Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Control circuits for electromagnetic devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-24
2001-03-20
Leja, Ronald W. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Control circuits for electromagnetic devices
Reexamination Certificate
active
06205011
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a switched-mode regulator having a storage choke, momentary-contact switch, an electromagnet including a magnet coil and electronic control means for operation of the electromagnet at a predetermined operating voltage using different supply voltages, said operating voltage being produced using a storage choke lying at the supply voltage in a storage circuit, said storage circuit having associated with of a measured-value sensor connected to electronic control means associated with the momentary-contact switch.
STATE OF THE ART
The term “electromagnet” also includes any device having a magnetic coil comparable to such a magnet, such devices include, for example, magnetic valves, contactors, electromechanical controls, for example elevator doors, and electromagnetic actuators. Switched-mode regulators are used, for example, to control electronic condensate diverters. In principle a condensate diverter is a device which detects the level of a condensate collected in a container and empties the container by actuation of a magnetic valve when a predetermined level is exceeded. The magnetic valve is opened or closed by activation of an electromagnet.
The technique described leads to problems in logistics when a transformer is used, since each voltage range requires its own variant of the apparatus; besides this a considerable outlay in expense and space is required both for the transformer and for the switched-mode regulator and storage choke.
THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a circuit, particularly for a condensate diverter, which permits cost and space-saving operation of an electromagnet using different supply voltages and at the same time makes it possible to produce the supply voltage for an electronic control unit.
To this end, in accordance with the invention, in the switched-mode regulator described above the storage choke also serves as the magnet coil of the electromagnet.
An important feature of the invention consists in the double function of the one coil, namely in the use of the magnet coil of the electromagnet also as the storage choke of a switched-mode regulator associated with the electromagnet. Accordingly—particularly when the electromagnet is energised—the coil performs the two functions simultaneously. Thus in accordance with the invention the magnet coil of the electromagnet, which really only needs to be supplied with voltage, is also momentarily used as a control means for producing a predetermined operating voltage from supply voltages of different magnitudes, i.e. in the end to produce a separate voltage of predetermined magnitude.
If the operation of the switched-mode regulator uses relatively little power in the production of a predetermined operating voltage, compared with the requirements of an electromagnet, it may be advantageous, when operating the storage choke as the magnet coil of the electromagnet, to place at least one additional resistance at the operating voltage. This can be supplied through the storage choke and can be connected in series with the choke and optionally in parallel with a load to which the operating voltage is applied. The size of this additional resistance should in principle be inversely proportional to the power requirement of the electromagnet. In other words, the additional resistance is provided in order to increase the amount of energy in the storage choke so that the electromagnet attracts with the desired force.
The technique described leads to problems in logistics when a transformer is used, since each voltage range requires its own variant of the apparatus; besides this a considerable outlay in expense and space is required both for the transformer and for the switched-mode regulator and storage choke.
THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide a circuit, particularly for a condensate diverter, which permits cost- and space-saving operation of an electromagnet using different supply voltages and at the same time makes it possible to produce the supply voltage for an electronic control unit.
To this end, in accordance with the invention, in the switched-mode regulator described above the storage choke also serves as the magnet coil of the electromagnet.
An important feature of the invention consists in the double function of the one coil, namely in the use of the magnet coil of the electromagnet also as the storage choke of a switched-mode regulator associated with the electromagnet. Accordingly—particularly when the electromagnet is energised—the coil performs the two functions simultaneously. Thus in accordance with the invention the magnet coil of the electromagnet, which really only needs to be supplied with voltage, is also momentarily used as a control means for producing a predetermined operating voltage from supply voltages of different magnitudes, i.e. in the end to produce a separate voltage of predetermined magnitude.
Accordingly it is advantageous to associate with the storage circuit of the storage choke not only a measured-value sensor detecting the amount of energy contained in the storage choke but also the associated electronic control means for controlling the momentary-contact switch. Through this combination, preferably integration, the electronic control means is only subjected to the applied voltage or the energy supply itself loaded insofar as it is momentarily doing work for actuation of the momentary-contact switch. The position of the electronic control means at the constant operating voltage is particularly advantageous if in addition the storage choke also acts as the magnet coil.
An important application of the invention is to electronic condensate diverters or switched-mode regulators for electronic condensate diverters. In the case of supply through a switched-mode regulator the measuring electronics of the condensate diverter are at the constant output voltage operating voltage delivered by the switched-mode regulator. The condensate diverter also includes a magnet coil for operation of a magnetic valve. This opens when a condensate in a container, the level of which is detected by the measuring electronics, exceeds a predetermined level. For actuation of the magnetic valve a magnet coil is used which, when supplied through a switched-mode regulator, can likewise be at the controlled constant operating voltage. In this connection the invention consists not only in the measuring electronics being connected across the terminals of the constant controlled operating voltage, but also in the storage choke—in its double function in accordance with the invention—serving as the magnet coil of the magnetic valve belonging to the condensate diverter and controlled through the measuring electronics. The invention enables corresponding integration of the magnetic valve or of its magnet coil into the circuit of the switched-mode regulator, so that the magnetic valve takes over the function both of the storage choke in the switching circuit part of the switched-mode regulator and also that of the magnet coil of the magnetic valve in the control unit as a whole.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4454558 (1984-06-01), Huddart
patent: 2 538 942 (1984-07-01), None
patent: 2 103 436 (1983-02-01), None
Kellendonk Peter
Schuster Hans-Michael
Leja Ronald W.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Ultrafilter GmbH
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