Electrically assisted safing of a linear actuator to provide shock tolerance
AssigneeDRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc.
InventorsEdward L. Wellner, Alvin R. Zemlicka, Richard F. Schmerda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electrically assisted safing of a solenoid linear actuator to provide shock tolerance is provided for a solenoid actuator, the actuator having an armature and at least one electromagnetic inductive coil. A controller, receiving an output from a motion sensor, adjusts an electrical power input to the electromagnetic inductive coil. When the output of the motion sensor indicates onset of an environmental transient exceeding a predetermined threshold of intensity, the controller adjusts the electrical power input such that an electromagnetic field generated by the coil is sufficient to restrain the armature in a desired position during the environmental transient.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a solenoid actuator comprising an armature and at least one electromagnetic inductive coil, each said coil adapted to receive electrical power;
- an input for a motion sensor;
- and
- a controller, operatively coupled with said motion sensor and configured to receive an output therefrom adapted to adjust the electrical power to said coil, wherein
- when said output from the motion sensor indicates an onset of an environmental transient exceeding a predetermined threshold of intensity, the controller is adapted to adjust the electrical power such that an electromagnetic field generated by the coil is sufficient to restrain the armature in a desired position during the environmental transient.
An apparatus comprising
- a circuit breaker;
- an undervoltage release mechanism operable to trip said circuit breaker upon occurrence of an undervoltage event, said mechanism comprising
- a solenoid actuator comprising an armature and at least one electromagnetic inductive coil;
- an accelerometer;
- and
- a controller, coupled to said accelerometer and receiving an output therefrom, that adjusts electrical power to said coil;
- wherein,
- when said output indicates onset of an environmental transient exceeding a predetermined threshold of intensity, the controller adjusts the electrical power such that an electromagnetic field generated by the coil is sufficient to restrain the armature in a desired position during the environmental transient.
A solenoid actuator safing controller apparatus comprising:
- means for receiving a motion sensor signal from a motion sensor;
- a level comparator configured to determine whether the motion sensor signal exceeds a predetermined threshold;
- a solenoid coil switch driver;
- and
- a power switch,
- wherein the level comparator is configured to initiate control of the power switch based upon a determination that the motion sensor signal exceeds the predetermined threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.