FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
AND
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2005
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
An automated test bench for circuit breakers
APPLICANTS
Crompton Greaves Limited, CG House, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, Maharashtra, India, an Indian Company
INVENTOR
Kshemkalyani Sanjay of Crompton Greaves Ltd, S2 Division, Switchgcar Complex A-3, MIDC, Ambad, Nashik-422010 Maharashtra, India; all Indian Nationals
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION :
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to the field of automation.
Particularly, this invention relates to an automated test bench for circuit breakers.
Background of the Invention:
Electrical devices and their working parameters are rated not only by virtue of their electrical working efficiency, but also by the mechanical efficiency that they can handle. Each electrical device has standard optimized operating-parameters under which they perform / handle a task without compromise. The electrical devices are also, sometimes, capable of handling aberrations, thus avoiding breakdown of self or subsequent dependent devices.
Each electrical device, before being practically and physically manufactured is theoretically designed. In some cases, they may also be designed and run virtually in a simulated environment. However, the operating parameters in a virtual environment are almost always different than the random parameters that the device may eventually be exposed to, on-site. It is hence, a best practice, to eventually test each and every electrical device that is manufactured. The basic idea is to run the device through a series of tests. This tests the device for normal working parameters, abnormal working parameters, thresholds, optimum values, breakdown conditions, fault points,

range of working, and the like standardized parameters. Based on these tests, a rating can be provided which may include optimized ranges of working and life of working of such device, along with a guarantee or a warrantee or disclaimer or warning. Such tests, are hence crucial in order to transfer the liability, in case of erroneous handling, from the manufacturer to the user, thus avoiding consumer and legal disputes.
One such electrical device is a Medium Voltage Circuit Breaker is switchgear, which is capable of making, breaking and carrying current under normal and specified abnormal conditions. The breaker shall be suitable to perform satisfactorily for specified life after clearing the fault.
Some of the routine tests that the on medium voltage circuit breaker are Control circuit test, coil current measurement, motor current measurement, endurance, closing - opening time, millivolt drop test, and the like. The subjected breaker should be in a position to perform the test satisfactorily and the test results must respect and honour the specified limits as per governed standards such as the IS / IEC standard.
During the test, the subjected circuit breaker operates i.e. charges, closes and opens several operations. The set up is designed such that it needs operator attendance at all levels. Mechanical tests on circuit breaker are conducted without current and voltage in the main circuit and about 100 operations are made by connecting the main circuit.

All parts of the circuit breaker are checked post endurance test and should not show any permanent deformation or damage. During repeated operations of the circuit breaker, the weaker parts in the assembly may fail. In such cases the tests are then to be repeated after improvement in the design and manufacture. Successful performance in above mentioned test + mechanical endurance test prove the adequacy of design and good quality of material used and defect free manufacturing,
Prior Art:
According to the prior art, a device may run through a series of tests. J;or exemplary purposes, these tests may be 4 in number, namely:
A) Control circuit test;
B) Endurance test;
C) Closing - opening time; and
D) Mill volt drop test;.
Each of these tests, according to the prior art embodiment requires a separate set-up such as a work space. The device needs to be manually transferred from one workbench to another to fulfill the tests run on each workbench to provide a substantial and comprehensive report.

Further, a separate workbench is provided where the earlier test results are collated to provide a final report and where printing of such test certificate detailing said report takes place.
The schematic of flow, in an exemplary workshop comprising such workbenches is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. The movement of the test device, is thus, extremely random.
The disadvantages of such a distributed work bench system are as under:
* Capacity constraint was a big issue, since space is unnecessarily utilized for a plurality of workbenches;
* Throughput / day was low;
* Tests like coil & motor current were not conducted;
* "Closing and opening time" test were conducted only on 10% of total produced.
* Coordination and data monitoring with respect to testing on different trolleys was manual.
Objects of the Invention:
An object of the invention is to provide a consolidated and automated work bench tool for testing a device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic work bench tool which has safety features, requires minimum operator attendance, provides automatic control and display results on a monitor.
Summary of the Invention:
According to this invention, there is provided an automated test workbench system adapted to test multiple parameters relating to operation of at least one device in an automated fashion, said automated test workbench system comprises:
a. at least one connecting means adapted to connect "one device in
accordance with its physical connections for physical working
parameters and electrical connection for electrical working
parameters;
b. first database means adapted to store a set of pre-defined physical
working parameters and a set of pre-defined electrical working
parameters;
c. test selection means adapted to select at least one test from a pre
defined number of tests for testing said connected device;
d. testing means adapted to execute said selected test on each of said
connected device;

