Patent Publication Number: US-2007103828-A1

Title: Methods and systems for detecting a protection device operation

Description:
BACKGROUND  
      I. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for detecting a protection device operation. More particularly, the present invention relates to detecting a protection device operation, for example, even when a voltage from a supply system is removed after the protection device operates.  
      II. Background Information  
      Protection devices such as fuses and circuit breakers are applied in many electrical systems that are used by people on an everyday basis. For example, protection devices are part of electrical systems found in buildings, automobiles, boats, motorcycles, and other vehicles. For example, when protection devices operate, current flow to a particular load is interrupted creating an open circuit due to an overcurrent condition. In order to reinstate the current flow and bring the load back in service, the protection device must be located and replaced or reset.  
      In many cases, a system&#39;s protection devices are grouped together in a box. The box may or may not be located in an easily accessible place. Additionally, the box may be packed with numerous protection devices positioned side-by-side making it difficult to determine which device has operated. In order to locate an operated protection device, for example, each fuse in the box must be replaced, each breaker must be reset, or electrical test equipment must be used to locate the protection device that operated. Moreover, the difficulties inherent in troubleshooting are even more pronounced when a blown fuse, for example, is replaced in the dark or without adequate physical working area.  
      While conventional systems may provide indicators for identifying tripped circuit breakers or fuses, these devices are not suitable for high voltage circuits above a few tens of volts, for example. In addition, conventional systems may not support both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power systems, or may require connection to other conductors such as neutral or ground conductors for proper operation. Additionally many power supply systems support additional control systems, such as motor controllers, that will open quickly after an overcurrent event. Accordingly, the voltage across a protection device may be removed after the protection device operates. This voltage removal will extinguish indicators on conventional systems, which require continuous potential across a device for indication. Furthermore, having only local indication may require a service technician to locate an operated device&#39;s location before correcting the problem.  
      In view of the foregoing, there is a need for methods and systems for detecting a protection device operation more optimally. Furthermore, there is a need for detecting a protection device operation, for example, even when a voltage from a power supply system is removed after the protection device operates.  
     SUMMARY  
      Consistent with embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a protection device operation.  
      In accordance with one embodiment, a method for detecting a protection device operation comprises detecting a voltage across a protection device, the voltage produced when the protection device operates from a closed state to an opened state and transmitting, in response to the detected voltage, an indication that the protection device operated from a closed state to an opened state.  
      According to another embodiment, a system for detecting a protection device operation comprises a first component configured to detect a voltage across a protection device, the voltage produced when the protection device operates from a closed state to an opened state and a transmitting component configured for transmitting, in response to the detected voltage, an indication that the protection device operated from a closed state to an opened state.  
      In accordance with yet another embodiment, a system for detecting a protection device operation comprises a memory storage for maintaining a database and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage, wherein the processing unit is operative to detect a voltage across a protection device, the voltage produced when the protection device operates from a closed state to an opened state and transmit, in response to the detected voltage, an indication that the protection device operated from a closed state to an opened state.  
      It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the invention may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the features described in the detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments and aspects of the present invention. In the drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary energy delivery system including a detector system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary detector system consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary detector system consistent with another embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an exemplary method for detecting a protection device operation consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several exemplary embodiments and features of the invention are described herein, modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to the components illustrated in the drawings, and the exemplary methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.  
      Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the present invention detect a protection device operation. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, a detector system may indicate a protection device&#39;s status with, for example, visual or remote light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or remote electrical indication. The detector system may be connected across a protection device in conjunction with an AC or DC power system. Immediately after the protection device operates to clear, for example, a high current fault, a momentary or continuous voltage across the protection device may be generated by a power system feeding the protection device. This voltage may be detected as an indication that the protection device operated (e.g. a circuit breaker tripped or a fuse blew.) Moreover, the indication may stay “latched” even when power to the protection device is removed. Furthermore, the detector system may electrically isolate a signal providing the indication from the power system. In addition the detector system may remotely provide the indication including data identifying the operated protection device.  
