Patent · US Expired

Frequency selective arc detection

US5185684A · kind A · utility

117Cited by
29References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 1991
Grant dateFeb 9, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/08
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). A field sensor senses an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and generates a field responsive signal. Arc discrimination circuitry includes frequency responsive circuitry responding to the field sensor and generating an arc indicative signal in response to a given frequency characteristic of the field responsive signal. The frequency responsive circuitry monitors a plurality of different frequencies of the field responsive signal, and generates the arc indicative signal in response to a given combination of field responsive signal frequencies. A comb filter passes the field responsive signal through a plurality of passbands, and the arc indicative signal is generated in response to a given frequency signature of the field responsive signal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.