Relay control circuit and method for controlling a relay
US5633779A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 1995 |
| Grant date | May 27, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H47/32
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A control relay circuit and method for controlling a relay having a coil, for use, in particular, in operation of a light fixture circuit having an HID lamp. The relay control circuit has an input for receiving a control voltage signal and a voltage storage element connected across the input. The voltage storage element develops a voltage level as a function of time in response to the control voltage signal. A thyristor circuit, a switching element and the coil of the relay form a series circuit that is connected in parallel to voltage storage element A switch controller is connected in parallel to the voltage storage element and is also connected to the switching element. In response to the control voltage being received at said input, the switch controller activates the switching element to a conductive state at a first voltage level across the voltage storage element and the thyristor changes from a non-conductive state to a conductive state at a second voltage level across the voltage storage element, the first voltage level being less than the second voltage level. In response to the control voltage being removed from the input, the switch controller activates the switching el…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.