Including Timer Reset Before Lockout Patents (Class 361/73)
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Patent number: 12113348Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to detection of abnormal, risky, or aberrant conditions in a power distribution network and to corresponding trip signals being used to trip open devices such as reclosers upstream of where the abnormal condition is detected. Detection of a missing broadband over power-line signal or of an open circuit between phases of a power distribution circuit may prevent severed conductors from causing a ground fault, therefore avoiding the possibility of fire and dangerous conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Viking Sentinel Technology, LLCInventors: Vahid Madani, Ronald E. Smith, Robert B. Stuart, Kenneth Hyung Choi, Justin Dongjin Choi
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Patent number: 11713698Abstract: A rocker arm assembly that includes an electromagnetic latch assembly with a latch pin and an actuator operative to actuate the latch pin between a first position and a second position. The actuator includes an electromagnet powered through a coil circuit. The rocker arm assembly further includes a switch in a switch circuit. The coil circuit and the switch circuit are connected in parallel. Moving the latch pin between the first position and the second position opens and closes the switch. In an alternate embodiment, relative motion of two rocker arms opens and closes the switch. The rocker arm assembly allows OBD information to be obtained without making electrical connections to the rocker arm assembly other than ones provided to power the electromagnet.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell
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Patent number: 11128119Abstract: A power distribution system adapted for high current fault management during a fault event utilizes reclosing switches configured for a quick-slow-quick reclosing sequence in which the reclosing switch initially responds to the fault condition by tripping open, and then after a delay recloses for a first duration of time (slow) prior to tripping open. After another delay, the reclosing switch recloses for a second duration of time (quick) that is less than the first duration of time prior to tripping open for an indefinite interval. When installed in new segments or retrofitted in place of a fuse, reclosing switches configured with quick-slow-quick reclose timing allows for reduction of downstream customer outages, reduced I2T exposure for elements upstream of a fault event and a reduction in the duration of voltage sags experienced by customers during fault events while allowing for improved fault management configurations of the power distribution system.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANYInventors: David L. Smith, Michael J. Putt, Benny Naranjo
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Patent number: 7660089Abstract: Included are a Zener diode D2 having a cathode connected onto a voltage output line, dividing resistors having one terminal connected to the anode of the Zener diode D2 and having the other terminal grounded, a transistor Q1 having a base connected to the junction point between the dividing resistors via a resistor and having an emitter grounded, a transistor Q2 having a base connected to the junction point between the dividing resistors and having an emitter grounded, and a microcomputer having an undervoltage detection terminal 10a which is connected to the collector of the transistor Q1 and to which 3.3 V is externally applied and a power supply terminal 10b which is connected to the collector of the transistor Q2 and via which a P-ON-H signal of 3.3 V that starts a power supply circuit 126 when the power supply is turned on is transmitted.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Keigo Shibata
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Patent number: 7580773Abstract: A handling robot system, including a table having a placement surface for placing articles; an article dispersing mechanism for dispersing the articles placed on the placement surface of the table across the placement surface; a vision sensor for detecting each of the articles dispersed on the placement surface of the table; and a robot operating, based on article detection data from the vision sensor, to hold the articles one by one.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Kazuo Hariki, Masaru Oda
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Patent number: 7403837Abstract: A portable device (1) with at least one optical output device (2) for displaying at least process data of a machine, a robot or a technical process, with at least one input device (3) for at least intervening in the operating functions of the device (1) and/or for operating the machine or robot or technical process, and having a safety switch device (12) for preventing the output of undesirable, unintended control commands for the machine, robot or technical process. The output devices (2) and input devices (3) are connected to a control device (14), which is accommodated in a housing (7) that is unbreakable as far as possible and at least one communication interface (17) is provided to an external control device disposed at a distance away. Several of the input and output devices (2, 3) are functionally combined by means of a touch-sensitive screen (4) in the form of a touch-screen (5) and the touch-sensitive screen (4) extends across substantial regions of the surface of the housing (7).Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: KEBA AGInventors: Dieter Graiger, Hans-Peter Wintersteiger, Martin Danner
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Patent number: 6917856Abstract: It is constructed so as to detect a joint movement position of a robot arm by a position detector and a joint movement speed is calculated from change amounts of the joint movement position and elapsed time and is compared with an allowable movement speed and unlocking and locking of a brake are controlled so that the joint movement speed of an arm at the time of brake unlocking becomes within a constant value even when a shape, an attitude and a load condition of the robot arm vary. Therefore, movement work of the arm by the brake unlocking can be performed alone and a robot with high safety can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Murata
