Eaton Corporation

Cooper Industries, Inc.

Jan J Walker

James A Becker

Xin Zhou

Kurt Von Eckroth

Christopher John Wieloch

James J Kinsella

Edward Louis Wellner

David S Hunter

Michael Thomas Little

Mike T Little

A system and method for monitoring the remaining useable life, or 'wellness,' of a contactor or motor starter, and for predicting impending faults of such a device, is disclosed. By monitoring actuating coil current, actuating coil voltage, line current, and/or line voltage, the present invention can calculate wellness metrics which, when compared to threshold values, may be used as indicators of remaining life and/or imminent failures. The invention also provides non-mechanical positive indications of proper closures and openings of contacts for safety interlocking.

Method and apparatus for monitoring wellness of contactors and starters

The present invention provides an electrical isolation apparatus having independently controllable contactors. The isolation apparatus includes a contactor for each phase or pole of an electrical device as well as each phase or pole of a load. Each contactor is constructed so that each includes multiple contact assemblies that may be independently controlled to open and close. Moreover, the contactors within a single contactor assembly or housing can be independently controlled so that the contacts of one contactor can be opened without opening the contacts of the other contactors in the contactor assembly. Additionally, the contactors are construct and controlled such that a single line side contactor and a single load contactor open simultaneously when an open circuit condition is desired.

Isolation contactor assembly having independently controllable contactors

A magnetic flux concentrator shield is disclosed for use with magnetic flux sensors in an overload relay for multiple pole electromagnetic contactor applications. The magnetic flux concentrating shield has slotted layers of laminated members. The layers have a series of pole shielding slots which concentrate magnetic flux generated by conductors carrying current through conductor apertures in each layer. Magnetic flux sensors are positioned within air gaps within each pole of the shield. By shielding the generated magnetic flux from reaching the magnetic flux sensor of another pole, the pole shielding slots minimize cross pole magnetic flux sensor interference.

Magnetic flux concentrator shield for use in overload relay

An electromagnetic starter with an overload relay having magnetic flux shielding is disclosed for use in industrial contactor applications. The starter includes a multi-pole DC controlled contactor which is interlockingly coupled to an overload relay. The overload relay has a simplified interlocking connection to the contactor, which when made, corresponds to an abutting electrical connection between the contactor and the overload relay also being made. The contactor further has a guiding pin that promotes even contact closure within the contactor.

Electromagnetic contactor with overload relay

The current interchange includes a housing disposed on a high voltage circuit interrupter. The movable switch contact extends into the housing with a guide member attached to the end of the movable switch contact. The housing includes a base attached to one of the terminals of the interrupter and includes a pair of guide rods extending into the housing for guiding engagement with the guide member. A pair of electrical cables extend helically around the guide rods and have one end attached to the base and another end attached to the guide member to provide an electrical path between the movable switch contact and the terminal. The electrical cables produce an axial magnetic field which maintains the metallic vapor produced by the interruption of the circuit between the contacts to reduce the transport of ions from the gap and reduce the current chop.

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Franklin, WI, United States of America

Jan J Walker