The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 18, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 10, 1998
Lee D. Tice, Bartlett, IL (US);
Robert J. Clow, North Aurora, IL (US);
Manley S. Keeler, Naperville, IL (US);
Pittway Corporation, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A system and method to detect ground faults in a multi-processor communication system that includes a communications link that extends between the processors. The processors isolate different sections of the link. Measurements made with different isolated sections establish the location of the fault. The processors can also make measurements of the link to establish the magnitude of a shunt impedance on the link. Where an abnormal value of shunt impedance is detected, the respective devices can activate or deactivate solid state isolation circuitry to disconnect a section of the link exhibiting the abnormal level of shunt impedance.