Accelerated motion relay
AssigneeZonit Structured Solutions, LLC
InventorsSteve Chapel, William Pachoud
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical relay (2) includes an electromagnetic drive system for providing bi-directional drive. The electrical relay (2) includes a first a coil (212) and a second coil (213). A current is supplied to the coils (212) and (213) in opposite directions. The two coils (212) and (213) can be used to accelerate the armature in either direction in relation to the two contacts. This can be used to drive the armature to either one of the contacts and to accelerate and decelerate the armature during a single transit. In the latter regard, the armature can be accelerated and decelerated to shorten the transit time, reduce bounce, reduce wear on the contacts, and allow for different contact material options.
Claims32
A method for use in switching electrical power using a relay, the relay including a moveable electrode structure and first and second circuit electrodes, wherein said moveable electrode structure is moveable from a first position, where said moveable electrode structure electrically contacts said first circuit electrode to enable current flow in a first circuit, and a second position, where said moveable electrode structure electrically contacts said second circuit electrode, said method comprising the steps of, in connection with performing a switching function wherein said moveable electrode structure moves on a path across a space between said first position and said second position;
- accelerating said moveable electrode structure during a first portion of travel of said moveable electrode structure on said path across said space;
- and
- decelerating said moveable electrode structure during a second portion of travel of said moveable contact structure on said path across said space, wherein:
- at least one of said steps of accelerating and decelerating comprises operating an electromagnetic drive system to exert a force on said moveable electrode structure;
- said electromagnetic drive system exerts a first force on said moveable electrode structure from a first position on a first side of said a space between said first and second circuit electrodes and exerts a second force on said moveable electrode structure from a second position on a second side of said space;
- and
- said first force and second force are applied in different directions with respect to an axis extending between said first and second circuit electrodes.
A relay for switching electrical power comprising:
- a first circuit electrode of a first electrical circuit;
- a second circuit electrode;
- a moveable electrode structure moveable between a first position, where said moveable electrode structure electrically contacts said first circuit electrode to enable current flow in said first circuit, and a second position, where said moveable electrode structure electrically contacts said second circuit electrode;
- and
- an electromagnetic drive system operative to accelerate said moveable electrode structure during a first portion of travel of said moveable electrode structure on a path across a space between said first and second positions and to decelerate said moveable electrode structure during a second portion of travel of said moveable electrode structure on said path across said space between said first and second positions, wherein:
- said electromagnetic drive system exerts a first force on said moveable electrode structure from a first position on a first side of said a space between said first and second circuit electrodes and exerts a second force on said moveable electrode structure from a second position on a second side of said space;
- and
- said first force and second force are applied in the different directions with respect to an axis extending between said first and second circuit electrodes.
A relay for switching electrical power comprising:
- a first circuit electrode of a first electrical circuit:
- a second circuit electrode:
- a moveable electrode structure moveable between a first position, where said moveable electrode structure electrically contacts said first circuit electrode to enable current flow in said first circuit, and a second position, where said moveable electrode structure electrically contacts said second circuit electrode;
- and
- an electromagnetic drive system operative to exert a first electromagnetic force on said moveable electrode structure effective for accelerating said moveable electrode structure in a first direction relative to an axis extending between said first and second circuit electrodes, and to exert a second electromagnetic force on said moveable electromagnetic structure effective for accelerating said moveable electrode structure in a second direction, different from said first direction, relative to said axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.