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US 2011/0087383 A1Published application
Network protection with control health monitoring
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorMark Andre FAULKNER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for network protection monitor the functional state of a control component on a circuit protection device and provide a back up control signal to activate the circuit protection device to protect the network in the event that the control component on the circuit protection device stops functioning.
Claims23
An apparatus comprising:
- a health signal input receiver configured to be placed in signal communication with a control component that controls operation of a circuit protection device that protects an electrical circuit, where the health signal is indicative of a present functional state of the control component;
- a processor in signal communication with the health signal input receiver, the processor operable to:
- input the health signal for processing;
- and
- selectively output a control signal when the health signal indicates that the control component is not functional;
- and
- a first circuit protection device actuator in signal communication with the processor, the actuator being responsive to the control signal to activate the circuit protection device.
4 more elements
The apparatus of claim 6 where the surge protection device comprises a metal oxide varistor.
A method comprising:
- receiving, with a processor, an electronic health signal from a control component that controls operation of a circuit protection device that protects an electrical circuit, where the health signal is indicative of control component operation;
- determining, with the processor, a present functional state of the control component based, at least in part, on the health signal;
- and
- outputting a first control signal to the circuit protection device to activate the circuit protection device when the processor determines that the control component is not functional.
1 more element
One or more computer-readable media having stored thereon computer executable instructions, that when executed perform a method, the method comprising:
- receiving an electronic health signal from a control component that controls operation of a circuit protection device that protects an electrical circuit, where the health signal is indicative of control component operation;
- receiving a first voltage signal that is indicative of a presence of voltage on the electrical circuit;
- determining a present functional state of the control component based, at least in part, on the health signal and the voltage signal;
- and
- when the control component is determined to be not functional, outputting a first control signal configured to activate the circuit protection device.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- means for receiving a health signal from a control component that controls operation of a circuit protection device that protects an electrical circuit;
- means for receiving a first voltage signal that is indicative of a presence of voltage on the electrical circuit;
- means for determining a present functional state of the control component based, at least in part, on the health signal and the voltage signal;
- and
- means for outputting a first control signal configured to activate the circuit protection device when the control component is determined to be not functional.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.