Method of detecting a fault in a pulsed power distribution system
AssigneePanduit Corp.
InventorsRonald A Nordin, Masud Bolouri-Saransar, Paul W. Wachtel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of detecting a fault in a power distribution system includes placing a signal on the system at a frequency F1 and then detecting a change in the signal due to a change in the impedence of the system as a result of a fault wherein the change is one of a change in phase, a change in signal tone, or a change in voltage level at the load. In one embodiment, band reject filters can be used to diminish the signal at the load or source. In another embodiment, the power source can be a periodic pulsed power source and the signal can be placed on the system during an idle phase of the periodic pulsed power.
Claims20
A method of detecting a fault in a power distribution system, the method comprising:
- providing a power source;
- controlling the power source to provide power in a form of periodic pulsed power;
- providing a transmission line connecting the power source to a load;
- placing a current source on the transmission line, wherein the current source provides a current within the power distribution system;
- continuously scanning the transmission line to detect a change on the transmission line indicative of a change in the power distribution system;
- and
- determining a fault is present within the power distribution system based on the detected change on the transmission line.
A power distribution system comprising:
- a power source configured to provide power in a form of periodic pulsed power;
- a transmission line connecting the power source to a load;
- a current source configured to provide a current within the power distribution system;
- and
- a detection circuitry configured to:
- continuously scan the transmission line to detect a change on the transmission line indicative of a change in the power distribution system;
- and
- determine a fault is present within the power distribution system based on the detected change on the transmission line.
A power source for use in a power distribution system, the power source comprising:
- a power supply configured to provide power in a form of periodic pulsed power;
- a control unit configured to:
- control the power supply to provide the power to a load, wherein the load is coupled to the power source via a transmission line;
- continuously scan the transmission line to detect a change on the transmission line indicative of a change in the power distribution system;
- and
- determine a fault is present within the power distribution system based on the detected change on the transmission line.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.