Of Electrically Operated Apparatus (power Tool, Appliance, Machine, Etc.) Patents (Class 324/510)
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Patent number: 9018960Abstract: A method for enhancing the reliability of generator ground fault detection based on a signal injection scheme, wherein the generator includes a winding. The method includes injecting a test signal at a predefined frequency to the winding, measuring an electrical quantity of a response signal in the winding resulted from the injected test signal, and detecting a ground fault based on the measured value of the electrical quantity. The method further includes continuously determining the frequency of the response signal, and discarding the present measured value corresponding to the determined frequency when the determined frequency deviates from the predefined frequency with a first threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.Inventors: Henrik Johansson, Joseph Menezes, Stefan Roxenborg, Tord Bengtsson
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Patent number: 9000772Abstract: If a charge voltage of a read capacitor Ca measured by a microcomputer 15 is zero, the microcomputer 15 measures a charge voltage of the read capacitor Ca after the read capacitor Ca is discharged and is charged by a charge supply circuit 17 to predetermined potential, measures the same when the read capacitor Ca is isolated thereafter from a discharger of a flying capacitor C1, and measures the same when the read capacitor Ca is charged thereafter with a discharge voltage of the flying capacitor C1 just after the start of discharge of the flying capacitor C1. Based on a pattern of the charge voltage values of the read capacitor Ca measured at the respective time points, a fault location of the insulated condition detector 10 is identified.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Kawamura
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Publication number: 20150054523Abstract: Devices and techniques for detecting faults (e.g., ground faults) in photovoltaic (PV) systems are provided. A fault-detection impedance component may be included in a PV system on the path to equipment ground. The PV system may determine whether a ground fault exists based, at least in part, on a measured impedance between a conductor of the PV system and a ground node of the PV system, and on a reference impedance. When it is determined that a ground fault exists in the PV system, action may be taken to mitigate the ground fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Fraunhofer USA, Inc.Inventor: James R. Perkinson
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Patent number: 8963545Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic sensor that provides the sensitivity adjustment on a wafer and that has a superior mass productiveness and a small characteristic variation. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic sensitive portion provided on a substrate that is made of a compound semiconductor and that has a cross-shaped pattern. This magnetic sensitive portion includes input terminals and output terminals. At least one of input terminals of the input terminal is series-connected to a trimming portion having a compound semiconductor via a connection electrode. By performing laser trimming on the trimming portion series-connected via the connection electrode to the magnetic sensitive portion while performing a wafer probing (electric test), the adjustment of the constant voltage sensitivity is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices CorporationInventor: Satomi Watanabe
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Patent number: 8873207Abstract: A conventional ground fault interrupter in an arrangement with a frequency converter and electrical machines may be accidentally tripped due to operation-related leakage currents. This can be prevented by operating a ground fault interrupter for a frequency converter receiving a mains current in the following manner: receiving switching information about switching operations in the frequency converter, measuring a signal associated with a common mode current in a power line device which conducts the mains current to the frequency converter, determining, based on the switching information, an expected signal expected for the common mode current produced by the switching operations, identifying, based on the measured signal and the expected signal, a fault current, and interrupting the mains power depending on the identified fault current. A ground fault interrupter is hereby provided with an evaluation unit configured to carry out the method.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Reinhold Dillig, Bernd Herrmann, Hubert Schierling, Benno Weis
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Patent number: 8860426Abstract: An insulation state detection circuit includes a first charging circuit, a second charging circuit and a third charging circuit. A charging resistance value in the case that a capacitor is charged in the first charging circuit coincides with a charging resistance value in the case that the capacitor is charged in the second charging circuit when a resistance value of the ground fault resistor of a negative terminal side of a DC power source is a ground fault alarm threshold value for an insulation state of an alarm level. The charging resistance value of the first charging circuit coincides with a charging resistance value in the case that the capacitor is charged in the third charging circuit when a resistance value of the ground fault resistor of the positive terminal side is a ground fault alarm threshold value for an insulation state of an alarm level.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Kawamura
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Patent number: 8847603Abstract: An arrangement to detect a ground fault in an AC electric circuit including an electric machine having a neutral point connecting to a neutral point and a terminal side, and a unit transformer connected to the terminal side of the machine, wherein the arrangement includes a signal injection unit, a voltage transformer having a primary winding connected to the terminal side of the electric machine and a secondary winding that is open delta-connected, an instrument transformer having a primary winding connected to the neutral point of the electric machine and a secondary winding, and a ground fault detecting unit. The signal injection unit is configured to inject a signal to the secondary winding of the voltage transformer. The instrument transformer is configured to measure the resultant injected signal at its secondary winding The ground fault detecting unit is configured to detect a ground fault based on the measured signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventor: Zoran Gajic
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Publication number: 20140253139Abstract: A fault detection system for a machine having a plurality of electrical conducting elements insulated from a frame ground of the machine is disclosed. The fault detection system may include a high voltage DC power source, a positive high voltage bus connected to a positive terminal of the high voltage DC power source and providing high voltage electrical power to the plurality of electrical conducting elements, and a negative high voltage bus connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage DC power source and returning high voltage electrical power from the plurality of electrical conducting elements. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage buses may be selectively connected through a plurality of switches to plural zones of the electrical conducting elements, with each of the plural zones being electrically connected in parallel, and selectively connected to the high voltage DC power source by one of the plurality of switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Robert W. LINDSEY, Daniel D. PODANY, Sangameshwar SONTH, Thomas M. SOPKO, Richard G. AUCH, Jason MILLER
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Patent number: 8829915Abstract: The leakage resistance detection device includes a coupling capacitor having one terminal connected to an on-board high voltage device and another terminal connected to a repetitive signal output circuit, and measures a leakage resistance as a function of a transition time during which a monitoring voltage, which is a potential at the another terminal of the coupling capacitor to be charged/discharged in response to an operation of a charge/discharge switching element that operates in response to a repetitive pulse signal, changes from one predetermined voltage to reach another predetermined voltage. When the measured leakage resistance has become equal to or smaller than a predetermined limit leakage resistance, the leakage resistance detection device generates a resistance abnormality determination output.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Mitsunori Nishida, Yuji Zushi, Kouichi Yasukawa
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Publication number: 20140247054Abstract: A method to diagnose and localize parasitic voltages in an electric drive train is provided. The method includes manipulating a multiplexer to sequentially connect multiple diagnostic locations to a generator neutral, at predefined intervals. A voltage sensor senses a voltage transmission through a lead line that connects the multiplexer to the generator neutral. The voltage sensor generates a voltage signal and delivers that voltage signal to a controller, which compares the voltage signal to a predefined voltage threshold stored within. If the voltage signal exceeds the voltage threshold, the controller determines a parasitic voltage. Based on the location data of the diagnostic locations and the predefined intervals, the controller identifies at least one diagnostic location that experiences the parasitic voltage. Finally, the controller provides feedback in regard to the diagnostic location that experiences the parasitic voltage using the feedback interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Brian Joseph Huber
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Patent number: 8810250Abstract: Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Echostar Technologies L.L.C.Inventors: Kirk Lenzie, Casey Gold, Vincent Nguyen, Sam Chaisitti
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Patent number: 8791704Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for identifying a fault type in an electric power delivery system using an angle difference between a total zero-sequence current and a total negative-sequence current and a comparison of phase-to-phase currents against a threshold. The angle difference falls into one of a number of predetermined angle difference sectors. Each sector is associated with a phase-to-ground fault type and a phase-to-phase-to-ground fault type or two phase-to-phase-to-ground fault types. The phase-to-phase current(s) of the indicated phase-to-phase-to-ground fault type(s) associated with the sector are compared with a threshold to determine which of the fault types of the sector is the actual fault type. The threshold may be a multiple of a maximum phase-to-phase current.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam, Yanfeng Gong
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Publication number: 20140176152Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device (1) for the online-detection of a deterioration in the state of an insulation in an electric machine (2). A stepped voltage is applied to the winding(s) (3) of the machine (2) with the aid of a converter (41), and the current (i) induced in this manner, and/or the time derivative (di/dt) thereof, is acquired as a measurement signal with the aid of at least one sensor (6, 7, 8) and is then oversampled with a frequency higher than the frequencies characteristic for settling. The signal obtained by said oversampling is then evaluated with regard to parameters of the settling process such as overshooting (Ah) and/or natural frequency (1/?T) and/or a damping constant, in order to detect any deterioration in the insulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT WIENInventor: Thomas Wolbank
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Patent number: 8749246Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining a maximum leakage current in unearthed power supply networks with a plurality of conductors. The method comprises the steps of: feeding of a measurement signal UP with a measurement frequency fPuls into a conductor arrangement, setting the measurement frequency fPuls, measuring a line-to-line voltage UL-E for each conductor, determining a maximum occurring line-to-line voltage UL-Emax from the measured line-to-line voltages UL-E, determining a voltage UZe across a measurement resistance RM for calculating a leakage impedance ZE, calculating the leakage impedance ZE, and calculating a maximum leakage current THC. The device comprises a signal generator for feeding in the UP with the fPuls, a network coupling circuit between the signal generator and the conductor arrangement, a voltage measuring circuit for measuring the UL-E, and an impedance measuring circuit for determining the Ze by means of the determining of the UZe.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Bender GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Oliver Schaefer
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Publication number: 20140153142Abstract: A robust ground-fault protection system is disclosed which can possess a reduced sensitivity to system noise. In a ground-fault protection system for an electrical machine such as a generator, an injection signal with an injection frequency fi is applied to the electrical machine in order to generate a periodic bias voltage on a conductor of the electrical machine, and a response signal thereto is evaluated. The injection frequency can be adapted such that a flexible approach respective of a most recent value of a system quantity of the electrical machine, can provide increased stability and reliability of the ground-fault protection system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: ABB Schweiz AGInventor: Andreas CALLSEN
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Publication number: 20140112032Abstract: A wind turbine fault detection circuit and method is disclosed herein. In a described embodiment, the wind turbine fault detection circuit comprises a magnetometer in the form of a hall-effect sensor coupled between a power converter and a ground element of the power converter and configured to measure a ground current from the power converter to obtain a real ground current Ig; and a comparator configured to determine presence of a fault based on the real ground current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: Masoud Parkhou, Xue Wen Luo, Michael Casem Tumabcao
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Patent number: 8692525Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power tool, particularly an electric hand power tool, for operating with alternating current, having an electric motor, and electronic control device, and an electrical power switch for actuating the electric motor, wherein the electronic control device comprises a bias voltage output and a detection input, connected to each other by means of a voltage divider comprising a summation point and to the side of the power switch facing the electric motor, and the control device is further designed such that the potential at the detection input is monitored after actuating the power switch and used for checking whether the power switch is conducting, and that it is actuated again if the power switch was not conducting or returned to the non-conducting state during the monitoring, and that said checking and any renewed actuation of the power switch is repeated within a half-wave of the alternating voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Metabowerke GmbHInventor: Bernd Wiesner
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Publication number: 20140084937Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of the stator insulation of an AC motor or an electric generator. In certain embodiments, the system includes a transformer surrounding each pair of input and output cables associated with a given phase of power provided to the AC motor or generated by the electric generator. In another embodiment, a transformer surrounds the three input cables (for an AC motor) or the three output cables (for an electric generator) that correspond to phases of the AC motor or electric generator. In both embodiments, the transformers generate voltages that may be used to monitor leakage currents associated with the cables. A microcontroller monitors the voltages generated by the transformers and determines the condition of the stator insulation of the AC motor or the electric generator based on the voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Prabhakar Neti, Karim Younsi, Yingneng Zhou, Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Pinjia Zhang, Charles David Whitefield, II
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Publication number: 20140070815Abstract: A PV system includes a plurality of PV strings configured to generate a string output power responsive to received solar irradiation, with a source conductor and a return conductor being provided from the PV strings. One or more DC voltage regulators are electrically connected to the PV strings on at least one of the source or return conductors, with the DC voltage regulator being configured to regulate the voltage of a respective PV string or group of strings. A controller selectively controls a voltage output by the DC voltage regulator and is programmed to periodically cause the DC voltage regulator to alter the voltage of a PV string or group of strings, detect a change in current in the respective PV string(s) responsive to the altering of the voltage, and perform at least one of a PV string degradation detection and causal diagnosis and a grounded conductor fault detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Yu Liu, Charles John Luebke, Christopher Scott Thompson
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Publication number: 20140049860Abstract: An earth fault detection circuit for detecting an earth fault between a high-voltage battery and a motor includes: an A.C. signal generation portion generating an A.C. signal; a first capacitive element between the A.C. signal generation portion and one end side of the high-voltage battery; a voltage dividing circuit dividing a voltage on the one end side of the high-voltage battery; an earth fault detection portion detecting the earth fault between the high-voltage battery and the motor based on an earth fault detection signal inputted thereto; and a second capacitive element inputting an A.C. component of the voltage, on the one end side of the high-voltage battery, which is obtained by the voltage division in the voltage dividing circuit as the earth fault detection signal to the earth fault detection portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki ARIMA, Akihiko KUDO
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Patent number: 8648554Abstract: An embodiment of an electric motor car control system includes a resistor connected parallel to a main motor cut-off switch, or a switch for grounding terminals of the main motor, to discharge electric charges accumulated in stray capacitances of the main motor, whereby the electric motor car control system can prevent electrical shocks due to electric charges accumulated in main motor stray capacitances.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Koki Kawamura, Satoshi Nakamura, Hiromitsu Ueda
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Patent number: 8618809Abstract: A bus terminal is isolated from ground potential during normal operation of the vehicle. A first current is applied to the bus terminal. A current level detector is arranged to detect a first level of the first current, or a corresponding observed voltage level, that exists or flows from the bus terminal to ground. A compensator is configured to compensate for a range in the detected first level by applying a corresponding compensating voltage level to a first resistor coupled to the current level detector. An electronic data processor is capable of estimating a first isolation level between the bus terminal and ground based on the detected first level.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Ryan W. Schumacher, Perry K. White
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Publication number: 20130335098Abstract: A method for adapting a ground fault detection to a change of an electrical machine condition, wherein the machine includes a winding. The electrical machine is in a first machine condition, a first reference value being defined for measured values of an electrical quantity. The ground fault detection includes continuously measuring the electrical quantity in the winding and detecting a ground fault based on the measured values of the electrical quantity and the first reference value. The method includes receiving a signal, detecting a change of machine condition based on the received signal, and changing to a second reference value for the measured values of the electrical quantity, the second reference value being different from the first reference value when the change of machine condition is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Henrik Johansson, Joseph Menezes, Stefan Roxenborg, Tord Bengtsson
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Publication number: 20130335097Abstract: A method for enhancing the reliability of generator ground fault detection based on a signal injection scheme, wherein the generator includes a winding. The method includes injecting a test signal at a predefined frequency to the winding, measuring an electrical quantity of a response signal in the winding resulted from the injected test signal, and detecting a ground fault based on the measured value of the electrical quantity. The method further includes continuously determining the frequency of the response signal, and discarding the present measured value corresponding to the determined frequency when the determined frequency deviates from the predefined frequency with a first threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Henrik Johansson, Joseph Menezes, Stefan Roxenborg, Tord Bengtsson
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Publication number: 20130314099Abstract: An electric leakage detection apparatus capable of performing voltage detection on electric equipment and quantitatively displaying a testing result includes a machine body coupled with a voltage detection circuit and a welding machine electric shock prevention detection module. The voltage detection circuit includes a first voltage detection unit intended to detect whether there is electric leakage in an electric equipment, and data of a detection time, an electric leakage current, a voltage, and an electric current are displayed on a data display unit of a display control module, whereby users can directly view the whole related data to ensure safe use of electricity. The welding machine electric shock prevention detection module is intended to detect a voltage at which an auto electric shock prevention apparatus of a welding machine operates, and to display the result on the display control module, whereby improving safe use of the welding machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventor: Po-Cheng Ko
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Patent number: 8593150Abstract: A motor drive system provides for analysis of current flow in the DC bus to identify ground faults and their locations. Low-frequency positive polarity and negative polarity current differences indicate ground faults from the positive DC bus and negative DC bus respectively. High-frequency signals indicate ground faults in the motor windings and connecting leads.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zoran V. Vrankovic, Lixiang Wei, Gary L. Skibinski, Craig R. Winterhalter
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Patent number: 8581596Abstract: An inverter is forcibly operated to supply electric power to a motor, thereby performing detection of a current leakage, on condition that a power-on operation is performed, that the motor is stopped, and that determination as to occurrence or non-occurrence of the current leakage has not yet been made even once after the power-on.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masayuki Kagoshima
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Publication number: 20130293241Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect leakage current in a resistance temperature detector are disclosed. An example method includes providing a resistance temperature detector circuit with a first resistance circuit and a second resistance circuit, measuring a first voltage at the first resistance circuit in response to applying a first current to the first resistance circuit, measuring a second voltage at the second resistance in response to applying a second current to the second resistance circuit, comparing the first and second voltages to determine a difference value, and determining that a current leak exists in the resistance temperature detector circuit when the difference value is not within a first range.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: Bristol, Inc. d/b/a Remote Automated SolutionsInventors: Paul Gerard Mayer, Jeffrey Barry McGaughey, Xuedong Liu
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Publication number: 20130285670Abstract: A ground fault detection device detects a ground fault within a photovoltaic array in a solar energy generator system including a photovoltaic string composed of a plurality of photovoltaic modules connected in series, the photovoltaic array composed of a plurality of the photovoltaic strings connected in parallel, and a load device consuming or converting electric power. The ground fault detection device includes a switching section which parallels off the photovoltaic array or the photovoltaic string by electrically disconnecting the photovoltaic array or the photovoltaic string from the solar energy generator system and a detection section which detects a ground fault in the photovoltaic array or the photovoltaic string while the photovoltaic array or the photovoltaic string is paralleled off by the switching section.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Masanobu Yoshidomi, Takafumi Ishii
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Publication number: 20130278272Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a high voltage isolation in a vehicle. The apparatus comprising a power conversion device for receiving a high voltage on a power bus. The power conversion device is configured to control a first switch for enabling a first known resistance to receive the high voltage and to measure a first voltage between a first node and a ground in response to the first known resistance receiving the high voltage. The power conversion device is further configured to measure a second voltage between a second node and the ground in response to the first known resistance receiving the high voltage and to determine a first leakage resistance between the first node and the ground based on at least the first voltage and the second voltage. The first leakage resistance indicating whether the high voltage is isolated from the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: George Kaminski, Richard J. Hampo
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Patent number: 8514919Abstract: Systems and other embodiments associated with synthetic instrumentation are presented. A reconfigurable synthetic instrumentation unit comprises an input module, with dual input/output ports and conditioning logic to condition an input signal. An RF down converter selectively down converts the conditioned input signal. A sampled RF down converter selectively samples the conditioned input signal. A pair of narrowband A/D converters are configured to convert one of the conditioned signal, the down converted signal and the sampled signal to produce a narrowband digital signal. A pair of broadband A/D converters convert at least one of the conditioned signal, the down converted signal and the sampled signal to produce a broadband digital signal. Signal processing logic selectively performs digital signal processing on the broadband digital signal or the narrow band digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: BAE Systems National Security Solutions Inc.Inventors: Anthony J. Estrada, Dana C. Ford, Tae S. Kim, Robert W. Lowdermilk, Dragan Vuletic
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Patent number: 8513964Abstract: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) device with self-test function includes: hot and neutral conducting circuits; an fault detection circuit responsive to a fault in the hot and neutral conducting circuits to generate a fault detection signal; a signal driving circuit responsive to the fault detection signal to generate a drive signal; a disconnecting mechanism for disconnecting electrical connections in the hot and the neutral conducting circuits when the drive signal exceeds a predetermined level; a self-test circuit for generating a self-test signal according to a predetermined time period and when an alternating current of the power source passes zero points, generating an evaluation result based on the self-test signal and a feedback signal of a fault detection signal corresponding to the self-test signal, and generating error signals if the evaluation result indicates a circuit error; and a device-state indicator circuit for generating alarms based on the error signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Shanghai ELE Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: Guo-Ian Yue, Cheng-li Li
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Publication number: 20130193979Abstract: An arrangement to detect a ground fault in an AC electric circuit including an electric machine having a neutral point connecting to a neutral point and a terminal side, and a unit transformer connected to the terminal side of the machine, wherein the arrangement includes a signal injection unit, a voltage transformer having a primary winding connected to the terminal side of the electric machine and a secondary winding that is open delta-connected, an instrument transformer having a primary winding connected to the neutral point of the electric machine and a secondary winding, and a ground fault detecting unit. The signal injection unit is configured to inject a signal to the secondary winding of the voltage transformer. The instrument transformer is configured to measure the resultant injected signal at its secondary winding The ground fault detecting unit is configured to detect a ground fault based on the measured signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventor: Zoran Gajic
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Patent number: 8497687Abstract: A method for monitoring operation of a vehicle including a high voltage electrical system including an electrical energy storage device electrically connected to switching circuits of an inverter device via a high voltage bus, the inverter device configured to transfer electric power to an electric machine via activation of a plurality of switch devices, includes monitoring electrical ground isolation of the high voltage electrical system during ongoing operation of the vehicle, detecting an electrical ground isolation fault in the high voltage electrical system, and detecting a location of the electrical ground isolation fault associated with at least one of the electrical energy storage device, the high voltage bus, the inverter device, and the electric machine subsequent to a vehicle key-off event.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Harry J. Bauer, Wei D. Wang, James E. Tarchinski
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Patent number: 8441264Abstract: A detecting station of a winding product and a method for detecting an inter-turn short circuit are provided. The method includes following steps. First, a high voltage pulse is input to two ends of a winding of a winding product. Next, a voltage value of an electrifying process of the winding is extracted for generating an extracting data. Finally, a time-frequency converting operation is performed to the extracting data, and a time-frequency analysis information is generated for indicating whether or not the inter-turn short circuit is occurred in the winding.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chun-Chieh Wang, Yu-Liang Chung, Yong-Lin Kuo, Lai-Sheng Chen
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Patent number: 8427173Abstract: Systems and methods are shown for detecting a blown fuse in a three-phase line by comparing neutral points in the line before and after the fuses. Diode rectifier circuits may be used to compare the neutral points and generate a DC output voltage when neutral points are off from one another, and photocoupler circuits may provide electrical isolation when signaling a neutral point shift. The neutral points compared need not be on immediate sides of the fuses, so intermediate components may exist, and in some embodiments one of the compared points may be within a load connected to the three-phase line.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Toshiba International CorporationInventors: Toshiaki Oka, Mike C Daskalos
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Publication number: 20130083435Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing ground fault protection to a lifting device utilizing an electromagnet and powered by a generator. The apparatus and method rectifies an AC voltage emanating from the generator source and monitors unsafe operating conditions of the generator's circuit wherein operation of the lifting device is ceased when predetermined electrical operating parameters are exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: EPHAUGH, INC.Inventor: Ephaugh, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130076368Abstract: A tester connects with the connector of electrical vehicle service equipment (EVSE). The tester simulates the battery supply of an electric vehicle to test whether the EVSE is properly operating without requiring that the electric vehicle be present. In one embodiment LEDs are employed to indicate whether the EVSE meets specifications. In a second embodiment various measurements of voltage levels and signals are provided to allow for a more detailed analysis of the performance characteristics of the EVSE. Ground fault, proximity sensor, and re-closure tests are also undertaken.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: James S. Bianco, James T. Madsen
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Patent number: 8379358Abstract: A motor control circuit 1 for controlling driving of a plurality of motors is provided with a plurality of motor driver circuits 7 and 8 for controlling driving of the plurality of motors 3 and 4, a plurality of excess current detection circuits 39 and 40 each for detecting an excess current flowing through corresponding one of the plurality of motors 3 and 4 to determine which motor driver circuit among the plurality of motor driver circuits 7 and 7 caused the excess current. The motor control circuit further includes a nonvolatile memory 46 configured to receive detection results from the plurality of excess current detection circuits 39 and 40 and store information on which motor driver circuit among the plurality of motor driver circuits 7 and 8 caused the excess current.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC.Inventors: Ryoichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Inoue, Masatoshi Komada
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Publication number: 20130021038Abstract: An insulation failure diagnosis apparatus is provided which diagnoses presence/absence of insulation failure between a body of a vehicle and a connection path to a power supply for a traction unit. The apparatus includes a power converter circuit connected to the power supply and supplying power to an in-vehicle auxiliary unit, an outputting unit outputting an AC signal to the connection path, and a diagnosis unit diagnosing presence/absence of the insulation failure based on a current flowing through the connection path when the AC signal is outputted. The diagnosis unit includes a storage unit storing a determination value for determining the insulation failure or information for setting the determination value. The determination value or the information is obtained by measuring an electrical state quantity of the connection path depending on stray capacitance and is dielectric resistance of the connection path obtained when an AC signal is outputted to the connection path.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masakazu TAGO, Atsuyuki HIRUMA, Hiroyasu KUDO
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Publication number: 20120229144Abstract: This invention aims to provide an electric rotating machine which is free from the procedure of selecting different preset neutral current values for different types of machines, and which can detect a ground fault in a phase coil of the armature winding without suffering any erroneous operation. An electric rotating machine having an armature winding including three phase coils, which has been provided to attain the object of this invention, comprises a grounding resistor connected at a neutral of the armature winding, and current measuring apparatuses furnished for at least two phase coils, wherein phase currents through the phase coils are compared with each other, and the detection of a coil ground fault is determined when harmonic components of the phase currents differ from each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: Akihito NAKAHARA, Masayuki Okada, Shigehiro Kayukawa
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Patent number: 8264234Abstract: An electric vehicle incorporates a ground fault detecting system and has first and second ungrounded power supplies. The ground fault detecting system includes a first insulation resistance detector for detecting a first insulation resistance of the first ungrounded power supply with respect to a grounded region of the electric vehicle, and a second insulation resistance detector for detecting a second insulation resistance of the second ungrounded power supply with respect to the grounded region. The first insulation resistance detector and the second insulation resistance detector detect the first insulation resistance and the second insulation resistance at different times, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuteru Yano, Toshiaki Takeshita
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Publication number: 20120191160Abstract: An improved arrangement for detecting DC current leakage in implanted devices is disclosed. Currents are monitored, so that any unexpected imbalance indicates that a fault condition has occurred. The principle of the system is that if everything working correctly, the same current should be flowing into the tissue from VDDH-ELEC as is passing out of the tissue into VSS_ELEC. Any difference is indicative of current flowing into or out of the tissue from unknown paths, which is indicative of some fault. This replaces routine monitoring for specific faults.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2007Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: COCHLEAR LIMITEDInventors: Yashodhan Moghe, Helmut Christian Eder
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Patent number: 8164344Abstract: An electric vehicle incorporates a ground fault detecting system for preventing a ground fault detector from detecting a ground fault in error. First and second ground fault detectors are associated respectively with first and second ungrounded power supplies which generate respective different voltages. Since the first and second ground fault detectors are activated in different periods, the ground fault detecting system prevents a ground fault from being detected in error.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuteru Yano, Toshiaki Takeshita
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Patent number: 8114265Abstract: There is described a method and a system for evaluating damage of a plurality of cells in an electrolyser. The method comprises acquiring a voltage for each one of the cells; comparing the voltage to at least two threshold voltage levels; classifying the cells as one of: severely damaged cells, non-severely damaged cells and undamaged cells, based on the comparison of the voltage with the at least two threshold voltage levels; and deactivating the cells classified as severely damaged cells from the electrolyser.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Recherche 2000 Inc.Inventors: Said Berriah, Michel Veillette, Gilles J. Tremblay
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Patent number: 8058879Abstract: A voltage indicating coupling for metal conduit systems to indicate the presence or absence of voltage on a wire enclosed by a section of electrical conduit for a grounded AC power distribution system. Through the use of two opposing rectifiers the National Electrical Code requirement that the entire metal conduit system be grounded is met. The voltage indicating coupling comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD), a static suppression resistor, two opposing rectifiers for grounding purposes, a plastic block housing and two clamping screws with corresponding wire terminals. At least one “hot” conductor enclosed by the section of electrical conduit is capacitively coupled to the conduit creating a complete circuit through the liquid crystal display (LCD), the static suppression resistor and the opposing rectifiers. The path around the circuit is completed by a ground connection on the grounded part of the conduit system, and the ground connection at the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventor: John C. Atherton
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Publication number: 20110221448Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing a welding apparatus is disclosed. The testing apparatus comprises a receptacle, a fault indicator, and a power supply, wherein: the receptacle comprises a grounding socket and a plurality of power sockets; the power supply is electrically coupled to the grounding socket, the fault indicator, and at least one of the plurality of power sockets; and when a plug of the welding apparatus is matingly coupled to the receptacle, the fault indicator indicates whether an electrical resistance between a grounding prong of the plug and at least one of a plurality of power prongs of the plug is below a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: Toyota Motor Engeneering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Earl H. Sowders, Barry M. Boggs, F. Keith Waters
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Patent number: 7990093Abstract: A control apparatus for a multiphase AC electric motor having an inverter includes a current control including an abnormal-state current controller; an abnormal-state detector that detects an abnormal state of any of a wire of an electric motor, a wire of an inverter, and a wire connecting the electric motor to the inverter as an abnormal phase; and an abnormal phase disconnect. The abnormal phase disconnect disconnects one or more of phases detected to be in an abnormal-state and the abnormal-state current controller generates an abnormal state voltage command in accordance with detection of an abnormal state, and uses phases other than the disconnected phases of the inverter to control individual currents of the phases, with the abnormal-state voltage command used as a multiphase voltage command.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Isao Kezobo, Masahiro Kimata, Takayuki Kifuku, Kazumichi Tsutsumi, Chiaki Fujimoto, Noriyuki Inoue
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Publication number: 20110175619Abstract: A method for monitoring operation of a vehicle including a high voltage electrical system including an electrical energy storage device electrically connected to switching circuits of an inverter device via a high voltage bus, the inverter device configured to transfer electric power to an electric machine via activation of a plurality of switch devices, includes monitoring electrical ground isolation of the high voltage electrical system during ongoing operation of the vehicle, detecting an electrical ground isolation fault in the high voltage electrical system, and detecting a location of the electrical ground isolation fault associated with at least one of the electrical energy storage device, the high voltage bus, the inverter device, and the electric machine subsequent to a vehicle key-off event.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Harry J. Bauer, Wei D. Wang, James E. Tarchinski
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Patent number: 7969138Abstract: A method enables measurement of an inverter loss within a motor control circuit for an appliance. The method includes applying a constant DC current generated from a first AC supply voltage to a motor winding through an inverter at a first duty cycle, measuring a first voltage corresponding to the current through the motor at a motor current sense resistor, computing a first ratio of the first measured voltage at the motor current sense resistor to a first DC input voltage corresponding to the first AC supply voltage, identifying a second duty cycle from the first computed ratio, comparing the second duty cycle to the first duty cycle, and identifying a first inverter loss factor from the difference between the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Nidec Motor CorporationInventor: Thomas J. Sheahan