/165; G01R19/16533; G01R19/16538; G01R19/16547
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A voltage monitoring system for protecting a device having a voltage thereacross comprising: means for providing a current from the voltage and for reducing the voltage; means for integrating said current, said integrating means providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to said voltage; a trigger for sensing when the output of said integrating means is above a predetermined level and for establishing the predetermined level; means for indicating when the output of said integrating means exceeds the predetermined level in order to detect the voltage across the device; said trigger resetting said integrating means to the initial condition by discharging said integrating means through said indicating means; and said current providing means, said integrating means, said trigger and said indicating means disposed within a hollow member formed from an electrically-insulating material, said member including means for connection across a voltage potential.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A voltage monitoring system for protecting a device having a voltage thereacross comprising: means for providing a current from the voltage and for reducing the voltage; means for integrating said current, said integrating means providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to said voltage; a trigger for sensing when the output of said integrating means is above a predetermined level and for establishing the predetermined level; means for indicating when the output of said integrating means exceeds the predetermined level in order to detect the voltage across the device; said trigger resetting said integrating means to the initial condition by discharging said integrating means through said indicating means; and said current providing means, said integrating means, said trigger and said indicating means disposed within a hollow member formed from an electrically-insulating material, said member including means for connection across a voltage potential.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said current providing means is a resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said integrating means is a capacitor connected in series with said resistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
121 words
A voltage monitoring system, comprising: a first capacitor for providing an alternating current from an alternating current voltage source and for reducing said voltage; rectifier means for providing a direct current from said alternating current; means for integrating said direct current, said integrating means providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to said voltage; a trigger device for sensing when the output of said integrating means is above a predetermined level and for resetting the integrating means to the initial condition, said trigger device not drawing current from said integrating means when the output thereof is below the predetermined level; and means for indicating when the output of said integrating means exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
A voltage monitoring system, comprising: a first capacitor for providing an alternating current from an alternating current voltage source and for reducing said voltage; rectifier means for providing a direct current from said alternating current; means for integrating said direct current, said integrating means providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to said voltage; a trigger device for sensing when the output of said integrating means is above a predetermined level and for resetting the integrating means to the initial condition, said trigger device not drawing current from said integrating means when the output thereof is below the predetermined level; and means for indicating when the output of said integrating means exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said first capacitor, said rectifier means, said integrating means, said sensing means, and said indicating means are disposed within a hollow member formed of a dielectric material, said member including electrically-conductive bushings at either end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said first capacitor is connected between one terminal of the alternating current voltage source and said rectifier means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said rectifier means includes a diode bridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said rectifier means includes a pair of diodes.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
16 words
The system of claims 6, 7, or 8 wherein said integrating means includes a second capacitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the spacing between plates of said first capacitor are adjustable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one plate of said first capacitor comprises an electrically-conductive surface that is formed at one end of a hollow member constructed of an electrically-insulating material and wherein the other plate of said first capacitor is disposed within said member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11 wherein said rectifier means, said integrating means, said sensing means, and said indicating means are disposed within said member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said trigger device is selected from the group consisting of a diac, a bilateral diode, a voltage-sensing integrated circuit, and a gas lamp.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 or 4 further including means in communication with said indicating means for determining said voltage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 or 4 wherein said indicating means is a light emitting device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 15 further including means in optical communication with said light emitting device for determining said voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said means in optical communication includes a photodetector, a counter means and a comparator means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for protecting and monitoring a device having a voltage thereacross, comprising: means for providing a current from the voltage and for reducing the voltage; means for integrating the current, said integrating means providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to the voltage; a trigger for sensing when the output of said integrating means is above a predetermined level and for establishing the predetermined level; light emitting means for producing a light pulse when the output of said integrating means exceeds the predetermined level; said trigger resetting said integrating means to the initial condition by discharging said integrating means through said light emitting means; optical fiber means for conducting the light pulse from said light emitting means to a light pulse receiver means for determining the voltage; and said current providing means, said integrating means, said trigger, and said indicating means disposed within a hollow member formed of a dielectric material, said member including electrically-conductive bushings at either end thereof for connection across the device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
172 words
A system for protecting and monitoring a device having a voltage thereacross, comprising: means for providing a current from the voltage and for reducing the voltage; means for integrating the current, said integrating means providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to the voltage; a trigger for sensing when the output of said integrating means is above a predetermined level and for establishing the predetermined level; light emitting means for producing a light pulse when the output of said integrating means exceeds the predetermined level; said trigger resetting said integrating means to the initial condition by discharging said integrating means through said light emitting means; optical fiber means for conducting the light pulse from said light emitting means to a light pulse receiver means for determining the voltage; and said current providing means, said integrating means, said trigger, and said indicating means disposed within a hollow member formed of a dielectric material, said member including electrically-conductive bushings at either end thereof for connection across the device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 18 further including a rectifier means for providing a direct current from an alternating current wherein the voltage across the device is an alternating current voltage, and said rectifier means is disposed within said member.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for monitoring voltage, comprising: providing an alternating current from an alternating current voltage source and reducing said voltage by means of a capacitor; providing a direct current from said alternating current; integrating said direct current and providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to said voltage; sensing when said output is above a predetermined level and resetting to the initial condition; and indicating when said output exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for monitoring voltage, comprising: providing an alternating current from an alternating current voltage source and reducing said voltage by means of a capacitor; providing a direct current from said alternating current; integrating said direct current and providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to said voltage; sensing when said output is above a predetermined level and resetting to the initial condition; and indicating when said output exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 wherein a light emitting device is utilized to indicate when said output exceeds the predetermined level.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21 further including optically communicating with said light emitting device to determine said voltage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 further including detecting light pulses generated by said light emitting device and counting said light pulses.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23 further including comparing the count of said light pulses to a setpoint to determine said voltage.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for protecting and monitoring a device having a voltage thereacross, comprising: providing a current from the voltage and reducing the voltage; integrating the current by an integrating means and providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to the voltage; sensing when said output is above a predetermined level and resetting to the initial condition, said sensing step not requiring current from the integrating means when the output thereof is below the predetermined level; producing a light pulse when said output exceeds the predetermined level; transmitting the light pulse to a light pulse receiver means at a remote location for determining the voltage; and counting said light pulse to determine the voltage.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for protecting and monitoring a device having a voltage thereacross, comprising: providing a current from the voltage and reducing the voltage; integrating the current by an integrating means and providing an output which increases from an initial condition at a rate proportional to the voltage; sensing when said output is above a predetermined level and resetting to the initial condition, said sensing step not requiring current from the integrating means when the output thereof is below the predetermined level; producing a light pulse when said output exceeds the predetermined level; transmitting the light pulse to a light pulse receiver means at a remote location for determining the voltage; and counting said light pulse to determine the voltage.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 25 further including providing a direct current from an alternating current when the voltage across the device is an alternating current voltage.
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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) | 1994-03-04 | 1994-09-03 | 1995-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-03-04 | 1998-09-03 | 1999-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-03-04 | 2002-09-03 | 2003-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |