US3238520A - Rectifying arrangement comprising photo-resistive alarm circuits to indicate rectifier failure - Google Patents

Rectifying arrangement comprising photo-resistive alarm circuits to indicate rectifier failure Download PDF

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Publication number
US3238520A
US3238520A US164260A US16426062A US3238520A US 3238520 A US3238520 A US 3238520A US 164260 A US164260 A US 164260A US 16426062 A US16426062 A US 16426062A US 3238520 A US3238520 A US 3238520A
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Prior art keywords
elements
rectifier
photo
series
circuits
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US164260A
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English (en)
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Peter Hubertus Gerardu Vlodrop
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US Philips Corp
North American Philips Co Inc
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US Philips Corp
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02H—EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H7/00—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions
    • H02H7/10—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for converters; for rectifiers
    • H02H7/12—Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for specific types of electric machines or apparatus or for sectionalised protection of cable or line systems, and effecting automatic switching in the event of an undesired change from normal working conditions for converters; for rectifiers for static converters or rectifiers
    • H02H7/1203—Circuits independent of the type of conversion
    • H02H7/1206—Circuits independent of the type of conversion specially adapted to conversion cells composed of a plurality of parallel or serial connected elements

Definitions

  • Vacuum tubes are usually not connected in series so that an indication of the current for each phase suflices for detecting a defective element therein.
  • Gas-filled tubes are connected in series, but because of the small number of tubes per series it is then relatively easy to find the defective tube by exchanging tubes in that phase in which the absence of light phenomena indicates the interruption of current.
  • rectifying arrangements comprising semi- ,conduct-ive rectifying elements in which, as a rule, more than two elements are-connected in series and also in many cases two or more branches are connected in parallel for each phase, it is not as easy to detect a defective element.
  • a defect occurs in the form of a short-circuit or a decrease in blocking resistance of the semi-conductor element.
  • an overload condition arises due to the excessive inverse voltage occurring across the semi-conductor elements connected in series with the defective semi-conductor ele- 'ment. If the arrangement is not switched ofi in time and the defective element replaced, the other elements may also be damaged.
  • a glow-discharge lamp and a series-resistor are connected in parallel with each rectifying element, the lamp being ignited at the inverse voltage of the element.
  • a photoresistance element is optically compled with each glowdischarge lamp and receives light only from the associated lamp. All of the photo-resistance elements are connected in series and included in a relay circuit coupled to alarm and/ or safety means.
  • the voltage source for the relay circuit may then deliver a comparatively large current through the series-combination, which current is sufficient for holding the relay in the alarm or safety circuit.
  • the associated glow-discharge lamp can no longer be ignited due to the absence of sufficient inverse voltage across said element.
  • the resistance of the associated photo-resistance element then remains high so that only a small current can flow in the relay circuit and the relay is de-energized. As a result, an alarm is rung or the arrangement is switched off. If the arrangement is not switched off, the defective rectifying element may be found by observing which of the glow-discharge lamps do not flash on.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a rectifying arrangement according to the invention
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 show the relative arrangement of the glow-discharge lamps and the photo-resistance elements.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a three-phase transformer T in which two parallel branches of three series-connected silicon diodes D each in series with a safety fuse F, are connected to each secondary phase.
  • a neon lamp L and a series-resistor R are connected in parallel with each diode D
  • a photo-resistance element W is optically coupled with each glow-discharge lamp L and a constant resistor R is arranged in parallel with each photoresistance element. All of the photo-resistance elements W are connected in series in a circuit, supplied from terminals K and K of an alternating-current supply line through a silicon diode D provided with a smoothing capacitor C
  • Three resistors R R and R of highohmic values are connected in series with the photo-resistance elements W.
  • the half-wave rectifier formed by the rectifier element D also supplies two relay control tubes B, and B of the grid controlled gas discharge type through current-limiting resistors R and R respectively, and through relays S and S respectively, bridged by capacitors C and C respectively.
  • the igniting electrode of tube B is connected to the positive end of resistor R and the igniting electrode of tube B is connected to the positive end of resistor R
  • Capacitors C and C are included with the tubes B and B in the igniting circuit to ensure sufiicient igniting current when the igniting voltage of the auxiliary anode is reached.
  • a guard electrode is arranged behind the anode and connected through resistors R and R respectively, to the cathode.
  • the rectifier D delivers a pulsatory direct voltage which causes a flow of pulsatory direct current through the series-combination of the photo-resistance elements and the resistors R R and R
  • the value of the pulsatory direct current depends upon the resistance of the photo-resistance elements.
  • the resistance of each element depends upon whether it is illuminated or not. In a given case, with photo-resistance elements each having a resistance less than 20 k ohms in the illuminated condition, and from 10 to 1,000M ohms in the non-illuminated condition, the resistance of the series-combination shown in FIGURE 1 was less than 0.36M ohm.
  • the resistance of the series-combination was from 0.9 to 1.34M ohms, and if two diodes were not illuminated, the resistance was upwards of 1.8M ohms.
  • FIGURES 2 and 3 show a block 1 of synthetic resin or the like in which neon glow-discharge lamps L are arranged in bores.
  • the photo-resistance elements W are accommodated in bores at right angles to the first mentioned bores as close as possible to the point of maximum light radiation of the neon lamps.
