Current limiting circuit controller
US5530613A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H9/026
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit controller for selectively connecting a power source to a load includes a non-overcurrent protective electrical switching mechanism and a conductive polymer current limiter connected in series with the load for limiting the current which flows through the switching mechanism whenever the power source is selectively connected to the load. The conductive polymer current limiter may include a plurality of parallel conductive polymer positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistors. The circuit controller may include an electrical switching mechanism which, under short circuit conditions, remains selectively connected to the load. The short circuit current which is limited by the conductive polymer current limiter continues to flow through the electrical switching mechanism. The switching mechanism may include a contactor having separable contacts, and may further include a circuit interrupter, in order to provide a separate circuit disconnection mechanism. The electrical switching mechanism may have a coil and the circuit controller may include a voltage sensor. The conductive polymer current limiter may have an output which has a voltage substantially less than the voltage …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.