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Patent number: 6735534Abstract: A recloser trips on one phase for single-phase only fault conditions, or all phases for multi-phase fault conditions. During power delivery, the recloser monitors the three phases of a power line (e.g., phases A, B, and C). If a fault is detected on one phase, then a timer is started and subsequently decremented. If the timer finishes counting down while the fault is still present, then it is determined if any of the other two phases are timing a fault. If so, then all three phases are tripped; otherwise, only the faulted phase is tripped.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Graeme N. McClure, Carl J. LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf
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Patent number: 6735533Abstract: A recloser trips on one phase for single-phase only fault conditions, two phases for two-phase fault conditions, or all three phases for three-phase fault conditions. During power delivery, the recloser monitors the three phases of a power line (e.g., phases A, B, and C). If a fault is detected on one phase, then a timer is started and subsequently decremented. If the timer finishes counting down while the fault is still present, then it is determined if any of the other two phases are timing a fault. If so, then those phases having a fault are tripped. Thus, only the faulted phase(s) is (are) tripped.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Graeme N. McClure, Carl J. LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf
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Patent number: 6707655Abstract: A recloser is adaptively controlled so that it will operate in a manner responsive to prevailing conditions such as time of day, day of week, and/or load current. A protection setting group is stored in a memory accessible by the recloser controller, and contains a set of instructions for controlling the recloser based on the prevailing conditions. The prevailing conditions are continuously monitored, and the control of the recloser is based on the prevailing conditions and the protection setting group.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Jeffrey L. McElray, Sr., Carl J. LaPlace, David G. Hart, William M. Egolf, Graeme N. McClure
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Patent number: 6657837Abstract: Transformers (14) inject test voltage signals of know frequency to each phase of the load side of an electrical distribution circuit (15). Processor (32) 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 (12) through conditioning circuit (16). This process is repeated by injecting test voltages at different frequencies, which are selected by processor (32) based on stored instructions. Processor (32) uses the sampled signals to determine a representative current for the load side of the distribution circuit (15) and then compares the representative current with a predetermined current threshold value stored in non-volatile memory (40). If the current is above this threshold, processor (32) provides a lockout signal to the fault lockout device (48) and fault lockout flag (50).Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert A. Morris, Hemant K. Mody, Thomas F. Papallo, James I. Smith, Nataniel de Jesus Barbosa Vicente
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Patent number: 6356806Abstract: A method for handling the voltage drop, at least in the control unit of a robot with a PC control is provided that minimizes the time of a plant stoppage and avoids wasteful process interruptions. The PC control has a real time operating system for the time critical control and regulation of the robot movement and a standard PC operating system for communication with an operator. In the case of a voltage drop a battery/accumulator operation takes place with running robot movement and optionally application operations broken off or ended in a clearly defined manner. Then, working processes of the control are terminated. The contents of the working memory at the termination time concerning the real time operating system and robot control programs are stored, particularly as an image, in at least one mass memory. For restarting the robot after such a stoppage thereof the standard PC operating system is loaded in the conventional manner into the working memory and started.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbHInventors: Franz Grob, Stefan Sturm, Carsten Spie&bgr;
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Patent number: 5117325Abstract: An electronically controlled recloser for an electrical power distribution system is powered by at least one current transformer coupled to give an output in response to power line current. A voltage is stored on a large and a small capacitor in response to the line current and is compared with a reference voltage for determining the level of line current. When abnormally high levels of current appear on the line, it is opened for a short period of time. The energy stored on the capacitors is supplied to power the recloser during low line current conditions. At an end of a given time period following the opening of said line, the recloser recloses the line. If the abnormal condition persists, the recloser again opens and closes the line. When there is a surge of line current, the large capacitor is effectively removed from the circuit so that a response will not be delayed while the large capacitor charges; therefore, the charge on the small capacitor provide a quick start for immediate response.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1990Date of Patent: May 26, 1992Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventors: Michael Dunk, Clyde Gilker
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Patent number: 4931896Abstract: A distribution line switchgear control which is particularly suitable for use with recloser switchgear which requires small amounts of power from the control for operation. The control is most usefully powered for continued operation by small amounts of line current provided through a power source current transformer and includes multiple capacitors which are arranged in a cascaded control power supply having a plurality of isolated stages. The line current is precisely monitored through current transformers by the control which causes the recloser to trip, reclose and lockout, as is appropriate to protect the distribution line and distribution electricity. Inhibit means prevent the control from issuing a trip signal, unless sufficient energy exists in a trip portion of the cascaded power supply. A variety of volatile timers and counters enable the control to cause the recloser to trip, reclose and lockout.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1985Date of Patent: June 5, 1990Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventor: William N. LeCourt
