Switching device for conducting and interrupting electrical currents

US11232918B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Eaton Intelligent Power Limited · IE

Inventors

• Gerd Schmitz · Niederkassel, DE
• Johannes Meissner · Bonn, DE
• Marcel Uedelhoven · Kall, DE
• Michael Wohlang · Bornheim, DE
• Oliver Kreft · Bonn, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 16, 2017
• Grant date: Jan 25, 2022
• Expiry date: Aug 27, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01H2009/544
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A switching apparatus for conducting and interrupting electrical currents includes: a first mechanical contact arrangement; a semiconductor switch which is connected in parallel to the first mechanical contact arrangement; a second mechanical contact arrangement connected in series to the first mechanical contact arrangement; an auxiliary coil electrically isolated from a circuit of a switching drive used to move contacts of the first and second mechanical contact arrangements, and which is electromagnetically coupled to a coil of the switching drive such that a voltage is generated therein when a voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off; and a switching electronics for switching the semiconductor switch on and off, and which is supplied with the voltage generated in the auxiliary coil when the voltage supply of the switching drive is switched off. The switching electronics switches the semiconductor switch on and off multiple times according to a prespecified sequence.