Contactor health monitoring systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A contactor arrangement, comprising:
- a post defining a post axis;
a fastener configured to electrically attach a conductor of a contactor to the post, the fastener fixed to the post along the post axis; and
a temperature sensor positioned and configured to be in thermal communication with the conductor, the sensor in thermal communication with the post through the fastener and electrically insulated from the post.
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Abstract
A contactor arrangement includes a post, a fastener and a temperature sensor. The post defines a post axis. The fastener is fixed to the post along the post axis. The temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the contactor conductor and post through the fastener and is electrically insulated from the post for monitoring resistive heat generation in a contactor fixed to the post by the fastener.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A contactor arrangement, comprising:
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a post defining a post axis; a fastener configured to electrically attach a conductor of a contactor to the post, the fastener fixed to the post along the post axis; and a temperature sensor positioned and configured to be in thermal communication with the conductor, the sensor in thermal communication with the post through the fastener and electrically insulated from the post. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A power distribution panel, comprising:
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a contactor arrangement including; a post defining a post axis; a fastener configured to electrically attach a conductor of a contactor to the post, the fastener fixed to the post along the post axis and; and a temperature sensor positioned and configured to be in thermal communication with the conductor, the sensor in thermal communication with the post through the fastener and electrically insulated from the post; a contactor fixed between the fastener and an end of the post by the conductor of the contactor; a bus bar fixed to an end of the post opposite the conductor; and a control module in communication with the contactor, the temperature sensor and the power distribution panel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of monitoring health of a contactor, comprising:
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monitoring ambient temperature around the contactor; monitoring current passing across the contactor; monitoring temperature of the contactor while current is passing thereacross wherein monitoring temperature of the contactor includes comparing the temperature of the contactor to a plurality of predetermined values; and determining a health state of the contactor based on the comparison of the temperature to the predetermined values, wherein the plurality of predetermined values are based on empirical data previously gathered on similar contactors under similar conditions of ambient temperature and current load. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification