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:
Dec. 02, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 29, 1999
Robert A. Morris, Burlington, CT (US);
Hemant K. Mody, Avon, CT (US);
Thomas F. Papallo, Farmington, CT (US);
James I. Smith, Avon, CT (US);
Nataniel de Jesus Barbosa Vicente, Bristol, CT (US);
General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US);
Abstract
Transformers ( ) inject test voltage signals of know frequency to each phase of the load side of an electrical distribution circuit ( ). Processor ( ) waits for a delay period to allow transient effects of the injected signals to settle, and then accepts the sampled test current signals provided by current transformers ( ) through conditioning circuit ( ). This process is repeated by injecting test voltages at different frequencies, which are selected by processor ( ) based on stored instructions. Processor ( ) uses the sampled signals to determine a representative current for the load side of the distribution circuit ( ) and then compares the representative current with a predetermined current threshold value stored in non-volatile memory ( ). If the current is above this threshold, processor ( ) provides a lockout signal to the fault lockout device ( ) and fault lockout flag ( ). Upon receiving this lockout signal, fault lockout device ( ) prevents the closure of the breaker contacts ( ), and fault lockout flag ( ) provides for remote indication of breaker lockout. If the current is below the threshold value, fault lockout device ( ) is not activated, and the circuit breaker contacts ( ) are allowed to close.