Method and system for soft switching of a relay
US9425011B2 · kind B2 · utility
2Cited by
26References
12Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 23, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2047/009
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a system for soft switching of an electromechanical relay in a lighting control system using a sensor to detect a specified non-zero position in the electrical input waveform. Following this non-zero position, an adaptive time delay is applied before activation of the relay coil. An error detection circuit measures a time error between relay operation and the zero electrical input condition. This error signal is used to update the adaptive time delay for future relay operations. Using such a procedure has been shown to limit electrical stress on the relay, and therefore lengthen its life.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.