Non-linear snubber circuit

A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:

• a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends;
• a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
• a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
• a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
• a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches,
• a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device;
• and
• wherein the non-linear device is a first diode, wherein the second sub-circuit further includes a second non-linear device, and wherein the energy storage device and the second non-linear device are electrically connected in parallel branches.

A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:

• a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends;
• and
• a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
• a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit;
• a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit;
• a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches;
• and
• a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including a energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.

A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:

• a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends;
• and
• a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
• a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit and operable to receive a first current flow having a first direction,
• a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit and operable to receive a second current flow having a second direction opposite the first direction,
• a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports and including a resistor and a first diode electrically connected in circuit in parallel branches, the first diode being operable to allow a substantial portion of the first current to flow through the first diode when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit, and the resister being operable to allow a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit, and
• a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including a capacitor and a second diode electrically connected in circuit in parallel branches, the second diode being operable to allow a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the second diode when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit, and the capacitor charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.

A vehicle comprising:

• a motor;
• and
• a control circuit operable to control the motor, the control circuit including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
• a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
• a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
• a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches,
• a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.

A vehicle comprising:

• a motor;
• and
• a control circuit operable to control the motor, the control circuit including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
• a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
• a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
• a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches, and
• a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device;
• and
• wherein the non-linear device is a first diode, wherein the second sub-circuit further includes a second non-linear device, and wherein the energy storage device and the second non-linear device are electrically connected in parallel branches.

A vehicle comprising:

• a motor;
• and
• a control circuit operable to control the motor, the control circuit including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
• a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit;
• a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit;
• a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches;
• and
• a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including a energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.

A method of suppressing arcing in a contactor circuit including a contactor having at least two contacts that make and break an electrical connection, the method comprising the acts of:

• providing a snubber circuit including a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series, the first sub-circuit including a first branch having a resistor and a second branch having a first non-linear device, and the second sub-circuit having a third branch having a second non-linear device and a fourth branch having a storage device;
• electrically connecting the first sub-circuit to one end of the contactor circuit;
• electrically connecting the second sub-circuit to the other end of the contactor circuit;
• breaking the electrical connection of the contacts;
• generating a first current in response to the breaking of the electrical connection;
• allowing a substantial portion of the first current to flow through the non-linear device;
• and
• charging the energy storage device with energy of the first current.

A method of suppressing arcing in a contactor circuit including a contactor having at least two contacts that make and break an electrical connection, the method comprising the acts of:

• providing a snubber circuit including a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series, the first sub-circuit including a first branch having a resistor and a second branch having a non-linear device, and the second sub-circuit including a storage device;
• electrically connecting the first sub-circuit to one end of the contactor circuit;
• electrically connecting the second sub-circuit to the other end of the contactor circuit;
• breaking the electrical connection of the contacts;
• generating a first current in response to the breaking of the electrical connection;
• allowing a substantial portion of the first current to flow through the non-linear device;
• and
• charging the energy storage device with energy of the first current;
• and
• wherein the non-linear device is a first non-linear device, and wherein the second sub-circuit further includes a third branch having a second non-linear device and a fourth branch having the storage device.