HYBRID HIGH VOLTAGE DC CONTACTOR WITH ARC ENERGY DIVERSION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for interrupting current in a circuit comprising:
- contacts through which the current passes;
the contacts moving away from one another during current interruption;
a shunt to by-pass surge power around the contacts when current is interrupted;
the shunt being operative during a portion of a time period that the contacts move; and
the shunt being inoperative during a portion of the time period.
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Abstract
A contactor may operate to interrupt current in a circuit while the circuit is operating under load. A shunt is provided to by-pass surge power current around contacts to reduce arcing. The shunt includes a solid-state switch that may be operated in a series of pulses during movement of the contacts. The pulse control unit may detect a potential for arcing and then provide for periodic pulsing operation of the shunt. Because the solid-state switch may operate discontinuously, the contactor may be constructed with a switch that is selected on a basis of its pulse rating.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for interrupting current in a circuit comprising:
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contacts through which the current passes; the contacts moving away from one another during current interruption; a shunt to by-pass surge power around the contacts when current is interrupted; the shunt being operative during a portion of a time period that the contacts move; and the shunt being inoperative during a portion of the time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electrical power circuit comprising:
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a contactor with movable contacts; an electrical shunt to by-pass current around the contacts; and a pulse control to periodically operate the shunt during movement of the contacts. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for interrupting current in a circuit under load conditions comprising the steps of:
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moving conducting contacts away from one another for a predetermined time period; detecting electrical power at the contacts during the step of moving the contacts; determining if the detected power is sufficient to initiate arcing at the contacts; operating an electrical shunt around the contacts for a portion of the predetermined time period if the detected power is sufficient for arcing initiation; and disabling the electrical shunt for a portion of the time period. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification