Contractor tip cleaning circuit
US6002559A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H1/605
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit for a direct current electric motor system for reducing contamination in contactor tips includes a semiconductor element in a parallel circuit arrangement with the contactor. The motor system includes a direct current power source coupled to an electric motor through the contactor. A capacitor is coupled in a parallel circuit arrangement with the motor. When the contactor is open, the capacitor is charged by the direct current power source through the semiconductor element. The capacitor will not charge to the same voltage as the direct current power source because of the semiconductor element, creating a voltage differential across the open contactor tips, which is equivalent to the voltage drop across the semiconductor element. Accordingly, the surge of current flowing across the contactor when its is closed cleans the contactor tips.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.