Method of determining end-of-life of a fault interrupting device
US8824116B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2071/044
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A fault interrupting and reclosing device includes a circuit interrupter coupled to an actuator. The actuator includes at least one force generating element for generating an opening force for opening the circuit interrupter and for generating a restoring force to close the circuit interrupter. The device further includes a latch to engage the actuator to hold the contacts open once opened. In a preferred arrangement, the device is provided with an automatic mode of operation including a reclose process and a non-reclosing mode of operation. The device also preferably includes a method of determining the end-of-life of a vacuum interrupter monitors characteristics and/or parameters of a fault current or vacuum interrupter operation to predict a percent of life consumed with each fault current interruption operation. A cumulative percent of life consumed may also be determined, and an end-of-life may be predicted based upon the cumulative percent of life consumed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.