CONTACTOR ISOLATION METHOD AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A contactor unit comprising:
- an input lead connectable to a first lead of an energy output device;
an output lead connectable to a first lead of a voltage bus;
a contactor that connects and disconnects the input lead from the output lead;
a driver configured to operate the contactor;
a serial data link connectable to a system controller that is external to the contactor unit; and
an integrated circuit (IC) positioned within the contactor unit and configured to;
output a control command to the driver to open the contactor based on at least one of;
a current in either the input lead or the output lead; and
a voltage differential across the contactor; and
output a contactor control status via the serial data link.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A contactor unit includes an input lead connectable to a first lead of an energy output device, an output lead connectable to a first lead of a voltage bus, a contactor that connects and disconnects the input lead from the output lead, a driver configured to operate the contactor, a serial data link connectable to a system controller that is external to the contactor unit, and an integrated circuit (IC) positioned within the contactor unit and configured to output a control command to the driver to open the contactor based on at least one of a current in either the input lead or the output lead and a voltage differential across the contactor, and output a contactor control status via the serial data link.
10 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A contactor unit comprising:
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an input lead connectable to a first lead of an energy output device; an output lead connectable to a first lead of a voltage bus; a contactor that connects and disconnects the input lead from the output lead; a driver configured to operate the contactor; a serial data link connectable to a system controller that is external to the contactor unit; and an integrated circuit (IC) positioned within the contactor unit and configured to; output a control command to the driver to open the contactor based on at least one of; a current in either the input lead or the output lead; and a voltage differential across the contactor; and output a contactor control status via the serial data link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating an isolation contactor comprising:
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attaching an input lead of the isolation contactor to a first lead of an energy output device and an output lead of the isolation contactor to a voltage bus; measuring a current passing through one of the input lead and the output lead; measuring a voltage across a switch that is positioned within a housing of the isolation contactor and coupled to the input lead and the output lead, the switch configured to disconnect the input lead from the output lead; conveying signals that are representative of the measured current and the measured voltage to an integrated circuit (IC) that is positioned within the housing of the isolation contactor; controlling a driver based on the signals conveyed to the IC, the driver configured to operate the switch; and outputting a status of the switch to a computing device external to the housing via a serial link. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for isolating a first voltage device from a second voltage device, the system comprising:
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an isolating unit having at least first and second leads external thereto and connectable to leads of respective energy devices; a switch positioned within a housing of the isolating unit and coupled to the first and second leads such that the first and second leads are selectively engageable via the switch; a driving unit positioned within the housing and configured to engage and disengage the switch; an integrated circuit (IC) positioned within the housing and configured to; output a control command to the driving unit to open the switch based on at least one of; a current in either the first lead or the second lead; and a voltage differential across the switch; and output a system control status via a serial data link. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification