Arc fault detection using ultrasonic acoustic sensors
AssigneeGuardhouse Fire Solutions, LLC
InventorJames L. Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device may include an acoustic sensor configured to detect one or more acoustic signals indicative of an arc fault. The device may include a timer configured to record a duration of the one or more acoustic signals detected by the acoustic sensor and a wireless communication interface configured to transmit an alarm signal when a threshold time has been exceeded. The device may communicate with a sensor hub configured to receive the alarm signal from the sensor device wireless communication interface over a local area connection, and in response to receiving the alarm signal transmit a notification.
Claims20
An arc fault sensing system comprising:
- an arc fault sensor device comprising:
- a non-contact acoustic sensor configured to detect one or more acoustic signals having a frequency in a sensitive range of 20 kHz to 60 kHz, wherein the acoustic sensor is sensitive to acoustic signals having a frequency within the sensitive range and is less sensitive to acoustic signals having a frequency outside the sensitive range;
- a timer configured to record a duration of the one or more acoustic signals detected by the acoustic sensor;
- a sensor device wireless communication interface in communication with the timer and a sensor hub, and configured to transmit an alarm signal when a threshold time has been exceeded;
- and
- a power supply;
- and
- the sensor hub comprising:
- a sensor hub wireless communication interface configured to receive the alarm signal from the sensor device wireless communication interface over a local area connection, and in response to receiving the alarm signal transmit a notification;
- and
- a loudspeaker configured to output an alert notification based on the alarm signal.
A method of detecting an electrical arc fault comprising:
- positioning an arc fault sensing device in a location unobstructed by an interior construction of a building between the arc fault sensing device and a roof of the building, and wherein the location is further unobstructed by the interior construction of the building between the arc fault sensing device and at least two exterior walls of the building;
- detecting one or more acoustic signals indicative of an arc fault using the arc fault sensing device, wherein the arc fault sensing device comprises a non-contact acoustic sensor configured to detect acoustic signals having a frequency in a sensitive range of 20 kHz to 60 kHz, wherein the acoustic sensor is omnidirectional, and wherein the acoustic sensor is sensitive to acoustic signals having a frequency in the sensitive range and is less sensitive to acoustic signals having a frequency outside the sensitive range;
- and
- transmitting an alarm signal using the arc fault sensing device, wherein the arc fault sensing device further comprises a wireless communication interface.
A handheld sensing device for sensing a location of an electrical arc fault, the handheld sensing device comprising:
- a non-contact acoustic sensor configured to detect one or more acoustic signals having a frequency in a sensitive range of 20 kHz to 60 kHz, wherein the acoustic sensor is sensitive to acoustic signals having a frequency within the sensitive range and attenuates acoustic signals having a frequency outside the sensitive range, wherein the one or more acoustic signals are indicative of the electrical arc fault;
- an indicator configured to provide an indication of the location of the electrical arc fault to a user of the handheld sensing device, wherein the indication is based on a strength of the detected one or more acoustic signals;
- and
- a power supply.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.