Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Randall S Langer

David Elmiger

Ahmad K Omari

Andrew John Jaap

Andrew Edward Carlson

Kyle Benjamin Adkins

Aiman Kerim

Stefan T Dziekonski

Haihui Lu

James Peter Miller

Kun Wei

David W Messersmith

Ping Soon Lee

Juerg Merki

Jeffrey R Annis

Patrick K Duffy

Douglas J Bader

Ravi Nanayakkara

Michael C McOlash

Michael C Mcolash

A method may include receiving, via at least one processor, a first set of data indicative of a fault being present and send a first signal to a breaker based on the first set of data. The first signal may cause the breaker to open a plurality of poles of the breaker. The method may then involve receiving a second set of data indicative of the fault being cleared and sending a second signal to the breaker based on the second set of data. The second signal may cause the breaker to close a first pole of the plurality of poles at a first time and close a second pole of the plurality of poles at a second time different from the first time.

Coordinating a sequence of opening and closing operations of poles in a solid-state circuit breaker

This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system including a mechanical switch and solid-state switching circuit. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs based on operations of the solid-state switching circuit. The solid-state switching circuit may draw arc currents of the electrical arcs by providing a second current path between the spanner and a fixed conductor of the mechanical switch. Moreover, the solid-state switching circuit may open the second current path and absorb electrical power of the electrical arc by one or more solid-state switches, a parallel voltage suppressor, or both.

Hybrid circuit breaker with solid-state devices

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with a current received at a load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may also determine harmonics data associated with the current and determine a switching profile to control moving a first armature of three armatures in the relay device based on the harmonics data. The switching profile is configured to control movement of the first armature between a first position and a second position, and wherein the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the first armature with respect to an electrical waveform, a second armature, and a third armature. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile, such that the relay coil causes the first armature to move.

Systems and methods for controlling firing delay in multi-phase relay devices

A method includes receiving a first set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more semiconductor devices of a solid-state circuit breaker and sending a first command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn off the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters exceeding a first set of thresholds. The method includes sending a second command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn on the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters being equal to or less than the first set of thresholds. The method includes receiving a second set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more electrical properties associated with an operation of the solid-state circuit breaker coupled to a load device and generating a baseline profile representative of the first set of operational parameters and the second operational parameters.

Systems and methods for modifying solid-state breaker operations based on load profiles

This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system. The hybrid circuit breaker may include a mechanical switch and solid-state switches. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs by drawing the electrical arcs to a conductive bar and away from the spanner. Moreover, the hybrid circuit breaker may dissipate the electrical arcs on the conductive bar by opening one or multiple solid-state switches disposed on the conductive bar. In some cases, one or multiple voltage suppressors may receive (e.g., suppress or ground) an electrical power of the electrical arcs when the solid-state switches are opened.

Hybrid circuit breaker with solid state devices

Systems and methods for contact erosion mitigation are provided. To perform contact erosion mitigation, an order of opening/closing poles and/or contact relays of particular poles is altered, resulting in a sharing of potential arcing conditions amongst the poles/contact relays of these poles.

Systems and methods for relay contact assembly reduction

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with power properties of a rotating load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may also determine frequency properties based on the power properties and determine a switching profile to control moving a first armature of three armatures in the relay device based on the frequency properties. The switching profile is configured to control movement of the first armature between a first position and a second position, and wherein the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the first armature with respect to an electrical waveform, a second armature, and a third armature. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile, such that the relay coil causes the first armature to move.

Systems and methods for utilizing pow switching to synchronize with a rotating load

A control system may include a processor that may receive a first dataset associated with a type of load device coupled to a relay device. The processor may then receive a second dataset associated with one or more operations of the load device over a period of time. The processor may also determine a switching profile to control moving an armature of the relay device between a first position and a second position based on the first dataset and the second dataset, such that the switching profile comprises a firing angle for moving the armature with respect to an electrical waveform. The processor may then control a current provided to a relay coil of the relay device based on the switching profile.

Systems and methods for automatically configuring point-on-wave settings in a relay device

A point-on-wave relay device includes a first contact relay and a second contact relay in series with the first contact relay. A first state of the first contact relay in conjunction with a first state of the second contact relay causes a point-on-wave open operation and second state of the first contact relay in conjunction with a second state of the second contact relay causes a point-on-wave close operation.

Systems and methods for de-energized point-on-wave relay operations

A system may include a relay device that includes armatures associated with phases of voltage signals. The system may also include relay coils, such that each relay coil may receive a respective voltage that magnetizes a respective relay coil, thereby causing the respective armature to move from a respective first position to a respective second position. The system may also include a control system that receive an indication that a fault condition is present, identify a first phase of the phases of voltage signals that is expected to be the next phase of the phases to cross zero, and send a signal to the relay device in response to identifying the first phase. The signal is configured to cause a first relay coil of the relay coils to energize or deenergize.

Systems and methods for minimizing energy available to contacts during a fault

A method may include receiving, via one or more processors, back electromotive force (EMF) data associated with each motor electrically coupled to a printed circuit board and determining, via the processors, a corresponding motor controller associated with each motor based on the EMF data. The motor controllers may be electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The method may also include automatically adjusting, via the processors, circuit connections associated with the printed circuit board to route wiring that controls each motor to the corresponding motor controller.

Systems and methods for implementing multiple motor starters with a printed circuit board

An interface circuit having releasable electrical connectors and as little as a single relay providing a standardized connection between panel controls intended for three-wire, two-wire or combination three-wire/two-wire control and a motor drive or motor controller. In this way, greatly simplified manufacturing of control cabinets may be provided with variations in control strategy being implemented simply by the provision of different panel controls having prewired harnesses and connectors.

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Oak Creek, WI, United States of America

Randall S Langer