| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 361166000 | Plural relays or solenoids sequentially operated | 8 |
| 20080266742 | Apparatus and method for increasing switching life of electromechanical contacts in a hybrid power switching device - A circuit and related methods for use in a hybrid power switching device are provided that include at least one electromechanical relay having a coil and a contact, the electromechanical relay defining a release time and a sticking time during an on-to-off transition. At least one solid state switch is electrically connected to the contact, and a timing circuit is electrically connected to the electromechanical relay and the solid state switch. The timing circuit includes a capacitor electrically connected to a control signal input and at least one resistor electrically connected to the capacitor and to the solid state switch, wherein the capacitor and the resistor are sized such that the capacitor discharges through the resistor to activate the solid state switch for a period of time that is longer than the electromechanical relay release time and sticking time. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20110128662 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL APPARATUS - A power supply control apparatus for controlling a power supply unit including a battery and a load is provided. The power supply control apparatus includes a main relay and a ground relay, a pre-charge relay, an inrush current limiting resistor, a first relay control section, and a time measurement section. The main relay and the ground relay are connected between the battery and the load. The pre-charge relay is connected in parallel with one of the main relay and the ground relay. The inrush current limiting resistor is connected in series with the pre-charge relay, and limits an inrush current from the battery to the load. The first relay control section temporarily turns ON the pre-charge relay and turns ON the main relay and the ground relay upon receiving a power supply connection request from the outside, and turns OFF the main relay and the ground relay upon receiving a power supply interruption request from the outside. The time measurement section chooses a time point in the period from when the pre-charge relay is turned ON to when it is turned OFF, and measures the elapsed time from the chosen time point. Before the elapsed time measured by the time measurement section reaches a predetermined reference period, the first relay control section does not turn OFF the main relay and the ground relay, but maintains the relays ON, even when receiving the power supply interruption request. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110141647 | Three-Way Switch for Home Automation Apparatus and Method - A switch for premises electrical circuits provides wireless control compatible with at least one home automation control system technology. A single switch design can operate two-, three-, and four-way circuits without alteration, and without recourse to coordinating remote switches. The switch includes processor functions for restoring a previous state after power interruption, and for establishing a state commanded during the power interruption. The switch uses two single-pole, single-throw relays for positive safety lockout, and adjusts relay actuation timing with reference to power waveform zero-crossing for contact arc reduction with inductive, tungsten, and capacitive loads. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110242722 | CONTROL SYSTEM - First through third relays are connected in series, and a load | 10-06-2011 |
| 20120176719 | TRIP UNIT PROVIDING REMOTE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL TO REMOTELY INDICATE THAT AN ARC REDUCTION MAINTENANCE MODE IS REMOTELY ENABLED, AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An electrical switching apparatus includes separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a trip mechanism cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts. The trip mechanism includes an input structured to receive a remote signal to remotely enable an arc reduction maintenance mode, a first circuit structured to enable the arc reduction maintenance mode in response to the received remote signal, and a second circuit structured to provide an electrical signal remote from the trip mechanism in order to remotely indicate that the arc reduction maintenance mode is remotely enabled. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120243139 | Method and Apparatus for Diagnostic Coverage of Safety Components - A method and system for diagnostic coverage of safety components monitors the state of a safety chain and each of the safety devices in the chain. A fault condition is detected if one of the safety devices indicates that the safety chain should be open but the safety chain indicates that it is closed. In order to prevent an inadvertent reset of the fault condition by opening the safety chain via a second safety device, the fault condition is latched until the monitoring system verifies that the faulty safety device has been corrected. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120250208 | Electronic Switch and Circuit for Select-Fire Perforating Guns - Apparatus and method are provided for select-firing of perorating guns or activating other equipment in a well, such as a bridge plug. Double-pole double-throw electronic relays, used along with diodes that block voltage below a selected level, are used to control access of positive or negative voltages to blasting caps. Firing of a blasting cap causes an open circuit across the blasting cap and shifting of a relay. Alternate application of negative and positive voltages allows activation of multiple devices in a well. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20140168846 | EXCITATION INRUSH-CURRENT SUPPRESSION SYSTEM - According to an embodiment, when a transformer that is connected to a first power supply through a first breaker as well as to a second power supply through a second breaker is detected to be disconnected from the power supplies, a specific phase of the three phases of the first breaker is closed to suppress an excitation inrush current, based on calculated residual magnetic fluxes and a voltage of the first power supply, and thereafter, the remaining two phases are closed. Based on the calculated residual magnetic fluxes and a voltage of the second power supply, a specific phase of the three phases of the second breaker is closed to suppress an excitation inrush current, and thereafter, the remaining two phases are closed. | 06-19-2014 |
