Power controller reset during load starting
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorGerald W. Parkinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid state power controller is automatically reset if an overload trip occurs during a start-up delay period. If an overload trip occurs during load starting, the SSPC remains tripped for a reset delay period, and thereafter the SSPC is automatically reset, thereby allowing the starting process to continue by heating a lamp filament, accelerating a motor, etc., without indicating a system fault to an operator. At the expiration of the start-up delay period, the SSPC no longer automatically resets in response to an overload condition.
Claims15
A solid state power controller (SSPC) for controlling the application of a source voltage to at least one load, comprising:
- control means for providing a COMMAND signal;
- said SSPC being responsive to said COMMAND signal for applying said source voltage to said load, a load current being developed in response to the application of said source voltage to said load;
- said SSPC providing a TRIP signal in response to an overload condition wherein said load current is in excess of a threshold value, said SSPC interrupting the application of said source voltage to said load in response to an overload condition;
- and
- said SSPC removing said TRIP signal, and reapplying said source voltage to said load in response to the removal and subsequent reapplication of said COMMAND signal;
- characterized by:
- command means for providing a COMMAND ON signal;
- start-up delay means for establishing the commencement of a start-up delay period in response to the presence of said COMMAND ON signal;
- and
- said control means being responsive to the absence of said COMMAND ON signal for removing said COMMAND signal, responsive to the presence of said COMMAND ON signal for providing said COMMAND signal, and responsive to the presence of said trip signal only during said start-up delay period for automatically removing said COMMAND signal for a reset delay period and then automatically reapplying said COMMAND signal.
A start-up reset control for a solid-state power controller (SSPC),
- the SSPC being responsive to the presence of a COMMAND signal for applying a source voltage to at least one load, thereby resulting in the development of a load current,
- the SSPC interrupting the application of the source voltage to the load in response to the absence of said COMMAND signal or in response to an overload defined as the load current exceeding a threshold value,
- the SSPC reapplying the source voltage to the load after the occurrence of an overload only after the removal and reapplication of the COMMAND signal,
- the start-up reset control comprising:
- command means for providing a COMMAND ON signal;
- start-up delay means for determining the commencement of a start-up delay period in response to the presence of said COMMAND ON signal;
- and
- control means responsive to the absence of said COMMAND ON signal for removing said COMMAND signal, responsive to the presence of said COMMAND ON signal for providing said COMMAND signal, and responsive to an overload condition only during said start-up delay period for automatically removing said COMMAND signal for a reset delay period and then automatically reapplying said COMMAND signal.
A method for automatically resetting a solid state power controller (SSPC) in response to a high current condition caused by the starting of a load which draws a high starting current,
- the SSPC being responsive to the presence of a COMMAND signal for applying a source voltage to at least one load, thereby resulting in the development of a load current,
- the SSPC interrupting the application of the source voltage to the load in response to the absence of said COMMAND signal or in response to an overload defined as the load current exceeding a threshold value,
- the SSPC reapplying the source voltage to the load after the occurrence of an overload only after the removal and reapplication of the COMMAND signal,
- the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a COMMAND ON signal;
- establishing the commencement of a start-up delay period in response to the presence of said COMMAND ON signal;
- providing said COMMAND signal in response to the presence of said COMMAND ON signal;
- and
- automatically removing said COMMAND signal for a reset delay period and then automatically reapplying said COMMAND signal in response to an overload only during said start-up delay period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.