Programmable electronic current limiter
US6046893A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/006
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A programmable electronic current limiter for a winch includes a signal conditioning circuit monitoring a differential signal taken from a resistive element of the winch motor and providing a stable DC voltage signal representing in linear fashion motor load conditions. By setting a threshold within the range of the DC load signal, motor operation halts in response to load conditions exceeding the selected threshold. The threshold may be established explicitly by application or may be adopted as a function of actual load conditions during a programming step. Overall, the device is more accurate and more responsive than prior electronic current limiters thereby provides greater protection against damage or deterioration of a winch and its supporting structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.