      An embodiment consistent with the invention may comprise a system for detecting a protection device operation. The system may comprise a first component configured to detect a voltage across a protection device. The voltage may be produced when the protection device operates from a closed state to an opened state. In addition, the system may comprise a transmitting component configured for transmitting, in response to the detected voltage, an indication that the protection device operated from a closed state to an opened state.  
      Another embodiment consistent with the invention may comprise a system for detecting a protection device operation. The system may comprise a memory storage for maintaining a database and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage. The processing unit may be operative to detect a voltage across a protection device. The voltage may be produced when the protection device operates from a closed state to an opened state. In addition, the processing unit may be operative to transmit, in response to the detected voltage, an indication that the protection device operated from a closed state to an opened state.  
      Consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned memory, processing unit, and components may be implemented in a detector system, such as an exemplary detector system  120  or  120 ′ used in conjunction with a power supply system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Any suitable combination of discrete electrical components, hardware, software, and/or firmware may be used to implement the memory, processing unit, or components. By way of example, the memory, processing unit, or components may be implemented with any of detector system  120  ( FIG. 2 ) or  120 ′ ( FIG. 3 ), in combination with system  100 . The aforementioned system and processor are exemplary and other systems and processors may comprise the aforementioned memory, processing unit, or components, consistent with embodiments of the present invention.  
      By way of a non-limiting example,  FIG. 1  illustrates system  100  in which the features and principles of the present invention may be implemented. As illustrated in the block diagram of  FIG. 1 , system  100  may include a source  105 , a load  110 , a protection device  115 , detector system  120  or  120 ′, and transmission device  125 . Source  105  may comprise an electric energy source to include a DC source or an AC source. The aforementioned are exemplary and source  105  may comprise other source types. Load  110  may comprise any type element configured to or capable of consume electric energy in, for example, any combination of a resistive, capacitive, or reactive manner.  
      Protection device  115  may be configured to protect load  110 . For example, protection device  115  may be configured to operate from a closed position to an opened position after a predetermined current level passing through load  110  is detected for a predetermined time period. For example, protection device  115  may comprise an overcurrent protection device such as a fuse or a circuit breaker. The aforementioned are exemplary and protection device  115  may comprise other types of protection devices. Detector system  120  or  120 ′ may comprise any device capable of detecting a voltage across protection device  115  produced when protection device  115  operates from a closed state to an opened state. Accordingly, detector system  120  or  120 ′ may not require connection to other conductors such as neutral or ground conductors for proper operation. Detector system  120  and  120 ′ are described, for example, in greater detail below with respect to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .  
      Transmission device  125  may comprise any device capable of transmitting, in response to the detected voltage received from detector system  120  or  120 ′, an indication that the protection device operated from a closed state to an opened state. Moreover, transmission device  125  may also include, in the transmitted indication, data identifying protection device  115 . For example, protection device  115  may identify itself to detector system  120  or  120 ′, which may in turn pass this identification to transmission device  125 . In addition, detector system may contain information identifying protection device  115  to which it is connected. Transmission device  125  may transmit or otherwise communicate over a network as described below. Moreover, transmission device  125  may transmit or otherwise communicate over radio transmission via the airwaves. For example, transmission device  125  may use wireless transmission, including infrared line of sight, cellular, microwave, satellite, packet radio, and spread spectrum radio. The aforementioned are exemplary and other wireless or wire line techniques may be used. Any suitable combination of discrete electrical components, hardware, software, and/or firmware may be used to implement transmission device  125 .  
      By way of a non-limiting example,  FIG. 2  illustrates detector system  120  in which the features and principles of the present invention may be implemented. As illustrated in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 , detector system  120 , connected across protection device  115 , may include a first component  205  (e.g. a first circuit or detector circuit) optically coupled to a second component  210  (e.g. a second circuit or latching circuit) through optical isolator  290 . During normal operating conditions, protection device  115  may represent a low impedance (e.g. near zero ohms) as seen by detector system  120 . Accordingly, detector system  120  sees an electrical potential of nearly zero volts across protection device  115 . In the event that protection device  115  operates, however, a momentary or continuous voltage may be produced across protection device  115 . This voltage may be equal to a voltage applied to system  100  via source  105 . Consequently, when the voltage is produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates, current may conduct through a first resistor  225  and an opto-isolator LED  220 . A diode  215  may prevent large reverse voltages from damaging LED  220 .  
      As stated above, a momentary or continuous voltage may be produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open. This voltage may be continuous if load  110  stays connected to source  105  after protection device  115  operates from closed to open. In many cases, however, system  100  may include other equipment (not shown) that detects a voltage loss due to protection device  115 &#39;s operation. This other equipment may isolate load  110  from all conductors connected to source  105 . In this case, where load  110  may become isolated, a momentary voltage (and not a continuous) may be produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open. For example, the momentary voltage may be a voltage of limited duration. When load  110  comprises a motor, for example, the other equipment may comprise a motor contactor. For example, the time for the other equipment to isolate load  110  from system  100  may take from 30 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds. According to this example, the momentary voltage that may be produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open may last from 30 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds.  
      The resulting photo current in a first transistor  230  of optical isolator  290  enables a second transistor  255  to turn on that may latch a third transistor  235  in an “on” state. The result is that an output signal  280  may be held at an auxiliary power supply voltage (e.g. supplied between a node  275  and a signal ground  285 .) The second transistor  255  may latch the third transistor  235  in an “on” state even when the aforementioned momentary voltage is produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open. For example, the diodes  220 &#39;s “half rectifier” configuration may latch the third transistor  235  in the “on” state when the momentary voltage is present for greater than approximately 16 milliseconds. If a “full rectifier” configuration (not shown) is used, for example, the third transistor  235  may latch in the “on” state when the momentary voltage is present for greater than approximately 8 milliseconds.  
      If a first LED  265  or other indicating device exists, it may energize and hold its state until the auxiliary power supply voltage is removed from second component  210 . The auxiliary power supply voltage may be supplied from an external DC supply, batteries, or other source to allow output signal  280  and first LED  265  to remain on, even when source  105  is removed.  
      Detector system  120  allows protection devices from many different power systems (even at high voltages) to be safely isolated from a system configured to sense output signal  280 . In other words, detector system  120  may electrically isolate output signal  280  from source  105 . Resistors  240 ,  245 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270  may be selected to provide a predetermined performance level to detector system  120 .  
       FIG. 3  shows detector system  120 ′ of  FIG. 1  in more detail. As shown in  FIG. 3 , detector system  120 ′ may include a transducer  320 , a processing unit  325  and a memory  330 . Transducer  320  may receive a detected voltage across protection device  115 , the voltage produced when protection device  115  operates from a closed state to an opened state. Transducer  320  may electrically isolate protection device  115  from processing unit  325  using, for example, an optical isolator. Memory  330  may include a detector software module  335  and a detector database  340 . While executing on processing unit  325 , detector software module  335  may perform processes for detecting a protection device operation, including, for example, one or more of the stages of method  400  described below with respect to  FIG. 4 .  
      Detector system  120 ′ (“the processor”) included in system  100  may be implemented using a personal computer, network computer, mainframe, or other similar microcomputer-based workstation. The processor may though comprise any type of computer operating environment, such as hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable sender electronic devices, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The processor may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. Furthermore, any of the processor may comprise a mobile terminal, such as a smart phone, a cellular telephone, a cellular telephone utilizing wireless application protocol (WAP), personal digital assistant (PDA), intelligent pager, portable computer, a hand held computer, a conventional telephone, or a facsimile machine. The aforementioned systems and devices are exemplary and the processor may comprise other systems or devices.  
      Detector system  120 ′ may communicate with other devices via a network (not shown.) The network may comprise, for example, a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. When a LAN is used as the network, a network interface located at any of the processor may be used to interconnect any of the processor. When the network is implemented in a WAN networking environment, such as the Internet, the processor may typically include an internal or external modem (not shown) or other means for establishing communications over the WAN. Further, in utilizing the network, data sent over the network may be encrypted to insure data security by using known encryption/decryption techniques.  
      In addition to utilizing a wire line communications system as the network, a wireless communications system, or a combination of wire line and wireless may be utilized as the network in order to, for example, exchange web pages via the Internet, exchange e-mails via the Internet, or for utilizing other communications channels. Wireless can be defined as radio transmission via the airwaves. However, it may be appreciated that various other communication techniques can be used to provide wireless transmission, including infrared line of sight, cellular, microwave, satellite, packet radio, and spread spectrum radio. The processor in the wireless environment can be any mobile terminal, such as the mobile terminals described above. Wireless data may include, but is not limited to, paging, text messaging, e-mail, Internet access and other specialized data applications specifically excluding or including voice transmission. For example, the processor may communicate across a wireless interface such as, for example, a cellular interface (e.g., general packet radio system (GPRS), enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), global system for mobile communications (GSM)), a wireless local area network interface (e.g., WLAN, IEEE 802.11), a bluetooth interface, another RF communication interface, and/or an optical interface.  
      System  100  may also transmit data by methods and processes other than, or in combination with, the network. These methods and processes may include, but are not limited to, transferring data via, diskette, flash memory sticks, CD ROM, facsimile, conventional mail, an interactive voice response system (IVR), or via voice over a publicly switched telephone network.  
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart setting forth the general stages involved in an exemplary method  400  consistent with the invention for detecting a protection device operation using system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Exemplary ways to implement the stages of exemplary method  400  will be described in greater detail below. While exemplary method  400  is described in terms of detector system  120 , detector system  120 ′ or any suitable combination of discrete electrical components, hardware, software, and/or firmware may be used. Exemplary method  400  may begin at starting block  405  and proceed to stage  410  where detector system  120  may detect a voltage across protection device  115 . The voltage may be produced when protection device  115  operates from a closed state to an opened state. For example, protection device  115  may operate from the closed state to the opened state due to an overcurrent condition present through load  110 .  
      From stage  410 , where detector system  120  detects the voltage across protection device  115 , exemplary method  400  may advance to stage  420  where detector system  120  may latch, in response to the detected voltage, an indication that protection device  115  operated from the closed state to the opened state. For example, as stated above, a momentary or continuous voltage may be produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open. This voltage may be continuous if load  110  stays connected to ground after protection device  115  operates from closed to open. In many cases, however, system  100  may include other equipment (not shown) that detects a voltage loss due to protection device  115 &#39;s operation. This other equipment may isolate load  110  from system  100  including isolating load  110  from source  105 . In this case where load  110  may become isolated, a momentary voltage (and not a continuous) may be produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open. When load  110  comprises a motor, the other equipment may comprise a motor contactor. The time for the other equipment to isolate load  110  from system  100  may take from 30 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds. According to this example, the momentary voltage that may be produced across protection device  115  when protection device  115  operates from closed to open may last from 30 milliseconds to 150 milliseconds.  
      Once detector system  120  latches in stage  420 , exemplary method  400  may continue to stage  430  where detector system  120  may transmit, in response to the detected voltage, the indication that the protection device operated from the closed state to the opened state. For example, the indication may comprise a visible light emitting diode (LED) signal, an infrared light emitting diode (LED) signal, an audible signal, or an electrical signal. Furthermore, the indication may comprise data identifying the protection device. After detector system  120  transmits the indication in stage  430 , exemplary method  400  may then end at stage  440 .  
      Furthermore, the invention may be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containing electronic elements or microprocessors. The invention may also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, the invention may be practiced within a general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.  
      The present invention may be embodied as systems, methods, and/or computer program products. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. A computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.  
      The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.  
      Embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.  
      While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments of the invention may exist. Furthermore, although embodiments of the present invention have been described as being associated with data stored in memory and other storage mediums, aspects can also be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave from the Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the steps of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps, without departing from the principles of the invention.  
      It is intended, therefore, that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents.