Paralleling mechanical relays for increased current carrying and switching capacity
US10186857B2 · kind B2 · utility
4Cited by
19References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 22, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/05
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Multiple relays are connected in parallel by including one or more semiconductor devices connected across the relay contacts. The semiconductor devices are triggered to conduct and shunt transient currents during the opening and closing of the relay contacts to protect the relay contacts from overcurrent and to eliminate arcing during relay switching. This permits a combination of smaller relays to replace a larger and more expensive relay in applications that require switching of large load currents.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.