Method and Apparatus to Control Modular Asynchronous Contactors
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsXin Zhou, Michael T. Little, James Kinsella, Chris Wieloch, Engelbert Hetzmannseder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular asynchronous contactor assembly includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device. The contactor assembly is applicable as both a switching device and an isolation or load protection device. As such, each contactor is constructed so that each includes multiple contact assemblies. Moreover, the contactors within a single contactor assembly or housing can be independently controlled so that the contacts of one contactor can be opened without opening the contacts of the other contactors of the contactor assembly.
Claims46
A contactor assembly comprising:
- a number of contacts arranged to conduct current when in a closed position;
- a plurality of actuating assemblies, each in operable association with at least one set of contacts;
- and
- a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to open less than all the contacts of the contactor assembly when an open condition is desired.
The contactor assembly of claim S wherein the delay time includes an interval from the current condition being detected by the at least one current sensing unit to less than all the contacts being opened.
A method of controlling contactor switching comprising the steps of:
- monitoring current in at least one set of contacts of a number of contacts in a single contactor assembly;
- and
- opening less than all the contacts in the contactor assembly when an open condition is desired.
A contactor assembly comprising:
- a number of contacts arranged to conduct current when in a closed position;
- a plurality of actuating assemblies, each in operable association with a set of contacts;
- and
- a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to initially open only one set of contacts when an open condition is desired.
A method of controlling contactor switching comprising;
- monitoring current through a first pole contactor, a second pole contactor, and a third pole contactor with at least one current sensor;
- identifying a current condition in one of the first pole contactor, the second pole contactor, and the third pole contactor with the at least one current sensor;
- and
- opening only one of the first pole contactor, the second pole contactor, and the third pole contactor corresponding to the current condition.
A control apparatus for a contactor assembly having more than one contactor, the control apparatus comprising;
- a controller connected to at least one current sensing unit in operable association to sense current applied to a number of contacts of a single contactor assembly;
- at least one actuating assembly connected to the controller and configured to independently open the number of contacts;
- and
- wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one actuating assembly to open only one set of contacts in response to a current condition being detected by the at least one current sensing unit.
A contactor system comprising:
- a number of contacts arranged to conduct current when in a closed position;
- a plurality of actuating assemblies connected to the number of contacts;
- and
- a controller connected to the plurality of actuating assemblies and configured to open set of contacts when an open condition is desired and further configured to open all remaining contacts subsequent to the opening of the one set of contacts.
A method of controlling contactor switching comprising;
- monitoring current through a first set of contacts in a single contactor assembly;
- identifying a first occurrence of a current condition in the first set of contacts;
- opening the first set of contacts upon the current condition;
- and
- opening a second set of contacts and a third set of contacts only after the opening of the first set of contacts.
A control apparatus for breaking multiple contactors within a single contactor housing comprising;
- a controller connected to a current sensing unit in operable association to sense current through a first contactor of a series of contactors;
- a first actuating assembly connected to the controller and configured to open the first contactor;
- and
- wherein the controller is further configured to cause the first actuating assembly to open the first contactor in response to a current condition being detected by the current sensing unit and cause at least a second actuating assembly to open the remaining contactors only after the opening of the first contactor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.