  • the photo-resistance elements and the neon lamps are provided with the shielding caps in order to avoid the influence of daylight.
  • a hood 2 is arranged to enclose the viewing surface 3 so that the neon lamps are clearly visible and the daylight is shielded sutficiently to prevent the photoresistance elements from being influenced thereby.
  • Apparatus for supplying a unidirectional current to a load circuit from a source of alternating current comprising a plurality of semi-conductor rectifier elements connected to said current source and to said load circuit, a plurality of circuits each of which comprises the series combination of a light source and an impedance element, means for connecting said circuits in parallel with individual ones of said rectifier elements, an inverse voltage being developed across each of said rectifier elements by said current source sutficient to ignite its associated light source, a plurality of photosensitive elements connected in series and optically coupled to individual ones of said light sources, a plurality of other impedance elements individually connected in parallel with individual ones of said photosensitive elements, input means for supplying an operating voltage to said photo-sensitive elements, and output circuit means coupled to said photo-sensitive elements for deriving first and second control signals for actuating a control device upon a variation in the inverse voltage across any of said rectifier elements beyond a predetermined value, said control device comprising first and second signal responsive elements coupled to said output circuit means so as
  • said light sources comprise glow-discharge lamps
  • said apparatus fur ther comprising a housing for said glow discharge lamps and said photosensitive elements comprising a block of opaque material containing a first group of bores therein and a second group of bores located substantially perpendicular to said first group, means for mounting a glow discharge lamp in each of the bores of said first group and means for mounting a photosensitive element in each of the bores of said second group, each of said bores of said first group being located in juxtaposed relation to a given bore of said second group for optically coupling individual ones of said glow lamps and said photosensitive elements, the bores of said first group containing said glow lamps extending to the outer surface of said block so as to be externally visible.
  • Apparatus as described in claim 2 further comprising a light shield mounted on said block so as to prevent ambient light from entering said first group of bores and thereby to influence the photosensitive elements located in said second group of bores.
  • Apparatus for supplying a unidirectional current to a load circuit from a source of alternating current comprising a plurality of series connected semiconductor rectifier elements connected in series between said current source and said load circuit, a plurality of gas discharge lamps connected in parallel with individual ones of said rectifier elements, current limiting means connected in series with each of said lamps, an inverse voltage being developed across each of said rectifier elements sufiicient to ignite its associated gas discharge lamp, circuit means comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements connected in series and optically coupled to individual ones of said lamps, said circuit means further comprising in put means for supplying an operating potential thereto and output circuit means for deriving first and second control signals for actuating a control device upon a reduction in the inverse voltage across any of said rectifier elements below a predetermined value, said control device comprising first and second trigger circuits responsive to said first and second control signals, respectively, said first trigger circuit being actuated upon the reduction in the inverse voltage across any one of said rectifier ele ments below said predetermined value and said
  • Apparatus as diversified in claim 4 further comprising a plurality of impedance elements individually connected in parallel with individual ones of said photosensitive elements.
  • Apparatus for supplying a unidirectional current to a load circuit from a source of alternating current comprising a first circuit comprising a plurality of series connected semi-conductor rectifier elements, a second circuit connected in parallel with said first circuit and comprising a plurality of other series connected semiconductor rectifier elements, means for connecting said first and second parallel-connected circuits in series between said current source and said load circuit, a plurality of other circuits each of which comprises the series combination of a gas discharge lamp and an impedance element, means for connecting said other circuits in parallel with individual ones of said rectifier elements, an inverse voltage being developed across each of said rectifier elements by said current source sufiicient to ignite its associated lamp, a plurality of photosensitive elements connected in series and optically coupled to individual ones of said gas lamps, a plurality of other impedance elements individually connected in parallel with individual ones of said photosensitive elements, input means for supplying an operating potential to said photosensitive elements, and output circuit means coupled to said photosensitive elements for deriving a control signal for
  • said current source comprises a polyphase source of alternating current
  • said apparatus further comprising a plurality of said first and second parallel connected rectifier circuits: equal in number to the number of phases of said poly-- phase source, and means for connecting each phase of said source in series with an individual one of said. parallel connected rectifier circuits and said load circuit.
  • a monitor system for a plurality of series connected rectifier elements connected in series with a source of alternating current and a load circuit comprising monitoring means for each of said rectifier elements, each of said monitoring means comprising a light source and an impedance element connected in series with one another and across its respective rectifier element, an in verse voltage being developed across each of said rectifier elements of a value sufiicient to ignite its associated light source, a plurality of photosensitive elements connected in series and optically coupled to individual ones of said light sources, input means for supplying an op erating voltage to said photosensitive elements, and output circuit means coupled to said photosensitive elements for deriving a control signal for actuating a control device, said control device comprising first and second signal responsive elements coupled to said output circuit means so as to be selectively actuated by said control signal, said first signal responsive means being actuated by a first given variation in the inverse voltage across said rectifier elements beyond a predetermined value and a second given variation in the inverse voltage across said rectifier elements beyond a pre