e. sensing means adapted to sense said physical parameters and said
electrical parameters based on said connected physical connections
and said connected electrical connections;
f. monitoring means adapted to monitor said sensed physical parameters
and said electrical parameters;
g. comparator means adapted to compare each of said sensed physical
parameters with corresponding said set physical parameters from said
first database means and further adapted to compare each of said
sensed electrical parameters with corresponding said set electrical
parameters to obtain a comparative analysis report; and
h. processing means adapted to process said comparative analysis report to obtain a goodness value of each of said connected device.
Typically, said device is a circuit breaker device.
Typically, said system includes a reading means adapted to read device identity.
Typically, said system includes a bar code reading means adapted to read device identity.

Typically, said system includes a manual setting means adapted to manually pre-define set physical working parameters of said first database means and further adapted to manually pre-define set electrical working parameters of said first database means.
Typically, said system includes a working-parameter defining means adapted to define said pre-defined working parameters to be selected from a group of working parameters ranging from rating parameters, optimum parameters, threshold parameters, arbitrarily defined parameters
Typically, said system includes a training means adapted to train said system to read pre-defined working parameters for storing in said first database, said training done on a rated 'good' device.
Typically, said system includes multiple connection means adapted to simultaneously connect multiple devices to said testing for simultaneous testing.
Typically, said system includes a remote terminal unit adapted to remotely monitor said system.

Typically, said system includes a camera means adapted to relay live testing parameters to a remote unit.
Typically, said system includes a visual display unit adapted to relay said tested parameters.
Typically, said system includes a computation means adapted to compute pain point in accordance with an arbitrary working parameter.
Typically, said system includes an alarm unit adapted to alarm faulty condition of device while testing.
Typically, said system includes a report generation means adapted to generate a feedback report of tests and results over a defined time-period,
Brief Description of the Accompanying Drawings:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a flow of events in an exemplary workshop comprising a plurality of work benches according to the prior art.
Detailed Description of the Accompanying Drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a flow of events in an exemplary workshop comprising a plurality of work benches according to the prior art. The arrows depict an exemplary arbitrary movement of device over the entire workplace for purposes of testing at various workstations.
According to this invention, there is provided an automatic consolidated test work bench for testing a device.
In accordance with an embodiment of this invention, there is provided a single automated workbench adapted to test a electrical device (1) for all of its working / non-working parameters. This relegates the need to have multiple workbenches, thus saving space and manpower, and eventually increasing throughput. Typically, said workbench has a plurality of in-built means to run a plurality of tests.
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a connecting means (2) adapted to connect a device that is to be tested to said

workbench system. Typically, said connections are physical connections and electrical connections.
In accordance with another embodiment oFthis invention, there is provided a first database means (3) adapted to store sets of pre-defined parameters in relation to physical working as well as electrical working. Thus, physical working parameters and electrical working.parameters are stored.
In accordance with another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a
test selection means (4) adapted to select a type of test from said plurality of tests.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a testing means (5) adapted to execute said selected tests.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a series of tests are pre-chosen, and run one after another on a battery of devices.

Preferably, manual intervention may be allowed to tweak operational
parameters.
Additionally, the workbench may include an enclosure to simulate a designed or preferred working environment. Such environments may include moist, damp, humid, dry, vibrating, noisy, dusty, dirty and the like different types.
In accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a sensing means (6) adapted to sense said physical parameters and said electrical parameters upon testing said device. Each of said device's parameters are sensed.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a monitoring means (7) adapted to monitor said sensed physical and electrical parameters.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a reading / recording means (8) adapted to read and record, in a digital format, a device identity and its correlated test parameters. All the test parameters are recorded, one after other,.sequentially.

