Breaker control switch with a time-delay close function to mitigate an aurora event
AssigneeConsolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
InventorDon Burkart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Control circuits for breaker control switches with a time-delay function and associated methods of making and using these devices to prevent an aurora event are disclosed. An exemplary control circuit may include a signaling device configured to provide a close signal for a circuit breaker to close; a timer configured to complete a countdown after the circuit breaker is opened; and a switch configured to close the circuit breaker after the countdown is complete and when the close signal is provided by the device. This may prevent engaging a piece of equipment with the power grid when the piece of equipment is out of phase or frequency with the power grid, which often leads to significant damage or destruction of the piece of equipment. Other embodiments are described.
Claims23
A circuit control device, comprising:
- a signaling device configured to provide a close signal for a circuit breaker to close, the circuit breaker connecting power equipment to a power grid;
- a timer configured to complete a countdown after the circuit breaker is opened;
- and
- a switch configured to close the circuit breaker after the countdown is complete and when the close signal is provided by the device, wherein the countdown is determined based on the time required for the power equipment to completely stop after being disconnected from the power grid.
A method of controlling a circuit breaker, comprising:
- opening a circuit breaker, the circuit breaker connecting power equipment to a power grid;
- starting a countdown, wherein the countdown is determined based on the time required for the power equipment to completely stop after being disconnected from the power grid;
- generating a close signal associated with a command to close the circuit breaker;
- closing the circuit breaker after the countdown is complete and after the signal associated with the command to close the circuit breaker is generated;
- and
- resetting the countdown.
A power system, comprising:
- a power grid;
- power equipment;
- a circuit breaker device connecting the power grid to the power equipment, the circuit breaker containing:
- a signaling device configured to provide a close signal for a circuit breaker to close;
- a timer configured to complete a countdown after the circuit breaker is opened, wherein the countdown is determined based on the time required for the power equipment to completely stop after being disconnected from the power grid;
- and
- a switch configured to close the circuit breaker after the countdown is complete and when the close signal is provided by the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.