Synchronizer for a data acquisition system
AssigneeUtilix Corporation
InventorNelson Hall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A data acquisition system is provided that in one example comprises a sensor electrically coupled to a data acquisition unit via a signal splitter. In use, the sensor senses one or more signals transmitted over a “live” power cable carrying, for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, medium voltage power. The one or more signals are then transmitted to the data acquisition unit to be stored, displayed, and/or analyzed. The data acquisition system includes a synchronizer that allows the data acquisition unit to synchronize the storage of the sensed signals to the frequency of the power transmitted over the tested power cable or system. In one embodiment, the synchronizer provides an accurate phase angle reference or trigger signal for accurate phase resolved data acquisition and testing.
Claims20
A system for testing an electrical power system for defects, the electrical power system transmitting power at a known frequency, comprising:
- a test sensor capable of capacitively coupling to a live power component of the electrical power system, the test sensor sensing one or more signals transmitted over the electrical power system;
- a data acquisition unit capable of storing the signals sensed by the test sensor;
- and
- a synchronizing circuit that allows the data acquisition unit to synchronize the storage of the sensed signals to the frequency of the power transmitted over the electrical power system.
A system for testing a power system component for defects via a live power cable, the power cable transmitting power at a known frequency, comprising:
- a sensor capable of capacitively coupling to the live power cable, the sensor sensing one or more power cable signals transmitted over the power cable;
- a data acquisition unit capable of storing the power cable signals sensed by the sensor;
- and
- a synchronizer having a synchronizing circuit that receives the power cable signals sensed by the sensor and generates a synchronizing trigger signal for use by the data acquisition unit to synchronize the storage of the power cable signals.
A synchronizer comprising:
- at least one battery;
- and
- a synchronizing circuit that is powered by the at least one battery, wherein the synchronizing circuit receives input signals sensed from an insulated power cable, processes the signals, and outputs a reference signal indicative of a characteristic of the power transmitted by the insulated power cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.