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US 12,347,636 B2Granted
Systems and methods for detecting welded contacts in a switch system
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDavid Elmiger, David M. Messersmith, Kyle B. Adkins, Andrew E. Carlson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provide for detecting weld relay devices within a switching device by: closing one or more first relay devices, wherein the one or more first relay devices are configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first phase of electric power from a power source; opening one or more second relay devices and one or more third switches; detecting whether there is electric current through the one or more second relay devices; and in response to detecting that there is electric current through the one or more second relay devices, determining that the one or more second relay devices are welded.
Claims19
A system, comprising:
- a power source;
- and
- a switching device, comprising:
- one or more first relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first phase of electric power from the power source;
- one or more second relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a second phase of electric power from the power source;
- and
- one or more third relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a third phase of electric power from the power source;
- a first current measuring device configured to detect current through the one or more first relay devices and a second current measuring device configured to detect current through the one or more third relay devices;
- and
- a control system configured to:
- in a first operation,
- close the one or more second relay devices;
- open the one or more first relay devices;
- detect whether there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices by utilizing the first current measuring device;
- and
- in response to detecting that there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices, determine that the one or more first relay devices are welded, and
- in a second operation,
- close the one or more third relay devices;
- open the one or more first relay devices;
- detect whether there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices by utilizing the first current measuring device, or detect whether there is electric current through the one or more third relay devices utilizing the second current measuring device;
- and
- in response to detecting that there is electric current, determine that the one or more first relay devices are welded.
19 more elements
A method for providing weld detection in a switching system, comprising:
- opening one or more first relay devices in a first operation, wherein the one or more first relay devices are configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first phase of electric power from a power source;
- closing one or more second relay devices in the first operation, wherein the one or more second relay devices are configured to selectively connect and disconnect a second phase of electric power from the power source;
- providing a first current measuring device configured to detect current through the one or more first relay devices and a second current measuring device configured to detect current through one or more third relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a third phase of electric power from the power source;
- in the first operation, detecting whether there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices by utilizing the first current measuring device;
- and
- in the first operation, in response to detecting that there is electric current through the one or more second relay devices, determining that the one or more first relay devices are welded;
- and
- in a second operation,
- closing the one or more third relay devices;
- opening the one or more first relay devices;
- detecting whether there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices by utilizing the first current measuring device, or detecting whether there is electric current through the one or more third relay devices utilizing the second current measuring device;
- and
- in response to detecting that there is electric current, determining that the one or more first relay devices are welded.
10 more elements
A switching device, comprising:
- one or more first relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a first phase of electric power from a power source;
- one or more second relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a second phase of electric power from the power source;
- one or more third relay devices configured to selectively connect and disconnect a third phase of electric power from the power source;
- a first current measuring device configured to detect current through the one or more first relay devices and a second current measuring device configured to detect current through the one or more third relay devices;
- and
- a control circuitry configured to:
- in a first operation,
- close the one or more second relay devices;
- open the one or more first relay devices;
- detect whether there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices by utilizing the first current measuring device;
- and
- in response to detecting that there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices, determine that the one or more first relay devices are welded;
- and
- in a second operation,
- close the one or more third relay devices;
- open the one or more first relay devices;
- detect whether there is electric current through the one or more first relay devices by utilizing the first current measuring device, or detect whether there is electric current through the one or more third relay devices utilizing the second current measuring device;
- and
- in response to detecting that there is electric current, determine that the one or more first relay devices are welded.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.