Kilovac Corporation

G Stephen Perreira

Richard L Kutin

Bernard Victor Bush

Patrick A Mack

Bruce A Kenney

Lanny V Griffin

The DC actuator control circuit with voltage compensation, current control and fast dropout period employs an electronic chopper incorporating an oscillator having a variable duty cycle controlled by sensing of coil current. Coil current is sampled through a series resistor by a feedback amplifier which increases or decreases the period in which the switch for the coil circuit remains on to sustain average coil current at the desired MMF. A threshold detector provides an initial triggering signal to initiate operation of the actuator and the control circuit responsive to a predetermined source voltage and a gate signal generator responds to the triggering signal with a time constant sufficient to drive the coil through a pickup interval. Inrush current is limited by the oscillator through sensing of coil current. A dropout switch for opening the sustaining current return circuit which opens upon removal of source voltage provides a high impedance for rapid current drain from the coil thereby eliminating regeneration effects.

DC actuator control circuit with voltage compensation, current control

A relay device utilizing an angular 'impact break' method to achieve contact break. A rotatable armature is pivotally mounted to one end of the relay while its other end remains separated from the relay pole center by a spring. A separate rotatable actuator, carrying a moving contact, is movably positioned atop the armature and pivoted at the same point where the armature is pivotally mounted. The armature responds to the electromagnetic effects caused by the excitation of the coil, and rotates downward towards the pole center. The actuator rotates along with the armature, due to a spring receptacle on the armature and an overtravel spring between the receptacle and actuator, until the moving contact connected to the actuator contacts the stationary contacts of the relay. After contact, the armature, continues its rotation while the actuator maintains the contact between the moving and stationary contacts. Upon de-energization, the armature rotates upward and away from the pole center and, before making contact with the actuator, acquires kinetic energy which is imparted upon the actuator upon impact with same. Impact force is sufficient to break the previously closed contacts and any welding which occurs between the contacts. The relay device further provides a number of features serving to reduce arcing, puddling and welding.

DC vacuum relay device with angular impact break mechanism

A sealed relay of the high-vacuum type, or which may be backfilled with a dielectric gas such as hydrogen-nitrogen mixture for improved arc suppression when switching high-voltage d-c currents. The relay uses controlled fixed contacts which enable use of a reduced-diameter disk-shaped movable contact. Thus permitting optimal placement of external arc-supporting permanent magnets on a ceramic relay housing in close proximity to the enclosed fixed and movable contacts. A staggered or offset positioning of the fixed contacts makes the relay polarity insensitive for bidirectional switching of high-voltage d-c currents.

Sealed relay device

A sensor for use with high-power solenoid-actuated relays, and for detecting and signalling relay armature position and hence the actuation state of the relay. The sensor is external to a sealed chamber in which the relay contacts and armature system are positioned, and includes a permanent magnet, the flux path of which includes the relay armature and base. Armature movement to close the relay alters the flux path to operate a reed switch adjacent the magnet, and the condition of the reed switch signals the unactuated or actuated state of the relay.

Armature position sensor for a relay

A relay device utilizing a linear 'impact break' method for contact break. An armature shaft has attached at one end a plunger situated at the base of the relay core. The armature has a terminal end portion at its other end. A spring provides a biasing force to maintain the plunger and armature shaft in open state. Resiliently mounted on the armature shaft adjacent its end opposite the plunger is a movable contact disc rotatable about the armature shaft for coming in contact with two stationary contacts in the closed state. The armature shaft towards its plunger end extends into an armature travel cavity. The armature shaft towards its movable contact end extends into a chamber open to the armature travel cavity. A movably mounted further spring is located about the armature shaft between the contact disc and a stop on the armature shaft. The further spring rotates upon its compression to rotate the contact disc to vary the position of contact during a plurality of closing operations. The terminal end portion extends beyond the contact disc upon closed state, and is accelerated by expansion of the further spring to impact the contact disc to provide the contacts open state. All moving parts of the relay are hermetically sealed from the outside atmosphere.

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Carpinteria, CA, United States of America

G Stephen Perreira