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Switch unit, and related method

  • US 9,767,967 B2
  • Filed: 09/05/2012
  • Issued: 09/19/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A switch unit comprising:

  • a current switching device drivable by an electromagnetic actuator for opening/closing an electric circuit associated with the switch unit;

    a first energy storage means for storing an amount of electric energy for the electromagnetic actuator;

    electronic controller means for controlling a supply of the amount of electric energy from the first energy storage means to the electromagnetic actuator, the electronic controller means being suppliable by an external power line;

    emergency procedure operating means associated with the electronic controller means and including a second energy storage means, the emergency procedure operating means being configured for enabling driving of the current switching device and opening the electric circuit in an emergency condition in which there is a decrease in supply of the external power line;

    wherein the first energy storage means is electrically connected to the electromagnetic actuator when the emergency procedure operating means enables driving of the current switching device and opens the electric circuit upon detection of an emergency opening event during the emergency condition; and

    an input open signal port and an input close signal port, for respectively receiving an external input open command and an external input close command for opening and closing the electric circuit during normal operating conditions;

    wherein the emergency procedure operating means include an emergency input open port for receiving an emergency open command for opening the electric circuit in the emergency condition, and a close command for closing the electric circuit is not allowed in the emergency condition;

    wherein the second energy storage means include a second capacitor bank section;

    wherein the emergency procedure operating means include a low power main controller section included in the electronic controller means and supplied by the second energy storage means;

    wherein the low power main controller section is configured to switch off or put into stand-by mode one or more peripherals operatively associated with the electronic controller means when entering the emergency condition; and

    wherein the low power main controller section is configured to put the electronic controller means into a stand-by mode and to freeze the second capacitor bank section with an actual residual level of energy stored therein when entering the emergency condition.

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