Effector with self-compensated contacts for power supply of a receiver circuit

• US 5,608,598 A
• Filed: 04/12/1994
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Merlin Gerin
• Original Assignee: Gerin Merlin
• Inventors: Frolla, Alain, Dieppedalle, Fran.cedilla.ois
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US08/226,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,057 Days
• Field of Search: 361/160, 361/187, 361/188, 361/194, 361/2, 361/193, 361/5, 361/6, 361/7, 361/166, 307/134, 307/130, 307/139, 307/142, 307/143
• US Class Current: 361/160
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/54 by magnetic force combined with electrodynamic opening H01H77/101
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/005 in case of too low isolation resistance, too high load, short-circuit; earth fault
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/222 for switches

Abstract

The present invention relates to an effector comprising power contacts for power supply of a receiver. The effector comprises an operating mechanism for the power contacts, this mechanism being actuated by an electromagnet. Between a power circuit for supplying power to the receiver and the return power circuit, there is connected a measuring and processing unit arranged to measure the impedance at the terminals of the power supply circuit of the receiver. This unit is coupled to a contact of the control circuit. The contact is arranged to cut the power supply of the control circuit in the event of a short-circuit of the power supply circuit of the receiver.

Claims

1. An electrical effector, comprising:

a power supply circuit for supplying power to a receiver provided in a receiver circuit, said power supply circuit including power contacts;

a control circuit including an operating mechanism and a switch provided in series with the operating mechanism, said operating mechanism including an electromagnet for operating the power contacts;

compensation means for applying a compensating force to the power contacts when in the closed position to oppose striction repulsion forces acting on said power contacts due to a short-circuit in the receiver circuit; and

prevention means for preventing closing of the power contacts from the open position under a short-circuit condition in the receiver circuit, said prevention means comprising (i) measuring means for measuring an impedance of the receiver circuit, said measuring means including a comparator to compare a measured impedance with a threshold impedance, (ii) a relay connected to said comparator and to said switch of the control circuit, said relay being actuated by a measured impedance which is below the threshold impedance to drive the switch and open the control circuit thereby preventing closing of the power contacts.

2. The effector of claim 1, wherein said measuring means further comprises a voltage sensor and a current sensor connected to the comparator.

3. The effector of claim 1, wherein said compensation means comprises an electrodynamic device.

4. The effector of claim 3, wherein said electrodynamic device comprises first and second substantially parallel rods electrically connected to each other such that current flows in opposite directions through the first and second rods when the power contacts are closed.

5. The effector of claim 4, wherein the first rod is fixed, and the second rod is articulated at a first end thereof, said second rod bearing one of the power contacts at a second end thereof, opposite said first end.

6. The effector of claim 1, wherein said compensation means comprises an electromagnetic device.

7. The effector of claim 6, wherein said electromagnetic device comprises a ferromagnet which is closed upon closing said power contacts.

8. The effector of claim 7, wherein said ferromagnet includes a blade and a bracket.