Thermal compensation control for a motor starter
US6297607A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M1/327
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A motor starter thermal-compensation control is disclosed in which an ambient temperature sensor is positioned to sense ambient temperature and provide an ambient temperature signal in a motor starter. Additional temperature sensors are mounted in thermal communication with each bus bar in a motor starter and to monitor the temperature of each pole. A microprocessor is connected to each of the temperature sensors and periodically receives the temperature signals to monitor change in operating temperature of the motor starter. The control adjusts the output of the motor starter based on the change in the operating temperature so as to maintain a constant output as the ambient temperature increases, or the internal resistance of the device increases with temperature increase. In order to adjust the output, the system increases the FLA ampacity to compensate for the temperature increase. If the ampacity reaches the device's limits, the starter is prevented from engaging the motor with the power supply until it has sufficiently cooled down. The control calculates an estimated cool down time and displays the cool down time to prevent unnecessary start attempts during cool down.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.