Motor leakage current detector, devices using same and related methods
AssigneesWayne/Scott Fetzer Company, Grid Connect, Inc.
InventorsPhilip Anthony Mayleben, Cristian Codreanu
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Abstract
A motor leakage current detector and/or a heat compensating circuit, devices using same and related methods are disclosed herein. Included are a uniquely wired current transformer to allow for polarity agnostic leakage current detection, a leakage current detector using same and having a notifier to alert a user. In other forms, an accessory power cord and power strip are disclosed capable of detecting early motor failure conditions. In still other forms, other machinery failure early warning systems are disclosed as are numerous motor operated devices using same including without limitation pumps.
Claims19
A pump comprising:
- a fluid inlet;
- a fluid outlet;
- an electric motor operable to pump fluid from the fluid inlet toward the fluid outlet;
- one or more power conductors to provide electrical power to the electric motor from a power source;
- and
- a leakage current detector having a current transformer operably connected to the one or more power conductors and a leakage current detection circuit connected to the current transformer, the leakage current detection circuit configured to:
- detect leakage current flowing in the one or more power conductors using the current transformer without operating the electric motor;
- and
- output a signal to provide notice of a problem with the pump based at least in part on the detected leakage current.
A pump system comprising:
- a DC pump including a battery and communication circuitry;
- an AC pump including:
- an electric motor;
- a leakage current detector configured to detect leakage current in the electric motor;
- and
- communication circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate with the DC pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.