Eaton Corporation

About: Eaton Corporation is a company organization based out in Taipei, Taiwan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Circuit breaker & Clutch. The organization has 9516 authors who have published 12004 publications receiving 161134 citations. The organization is also known as: Eaton Corporation Plc.

Arc fault detection apparatus and circuit breaker incorporating same

Abstract: Arcing-faults in an electric power distribution system are detected by a circuit which includes a band-pass filter generating a low frequency bandwidth limited arcing current signal having a bandwidth above the measurable harmonics of the ac current but below the frequency band of power line communications systems, about 3 KHz to 20 KHz and preferably about 6 KHz to 12 KHz. For each cycle of the ac current that this low frequency bandwidth limited arcing current exceeds a threshold, preferably related to the amplitude of the ac current, for a selected duration of the cycle, a fixed pulse is generated. If a time attenuated accumulation of these fixed pulses reaches a selected level representative of a number of closely spaced cycles in which the arcing current has been detected for the selected duration, an arc indicative signal is output. Preferably, the value of the time attenuated accumulation of pulses at which the arc indicative signal is generated is variable so that fewer pulses are needed to generate the output as the amplitude of the ac current increases.

Frequency selective arc detection

Abstract: An arc detection method and apparatus is provided for an electric circuit having an electrified conductor (46) connecting a voltage source (26) to a load (30). A field sensor senses an electromagnetic field established about the conductor by the occurrence of an electrical arc in the circuit, and generates a field responsive signal. Arc discrimination circuitry includes frequency responsive circuitry responding to the field sensor and generating an arc indicative signal in response to a given frequency characteristic of the field responsive signal. The frequency responsive circuitry monitors a plurality of different frequencies of the field responsive signal, and generates the arc indicative signal in response to a given combination of field responsive signal frequencies. A comb filter passes the field responsive signal through a plurality of passbands, and the arc indicative signal is generated in response to a given frequency signature of the field responsive signal.

Multiplexing of accessories in a vehicle

Abstract: A control system utilizes a multiplex communication system for switchably operating power windows, power seats, power door locks, power mirrors, accessory lighting, etc. Switches mounted on the driver door and elsewhere communicate with a door-mounted microcomputer, which scans the state of each switch, prioritizes the requests, and issues commands in accordance with algorithms to control the windows, door locks, etc. The system has three modes of operation: Asleep, Active, and Awake. In the Asleep mode electrical power consumption is very small, and only a selected few input sesors are periodically monitored as to status. If a door handle is lifted or other action starts, the system changes to an Active mode, in which many more sensors are periodically scanned, and most output motors can be operated. In the Awake mode, windows can also be operated.

Photovoltaic DC Arc Fault Detector testing at Sandia National Laboratories

Abstract: The 2011 National Electrical Code® (NEC®) added Article 690.11 that requires photovoltaic (PV) systems on or penetrating a building to include a listed DC arc fault protection device. To fill this new market, manufacturers are developing new Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs). Comprehensive and challenging testing has been conducted using a wide range of PV technologies, system topologies, loads and noise sources. The Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory (DETL) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has used multiple reconfigurable arrays with a variety of module technologies, inverters, and balance of system (BOS) components to characterize new Photovoltaic (PV) DC AFCIs and Arc Fault Detectors (AFDs). The device's detection capabilities, characteristics and nuisance tripping avoidance were the primary purpose of the testing. SNL and Eaton Corporation collaborated to test an Eaton AFD prototype and quantify arc noise for a wide range of PV array configurations and the system responses. The tests were conducted by generating controlled, series PV arc faults between PV modules. Arc fault detection studies were performed on systems using aged modules, positive- and negative-grounded arrays, DC/DC converters, 3-phase inverters, and on strings with branch connectors. The tests were conducted to determine if nuisance trips would occur in systems using electrically noisy inverters, with series arc faults on parallel strings, and in systems with inverters performing anti-islanding and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms. The tests reported herein used the arc fault detection device to indicate when the trip signal was sent to the circuit interrupter. Results show significant noise is injected into the array from the inverter but AFCI functionality of the device was generally stable. The relative locations of the arc fault and detector had little influence on arc fault detection. Lastly, detection of certain frequency bands successfully differentiated normal operational noise from an arc fault signal.

Method and apparatus for calibrating azimuth boresight in a radar system

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating azimuth boresight in a radar system. Antenna boresight misalignment can cause radar systems to inaccurately determine the position of targets relative to a platform vehicle. These errors can be corrected by detecting and accurately measuring a boresight offset angle defined as the angle between the radar antenna boresight and the direction of travel of the host platform vehicle. Several antenna boresight calibration techniques are described. A first technique calculates the boresight offset angle by obtaining target range and azimuth angle measurements at two instants in time. The boresight offset angle is determined by the geometric relationship of the offset angle, target range and azimuth values obtained at two successive time instants. A refined approach obtains target range and azimuth values at several successive time instants, calculating interim boresight offset angles at each time instant. The boresight offset angle is computed by averaging the interim boresight offset angles. In second and third calibration techniques, the boresight offset angle is estimated from the azimuth of qualified calibration targets that are substantially aligned with the host vehicle's heading. Several restrictions are imposed upon the potential calibration targets to suppress the erroneous qualification of adjacent vehicle traffic. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the calibration techniques are implemented by software instructions executed by a microprocessor within the radar system. Once the boresight offset angle is detected and calculated, it can be used to calibrate the antenna boresight using either a mathematical or physical calibration approach.