Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic pinpointer for power system sources of interference

US6545485B1 · kind B1 · utility

9Cited by
20References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 21, 2000
Grant dateApr 8, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 21, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/088
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic RFI source locator implements signal analysis to discriminate ultrasonic shocks emanating from power line equipment sources from ambient and other interference sources, as well as distinguish between specific type interference sources, such as corona and sparking discharge. The locator has a directional or contact ultrasonic sensor for receiving a signal representing the ultrasonic shocks from a targeted source, and includes signal processing circuitry to detect and compare the strengths of portions of the sensed signal that are modulated at whole integer multiples (harmonics) of an electrical power frequency (e.g., at 60 Hz and 120 Hz on a 60 Hz A/C power system, or 50 Hz and 100 Hz on a 50 Hz A/C power system) with each other, with the total signal and with selected non harmonic frequencies. The locator provides an operator indication of the result of this spectral analysis.

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