Ultrasonic coil current regulator
First Claim
1. An electrical device for connecting a source of electrical power to an electrical load comprising:
- one or more pairs of separable main contacts;
an electromagnet including an armature mechanically interlocked with said one or more pairs of separable main contacts, said armature movably mounted to allow said one or more pairs of separable main contacts to be placed in a CLOSED position or alternatively in an OPEN position, said electromagnet also including a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of said armature;
means for connecting said solenoid coil to a source of electrical power in order to apply electrical current to said solenoid coil;
means for sensing the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil;
means for modulating the sensed electrical current of said sensing means;
means for comparing the modulated sensed electrical current of said modulating means with a predetermined value; and
regulating means cooperating with said comparing means for regulating the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil, said modulating means modulating the sensed electrical current of said sensing means in order to place said separable main contacts in the CLOSED position from the OPEN position, said regulating means for regulating the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil in order to maintain said separable main contacts in the CLOSED position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control circuit for electrical contactors, starters and the like which include one or more pairs of separable main contacts is controlled by an electromagnet assembly. In order to reduce, if not eliminate, audible noise generated by the electromagnet assembly, the electrical current to the electromagnetic assembly is regulated to minimize the rate of change of magnetic flux therethrough to thereby reduce, if not eliminate, audible noise. By regulating the electrical current to the electromagnet assembly, the power consumption of the electromagnet assembly is reduced which, in turn, reduces undesirable heating of a solenoid coil within the electromagnet assembly.
62 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electrical device for connecting a source of electrical power to an electrical load comprising:
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one or more pairs of separable main contacts; an electromagnet including an armature mechanically interlocked with said one or more pairs of separable main contacts, said armature movably mounted to allow said one or more pairs of separable main contacts to be placed in a CLOSED position or alternatively in an OPEN position, said electromagnet also including a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of said armature; means for connecting said solenoid coil to a source of electrical power in order to apply electrical current to said solenoid coil; means for sensing the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil; means for modulating the sensed electrical current of said sensing means; means for comparing the modulated sensed electrical current of said modulating means with a predetermined value; and regulating means cooperating with said comparing means for regulating the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil, said modulating means modulating the sensed electrical current of said sensing means in order to place said separable main contacts in the CLOSED position from the OPEN position, said regulating means for regulating the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil in order to maintain said separable main contacts in the CLOSED position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electrical device for connecting a source of electrical power to an electrical load comprising:
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separable contact means; electromagnet means including an armature mechanically interlocked with said separable contact means, said armature movably mounted to allow said separable contact means to be placed in a CLOSED position or alternatively in an OPEN position, said electromagnet means also including a solenoid coil for controlling the movement of said armature; means for connecting said solenoid coil to a source of electrical power in order to apply electrical current to said solenoid coil; means for sensing the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil; modulating means for modulating the sensed electrical current of said sensing means, said modulating means having a first state associated with the OPEN position of said separable contact means, a second state associated with placing said separable contact means in the CLOSED position from the OPEN position, and a third state associated with the CLOSED position of said separable contact means; trigger signal providing means cooperating with said modulating means for providing a trigger signal when the modulated sensed electrical current of said modulating means reaches a predetermined value; and regulating means cooperating with said trigger signal providing means for regulating the electrical current applied to said solenoid coil in order to maintain said separable contact means in the CLOSED position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification