The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 1996
Filed:
Dec. 08, 1994
Sherrill G Thomas, Sutherlin, VA (US);
Larry G Ball, Snow Camp, NC (US);
General Electric Company, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Abstract
A contactor control system for a DC electric power system for reducing contactor tip contamination from dry-switching includes a first switch connected in circuit between a power source and a controller for enabling the controller upon closure of the first switch. A PTC resistor is connected between the first switch and a filter capacitor whereby charging current is supplied to the capacitor upon closure of the first switch. A solid-state switch is connected in series circuit with an electromagnetic actuator of a contactor having power contact tips in circuit between the power source and a load. The series combination of the actuator and solid-state switch is connected in parallel circuit with the filter capacitor. The controller is operable to gate the solid state switch into conduction when voltage on the capacitor exceeds a preselected voltage whereby discharge current from the capacitor is effective to energize the actuator for closing the contact tips such that voltage on the capacitor is less than the source voltage at contactor closure to affect a current through the contactor at closure.