Low cost circuit controller
US5617281A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1994 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| 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 switching mechanism, which selectively connects the power source to the load and switches a current which flows through the switching mechanism, and a substantially radiant energy dissipating positive temperature coefficient current limiter for limiting the current which flows through the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism includes a current sensor, which senses the current flowing through the switching mechanism and provides a sensed current value, and a switching controller for disconnecting the power source from the load whenever the sensed current value is above a predetermined current value. The switching mechanism may include a contactor having separable contacts which are responsive to the switching controller. The current limiter may have a first resistance which results from a first series current, and a higher second resistance which results from a second series current. The ratio of the second resistance to the first resistance may exceed 16. The current limiter may be a tungsten or, alternatively, a carbon conductor. The tungsten conductor dissipates greater than 70 percent of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.