Control circuit for an electromagnet

• US 6,101,082 A
• Filed: 10/23/1998
• Issued: 08/08/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric SA (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric SA (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Riffaud, Daniel, Benkaroun, Karim, Guermeur, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): FLEMING, FRITZ M
• Application Number:
  US09/177,377
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 361/152-156, 361/160, 361/191, 361/210
• US Class Current: 361/191
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/1816 making use of an energy accumulator for relays H01H47/043
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/1833 by changing number of parallel-connected turns or windings for relays H01H47/08

Abstract

Control circuit for electromagnet with two coils used to determine a call phase and a hold phase, and powered from a DC power source. The energy source comprises a current generator and a capacitor powered by this current generator. A control device controls two switches, in which the first switch controls discharge of the capacitor in the first coil during the call phase, and the second switch sets up current passing through a second coil during the call phase and the hold phase. The required current output from the current generator is thus reduced.

Claims

1. A control circuit comprising:

an electromagnet comprising a first coil and a second coil to determine a call phase and a hold phase;

a capacitor coupled to the first coil;

a current generator configured to power the coils and to charge the capacitor;

a first switch coupled to the first coil;

a second switch coupled to the first coil and the second coil, wherein the current generator powers the second coil via the second switch during the call phase and the hold phase; and

a control device configured to control the first switch and the second switch, wherein the second switch controls discharge of the capacitor into the first coil during the call phase.

2. The control circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a non-return diode coupled to the current generator and the first switch, the first switch being coupled to the capacitor.

3. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first coil and the second coil are in parallel, the second switch being in series with the coils.

4. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the current generator outputs an adjustable current amplitude signal, the control device being coupled to the current generator to send a current set value signal to the current generator during the call phase and the hold phase.

5. A method for controlling an electromagnet having a first coil and a second coil to determine a call phase and a hold phase, the method comprising:

powering the coils by a current generator;

charging a capacitor by the current generator; and

switchably controlling discharge of the capacitor into the first coil during the call phase, wherein the controlling step comprises;

opening a first switch, and

closing a second switch concurrent with the opening step, wherein the second switch is coupled to the first coil and the second coil.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising:

sending a current set value signal to the current generator; and

outputting an adjustable current amplitude signal by the current generator based upon the sending step.