Systems and methods for controlling contactor bounce
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAndrew E. Carlson, Kyle B. Adkins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A relay device may include an armature that moves between a first position that electrically couples the armature to a first contact and a second position that electrically couples the armature to a second contact. The relay device may also include a relay coil that receives a voltage to magnetize the relay coil, thereby causing the armature to move from the first position to the second position. The relay device also includes an additional coil that couples in series with the relay coil via a switch. The relay device also includes a drive circuit that causes the switch to couple the additional coil to the relay coil in response to receiving a signal indicative of the relay coil energizing.
Claims14
A relay device, comprising:
- an armature configured to move between a first position that electrically couples the armature to a first contact and a second position that electrically couples the armature to a second contact;
- a relay coil configured to receive a voltage configured to magnetize the relay coil, thereby causing the armature to move from the first position to the second position;
- an additional coil configured to couple in series with the relay coil via a switch;
- and
- a drive circuit configured to cause the switch to couple the additional coil to the relay coil in response to receiving a signal indicative of the relay coil energizing.
A system, comprising:
- a coil configured to receive a voltage output by a voltage source, wherein the voltage output is configured to magnetize the coil, thereby causing an armature to move from a first position to a second position;
- and
- a drive circuit configured to couple at least one current pulse to the coil for a duration of time within a time period in which the armature moves from the first position to the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.