In accordance with still another embodiment of this invention, there is provided a manual setting means (9) adapted to set threshold values for comparison of said tested values. Alternatively, there may be provided with an online interfacing means for downloading the latest test parameters and threshold values, to continually upgrade to the latest set norms of standardization and safety. Thus, compliance with Government regulated bodies and certification marks becomes a seamless activity.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a comparator means (10) to compare each of said test (physical and electrical) values to set values from said first database. A report, based on these comparisons and pre-defined rules, is then generated automatically, with minimal manual intervention.
In accordance with yet an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a processing means (11) adapted to process said comparative results to obtain a goodness value of each of said connected device.
In accordance with yet an additional embodiment of this invention, there is provided a repetition means adapted to engage any or all of the tests onto a subject device for a continuous number of cycles. This repeatability tests the robustness.

Preferably, there may be a computation means (13) for diagnosis of errors or aberrations, and additionally to provide suggestions of improving the device.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the flow of electrical current for a circuit breaker for each phase is sensed. A S phase based on the sensed flow of electrical current in such phase the signals formed for each phase are than combined which is used in a display for monitoring and diagnostic phases. In the tool, according to the present invention, the signals for each phase which are combined into a composite manner to identify the sensed flow of electrical current in each of the phase by time relationship the signals formed provided with an identifying characteristic which is indicative of the particular phase of the multi phase currents flow. In a preferred embodiment, the identifying characteristic provided in the signals as formed is distinctive assigned.
In accordance with still an additional embodiment of this invention, here is provided a stamping means such that a certified report may include a time-stamp, date-stamp, worker name-stamp on each report or article.
The status of each device under test is displayed continuously on the display screen (12). The test parameters, results and records are password protected and are tamper proof.

Typically, some of the many tests that can be conducted are:
1) Closing coil current,
2) Tripping coil current,
3) Motor current,
4) Testing for closing time,
5) Testing for opening time and
6) Milivolt drop.
7) Endurance test 100 ( n) operations on each breaker.
8) Parameters relating to contact travel i.e. speed, travel, time and the like.
Further to these tests, the following tasks were performed:
• Printing of test certificate individually for each successful breaker.
• Isolation of breaker during the test (in case docs not satisfy preset parameters).
Although the above invention is described in relation to an automatic consolidated workbench for an electrical device, it may be construed that any device, not limited to electrical, but also including electronic, mechanical, biomedical, and the like may be tested, on this workbench.

We claim:
1. An automated test workbench system adapted to test multiple parameters relating to operation of at least one device in an automated fashion, said automated test workbench system comprising:
a. at least one connecting means adapted to connect one device in
accordance with its physical connections for physical working
parameters and electrical connection for electrical working
parameters;
b. first database means adapted to store a set of pre-defined physical
working parameters and a set of pre-defined electrical working
parameters;
c. .test selection means adapted to select at least one test from a pre
defined number of tests for testing said connected device;
d. testing means adapted to execute said selected test on each of said
connected device;
e. sensing means adapted to sense said physical parameters and said
electrical parameters based on said connected physical connections
and said connected electrical connections;
f. monitoring means adapted to monitor said sensed physical parameters
and said electrical parameters;

g. comparator means adapted to compare each of said sensed physical parameters with corresponding said set physical parameters from said first database means and further adapted to compare each of said sensed electrical parameters with corresponding said set electrical parameters to obtain a comparative analysis report; and
h. processing means adapted to process said comparative analysis report to obtain a goodness value of each of said connected device.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said device is a circuit breaker device.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a reading means adapted to read device identity.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a bar code reading means adapted to read device identity.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a manual setting means adapted to manually pre-define set physical working parameters of said first database means and further adapted to manually pre-define set electrical working parameters of said first database means.

6. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a working-parameter defining means adapted to define said pre-defined working parameters to be selected from a group of working parameters ranging from rating parameters, optimum parameters, threshold parameters, arbitrarily defined parameters
7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a training means adapted to train said system to read pre-defined working parameters for storing in said first database, said training done on a rated 'good' device.
8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes multiple connection means adapted to simultaneously connect multiple devices to said testing for simultaneous testing.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a remote terminal unit adapted to remotely monitor said system.
10.A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a camera means adapted to relay live testing parameters to a remote unit.

11.A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a visual display unit adapted lo relay said tested parameters.
12.A system as claimed in claim I wherein, said system includes a computation means adapted to compute pain point in accordance with an arbitrary working parameter.
13.A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes an alarm unit adapted to alarm faulty condition of device while testing.
14.A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said system includes a report generation means adapted to generate a feedback report of tests and results over a defined time-period.