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)
  • Arrangement Of Elements, Cooling, Sealing, Or The Like Of Lighting Devices (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
US164260A 1961-01-06 1962-01-04 Rectifying arrangement comprising photo-resistive alarm circuits to indicate rectifier failure Expired - Lifetime US3238520A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL259823 1961-01-06

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US3238520A true US3238520A (en) 1966-03-01

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US164260A Expired - Lifetime US3238520A (en) 1961-01-06 1962-01-04 Rectifying arrangement comprising photo-resistive alarm circuits to indicate rectifier failure

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US (1) US3238520A (de)
CH (1) CH412090A (de)
DE (1) DE1145270B (de)
GB (1) GB938407A (de)
NL (2) NL112395C (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3508135A (en) * 1967-11-21 1970-04-21 Philips Corp Device comprising a plurality of series-arranged,semiconductor controlled rectifiers
US4415884A (en) * 1981-10-07 1983-11-15 Combustion Engineering, Inc. Diagnostic circuit for programmable logic safety control systems
US4471301A (en) * 1981-12-11 1984-09-11 Vsesojuzny Elektrotekhnichesky Institut Device for monitoring thyristors of high-voltage valve
US4554507A (en) * 1981-11-14 1985-11-19 Westinghouse Brake And Signal Co., Ltd. Arrangement for testing the operability of a semiconductive device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE360227B (de) * 1972-02-01 1973-09-17 Asea Ab
SE364826B (de) * 1972-07-10 1974-03-04 Asea Ab

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1922188A (en) * 1927-06-16 1933-08-15 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Inspection device
US1940882A (en) * 1930-07-30 1933-12-26 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Sorting apparatus
US2398366A (en) * 1943-01-18 1946-04-16 Cutler Hammer Inc Rectified current flow indicating system
US2941187A (en) * 1957-12-30 1960-06-14 Luther G Simjian Apparatus and method for determining the character of a document
US2982904A (en) * 1957-08-21 1961-05-02 Licentia Gmbh Rectifiers
US3040178A (en) * 1957-07-09 1962-06-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Logic circuitry
US3135950A (en) * 1961-08-14 1964-06-02 Sam M Finkle Fire detecting unit
US3172093A (en) * 1959-02-12 1965-03-02 Int Rectifier Corp Monitoring arrangement for power converter

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE744206C (de) * 1939-03-01 1944-01-20 Siemens Ag Schutzeinrichtung fuer Schaltanlagen gegen Beschaedigungen durch freibrennende Kurzschlusslichtboegen
DE1116315B (de) * 1960-09-23 1961-11-02 Siemens Ag Gleichrichteranordnung

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1922188A (en) * 1927-06-16 1933-08-15 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Inspection device
US1940882A (en) * 1930-07-30 1933-12-26 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Sorting apparatus
US2398366A (en) * 1943-01-18 1946-04-16 Cutler Hammer Inc Rectified current flow indicating system
US3040178A (en) * 1957-07-09 1962-06-19 Westinghouse Electric Corp Logic circuitry
US2982904A (en) * 1957-08-21 1961-05-02 Licentia Gmbh Rectifiers
US2941187A (en) * 1957-12-30 1960-06-14 Luther G Simjian Apparatus and method for determining the character of a document
US3172093A (en) * 1959-02-12 1965-03-02 Int Rectifier Corp Monitoring arrangement for power converter
US3135950A (en) * 1961-08-14 1964-06-02 Sam M Finkle Fire detecting unit

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3508135A (en) * 1967-11-21 1970-04-21 Philips Corp Device comprising a plurality of series-arranged,semiconductor controlled rectifiers
US4415884A (en) * 1981-10-07 1983-11-15 Combustion Engineering, Inc. Diagnostic circuit for programmable logic safety control systems
US4554507A (en) * 1981-11-14 1985-11-19 Westinghouse Brake And Signal Co., Ltd. Arrangement for testing the operability of a semiconductive device
US4471301A (en) * 1981-12-11 1984-09-11 Vsesojuzny Elektrotekhnichesky Institut Device for monitoring thyristors of high-voltage valve

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB938407A (en) 1963-10-02
DE1145270B (de) 1963-03-14
NL112395C (de)
NL259823A (de)
CH412090A (de) 1966-04-30

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