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Patent number: 4916381Abstract: A current source for establishing a relatively constant current through widely differing impedances comprising a voltage potential regulator for adjustably regulating a supplied potential to provide a current to a current controller with a current sensor to supply a signal to the current controller, there being a signal supplied from the signal controller to control the voltage potential regulator. A further current rise time regulator is provided to increase the rise time occurrence provided to a commutated load.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Rosemount Inc.Inventors: George Gelecinskyj, Charles E. Goetzinger, John D. Pro
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Patent number: 4860150Abstract: A power cutoff circuit is added to the protector network disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,772 so that when an interruption in power occurs, at least one suppressor remains connected to a load even though a source is disconnected from the load. In one embodiment, the power circuit includes a control circuit connected to the supply lines between an "upstream" suppressor and a filter portion of the network.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1988Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Inventor: Barry M. Epstein
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Patent number: 4857758Abstract: A hybrid analog and electronic cycle timer has a mechanical movement and cam-operated cycle switch driven by a low-RPM synchronous motor. Electronic control logic divides the power line frequency to obtain pulses for pulsing the synchronous motor. The control logic also includes an activation interval timer and a lockout flip-flop which inhibits the activation interval timer. The activation interval timer is otherwise triggered by closure of the cycle switch. The lockout flip-flop is set after a power failure and at the end of the activation interval, and is reset by a manual reset signal. The activation interval timer may include an activation enable flip-flop and an activation interval counter. The state of the control circuit is conveniently indicated by an indicator which is activated continuously during the activation interval, and which is activated intermittently when the activation interval timer is inhibited by the lockout flip-flop.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1988Date of Patent: August 15, 1989Assignee: Worldtronics InternationalInventors: Anthony W. Rigazio, Gerald C. Koehler
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Patent number: 4709292Abstract: A trouble detection apparatus for an air conditioner detects overcurrents occurring within a predetermined time period t.sub.2 which is a shortest time period necessary for stabilization of the compressor operation. By counting a number of occurrences of the above-mentioned detections as criteria of actual trouble, the compressor is stopped when the number becomes two or more; thereby unnecessary interruption of operation of the air-conditioner due to electric noise or a simple overload is eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1984Date of Patent: November 24, 1987Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Kuriyama, Kenichiro Miura, Takashi Deguchi
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Patent number: 4703389Abstract: Electronic trip units employed within static trip circuit breakers are individually calibrated and automatically adjusted to ensure that the trip transfer characteristics are within specification requirements. A trimming network within the trip unit circuit contains a plurality of parallel resistors each separately connected within the circuit by means of a fusible link. Test input and output values are compared to idealized values that are binary-weighted within a look-up table in the test equipment computer. The percent correction required is determined and the appropriate links are interrupted to provide ideal trip response.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1986Date of Patent: October 27, 1987Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Graham A. Scott
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Patent number: 4604674Abstract: A reclosing relay for reclosing a circuit breaker in an electrical power system. The reclosing relay is a multi-shot reclosing relay (i.e., providing more than one reclosure command to the circuit breaker) and includes primary and redundant lockout circuits for each reclose circuit. The primary lockout scheme employs a flip-flop, with a reset timer for resetting if the breaker remains closed after the first reclosure. The flip-flop is set when the circuit breaker recloses to lockout the first reclosure circuit. The redundant lockout circuit locks out the first reclosure circuit after a trip, reclose, and retrip sequence. The second reclose circuit includes similar primary and redundant lockout circuits.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1985Date of Patent: August 5, 1986Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.Inventor: Richard G. Hamel
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Patent number: 4454556Abstract: A timing controller which supervises the reclosure of a fault responsive circuit breaker which includes a plurality of selectable switches for developing signals representing the reset and reclose delay times for the recloser relay operatively associated with the fault responsive circuit breaker; a plurality of multiplexers for receiving the signals developed by the selectable switches and for developing serially formatted digital words in accordance with such signals for delivery to an output controlling multiplexer; a first counter assembly for regulating the output of the output controlling multiplexer in accordance with the condition of the recloser relay; a storage device for receiving and storing the output of the output controlling multiplexer; and a comparison device for comparing the stored output of the output controlling multiplexer with a second counter assembly which develops a timed output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: June 12, 1984Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert P. DePuy
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Patent number: 4273051Abstract: An electrically ignited load such as a fusehead is connected to the secondary winding of a transformer. The secondary winding is magnetically linked to a primary winding through a magnetic circuit and the transformer is constructed so as to provide a substantial leakage inductance associated with the secondary winding and effectively connected in series with the load to be ignited. The structure selectively passes electrical ignition energy to the load only in response to input electrical energy having predetermined magnitude and frequency characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1979Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries LimitedInventor: Andrew Stratton