Abstract: A protection circuit for the power transistor of an automotive motor control circuit. The protection circuit comprises a protection transistor, a resistor, and a Zener diode. The emitter-collector circuit of the protection transistor is connected in series with the resistor across the primary conduction path of the power transistor, with the resistor connected across the conduction control terminals of the power transistor. The Zener diode is connected in series with the emitter-base circuit of the protection transistor across the motor, with the Zener diode poled to oppose current flow through the emitter-base circuit. Transient inductive voltage generated across the motor upon removal of an externally applied control signal exceeds the reverse breakdown threshold of the Zener diode and biases the protection transistor conductive.

Abstract: A protection system for computer equipment providing a controlled power source and environment to a plurality of remote locations. An A/C supply line charges a D/C supply which is inverted to provide A/C power to the remotely located equipment which is thereby isolated from power outages and supply line fluctuations. An environmental control system is further provided including a series of filters disposed in duct work to condition supply air, whereby it is refrigerated with a Peltier-effect heat pump driven by the D/C supply or a mechanical heat pump driven by an A/C power source, in the case of very large units. A plurality of individualized supply ducts from the main duct deliver the treated air to exhaust fan ports or convection cooling openings of respective desired electronic apparatus which may include a plurality of individual personal computers and/or peripials.

Abstract: In direction identification for a close-in fault when the voltage becomes very small, direction of the fault is determined from the discriminant D given by:D=V.sub.k1 i.sub.k2 -V.sub.k3 i.sub.k4where V.sub.k1, V.sub.k3 represent sample values of the voltage at time points k1, k3, and i.sub.k2, i.sub.k4 represent either sample values of the current at time points k2, k4 or such sample values minimum current component values corresponding to pre-fault power flow. Here, k1=n-m-M; k2=n; k3=n-m; k4=n-M, where m represents the number of sampling operations over an interval equal to a multiple of half cycle of the system frequency, M represents an integer, and n represents a sampling time point. A signal for use, e.g., as a condition for tripping a circuit breaker is produced when the fault is found to be in the direction of the protection zone.

Abstract: A protective relay which hardly makes maloperation in itself regardless of mixing of low-order higher harmonics in its at least two sinusoidal input signals comprises a first and a second phase detection comparator generating two different-phase square signals indicative of the phase difference between the sinusoidal input signals, a first and a second timer receiving the square signals generated from the first and second phase detection comparators respectively and generating their output signals as a result of comparison between a first period of time and one of the periods or the period of presence or absence of the square signals, a third timer receiving the same square signal as that applied to the first timer and generating its output signal as a result of comparison between a second period of time and the other period or the period of absence or presence of the square signal, a fourth timer receiving the same square signal as that applied to the second timer and generating its output signal as a result

Abstract: A circuit for detecting the occurrence of a shorted diode in the rotating rectifier of a brushless alternator. A sensing circuit is responsive to the direction of current flow through the exciter field winding. A reversal of the current indicates that there is a shorted rectifier diode.

Abstract: A power distribution apparatus, and related method, for coupling single-phase power from a three-wire input line to a power outlet only when the ac power signals carried on the input line have the correct polarity. Particular wires of the three-wire input line are designated to carry a positive power signal, a neutral power signal, and a negative power signal, with the positive and negative power signals having opposite polarities. The apparatus detects the voltage difference between the power signals carried on the two wires designated to carry the positive and negative power signals and couples power to the power outlet only when the detected voltage difference exceeds a prescribed threshold. Since the detected voltage difference exceeds the threshold only when the polarities of the power signals on the input line are correct, the system prevents the coupling of incorrect voltage levels to the power outlet and thus eliminates electrical shock hazards of this kind.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus that is adapted to be connected between a source of alternating current supply and a load is designed to achieve automatic correction of hot and neutral lines at the output should the supply lines at the input be reversed, and is arranged to be utilized in connection with a ground wire. To achieve the result, a change-over switch is provided in each of the phase wires and a logic circuit is provided for operating the switch, the logic circuit being arranged to detect a voltage change between one of the phase wires and the ground wire so that when a voltage change is detected, the logic circuit will energize the switch to reverse the connection of the supply lines to the load. Two types of change-over switches are disclosed, one in the form of a relay and the other in the form of solid state triacs.

