US6434715B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of detecting systemic fault conditions in an intelligent electronic device
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1999-06-14
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2019-06-14
Abstract
Abstract A method of detecting systemic fault conditions in an intelligent electronic device is presented. The intelligent electronic device includes a microcontroller and associated memories. An algorithm (program) stored in a memory of the intelligent electronic device detects systemic fault conditions, i.e., root causes, as indicated by repeated, similar fault events.
Inventors
- 👤 Bo L. Andersen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0703; G06F11/079; G06F11/0706; G06F11/0766; G06F11/0772; H; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/02; H02H3/04; H02H3/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of detecting repeating events in an electrical distribution system at an intelligent electronic device of the electrical distribution system, comprising: generating an event signal indicative of a fault condition occurrence; comparing said event signal to a prior event signal indicative of a prior fault condition to determine if the fault condition is a repeat of the prior fault condition; and generating a repeat event signal when the fault condition is a repeat of the prior fault condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of detecting repeating events in an electrical distribution system at an intelligent electronic device of the electrical distribution system, comprising: generating an event signal indicative of a fault condition occurrence; comparing said event signal to a prior event signal indicative of a prior fault condition to determine if the fault condition is a repeat of the prior fault condition; and generating a repeat event signal when the fault condition is a repeat of the prior fault condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: detecting a systemic fault condition in the electrical distribution system in response to said repeat event signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: verifying the event occurrence before said generating said repeat event signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: generating an event log in response to said event signal and said prior event signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said event log includes a specified time horizon in which the event is a repeat of the prior event.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a time interval between the event and the prior event.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a frequency of occurrences of the event and a plurality of the prior events.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the fault condition comprises one or more of a downed conductor, a short time fault, a long time fault, an instantaneous fault, an underfrequency fault, an overfrequency fault, and a ground fault.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said intelligent electronic device comprises an electronic trip unit, a protective relay, an energy meter or a power quality meter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: displaying information indicative of a repeat event in response to said repeat event signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
An intelligent electronic device comprising: a sensor for sensing an electrical signal of an electrical distribution system to provide a sensed signal indicative of an electrical characteristic thereof; and a signal processor responsive to said sensed signal, and having memory for storing signal including program signals defining an executable program for, generating an event signal in response to said sensed signal, said event signal indicative of an event occurrence, comparing said event signal to a prior event signal indicative of a prior event to determine if the event is a repeat of the prior event, and generating a repeat event signal when the event is a repeat of the prior event.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
An intelligent electronic device comprising: a sensor for sensing an electrical signal of an electrical distribution system to provide a sensed signal indicative of an electrical characteristic thereof; and a signal processor responsive to said sensed signal, and having memory for storing signal including program signals defining an executable program for, generating an event signal in response to said sensed signal, said event signal indicative of an event occurrence, comparing said event signal to a prior event signal indicative of a prior event to determine if the event is a repeat of the prior event, and generating a repeat event signal when the event is a repeat of the prior event.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 wherein said program signals further define said executable program for detecting a systemic fault condition in the electrical distribution system in response to said repeat event signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 wherein said program signals further define said executable program for verifying the event occurrence before said generating said repeat event signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 further comprising: a plotter responsive to said event signal and said prior event signal for generating an event log.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 14 wherein said event log includes a specified time horizon in which the event is a repeat of the prior event.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 wherein said program signals further define said executable program for determining a time interval between the event and the prior event.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 wherein said program signals further define said executable program for determining a frequency of occurrences of the event and a plurality of the prior events.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 wherein the event comprises a fault condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 wherein said intelligent electronic device comprises an electronic trip unit, a protective relay, an energy meter or a power quality meter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The intelligent electronic device of claim 11 further comprising: a display responsive to said repeat event signal for displaying information indicative of a repeat event.
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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) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |