Transfer switch with arc suppression

• US 8,138,634 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2005
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Ewing, Carrel W., Cleveland, Andrew J., Maskaly, James P., McGlumphy, Dennis W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fauth, Justen
• Application Number:
  US11/659,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,423 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 307/126
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/018 Application transfer; between utility and emergency power supply circuits in H02J9/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 33/121 Load break switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/068 Electronic means for switching from one power supply to another power supply, e.g. to avoid parallel connection

Abstract

An automatic transfer switch for a power system receiving multiple alternating current sources and delivering multiple alternating current output is described. A transfer switch control circuit can sense a power loss in one or both AC sources. Each power supply can deliver current to drive a load but, if one of the power supplies fails, the other can supply power to drive both loads.

Claims

1. An automatic transfer switch, comprising:

a transfer switch housing;

at least two automatic transfer switch circuits mounted in the transfer switch housing;

a first power input penetrating the transfer switch housing and being in power supply communication with a first one of the automatic transfer switch circuits and therethrough initially a first power outlet mounted in association with the transfer switch housing, the first power outlet being power supplying connectable to a first separate electronic device; and

a second power input penetrating the transfer switch housing and being in power supply communication with a second one of the automatic transfer switch circuits and therethrough initially a second power outlet mounted in association with the transfer switch housing, the second power outlet being power supplying connectable to a second separate electronic device;

the first one of the automatic transfer switch circuits comprising;

at least a first relay in alternately switchable power supply communication with the first power input and second power input; and

a first power input sensor in power determining communication with the first power input and in relay activation communication with the first relay; and

the second one of the automatic transfer switch circuits comprising;

at least a second relay in alternately switchable power supply communication with the second power input and first power input; and

a second power input sensor in power determining communication with the second power input and in relay activation communication with the second relay.

2. The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the first relay comprises:

a line relay selectably in communication with a line power component of the first power input, a line power component of the second power input, and a line power component of the first power outlet; and

a neutral relay selectably in communication with a neutral power component of the first power input, a neutral power component of the second power input, and a neutral power component of the first power outlet.

3. The automatic transfer switch of claim 1, wherein the first relay comprises:

a first line relay selectably in communication with a line power component of the first power input, a line power component of the second power input, a line power component of the first power outlet, and a line power component of the second power outlet; and

a first neutral relay selectably in communication with a neutral power component of the first power input, a neutral power component of the second power input, a neutral power component of the first power outlet, and a neutral power component of the second power outlet.

4. The automatic transfer switch of claim 3, wherein the first line and neutral relays are in a first position and respectively connect the first power input to the first power outlet by connecting the line and neutral components of the first power input with the line and neutral components of the first power outlet.

5. The automatic transfer switch of claim 4, wherein after the first power input experiences a power failure, the first line and neutral relays are in a second position and respectively connect the second power input to the first power outlet by connecting the line and neutral components of the second power input with the line and neutral components of the first power outlet.

6. The automatic transfer switch of claim 3, wherein the second relay further comprises:

a second line relay selectably in communication with the line power component of the first power input, the line power component of the second power input, the line power component of the first power outlet, and the line power component of the second power outlet; and

a second neutral relay selectably in communication with the neutral power component of the first power input, the neutral power component of the second power input, the neutral power component of the first power outlet, and the neutral power component of the second power outlet.

7. The automatic transfer switch of claim 6, wherein the second line and neutral relays are in a first position and respectively connect the second power input to the second power outlet by connecting the line and neutral components of the second power input with the line and neutral components of the second power outlet.

8. The automatic transfer switch of claim 7, wherein after the second power input experiences a power failure, the second line and neutral relays are in a second position and respectively connect the first power input to the second power outlet by connecting the line and neutral components of the first power input with the line and neutral components of the second power outlet.