Sensata Technologies, Inc.

Texas Instruments Corporation

Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc.

Christian V Pellon

Keith W Kawate

Michael J Lavado

Michael T Parker

Christopher A Nicolls

Mark David Rabiner

Jeffrey B Ting

Peter G Berg

Lucien Paul Fontaine

Roger D Mayer

Jianhong Kang

Nicholas V Pellon

Lynwald Edmunds

William J Bentley, Jr

Eric W Morrison

Robert Zanelli

Lee Martin

Keith Richard Washburn

Kevin J Dropps

Roland G Morin

William Bentley

Jonathan Fredric Cohen

Thomas Gasper

Mark C Carlos

Jacky C Chan

Eric Morrison

Joseph L Medeiros

Simon C Kwok

Gabriel Porto

Daniel Quinn

Karen M Litwin

Timothy Janek

Stephanie Altrui

Amin Younes

Lucien Fontaine

Jonathan F Cohen

Michael Parker

In an embodiment, a pressure transducer includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The third portion is positioned in a cavity contained in the second portion. In addition, a seal is placed in the cavity. The first portion and second include provisions for applying a downward pressure on the third portion when the first portion and the second portion are joined. The downward pressure is applied by the third portion to the seal the cavity. The first portion also includes a stop and the second portion also includes a snap member. The snap member includes a prong that contains a first edge and a second edge. The snap member allows movement of the first portion after the first edge of the prong meets the stop and restricts movement of the first portion after the second edge of the prong meets the stop.

Pressure transducer

Systems and methods of detecting arcing in a DC power system that can provide improved noise propagation immunity. The system includes at least two current sensors for monitoring at least two current outputs, respectively. The current sensors have reverse polarities, and are configured and arranged in parallel to provide a combined current output signal. The current sensors monitor the respective current outputs, which are provided for monitoring by the current sensors over at least two adjacent conductors. If arcing occurs at a location on a first conductor, then arcing (adjacent conductor crosstalk), having an arc current signature like that of the arcing on the first conductor, can occur at a location on the other adjacent conductor. The system can effectively cancel out such adjacent conductor crosstalk within a photovoltaic (PV) system, thereby improving the capability of an arc fault detection device for detecting arcing at the PV string level.

Noise propagation immunity of a multi-string arc fault detection device

Systems and methods of detecting arcing in DC power systems that can differentiate between DC arcs and load-switching noise. The systems and methods can determine, within a plurality of predetermined time intervals, at least the pulse count (PC) per predetermined time interval, and the pulse duration (PD) per predetermined time interval, in which the PC and the PD can correspond to the number and the intensity of potential arcing events in a DC power system, respectively. The systems and methods can process the PC and PD using one or more arc fault detection algorithms, thereby differentiating between DC arcs and load-switching noise with increased reliability.

Home run arc detection at the photovoltaic string level using multiple current sensors

Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for assembly of electric motor starter connecting packages that enable increased automation and reduced assembly via top-down assembly of circuit components, thereby allowing robotic placement, connection, and securing of circuit components. The connecting package can include an electric motor starter, with optional overload protector, packaged as one unit. The motor starter can include an electrical circuit containing a triac, current transformer, Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) element, resistor, and a capacitor. A cover and base of the connecting package enclose and firmly secure connected circuit elements without needing a circuit board or filler material. The device design enables quick testing of the motor starter circuit and circuit elements after being enclosed by the housing.

Assembly of electric motor starter components

A thermistor device includes include supports, contacts and offset posts configured to assist the fracturing of failed thermistor 'pills' and to distribute the fragments of the fractured pills into compartment away from electrically conductive contacts in order to minimize arcing and overheating.

Method and apparatus for control of failed thermistor devices

An apparatus and method for detecting electrical arc faults that has reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping circuit, a processing unit, and an electromechanical interface. The processing unit measures multiple voltage levels provided by the arcing sense circuit during a specified number of consecutive time periods. Next, the processing unit determines the number of consecutive time periods during which the voltage levels exceeded a specified minimum value, take on successively lower or higher values, or fall outside a predetermined normal range of values. Based upon the results of this determination, the processing unit either trips the electromechanical interface to interrupt power to a load, or inhibits tripping of the electromechanical interface, thereby reducing the occurrence of nuisance tripping.

Methods of detecting arc faults characterized by consecutive periods of arcing

Low cost apparatus and methods of detecting arc faults for better discriminating electrical events. The arc fault detection apparatus includes a current sensor, a di/dt input sense circuit, a dv/dt input sense circuit, and a processing unit. The current sensor monitors a power line current, and provides high frequency components of the power line current to the di/dt input sense circuit. The dv/dt input sense circuit monitors a power line voltage. The di/dt and dv/dt input sense circuits generate signals carrying information relating to changes in the power line current and the power line voltage, respectively. The processing unit analyzes these changes in the power line current and the power line voltage to discriminate detected electrical arcing events from nuisance loads with increased accuracy.

Low cost arc fault detection technique

An apparatus and a method of detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, a differential current input sense circuit, a differential current (di/dt) characteristics sense circuit, an absolute current input sense circuit, an absolute current characteristics sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping circuit, a processing unit, and an electromechanical interface. The di/dt characteristics sense circuit provides information relating to the characteristic di/dt signature of a power line current. The absolute current characteristics sense circuit provides information relating to the absolute current waveform characteristics of the power line current. The processing unit correlates the di/dt characteristics to the absolute current characteristics to distinguish between electrical arc faults and nuisance loads, thereby reducing the susceptibility of the apparatus to nuisance tripping.

Arc fault detection technique

A shouldered connector pin socket () is shown having an open channel () formed in the face surface of a wall member of a circuit breaker housing. An electrically conductive spring member (') is received over the channel and is formed with a first set of spring fingers () that are adapted to engage a connector pin along a first axial length () of the channel making electrical engagement with the pin and urging the pin against the channel surface as the pin is slidingly inserted into the channel. The spring fingers urge the flange of the connector pin into a recess formed by a stepped shoulder defining the entrance to a second axial length () with the stepped shoulder and the spring fingers cooperating to retain the connector pin in the channel. A second set of spring contact fingers () can also be used to engage the connector pin along a third axial length () and thereby provide a redundant contact system.

Circuit breaker with improved connector socket

An apparatus and method for detecting arc faults that have reduced susceptibility to nuisance tripping. The apparatus includes a current sensor, an input sense circuit, an arcing sense circuit, a power supply, a tripping (firing) circuit, a processor, and an electromechanical interface. The current sensor monitors a power input comprising an AC current, and provides high frequency components of the. AC current to the input sense circuit. The input sense circuit filters and rectifies the AC signal, and provides the rectified signal to the arcing sense circuit. The arcing sense circuit provides a voltage level accumulated over a predetermined time period, and digital signals indicative of possible electrical arcing occurring during the sampling period, to the processor. The processor measures the voltage level, stores information relating to measured voltages and the digital signals, and processes the stored information using one or more algorithms, thereby determining whether the signals resulted from an arc fault or a nuisance load. In the event the signals resulted from an arc fault, the processor activates the firing circuit to trip the electromechanical interface, thereby interrupting the power output to the load.

Apparatus for detecting arc faults

Method for detecting arc faults

Current flowing through a load is monitored by a transformer (Tr) having a small mutual inductance. The secondary coil is shorted through a rectifier circuit to deliver a charge which, in a first preferred embodiment, is connected to a log charge translator circuit comprising matching diodes (DDand DD) and a capacitor (C) to provide a capacitor voltage proportional to the log of the charge delivered through the rectifier circuit. The capacitor is reset after each measurement. In a modified embodiment, the log translator circuit comprises a pair of transistors (TT) and a capacitor (C). According to the preferred embodiments, two measurements of the capacitor voltage are taken each half cycle at a time determined by the absolute value of the line voltage. The measurements per half cycle are stored in words in a stack and processed through a three or five cycle algorithm for determining fluctuations which will cancel out disturbances caused by nuisance loads that are repetitive or continuously varying. In a described embodiment, a pushdown stack of 60 words is used with fluctuations compared by a microcontroller to a selected limit. Measurements for the last half second of measurements are considered, ignoring the first and last measurement, and when the sum of the fluctuations exceeds the selected limit an arc is indicated and a circuit interrupter is tripped. A self test button is connected to the microcontroller which, when depressed, results in charging of the capacitor to stimulate the detection of an arc.

Arc detection apparatus and method

A thermally compensated circuit breaker has a movable contact assembly ( ) which mounts a movable electrical contact ( ) for movement between open and closed contacts positions with a stationary electrical contact ( ). The contacts are maintained in the closed circuits position by a latching mechanism ( ) which prevents opening of the contacts through an opening contacts force provided by a spring ( ). A current carrying trip arm ( ) deflects upon sufficient I R heating to transfer motion to the latch to separate the latch ( ) from the latch receiving catch ( ) to trip the circuit breaker. The trip arm ( ) is part of a pivotably mounted actuator assembly ( ) having a movable end portion spaced from the pivot disposed adjacent a motion transfer member ( ). A calibration screw ( ) is located so that the longitudinal axis is in line with a movable end portion of the actuator assembly and the motion transfer member. In one embodiment the head of the calibration screw is captured in a slot in the free end of a calibration base ( ) attached to the trip arm so that deflection of the trip arm directly transfers motion to the motion transfer member and in another embodiment the calibration screw head is captured in a slot in the free end of the trip arm so that a bowing deflection of the trip arm causes a calibration base ( ) to which it is attached at an end thereof to rotate with the calibration base directly transferring motion to the motion transfer member.

Calibration structure for circuit breakers having bimetallic trip member

A pushbutton resettable circuit breaker is shown having features to prevent manual opening by simply pulling outwardly on the pushbutton. In one embodiment, the pushbutton ( ) is formed with slots ( ) which are configured to provide a reaction surface essentially inaccessible without a special purpose contact opening tool ( ). The tool is provided with portions that are insertable into the slots and into engagement with the reaction surfaces for pulling the pushbutton out and manually opening the contacts. In a second embodiment, a small aperture is formed through the rating tab and top and wall of the button and in alignment with a movable plunger ( ). A special purpose contact opening tool ( ) can be inserted through the aperture to apply a force to the plunger and mechanically trip the circuit breaker.

Aircraft circuit breaker with manual opening resistant feature

A circuit breaker ( ) has a current carrying bimetallic element ( ) which bends upon self-heating and upon being subjected to a selected overload current transfers motion to a connecting plate ( ) which displaces a latch surface ( ) from a catch ( ) of a bell crank mechanism ( ) allowing a spring biased operating member ( ) to move movable contact means ( ) out of contact engagement with stationary contact means ( ) thereby tripping the circuit breaker. An arc sensing circuit ( ) is coupled to the load circuit and upon sensing selected arcs causes an arc responsive actuator ( ) to be energized to transfer motion to the latch ( ) to trip the circuit breaker.

Growing community of inventors

Norton, MA, United States of America

Christian V Pellon