Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Safety and protection of systems and devices – Arc suppression at switching point
Patent
1983-10-07
1985-06-25
Moose, Jr., Harry E.
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Safety and protection of systems and devices
Arc suppression at switching point
307134, 361 8, H01H 930
Patent
active
045257620
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for the suppression of arcs at the contacts of a three phase ac electrical power contactor which has three pairs of electrical contacts and a solenoid-actuated plunger operable to open and close the contacts. One contact of each contact pair typically is connected to a source of three phase ac electrical power, and the other contact of each pair is connected to an electrical load. When the contacts are closed, the source is coupled to the load. A gate controlled thyristor is connected across each pair of the three pairs of contacts and each thyristor is gated into conduction prior to the opening or the closing of the contacts in order to suppress arcing at the contacts. The thyristors are gated on in response to the momentary closure of a mechanical switch, which is actuated as the contactor plunger moves from one of its two positions (power contacts open or power contacts closed) to the other. The mechanical switch, a sliding contact switch, is mechanically interconnected with the plunger through a linkage which increases the travel of the movable switch contact in relation to the movement of the plunger. The mechanical switch is closed in response to the initial movement of the plunger and is opened by the time the plunger completes its stroke. A gating circuit is activated to gate the thyristors as soon as the mechanical switch is closed. Thereafter, the gating circuit holds the thyristors on for a predetermined period and then turns them off. This period of time during which the triacs are gated on is determined solely by the gating circuit and is completely independent of the opening of the mechanical switch.
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patent: 3558910 (1971-01-01), Dale et al.
patent: 3639808 (1972-02-01), Ritzow
patent: 3982137 (1976-09-01), Penrod
patent: 4025820 (1977-05-01), Penrod
patent: 4152634 (1979-05-01), Penrod
patent: 4251845 (1981-02-01), Hancock
patent: 4389691 (1983-06-01), Hancock
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