Method and apparatus for operating a magnetic actuator in a power switching device
First Claim
1. A method of operating a magnetic actuator in a power distribution switching device, the magnetic actuator having a coil and an armature movable between first and second positions in response to current being provided to the coil, the method comprising:
- providing a controller with memory;
providing a user interface;
displaying a screen on the user interface;
receiving first and second current levels that are input into the screen;
receiving a time delay that is input into the screen;
transmitting the first and second current levels to the controller;
transmitting a plurality of first current pulses from the controller to the coil of the actuator during a first time period, each of the first current pulses extending from no current to a current having an amplitude corresponding to the first current level that is received from the screen and each pair of adjacent first current pulses being separated by the time delay that is received from the screen; and
transmitting a plurality of second current pulses from the controller to the coil of the actuator during a second time period that is subsequent to the first time period, each of the second current pulses extending from no current to a current having an amplitude corresponding to the second current level that is received from the screen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for operating a magnetic actuator in a power switching device by transmitting at least two different electrical current waveforms to the actuator. Both waveforms are sent to the actuator from a controller in the same direction to move an actuator'"'"'s armature from a first position to a second position. The first current waveform causes the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The second waveform is transmitted to the actuator to keep the armature moving towards the second position without overdriving the armature.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of operating a magnetic actuator in a power distribution switching device, the magnetic actuator having a coil and an armature movable between first and second positions in response to current being provided to the coil, the method comprising:
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providing a controller with memory; providing a user interface; displaying a screen on the user interface; receiving first and second current levels that are input into the screen; receiving a time delay that is input into the screen; transmitting the first and second current levels to the controller; transmitting a plurality of first current pulses from the controller to the coil of the actuator during a first time period, each of the first current pulses extending from no current to a current having an amplitude corresponding to the first current level that is received from the screen and each pair of adjacent first current pulses being separated by the time delay that is received from the screen; and transmitting a plurality of second current pulses from the controller to the coil of the actuator during a second time period that is subsequent to the first time period, each of the second current pulses extending from no current to a current having an amplitude corresponding to the second current level that is received from the screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 16)
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9. A control system for operating a magnetic actuator in a power distribution switching device, the magnetic actuator having a coil and an armature movable between first and second positions in response to current being provided to the coil, the control system comprising:
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a controller with memory; and a user interface connected to the controller and operable to display a screen having a first input area, a second input area and a delay input area, the user interface being further operable to receive a time delay in the delay input area and first and second current levels in the first and second input areas, respectively, and to transmit the time delay and the first and second current levels to the controller; and wherein the controller is operable to save the first and second current levels in the memory and to; transmit a plurality of first current pulses to the coil of the actuator during a first time period, each of the first current pulses extending from no current to a current having an amplitude corresponding to the first current level that is received in the first input area of the screen and each pair of adjacent first current pulses being separated by the time delay that is received from the screen; and transmit a plurality of second current pulses to the coil of the actuator during a second time period that is subsequent to the first time period, each of the second current pulses extending from no current to a current having an amplitude corresponding to the second current level that is received in the second input area of the screen. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 15)
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Specification