Abstract: A method and apparatus detect and localize of electric faults in electrical power grids and circuit. Readouts from remote sensors are pre-analyzed by remote processor units using pre-defined updateable fast algorithms to make an initial identification of a high impedance electrical fault. Whenever the data is remotely qualified as potentially representing a fault, it is then transmitted to the central processor unit running sophisticated, potentially self-learning, easily modifiable and adaptable algorithms for detailed analysis of the transmitted signal. The central process can request more data from other remote processor units than the one or more remote processor units reporting the potential fault for comparative analysis. The remote processors are provided with limited storage capacity to allow backtracking readouts for a limited period of time.

Abstract: High impedance fault detection uses, in addition to sensors that measure purely electrical (i.e., current and voltage), molecule sensors are provided in an electrical grid. These molecule sensors are sensitive to the surrounding environment and may detect one or more of a variety of molecules, such as ozone (O3), combustion gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels), and odor molecules (ammonia, sulfur dioxide, burned hair/feather, burned proteins, and the like), depending on the type of environmental phenomena that may be expected in a particular location of the sensor(s). These sensors, in combination with conventional electrical sensors, provide a more complete set of data for evaluation and localization of a potential high impedance electrical fault. The use of such sensors is especially useful in confined areas like underground parking lots, substations, and the like.

Abstract: A fuse disposing circuit executes a same test as in a state before a fuse is cut, even in case the fuse is cut. For this, the fuse disposing circuit in accordance with the invention includes a test mode enable confirmation section for informing whether a test mode is enabled; and a fuse set for providing a constant signal by using the output from the test mode enable confirmation section in case of the test mode, regardless of elimination or non-elimination of a fuse.

Abstract: A method for fault detection in a power transformer/autotransformer and/or interconnected power lines, which are within the zone protected by the differential protection, and particularly suitable for detecting turn-to-turn faults in power transformer/autotransformer windings. All individual instantaneous phase currents of the protected object are measured, individual phase currents as fundamental frequency phasors are calculated, the contributions of the individual protected object sides negative sequence currents to the total negative sequence differential current are calculated by compensating for the phase shift of an eventual power transformer within the protected zone, the relative positions of the compensated individual sides negative sequence currents in the complex plane are compared, in order to determine whether the source of the negative sequence currents, i.e.

Abstract: Methods and systems for spatially assisted fault reporting in a distribution system. Typical steps of the methods may include determining the location of the fault or the distance to the fault, generating and storing a plurality of waypoints representative of the route of the distribution system, processing the plurality of waypoints, determining spatial coordinates of the fault, generating a fault report, and communicating the fault report.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments include a method, which can include automatically generating an output signal responsive to an input signal. The input signal can be indicative of an arc fault. The output signal can be configured to cause an electrical circuit to open. The output signal can be generated responsive to a derived signal based upon a first threshold having a first amplitude.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the identification of arcing phenomena in a faulted electrical network. By continually updating a model for the load on an electrical branch, an estimate of the behavior of that load may be calculated. Since electrical arcing faults result in a chaotic behavior that is difficult to describe, when arcing occurs, the model will be unable to adequately describe the arcing behavior and this inability indicates a fault condition, in response to which, power may be removed in full or in part from the faulted electrical network. In some embodiments, a current shunt is used to distinguish between source side and load side arcing. Some embodiments utilize a solid state switch as both current shunt and interruption means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of monitoring line faults in a medium voltage network (1) of the type comprising an electricity generating plant (3) supplying electricity to a plurality of customers over a network of medium voltage power lines (5), a control centre computer (9) and a plurality of measurement sensors (7) located remote from the electricity generating plant on the medium voltage power lines, each of the measurement sensors (7) further comprising three individual measurement units, each measurement unit mounted on a different phase of the medium voltage power line (5) with respect to the other measurement units of that measurement sensor, and each measurement sensor (7) having means to communicate with the control centre computer (9). The method includes the steps of synchronizing the measurement sensors (7) and thereafter calculating the out of balance current for the medium voltage line (5) on a cycle by cycle basis.

Abstract: A computer-based method for testing an input/output functional board is provided. The method includes the steps of: obtaining control information of the computer; testing devices coupled with the input/output functional board by using the control information; and determining whether the devices work normally according to test results. A related system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for improving measurement fault detection in a sequential measurement processing estimator, and is particularly applied to Global Positioning Receivers.

Abstract: Five electronic control units (ECU) control vehicle devices using CAN protocol. Each of ECUs is provided with a resistor and a switch for activating the resistor. A first and fifth ECUs are arranged on the leftmost and rightmost ends. Resistors of the first and fifth ECUs are used as terminating resistors to a two-wire communications line. When the two-wire communications line is broken, the first ECU sends a test signal while other ECUs excluding the fifth ECU turn on the switches from right to left. When the test signal can be received, a broken point is located on the right side of ECU that turns on its switch at this time. Thereafter ECUs on the left side of the broken point conduct communication.

Abstract: In a resolver digital converter comprising a resolver, a resolver digital conversion part, and an excitation signal generation part, the resolver digital converter for inputting an excitation signal generated in the excitation signal generation part to the resolver and inputting resolver signals outputted from the resolver to the resolver digital conversion part, a locus in which amplitude of a sine component signal among the resolver signals sin(?), cos(?) outputted from the resolver is plotted as the ordinate axis and amplitude of a cosine component signal is plotted as the abscissa axis is approximated by a polygon and when the locus matches with sides of the approximated polygon, it is determined that the resolver is in a normal state and when the locus does not match, it is determined that the resolver is in a failure state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high-resolution reflectometry that operates simultaneously in both the time and frequency domains, utilizing time-frequency signal analysis and a chirp signal multiplied by a Gaussian time envelope. The Gaussian envelope provides time localization, while the chirp allows one to excite the system under test with a swept sinewave covering a frequency band of interest. High resolution in detection of the reflected signal is provided by a time-frequency cross correlation function. The high-accuracy localization of faults in a wire/cable can be achieved by measurement of time delay offset obtained from the frequency offset of the reflected signal. The apparatus enables one to execute an automated diagnostic procedure of a wire/cable under test by control of peripheral devices.

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.

Abstract: System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.

Abstract: In a computer system a non-volatile fault indicator in a positional relationship with at least one system component is settable to maintain a fault indication for the component after powering down of the computer system.

Abstract: A system and method to perform analysis on test results of multiple integrated circuits. Based on the analysis, the system and method display a wafer map having map indicators representing statistical values of the test results.

Abstract: A system for determining service outages and restorations includes an outage management server (OMS) that generates reports of outages and restoration information for metering endpoints. The outages may be caused by faults at various locations in the distribution network. The metering endpoint may include a transmitter having a battery backup that transmits the outage information upon a failure to detect a voltage at the endpoint. The transmission of the information may be filtered based on configurable criteria. The metering endpoints may also inform the OMS when power is restored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for improving operational reliability during a loss of a phase voltage (LOV) in a multi-phase power system, wherein a voltage representative of the LOV phase is calculated. The representative voltage is used for computing a reference polarizing voltage suitable for a protection unit.

Abstract: A selector selects an FF pair (FFs, FFe) in circuit information, a calculator calculates value-capturing condition data at FFe, a divider divides a path set that matches the value-capturing condition data from a set of paths between the FF pair (FFs, FFe), and a multi-cycle path detector determines whether all the paths in the path set are multi-cycle paths. When the path set is a multi-cycle path, it is added to a timing exception path list that is output by an output unit.

Abstract: A method for locating a fault in three terminal power line, having sections located in front of or behind of the tap point and which assumes occurrence of the fault in at least one of those sections. Three phase currents and voltages are measured at one end of the power lines system. The amplitudes of load currents in the remaining sections of the power lines system are measured before a fault occurs. The measurements of the amplitudes of load currents are stored in the remaining sections of the power lines system. Impedance data of the network are determined. The symmetrical components approach is used when calculating the location of the fault.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for location of a fault utilizing unsynchronized measurements of three phase voltages and currents acquired at the line terminals without synchronization. Phasors for symmetrical components of the measured quantities are determined and used in the fault location algorithm. According to one embodiment, positive sequence phasors of post-fault quantities are used for estimation of the distance to fault and it is distinctive that such an estimation of a distance to fault is performed without essentially involving iterative techniques. In this embodiment, the fault location algorithm step is performed regardless of the fault type. In later steps, the type of fault may be obtained. According to another embodiment of the invention, at the occurrence of a fault, the type of fault is determined. If it is determined that it is not a three-phase balanced fault, negative sequence phasors are used for the estimation of the distance to fault.

Abstract: A digital signal processor implementation of three algorithms used to detect high impedance faults. The algorithms can be wavelet based, higher order statistics based and neural network based. The algorithms are modified to process one second of data instead of ten seconds of data and a double buffered acquisition is connected to the output of the algorithms.

Abstract: Methods of estimating the susceptibility to single event upsets (SEUs) of a design implemented in an FPGA. In an FPGA, many of the configuration memory cells could change state in response to an SEU without affecting the functionality of a design implemented in the FPGA. According to the methods of the invention, the number of “care bits” (bits associated with resources actually used in the design) is determined. The number of care bits as a proportion of the total number of configuration memory cells in the FPGA determines the “SEU Probability Impact” (SEUPI) value. The “Mean Time Between Upsets” (MTBU) value is an estimate of how much time will elapse, on average, before one of the configuration memory cells in the FPGA is affected by an SEU. To obtain the “Mean Time Between Failures” for the design implemented in the FPGA, the MTBU value is divided by the SEUPI value.

Abstract: For the purpose of validating fault symptoms appearing at driver outputs, a symptom validation unit is provided, within a final stage, which undertakes a validation or a preliminary validation, as applicable, on the basis of a classification of symptoms. By assigning the item of validation data “invalid” to symptoms which cannot be unambiguously identified, it is possible to suppress the further consideration of the symptoms, or to initiate further diagnoses of the final stage output concerned, as appropriate.

Abstract: A method and system for determining a location of a phase-to-earth fault in a line of an electric network, the electric line comprising two or more sections (30a, 30b, 30c), the system being configured to determine, at a measuring point, a reactance of a fault loop; determine a faulted section of the electric line to be a section closest to the measurement point of all such sections for which a sum of a positive sequence reactance and an earth return path reactance of the section in question and positive sequence reactances and an earth return path reactances of sections, if any, between the measurement point and the section in question is greater than or equal to the determined reactance of the fault loop; and calculate a distance between the measuring point and a point of fault on the basis of the reactance values.

Abstract: A distance relay apparatus includes a directional relay element which performs computation to detect a fault, which occurs in the forward direction from an installing point of the relay apparatus, based on a voltage and a current which are received from an object to be protected, a zone-1 distance relay element which performs computation to detect a fault within a predetermined zone, a fault detecting relay element which performs computation to detect a fault within a zone that is narrower than that of the zone-1 distance relay element in terms of data time length which is shorter than that used for the computation of the zone-1 distance relay element, and a logic element which outputs a relay signal in accordance with a detecting operation of the zone-1 distance relay element, the fault detecting relay element, and the directional relay element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of verifying conditions occurring during a simulation of a hardware design. The method comprises logging each occurrence of at least one specified condition in a first log; logging signals observed at an observability port in a second log; and comparing the first and second logs to determine whether for each occurrence of the at least one specified condition logged in the first log, a corresponding entry identifying a signal expected to be observed responsive to occurrence of the at least one specified condition is logged in the second log.

Abstract: In a digital protection relay with a time sync function, the sampling timing of which is specified based on a reference timing transmitted from a time signal generator to a time sync unit, with a determination value. The time sync unit includes a reception circuit that receives a discrimination code and time data transmitted from the time signal generator, a code discrimination circuit that discriminates the reference timing on condition that the received discrimination code coincides with a desired code, a time calculation circuit that calculates the sampling timing on the basis of the discriminated reference timing and the time data, and a sampling sync circuit that specifies the sampling timing of a digital quantity of electricity on the basis of the calculated sampling timing.

Abstract: A diagnosis system for household electric appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, and others, presenting multiple loads, energized by switches commanded by electronic c ontrols coupled to a command module, which energizes the loads and an interface. The system includes a voltmeter to measure a first voltage in the inlet of the loads with the switches opened and a second voltage in the inlet of each load with respective switch closed, and a control unit for processing the values of the first voltage and of each second voltage. The control unit provides an interface with an indication of a failure in the command module, in the switches, or in the respective electronic controls thereof, in case a second voltage presents a value that is equal to or higher than that of the first voltage.

Abstract: A method and system for short-circuit current modeling in CMOS circuit provides improved accuracy for logic gate power dissipation models in computer-based verification and design tools. The model determines the short circuit current for each complementary pair within a CMOS circuit. Input and output voltage waveforms provided from results of a timing analysis are used to model the behavior one device of the complementary pair. The device is selected as the limiting device (the device transitioning to an “off state) from the direction of the logic transition being modeled, which is also the device that is not charging or discharging the output load. Therefore, the current through the selected device can be determined from the input and output waveforms and is equal to the short-circuit current prior to the saturation of the selected device.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable and autonomous assistance device to derive information on faults in a private telecommunication installation comprising particularly equipment units to assist the client owning the installation in maintaining the latter. A maintenance session is selected in a maintenance server of the service provider managing the installation as a function of information transmitted by the assistance device so as to provide instructions in the device. The address of the server and an identifier of the equipment unit are rapidly read by means of a bar code reader which can also read bar codes in a user manual. The assistance device also serves to configure a terminal (TE) by means of a configuration session opened in a server (SFT) of the terminal manufacturer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a local network for the transfer of information among several communication devices connected to an alternating current electrical power distribution system with a pre-determined frequency, the information conveyed in the local network being transferred in the form of electrical signals forming waves in the electrical power distribution system in a frequency band higher than the pre-determined frequency, the electrical power distribution system being connected to an electrical power supply system, characterized in that the local network comprises at least one wave reflection device forming reflected waves in the power distribution system and attenuating the waves of the power distribution network in the electrical power supply system. The invention also concerns the reflection device.

Abstract: An algorithm is provided for a frequency domain reflectometer which takes into account both attenuation per unit length of transmission line and phase shift per unit length of transmission line in a modified Inverse Fourier Transform that converts a frequency domain complex reflection coefficient into a more accurate time domain reflection coefficient so that the distance to a fault can be readily determined.

Abstract: A power breaking apparatus for prevention of electrical shock breaks AC power supplied to electrical structures such as traffic lights, streetlights etc. if a leakage voltage is detected over a preset voltage or the electrical structures are inundated, thereby preventing electrical shock from inundation or leakage voltage. A plurality of inundation sensor rods of inundation sensing unit sense inundation of the metal posts. A plurality of leakage voltage sensor rods of the leakage voltage sensor sense leakage voltage. A power break signal generation unit generates ground current if the inundation sensing unit senses inundation or the leakage voltage sensor senses leakage voltage over a preset voltage and shots AC power to the ground if a predetermined time lapses. A zero phase sequence current transformers (ZCTs) detect the ground current. A leakage zero phase detector controls wiring breaker and a magnetic switch to break AC power according as the ZCTs detect ground current.

Abstract: An active matrix display device having a display region consisting of sub-pixels arrayed in a matrix fashion, the sub-pixels having switching elements, comprising a plurality of data and scan signal lines, and common voltage lines for sending signals and a reference voltage to the sub-pixels, test transistors, each of which is connected to one of the plurality of scan signal lines for sending test signals thereto, and a plurality of input terminals, each of which is connected to one of a plurality of the test transistors, wherein each gate of the test transistors and each of the common voltage lines are connected to one of the input terminals, the test transistors control inputs of the test signals to the sub-pixels.

Abstract: In a method of monitoring a fuel cell unit, at least one pair of measured values, including a measured current value and a measured voltage value (Iactual, Uactual) are determined at the outputs of the fuel cell unit. The measured voltage value (Uactual) is compared with a limit value (PG), which is a function of the measured current value (Iactual) by way of a limit characteristic polarization curve. It is concluded that the condition of the fuel cell unit is faulty when the measured voltage value (Uactual) or a function of the measured voltage value is smaller than or equal to a predefined threshold value.

Abstract: An industrial process diagnostic apparatus is provided which can identify a source, or “root cause”, of an aberration in an industrial process. A plurality of process configuration models are provided which each represent a physical (or actual) implementation of an industrial process. One of the plurality of models is selected and diagnostics performed on the process using the selected model and at least one process signal related to the process. Based upon the diagnostics, a root cause of the aberration is determined.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for optimizing the performance of a power generation and distribution system that monitors the performance of a power system, detects disturbances and calculates statistical information, uses historical performance data and economic factors to analyze and control the production of power. Load demands are predicted by utilizing very short term load forecasts that are based on historical load data, demand patterns and short term load forecasts. Generating units are each assigned a temporal trajectory of output power over consecutive time intervals. The allocation of available resources is assigned so as to minimize costs associated with meeting changing loads.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for identifying and locating wire damage on a wire. Broadband impedance phase and magnitude information for the wire is obtained. Potential wire damage on the wire is identified by analyzing the wire's low-frequency impedance phase information. The location of the wire damage is found by analyzing the wire's low-frequency impedance magnitude information.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system and method utilizing a power transmission cable connected to a source of radio frequency signals. A data transmission cable is associated with the power transmission cable and is provided with a plurality of radio frequency identification chips. The power transmission cable would induce an electromagnetic field within the data transmission cable allowing each of the RFID chips to transmit a signal during normal operation. However, if an intrusion occurs or the power transmission cable or data transmission cable is severed, the system according to the present invention, would be able to determine the exact point of intrusion based upon the signals received or not received from the RFID chips.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring LCD production yields, predicting the effects of different testing methodologies on LCD production yields, and optimizing production yields is provided that compares the effect of different testing methodologies on the yields at various stages in the LCD testing and assembly process. The present invention can also be used to predict the effect of different testing methodologies on user-defined parameters, such as profit.

Abstract: A root cause analysis system operative in conjunction with fault management apparatus, the system includes a topology-based reasoning system (TRS) operative to topologically analyze alarms in order to identify at least one root cause thereof.

Abstract: Signal conditioning of multiple sense elements is shown for providing information to a system requiring high accuracy and robust fault coverage. A first signal conditioning ASIC (10) pre-conditions the sense element data and a second system control ASIC (14) mathematically solves predetermined compensation relations based on the output of ASIC (10) and stored compensation data to fully condition the sensor output signal(s). The sense elements (1–6) are each formed by two half bridges whose inputs are pre-conditioned by separate, identical signal conditioning paths to provide highly accurate sense and diagnostic information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus configured to allow testing of interconnections between components in a system. The present invention utilizes a source of a known pattern, for example a pattern buffer, in a first component of the system and a capture buffer located in a second component of the system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for determining the location of a short circuit in a branched wiring system. The distance from the short circuit to an impedance measurement point is determined based on a measured impedance of the branched wiring system. The branch in which the short circuit is located is then determined by identifying a calculated high-frequency impedance phase spectrum for the branched wiring system with one of the branches short-circuited that correlates to a measured high-frequency impedance phase spectrum for the branched wiring system. The measured high-frequency impedance phase spectrum is measured from the impedance measurement point.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus and method for sensing a signal emanating from a machine and determining a periodic machine event based on the emanated signal. The apparatus includes analog to digital processing components for digitizing the sensed signal, producing a digitized signal. The apparatus also includes a transform algorithm, memory, an analysis algorithm, and a display. The transform algorithm transforms the digitized signal to generate power spectral density and autocorrelation data which is stored in the memory. The analysis algorithm includes criteria for analyzing the stored power spectral density and autocorrelation data to determine a period machine event based at least in part upon the autocorrelation data. The display displays the periodic machine event to a user. In the event of a suspected defect or fault, the device alerts the user. The user may then elect to proceed with repairs or undertake advanced analysis of the suspected fault as economy dictates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus tests a flat display device to inspect for shorts and open circuits in a signal wire by using a magnetic sensor. The inspection method and apparatus scans the magnetic sensor along signal wires in a scan direction crossing multiple signal wires and detects at least one of a short or an open circuit in the signal wires based on current detected by the magnetic sensor.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a line-to-line fault location in power network, and more particularly, detecting the line-to-line fault location by direct 3-phase circuit analysis without using a symmetrical component transformation, so even in an unbalanced 3-phase circuit, the line-to-line fault location can be accurately detected. In the method using direct 3-phase circuit analysis of this invention, inverse lemma is used to simplify matrix inversion calculations, thus the line-to-line fault location can be easily and accurately determined even in the case of an unbalanced network without symmetrical component transformation.