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:
Feb. 19, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 17, 2006
David Kolker, Rego Park, NY (US);
Roger M. Bradley, North Bellmore, NY (US);
Ross Mernyk, Brooklyn, NY (US);
David Kolker, Rego Park, NY (US);
Roger M. Bradley, North Bellmore, NY (US);
Ross Mernyk, Brooklyn, NY (US);
Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc., Little Neck, NY (US);
Abstract
There is here disclosed a method and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of arcing of a conductor by monitoring the current on an AC power line. The signal detected is split and directed along four separate paths to generate four signals having separate characteristics which represent the current in the line. A first path is for a signal representative of the current flowing in the line. A second path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a positive step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A third path is for a signal having a pulse for each occurrence of a negative step change in current that is significant and has a di/dt value above a predetermined value. A fourth path is for a signal having a voltage level representative of the broadband noise signal on the line. Using at least one of five different methods in combination with one of three input signals, a reference signal designated as 'SINE' is generated. The SINE signal generated in combination with a CURRENT input is used to produce a control waveform 'DELTA'. DELTA can be represented as a relative value or as an absolute difference between the SINE and the CURRENT. Each occurring half cycle of the DELTA signal is analyzed by, for example, a micro-controller for specific identifiable characteristics found to indicate the presence of arcing. Upon the detection of arcing, an output signal can be generated to activate a circuit interrupting mechanism, sound an audio alarm and/or alert a central monitoring station.