Combination load controller
US5473495A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1993 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2033/163
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A combination load controller for controlling application of power to a load such as a motor, has an input terminal coupleable to a power source, and an output terminal coupleable to a load. A conductive polymer and a protective, electromagnetic switch are disposed along a current path between the input and output terminals. The conductive polymer has a relatively low electrical resistance during conduction at nominal currents. The resistance of the conductive polymer increases substantially promptly upon conduction of excessive current, e.g., due to a short-circuit. In this manner the load is protected from even short bursts of excessively high, short-circuit current by the insertion of additional series resistance by the conductive polymer. The electromagnetic switch protects the line and load by opening the current path. The switch includes a current or voltage sensor coupled to a logic controller that opens the switch if over-current or under-voltage conditions persist for a predetermined period.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.