Abstract: An electrical distribution system has parallel connected generators powered by variable speed engines. Loads connected with each generator are interconnected through an electrical distribution bus. Constant speed drives have inputs connected with the engines and outputs directly connected with the generators. The connections between the constant speed drive outputs and the generators are characterized by the absence of overrunning clutches used in prior systems. An improved electrical protective circuit senses a flow of electrical power from the distribution bus to a generator, driving the generator as a motor. If the power flow to the generator is excessive, the bus tie breaker is opened disconnecting the generator from the bus.

Abstract: A method of short-circuit protection of an electrical three-phase machine, realized in a short-circuit protection device for a three-phase electrical machine, provides that phase currents are formed in phases of the stator winding of a three-phase electrical machine and, concurrently, a magnetic flux is produced by the end loops of coil groups of each phase in the stator winding, and a reverse current is separated from phase currents by a reverse current discriminating unit. Afterwards, current measuring and comparing units simultaneously measure the reverse current and the total electromotive force, produced by the magnetic flux in conditions excluding short-circuits in the stator winding and added up by a means for summing and converting magnetic fluxes into the electromotive force. In case the measured magnitude of the current and the value of the electromotive force exceed the maximum, three-phase electrical machine disconnection signal shapers produced respective signals which cut out the machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an overvoltage directional relay that forms a part of a relay system which provides protection for a high voltage three phase transmission line. The overvoltage directional relay provides a high speed blocking function for use with the high speed tripping functions in the protective relay system. In one embodiment the directional relay utilizes the negative-sequence components of the three phase transmission lines. In another embodiment the directional relay utilizes the zero-sequence component of the three phase transmission line.

Abstract: Protective relay apparatus for detecting the direction or distance to a fault from the measuring point on an ac electrical power transmission line using current and voltage deviation signals. The deviation signals represent the changes induced by the fault from the steady-state pre-fault magnitudes. Trajectories are plotted on an X-Y plane using the voltage deviation signal as the X-axis coordinate and the differentiated current deviation signal multiplied by the line reactance to the balance point as the Y-axis coordinate. Due to the use of the differentiated current deviation signal, the trajectories are straight lines. The threshold boundaries for determining the distance to or direction of the fault are time-varying lines of unit slope representing the pre-fault voltage at the fault point.

Abstract: A light dimmer control system for controlling the current supplied from a DC power source to high power illuminating lamps. The current fed to the lamp is controlled by manually setting the width of the pulsed output of a pulse width modulator by means of a potentiometer or the like appropriately connected to the pulse width modulator. The output of the pulse width modulator drives an output driver circuit which is connected in series with the current path to the lamp. The lamp power is provided from a DC source which is controlled by the output driver circuit in series with the lamp. The power for the semiconductor components of the DC controller, which includes the pulse width modulator, is provided from the same DC source and stepped down by a DC-DC converter. A logical control circuit is employed which enables the energization of the system only when both the polarity of the DC input supply is correct and the low voltage DC is on, thereby minimizing the possibility of damaging system components.

Abstract: A power converting device including at least one power converting element, and a protection circuit monitoring the switching characteristics of the power converting element and for protecting the power converting element during switching thereof, including a first circuit coupled to detect a reverse voltage applied to the power converting element, a second circuit coupled to the first circuit for receiving the detected reverse voltage and for integrating the detected reverse voltage to produce a reverse voltage/time integral signal, and a third circuit coupled to receive the reverse voltage/time integral signal for producing a decision signal only when the amplitude of the reverse voltage/time integral signal exceeds a first prescribed value, the decision signal indicates that the power converting element is extinguished.

Abstract: Protective relay apparatus and method for determining the faulted phase conductor of a three-phase ac electrical transmission line. The voltage and current on each conductor are measured and the steady-state ac electric power signal removed. The resulting filtered-voltage signals are multiplied by the characteristic admittance of the transmission line and then combined with the filtered-current signals to produce three current signals representative of the current on each conductor caused by an incident traveling wave and three current signals representative of the current on each conductor caused by a forward traveling wave. A comparator compares the six current signals to provide an indication of the direction to the fault and to provide an enable signal when the fault is on the protected line segment. The three incident-wave current signals are filtered to provide a modal signal representing the total current produced on the transmission line by a first propagational mode of the incident traveling wave.

Abstract: Protective relay apparatus and methods for detecting direction to a fault from a measuring point on an A.C. electrical power transmission line using current and voltage deviation signals which may include traveling wave transients, and for providing both directional and distance information from the same signals after traveling wave transients have been removed. Fault generated current and voltage deviations from the steady-state, prefault magnitudes are used to generate trajectories in one embodiment by differentiating the current deviation and using it as one coordinate, and by using the voltage deviation as the other coordinate. A forward fault produces a straight line trajectory which crosses the origin between the second and fourth quadrants, and the reverse direction fault produces a straight line trajectory which crosses the origin between the first and third quadrants.

Abstract: In a digital protective relaying device for protecting electric power transmission line including an electric station at each end thereof, and each electric station including at least one circuit breaker to be tripped by a protective relay for protecting the own station, a digital protective relay provided with a computer is further provided at each end so as to receive electrical data in digital form from the electric stations for operating in an ordinary protective operation. As a control condition occurs in one station, the condition is sent to a digital protective relay provided at the other end of the transmission line, thereby changing the operational steps of the computer included in the protective relay.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for detecting the occurrence of a fault on a conductor or transmission line and for protecting the conductor or line in accordance with the determination of fault. The instantaneous value of the voltage (V) and current (i), or the modal components of that voltage and current in the case of a polyphase line, are formed into two functions S.sub.1R and S.sub.2R, which are of the general form V-iR and V+iR respectively where R is a replica of the surge impedance of the line. Superimposed components of these functions are derived by continuously subtracting the steady-state value of each function from its instantaneous value. The sequence in which the functions obtain a value outside a predetermined band of values is monitored to provide an indication of the existence and direction of a fault with respect to the measuring point. Trip and block signals are generated for operating circuit breakers.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to underground electric power distribution systems. In particular, it relates to underground loop feed circuits which include reclosers and transformers and a plurality of high frequency actuated normally closed isolator switches for automatically locating and sectionalizing portions of the loop circuit in which faults originate. The actuator switches between which a fault occurs are armed in response to a fault current and only those switches which are armed are opened thereby isolating the faulted section of cable. The remaining actuator switches remain closed.

Abstract: A method for the directional detection of faults on power transmission lines is described.According to one embodiment applied to a link comprising several lines in parallel each provided, towards each of their respective ends, with a directional relay, the indications from all of these relays in response to the detection of a fault on the link, are combined to determine the presence or the absence of the fault on the lines under consideration. In particular, this method is applicable to lines compensated with series capacitors at the beginning of the line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fault direction determination is disclosed wherein a capacitor is connected in series in a line or network having a relay arrangement or scheme possessing directional and distance characteristics. To prevent faulty tripping of the relay arrangement, caused by the effect of the series capacitance in the line, the relay arrangement is structured such that the integrity of the directional characteristics thereof is maintained. Positive tripping of the relay is maintained, especially in the event of near faults which usually are most affected by the action of the series capacitance.

Abstract: A protective relaying system for detecting and clearing high impedance faults on a polyphase electrical distribution circuit. First and second ratio ground relays are located at first and second circuit breakers, respectively. The first circuit breaker is located at the substation, and the second circuit breaker is remote from the substation, usually operating with a reclosing relay. A zero sequence directional relay, located at the second circuit breaker, coordinates the ratio ground relays by adjusting the trip delay time of the second circuit breaker according to the flow direction of a zero sequence quantity at the second circuit breaker.

Abstract: A distance-selective short-circuit monitoring device with a low response time (FIG. 3, FIG. 5) results from sequence detection of first and second monitoring signals (US.sub.1, US.sub.2) which are selectively allotted to the zero cross-overs of detection signals (Ud.sub.1 -Ud.sub.4) which determine a polygonal triggering zone, the selective allocation being in accordance with the sign of the signal change rate, and by counting the alternations between first and second monitoring signals (US.sub.1, US.sub.2) within a predetermined monitoring interval (Tu), the duration of which corresponds at least approximately to a half-period of the mains frequency.

Abstract: A solid state, reverse power flow detector and control circuit which samples the line voltage and current, once each cycle. The voltage sampling circuit includes a pulse generator providing a voltage pulse of short duration at a given time or phase angle in each cycle. The voltage signals are applied to an SCR through a gate operated by the current signals. In one embodiment, the gate comprises a single transistor. With forward or no current, the gate does not allow the voltage signals to reach the SCR. When current reverses, the gate allows the voltage signals to trigger the SCR. The SCR turns on a transistor energizing a relay, after a brief delay. The relay acts to set the regulator or other device in power reverse condition. When current again is forward, the relay is deenergized and the device returned to the forward condition.

Abstract: A directional relay for a polyphase electric power transmission system wherein the direction of a fault from the relaying point is determined by determining the sense of the variation of the zero or negative sequence voltage of the system between the relaying point and the fault point.

Abstract: A solid state, reverse power flow detector and control circuit which samples the line voltage and current, once each cycle. The voltage sampling circuit includes a pulse generator providing a voltage pulse of short duration at a given time or phase angle in each cycle. The voltage signals are applied to an SCR through a gate operated by the current signals. With forward or no current the voltage signals do not reach the SCR. When current reverses the voltage signals are allowed to trigger the SCR. The SCR turns on a transistor energizing a relay, after a brief delay. The relay acts to set the regulator or other device in power reverse condition. When current again is forward the relay is deenergized and the device returned to the power forward condition.

Abstract: A circuit disposed between a power supply and a load for detecting the flow of an excess of power from the load back through the supply. The circuit is comprised of means for sensing the instantaneous current flowing between the power supply and the load, and means for sensing the instantaneous output voltage from the power supply. The circuit is further comprised of means responsive to the sensed instantaneous voltage and current for generating a signal that is indicative of instantaneous power flowing between the power supply and the load. Means is also provided for filtering out those components of the signal indicative of the instantaneous power which are at a frequency higher than the frequency of the AC current flowing between the power supply and the load to obtain a signal having a magnitude indicative of the average power flowing therebetween.

Abstract: A signal distribution circuit subject to high-level reverse-current transients is protected by the combination of a reverse-current sensor and a controlled current shunt. The sensor detects a potentially damaging reverse-current current surge and sends a control signal to the current shunt. The current shunt then diverts the surge away from the distribution amplifier which consequently can have a low power rating. After the transient subsides, the circuit is automatically reset to allow continuation of normal signal distribution.

Abstract: A protective relay arrangement for an A.C. power system wherein the occurrence of a fault is detected by monitoring the phase or amplitude relation between at least one pair of signals which, when a fault occurs in the system, are functions of a current and/or voltage which would have occurred in the power system if the or each emf source in the system had a value equal to the pre-fault voltage at the point in the system where the fault has occurred.

Abstract: In an arrangement for level and sequence detection in a directional wave detector, which has a three-phase directional wave detector with two inputs per phase and three single phase and one three-phase tripping output and one three-phase blocking output, with a level detector with one partial detector for each of the single-phase tripping outputs and the three-phase blocking output, the level detector is provided with a further partial detector which is connected to the three-phase tripping output of the wave detector and the two partial detectors which are connected to the three-phase outputs of the wave detector have a lower reference level than the other partial detectors which are connected to the single-phase tripping outputs of the wave detector.

Abstract: Phase comparison relaying apparatus wherein the keying threshold levels at the local and remote ends of a protected power line section are each offset by a different value from the effective zero axis of the current waveform. One of the keying threshold values is set at a magnitude which will cause a trip response in the presence of low or medium magnitudes of outfeed current. The other keying threshold level is set at a magnitude which will cause a trip response in the presence of maximum magnitudes of expected outfeed current. The upper and lower current margin threshold levels are set to appropriately reflect the keying threshold level with which they are respectively associated. In addition, the transmmitter having the higher keying threshold level is located at that end of the protected line section where outfeed is expected.