Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080309438 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED SWITCHING - A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry and a current path integrally arranged with the control circuitry. The current path includes a set of conduction interfaces and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed between the set of conduction interfaces. The set of conduction interfaces have geometry of a defined fuse terminal geometry and include a first interface disposed at one end of the current path and a second interface disposed at an opposite end of the current path. The MEMS switch is responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310056 | REMOTE-OPERABLE MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION APPARATUS - The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310057 | MEMS BASED MOTOR STARTER WITH MOTOR FAILURE DETECTION - A motor starter is disclosed. The motor starter includes control circuitry integrally arranged with at least one current path and a processor included in the control circuitry. The motor starter further includes at least one processor algorithm residing on the processor, the at least one processor algorithm containing instructions to monitor characteristics of current on the at least one current path and to provide data pertaining to a condition of the at least one current path. The motor starter further includes a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the at least one current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the control of an electrical current, passing through the at least one current path. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310062 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED SELECTIVELY COORDINATED PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION - Electrical distribution systems implementing micro-electromechanical system based switching devices. Exemplary embodiments include a method in an electrical distribution system, the method including determining if there is a fault condition in a branch of the electrical distribution system, the branch having a plurality of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switches, re-closing a MEMS switch of the plurality of MEMS switches, which is furthest upstream in the branch and determining if the fault condition is still present. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical distribution system, including an input port for receiving a source of power, a main distribution bus electrically coupled to the input port, a service disconnect MEMS switch disposed between and coupled to the input port and the main distribution bus and a plurality of electrical distribution branches electrically coupled to the main distribution bus. | 12-18-2008 |
20080315980 | MEMS MICRO-SWITCH ARRAY BASED ON CURRENT LIMITING ENABLED CIRCUIT INTERRUPTING APPARATUS - The present invention comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) micro-switch array based current limiting enabled circuit interrupting apparatus. The apparatus comprising an over-current protective component, wherein the over-current protective component comprises a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices. The apparatus also comprises a circuit breaker or switching component, wherein the circuit breaker or switching component is in operable communication with the over-current protective component. | 12-25-2008 |
20080316664 | RESETTABLE MEMS MICRO-SWITCH ARRAY BASED ON CURRENT LIMITING APPARATUS - The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system, devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip. | 12-25-2008 |
20090079273 | SWITCHING CIRCUIT APPARATUS HAVING A SERIES CONDUCTION PATH FOR SERVICING A LOAD AND SWITCHING METHOD - A circuit for servicing a load connectable with a power supply is disclosed. The circuit includes a plurality of three-terminal switches and one control supply. The three-terminal switches define a series conduction path connectable between the power supply and the load. Each of the plurality of three terminal switches includes a source terminal, a drain terminal, and a gate terminal. The control supply is productive of a control voltage and in power connection between the gate terminal and source terminal of each of the plurality of three-terminal switches. Each of the plurality of three-terminal switches is responsive to the control voltage at its respective gate terminal to close a connection between the respective source terminal and respective drain terminal of each of the plurality of three-terminal switches. | 03-26-2009 |
20090115255 | MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED SWITCHING - A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch pair disposed in the current path. The current control device further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch pair facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch pair. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125124 | PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER HAVING MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM BASED SWITCHING - A programmable logic controller is disclosed. The programmable logic controller includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The programmable logic controller further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch. The programmable logic controller also may include a MEMS switch and a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage across the MEMS switch. The MEMS switches are arranged to transmit or receive logic signals. | 05-14-2009 |
20120038310 | INRUSH CURRENT CONTROL FOR A MOTOR STARTER SYSTEM - A motor starter system includes a plurality of switches, and a controller operatively connected to each of the plurality switches. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively activate select ones of the plurality of switches upon detecting a particular phase angle of each of a plurality of phases of a multi-phase electrical source. | 02-16-2012 |
20120113550 | MEMS-BASED SWITCHING SYSTEMS - A device for controlling an electrical current includes control circuitry, a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch in communication with the control circuitry, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current, a Hybrid Arcless Limiting Technology (HALT) arc suppression circuit disposed in electrical communication with the MEMS switch to receive a transfer of electrical energy from the MEMS switch in response to the MEMS switch changing state from closed to open, the HALT arc suppression circuit including a capacitive portion, and a variable resistance arranged in parallel electrical communication with the capacitive portion of the HALT arc suppression circuit, the variable resistance to dissipate a portion of the transferred electrical energy. | 05-10-2012 |
20130003262 | ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM INCLUDING MICRO ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH (MEMS) DEVICES - An electrical distribution system includes at least one circuit breaker device having an electrical interruption system provided with an electrical pathway, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device electrically coupled in the electrical pathway, at least one hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) connection, and at least one control connection. A HALT circuit member is electrically coupled to HALT connection on the circuit breaker device and a controller is electrically coupled to the control connection on the circuit breaker device. The controller is configured and disposed to selectively connect the HALT circuit member and the at least one circuit breaker device via the HALT connection to control electrical current flow through the at least one circuit breaker device. | 01-03-2013 |
20130027817 | MICRO ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SWITCH (MEMS) BASED OVER CURRENT MOTOR PROTECTION SYSTEM - An over current protection system includes a current sensing member configured and disposed to output an electrical rate of change signal that is indicative of a rate of change of an electrical current being in excess of a predetermined value, at least one micro electro-mechanical switch (MEMS) device operatively connected to the current sensing member, and a controller electrically coupled to each of the current sensing member and the at least one MEMS device. The controller is configured and disposed to open the at least one MEMS device in response the electrical rate of change signal. | 01-31-2013 |
20130300566 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTION SYSTEM ACTIVATION AND DYNAMIC LABELING - Methods, devices, and systems for activation of a protection system and dynamic labeling are described. An example system for use with a plurality of circuit protection devices coupled to a switchgear unit includes a first sensor for detecting a body located within a first zone associated with a threshold distance from the switchgear unit, and a controller coupled to the first sensor. The controller is configured to selectively enable the plurality of circuit protection devices. The controller is configured to enable a first circuit protection device of the plurality of circuit protection devices in response to detecting, via the first sensor, a body within the first zone. | 11-14-2013 |