Current limiting circuit
First Claim
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1. A device for limiting an electrical switchgear closing velocity comprising:
- an energy source;
an actuator means connected in series with said energy source, wherein said actuator means mechanically operates the electrical switchgear and movement of said actuator means occurs at a velocity which is related to a current flowing there through;
current sensing means connected to said actuator means for detecting whether said current has reached a predetermined amount;
current optimizing impedance means; and
means for inserting said current optimizing impedance means in series with said energy source and said actuator means in response to said current sensing means detecting the predetermined amount of current flowing through said actuator means to limit said velocity of said electrical switchgear closing.
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Abstract
An electronic circuit, and corresponding method, for controlling the closing velocity of electrical switchgear, includes an actuator and a current detection circuit that detects whether an optimum amount of current is flowing through the actuator. When the optimum amount of current is detected, a current optimizing resistor is inserted into the path of the current flowing through the actuator, thus limiting the current flowing through the actuator to the optimum amount. This, in turn, limits the closing velocity of the electrical switchgear and minimizes contact bounce.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A device for limiting an electrical switchgear closing velocity comprising:
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an energy source; an actuator means connected in series with said energy source, wherein said actuator means mechanically operates the electrical switchgear and movement of said actuator means occurs at a velocity which is related to a current flowing there through; current sensing means connected to said actuator means for detecting whether said current has reached a predetermined amount; current optimizing impedance means; and means for inserting said current optimizing impedance means in series with said energy source and said actuator means in response to said current sensing means detecting the predetermined amount of current flowing through said actuator means to limit said velocity of said electrical switchgear closing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electronic circuit for limiting an electrical switchgear closing velocity comprising:
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an energy source; an electro-magnetic actuator comprising a permanent magnet, a coil, and a plunger, wherein said coil is connected in series with said energy source and said plunger mechanically controls the closure of the electrical switchgear when the energy source discharges its energy through said electro-magnetic actuator; a coil current sensing circuit connected to said electro-magnetic actuator for detecting whether a predetermined amount of current is flowing through the coil of said electro-magnetic actuator; a current optimizing resistor; and means for inserting said current optimizing resistor in series with said energy source and said coil in response to the coil current sensing circuit detecting the predetermined amount of current flowing through said coil to limit said electrical switchgear closing velocity by limiting a speed at which said plunger moves. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for limiting an electrical switchgear closing velocity comprising the steps of:
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generating a coil current through an actuator, wherein the actuator is connected to the electrical switchgear; detecting whether the coil current has reached a predetermined amount of current for operating the actuator; and limiting the coil current to a predefined coil current profile, thereby limiting the closing velocity of the electrical switchgear in accordance with the predefined coil current profile, wherein said step of limiting the coil current to the predetermined coil current profile, comprises the step of diverting the coil current through a resistor when the predefined amount of current required to operate the actuator has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. An apparatus for controlling an electrical switchgear closing velocity comprising:
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an energy source; an actuator means connected in series with said energy source, wherein said actuator means mechanically operates the electrical switchgear; current sensing circuit connected to said actuator means for detecting an amount of current flowing through said actuator means; and means for optimizing the electrical switch gear closing velocity responsive to said current sensing means, wherein said means for optimizing the electrical switchgear closing velocity comprises an impedance and means for inserting said impedance in series with said energy source and said actuator means. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification