Method and apparatus to control modular asynchronous contactors
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a number of contacts in a contactor assembly arranged to conduct current when in a closed position;
a plurality of actuating assemblies in the contactor assembly, each in operable association with at least one set of contacts; and
a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to open less than all the contacts in the contactor assembly when an open condition is desired.
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Abstract
A modular asynchronous contactor assembly includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device. The contactor assembly is applicable as both a switching device and an isolation or load protection device. As such, each contactor is constructed so that each includes multiple contact assemblies. Moreover, the contactors within a single contactor assembly or housing can be independently controlled so that the contacts of one contactor can be opened without opening the contacts of the other contactors of the contactor assembly.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a number of contacts in a contactor assembly arranged to conduct current when in a closed position;
a plurality of actuating assemblies in the contactor assembly, each in operable association with at least one set of contacts; and
a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to open less than all the contacts in the contactor assembly when an open condition is desired. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling contactor switching comprising the steps of:
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monitoring current in at least one set of contacts of a number of contacts in a single contactor assembly designed to selectively connect a load to an energy source; and
opening less than all the contacts in the contactor assembly when an open condition is desired between the load and the energy source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A switching device comprising:
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a number of contacts of a contactor capable of conducting current when arranged in a closed position;
a plurality of actuating assemblies, each in operable association with a set of contacts; and
a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to close the number of contacts when a closed circuit condition is desired and to initially open only one set of contacts when an open condition is desired. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of controlling contactor switching comprising;
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monitoring current through a first pole contactor, a second pole contactor, and a third pole contactor with at least one current sensor;
identifying a current condition in one of the first pole contactor, the second pole contactor, and the third pole contactor with the at least one current sensor; and
opening only one of the first pole contactor, the second pole contactor, and the third pole contactor corresponding to the current condition. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A control apparatus for a contactor assembly having more than one contactor, the control apparatus comprising;
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a controller connected to at least one current sensing unit in operable association to sense current applied to a number of contacts of a single contactor assembly;
at least one actuating assembly connected to the controller and configured to independently open the number of contacts of the single contactor assembly; and
wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one actuating assembly to open only one set of contacts in response to a current condition being detected by the at least one current sensing unit. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An apparatus comprising a contactor system having:
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a number of contacts capable of conducting current when arranged in a closed position;
a plurality of actuating assemblies connected to the number of contacts to selectively open and close the number of contacts; and
a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to close the number of contacts when a closed condition is desired and to open one set of contacts when an open condition is desired and further configured to open all remaining contacts subsequent to the opening of the one set of contacts. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification