Exemplary embodiments are disclosed that include multi-voltage contactors, controls, and related methods.

A contactor with a rotary actuation system, the contactor including a plurality of switching devices configured to switch a plurality of electrical circuits, a plurality of cam followers each operably coupled to one of the switching devices, wherein each cam follower is configured to actuate a switching device, and a cam mechanism, the cam pivotally attached to a point rotation, the cam having plurality of lobes about its perimeter, the cam in operable communication with each cam follower such that upon rotation of the cam mechanism, each cam follower engages a lobe of the plurality of lobes, it causes each cam follower to actuate the respective switching device. The contactor also includes an actuator connected to the cam, the actuator responsive to a control current and operable to rotate the cam and a controller, the controller operable to supply a control current the actuator.

Systems and methods for contact erosion mitigation are provided. To perform contact erosion mitigation, an order of opening/closing poles and/or contact relays of particular poles is altered, resulting in a sharing of potential arcing conditions amongst the poles/contact relays of these poles.

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with a current received at a load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may also determine harmonics data associated with the current and determine a switching profile to control moving a first armature of three armatures in the relay device based on the harmonics data. The switching profile is configured to control movement of the first armature between a first position and a second position, and wherein the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the first armature with respect to an electrical waveform, a second armature, and a third armature. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile, such that the relay coil causes the first armature to move.

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with a current received at a load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may also determine harmonics data associated with the current and determine a switching profile to control moving a first armature of three armatures in the relay device based on the harmonics data. The switching profile is configured to control movement of the first armature between a first position and a second position, and wherein the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the first armature with respect to an electrical waveform, a second armature, and a third armature. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile, such that the relay coil causes the first armature to move.

A point-on-wave relay device includes a first contact relay and a second contact relay in series with the first contact relay. A first state of the first contact relay in conjunction with a first state of the second contact relay causes a point-on-wave open operation and second state of the first contact relay in conjunction with a second state of the second contact relay causes a point-on-wave close operation.

The present disclosure envisages an electromagnetic drive unit. The drive unit comprises a magnet having a north pole surface, a south pole surface, an operative top surface and an operative bottom surface. A coil having a pair of terminals is assembled on the magnet and hingeably coupled to the magnet, wherein a hingeable movement of the coil with respect to the magnet provides a reciprocating mechanical drive to the magnet. The hingeable movement of the coil is facilitated by providing an alternating supply to the pair of terminals of the coil. A hinge is provided on a base supporting the magnet for facilitating the pivotal movement of coil with respect to the magnet. A resilient band is provided adjacent the operative top surface of the magnet for securing the coil to the magnet.

The present disclosure envisages an electromagnetic drive unit. The drive unit comprises a magnet having a north pole surface, a south pole surface, an operative top surface and an operative bottom surface. A coil having a pair of terminals is assembled on the magnet and hingeably coupled to the magnet, wherein a hingeable movement of the coil with respect to the magnet provides a reciprocating mechanical drive to the magnet. The hingeable movement of the coil is facilitated by providing an alternating supply to the pair of terminals of the coil. A hinge is provided on a base supporting the magnet for facilitating the pivotal movement of coil with respect to the magnet. A resilient band is provided adjacent the operative top surface of the magnet for securing the coil to the magnet.

A magnetically actuated MEMS switch 100 includes a first magnetic core portion 120, a first signal line 15, a first contact point 16, a second magnetic core portion 220, a second signal line 25, a second contact point 26, and a first coil portion 111 and a second coil portion 211 serving as a magnetic field applying portion that causes a current to flow in conductor coil to apply a magnetic field to the first magnetic core portion 120 and the second magnetic core portion 220. The first contact point 16 is displaced depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic field applied by the magnetic field applying portion. Connection and disconnection between the first contact point 16 and the second contact point 26 are switched in response to displacement of the first contact point 16.

A magnetically actuated MEMS switch 100 includes a first magnetic core portion 120, a first signal line 15, a first contact point 16, a second magnetic core portion 220, a second signal line 25, a second contact point 26, and a first coil portion 111 and a second coil portion 211 serving as a magnetic field applying portion that causes a current to flow in conductor coil to apply a magnetic field to the first magnetic core portion 120 and the second magnetic core portion 220. The first contact point 16 is displaced depending on the presence or absence of a magnetic field applied by the magnetic field applying portion. Connection and disconnection between the first contact point 16 and the second contact point 26 are switched in response to displacement of the first contact point 16.