Load tap changer position sensor
AssigneeDynamic Ratings Pty Ltd.
InventorBruce T. Chandler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An on-load tap changer position sensor includes a series of radially spaced reed switches and a magnetic indicator that is rotated by a shaft that is coupled directly or indirectly to a load tap changer. As the position of the magnetic indicator changes, the location of the magnetic field created by the magnetic indicator moves. Each reed switch includes a set of contacts that close when in the presence of the magnetic field. The closed contacts create a voltage differential that is detected and used to determine the location of the closed reed switch and thus the position of the on-load tap changer.
Claims18
An on-load tap changer position sensor for sensing the position of a rotatable tap changer drive member, comprising:
- a circuit board;
- an electrical circuit provided on the circuit board, wherein the electrical circuit comprises at least a plurality magnetic reed switches;
- and
- a magnetic indicator member that is rotatable in response to rotation of the rotatable tap changer drive member, wherein rotation of the magnetic indicator member interacts with the magnetic reed switches to indicate the position of the tap changer drive member.
An on-load tap changer position assembly, comprising:
- an on-load tap changer having a drive member associated with a transformer to change a tap position for the transformer;
- and
- an on-load tap changer position sensor assembly including a coupling portion configured to be selectively coupled to the on-load tap changer, a sensor assembly compartment, a circuit board contained within the compartment having a plurality of magnetic sensors, and a magnetic indicator member interconnected with the coupling portion and rotatable in response to rotation of the drive member, wherein rotation of the magnetic indicator member interacts with the magnetic sensors to causes the magnetic sensors to indicate the position of the on-load tap changer.
A method of determining the position of a gear-driven on-load tap changer having a rotatable member operatively associated with a transformer to change the tap position of the transformer, the method comprising:
- rotating a magnetic indicator along a radial trajectory in concert with rotation of the rotatable member;
- detecting a magnetic field associated with the magnetic indicator;
- determining a position of the magnetic field along the radial trajectory;
- and
- providing an electrical signal indicative of the position of the rotatable member based on the position of the magnetic field along the radial trajectory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.