Patent classifications
H01H2047/009
Electrical assembly
There is provided an electrical assembly comprising of a latching device including a latching member configured to be positionable in a first position and a second position, the latching device further including an actuator configured to selectively move the latching member between the first and second positions and an operating state detection unit configured to detect an abnormal operating state of the latching device; and a controller configured to selectively drive the actuator to move the latching member to a selected one of the first and second positions in response to the detection of the abnormal operating state.
RELAY DRIVE SYSTEMS
A drive system for a switch can include a control module configured to control, directly or indirectly, a state of a switch between a first state and a second state. The drive system can also include a transition timing system configured to measure a transition time that the switch is in transit between the first state and the second state.
Lighting relay panel features for improved safety and reliability
A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.
METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING AN OPERATING STATE OF AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD
A method for diagnosing an operating state of a switching device including separable contacts, which are driven by an electromagnetic actuator including a coil connected to an electronic control device, and sensors, which are configured to measure an intensity of a coil current and a coil voltage. The method comprises: a) receiving an order to close via the electronic control device; b) controlling the electromagnetic actuator so that it closes; c) measuring and recording the coil voltage and coil current values; d) calculating and recording values of a magnetic flux through the coil, by integrating the recorded values of the coil current, the coil voltage and resistance and inductance values of the coil; and e) evaluating and recording positions of a core of the electromagnetic actuator according to a data table, which is previously recorded in the electronic control device and which defines a bijective relation between the position of the core, the magnetic flux and the coil current.
METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING AN OPERATING STATE OF AN ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD
A method for diagnosing an operating state of a switching device including separable contacts, which are driven by an electromagnetic actuator including a coil connected to an electronic control device, and sensors that measure a coil voltage and an intensity of a coil current. The method includes: a) receiving an order to open the switching device via the electronic control device; b) controlling the electromagnetic actuator so that it opens; c) measuring and recording the coil voltage and coil current values d) calculating and recording values of a magnetic flux through the coil, by integrating the recorded values of the coil current, the coil voltage and resistance and inductance values of the coil; and e) evaluating and recording positions of a core of the electromagnetic actuator according to a data table, which defines a bijective relation between the position of the core, the magnetic flux and the coil current.
METHODS FOR ESTIMATING A PROPERTY OF AN ELECTRIAL SWITCHING DEVICE, ASSOCIATED DEVICES
A method for estimating a property of an electrical switching device includes: measuring the electric current flowing through the coil; measuring the supply electrical voltage of a control circuit for the actuator; injecting an electric current pulse into the coil; identifying a first time corresponding to the time for which the current flowing through the coil reaches a predetermined threshold value when the current increases following the injection of the pulse; identifying a second time corresponding to the time for which the current flowing through the coil again reaches the predetermined threshold value when the current decreases after the spike; and estimating the resistance of the coil on the basis of the ratio of the sum of the values of the voltage that are measured between the second time and the first time, to the sum of the values of the current that are measured between the second time and the first time.
Inductance measurement to detect fused relay contacts
A method of detecting welded contacts in a relay. The method includes performing, at a first point in time, the applying of a drive to the activation coil to conduct a coil current through the activation coil, the coil current increasing to a first current level, the first current level being less than a pull-in current of the relay; responsive to the coil current reaching the first current level, turning off the drive to the activation coil to discharge the coil current at a first clamping voltage; and measuring a first discharge time corresponding to a first inductance from the turning off of the drive to the activation coil to the coil current reaching a second current level, the second current level being less than the first current level. These operations are repeated at a second point in time to obtain a second inductance. Comparison of the first inductance and second inductance determines whether a difference between the first and second inductances exceeds a comparison criterion.
Device circuit breaker having intelligent limit value determination and method therefor
The invention relates to a device circuit breaker having intelligent limit value determination. In a training phase, the device circuit breaker is adjusted to a specific device and its load behavior. In a subsequent monitoring phase—based on the values determined in the training phase—present values or values derived from those are compared and, if necessary, the current flow is interrupted.
Lighting Relay Panel Features for Improved Safety and Reliability
A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.
Lighting relay panel features for improved safety and reliability
A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.