High voltage DC contactor isolation via electromechanical actuation
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsRobert L. Seagren, Alex Gomes, Joshua C. Swenson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high voltage DC contactor control system. The system reduces/eliminates arcing in in contactors and includes a short circuit protection system operably connected to the drive voltage configured to reducing arcing between portions of the contactor. The short circuit protection system includes a first arc prevention element and a first arc prevention driver configured to cause the first arc prevention element to be disposed between the first and second portions of the first contactor to prevent arcing between them.
Claims14
A high voltage DC contactor control system comprising:
- a first contactor configured to be connected to a positive feeder line, the first contactor being controlled by a drive voltage and having a first portion and a second portion that when in contact allow current to flow between them;
- a short circuit protection system operably connected to the drive voltage configured to reducing arcing between portions of the first contactor, the short circuit protection system comprising:
- a first arc prevention element;
- and
- a first arc prevention driver configured to cause the first arc prevention element to be disposed between the first and second portions of the first contactor to prevent arcing between them;
- the high voltage DC contactor control system further comprising a sensor to sense a short circuit;
- and
- a contactor controller configured to control operation of the first contactor and the short circuit protection system;
- wherein the contactor controller is configured, in the event of a short circuit, to cause the first contactor to open by removing the drive voltage from first contactor and to cause the short circuit protection supply system to move the first arc prevention element between the first and second portions by providing the drive voltage to it.
A method of controlling a DC contactor, the method comprising:
- determining that a short circuit exists on a positive feeder line;
- opening a first contactor connected to the positive feeder line, the first contactor being controlled by a drive voltage and having a first portion and a second portion that when contacting allow current to flow between them, wherein opening includes removing the drive voltage from the first contactor;
- and
- moving a first arc prevention element between the first and second portions of the first contactor to prevent arcing between them, wherein moving the first arc protection element includes providing the drive voltage to a first arc prevention driver that control the first arc protection element.
A high voltage DC contactor control system comprising:
- a control element configured to be connected to a positive feeder line to control power through the positive feeder line;
- a short circuit protection system operably connected to a drive voltage and configured to reducing arcing between portions of the first contactor, the short circuit protection system comprising:
- a first contactor configured to be connected to a positive feeder line, the first contactor configured to be controlled by the drive voltage and having a first portion and a second portion that when in contact allow current to flow between them;
- a first arc prevention element;
- and
- a first arc prevention driver configured to cause the first arc prevention element to be disposed between the first and second portions of the first contactor to prevent arcing between them;
- the high voltage DC contactor control system further comprising a sensor to sense a short circuit;
- and
- a contactor controller configured to apply the drive voltage which causes the first arc prevention element to move between the first and second positions when a short circuit is sensed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.