CA1292761C - Electromagnetic contactor with energy balanced closing system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electromagnetic contactor or motor controller is taught in which an energy efficient bounceless contact closing operation is utilized. An electromagnetic closing coil voltage is sensed by the contactor control system and compared against a memory menu of stored delay angles for a wide range of sensed voltages. The delay angles are applied to the conduction interval of a triac or similar gated device which is connected in series with the coil for controlling current flow therethrough. Depending upon the voltage sensed the amount of current flowing through the coil on a half cycle by half cycle basis is varied by the control system. The energy supplied to the armature of the electromagnetic closing coil is such that the armature attains a predetermined velocity during its closing opera-tion which predetermined velocity is approximately suffi-cient to allow the armature to move to its final fixed closed disposition where the air gap between it and a permanent magnet is reduced to zero at a velocity of approximately zero. Generally only that much energy is supplied to the armature which is just needed to close the contacts and no more within practical limits.

Description

ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTACTOR WITH
ENERGY BALANCED CLOSING SYSTEM

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
1 The inventions taught herein are related to commonly assigned U.S. patents as follows:
U.S. patent number 4,720,763 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Control Circuit for Providing Acceleration, Coast and Grab Functions".
U.S. patent number 4,720,761 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Current Regulated Electromagnetic Coil for Holding the Contacts Closed".
U.S. patent number 4,833,565 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Algorithm Controlled Closing System".
V.S. patent number 4,728,810 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Discriminator for Determining when a Input Control Signal is True or False and Method".
U.S. patent number 4,748,343 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Universal Control".

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1 U.S. patent number 4,757,420 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Wide Range Overload Current Relay Board Utilizing Left Shifting and Method".
U.S. patent number 4,739,293 entitled "Electro-magnetic Contactor with Reduced ~oise Magnetic Armature".
U.S. patent number 4,626,831 entitled "Analog Signal Processlng Circuit".
U.S. patent number 4,674,035 entitled "A
Supervisory Circuit for a Programmed Processing Unit".
U.S. patent number 4,734,639 entitled "Master Metering Module with Vo~tage Selector".
U.S. patent number 4,700,880 entitled "Process for Manufacturing ~lectrical Equipment Utilizing Printed Circuit Boards".

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BAC~GROUND OF T.~E I~ iT ro~
1 Field of the Invention:
The subject matter of this invention is -elatGd generally to electromagnetic contactors and more specifi-cally to apparatus and method for cor.trolling an elec~ro-magnetic contactor.
Description of the Prior Art:
Electromagnetic contactors are well known in the art. A typical example may be found in U.S. Patent 3,339,161 issued August 29, 1967 to J. P. Conner et al.
entitled "Electromagnetic Contactor" and assigned to the assignee of the present invent~on. Electromagnetic contac-tors are switch devices which are especially useful in motor-starting, lighting, switching and similar applica-tions. A motor-starting contactor with an overload relay system is called a~motor controller. A contactor usually has a magnetic circuit which includes a fixed magnet and a movable magnet or armature with an air gap therebetween when the contactor is opened. An electromagnetic coil is controllable upon command to interact with a source of voltage which may be interconnected with the main contacts of the contactor for electromagnetically accelerating the armature towards the fixed magnet, thus reducing the air gap. Disposed on the armature is a set of bridging con-tacts, the complements of which are fixedly disposed w;~hin the contactor case for being engaged thereby as the magnet-ic circuit is energized and the armature is moved. The load and voltage source therefor are usually interconnected with the ixed contacts and become interconnected with each other as the bridging contacts make with the fixed con-tacts. Generally, ,as the armature is accelerated towards the magnetic, it must overcome two spring forces. The first spring force is provided by a kickout spring which is subsequently utilized to disengage the contacts by moving the armature in the opposite direction when the power , ~, 4 1~ 7~ 3, 2' applied to ~ne coil has been removed. Tnis occurs as -he contacts are opened. The other spring force is provided ~y a ~ontac~ sprirlg wnich begins to com~ress as s:ne b.- . GCji..g contacts abut the fixed contacts, but while the armatu-e continues to move towards the fixed magnet as the air gap is reduced to zero. The force of the contact spr.ng determines the amount of electrical current which can be carried by the closed contacts, and furthermore determines how much contact wear is tolerable as repeated operation of the contactor occurs. It is usually desirous for the contact spring to be as forceful as possible, thus increas-ing the current-carrying capability of the contactor and increasing the capability to adapt for contact wear.
However, since this force must be overcome by the energy provided to the electromagnet during the closing operation, more closing energy,will generally be required for rela~
tively stiffer contact springs than for less stiff contact springs. Most electromagnets in contactors are powered by alternating current and, as will be described herein mo;e fully hereinafter, the magnet pull curve for the electro-magnetic armature accelerating system is generally fixed in shape according to the magnetic system utilized. In prior art contactors, the amount of energy provided to the electromagnet is more than is necessary to overcome the force of the springs against which the accelerating arma-ture operates. One reason for this is the need to overcome the effect of the relatively stiff contact springs when the contacts engage. In general, however, the excess energy is wasted energy which is undesirable. But, perhaps more importantly, the excess energy is absorbed by the mechani-cal system as the armature finishes its closing travel stroke. This excessive kinetic energy is usually exempli-fied by heat, noise, vibration, undesirable contact bounce and shock. It would be desirable, therefore, to rind an electromagnetic closing system which provided only the amount of energy necessary to overcome the forces which resist movement of the armature in the closing stroke and 1~7~1 53,1~' no more. Furthermore, it would oe desiraole to r-du-e _he velocity of the armature to a relatively low value such as zero as it abuts the fixed magnet. The lower the velocity the less the movable contact bounces when it abuts the fixed magnet.
SUMMARY OF THE I~VE~TION
In accordance with the invention, an electromag-netic contactor is taught in which the energy which is necessary to close the contacts is empirically or otherwise determined. That amount of energy is then supplied to the electromagnetic system in controlled amounts previous to the armature abutting the fixed magnet. At the point in time when the energy is removed, the accelerating armature has attained a velocity which is representative of kinetic energy which in turn is utilized to continue movement of the armature through the remaining portion of the closing stroke at decreasing velocity as the termination of the closing stroke is approached. In one embodiment of the invention, an electrical contactor is taught, comprising a movable armature means. There is provided electromagnetic means with electric means for energizing the electromagnet means in response to controlled electrical energy for magnetically moving the armature means into a disposition of abutment with the electromagnetic means. There is provided spring means interconnected with the a.mature means which resists movement of the armature means into the disposition of abutment with the electromagnet means. A
control means is taught for supplying controlled electrical energy to the coil means. The total mechanical energy required to compress the spring means as the armature is moved into a disposition of abutment with the electromagnet means is no less than K. The control means cooperates with the coil means to supply only K electrical energy to the coil means previous to the armature means abutting the electromagnet means. Continued movement of the armature means to the disposition of abutment is sustained by the kinetic energy attained by the previously accelerated lZ~7~ ~
6 ,3,l~-armature as it reacnes a maximum velocity. The a~ma-.~are thereafter abuts the electromagnet at zero eloc:_f.
Electricai contact means are in~erconnected wi_h Ihe armature means and an electrical circuit for being c1osed as the armature means moves towards the latter dis?ositlon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~1INGS
For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the preferred embodiments thereof, shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure l shows an isometric view of an electro-magnetic contactor embodying teachings of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a cutaway elevation of the contac-tor of Fig. l at section II-II thereof;
Figure 3 shows force and armature velocity curves for a prior art cpntactor with electromagnetic armature accelerating coil, kickout spring and contact spring;
Figure 4 shows a set of curves similar to those shown in Fig. 3 but for one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a set of curves similar to those shown in Fig. 3 and F g. 4 but for another embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 shows still another set of curves for the apparatus of Figs. 4 and 5 for voltage and current waveshapes;
Figures 7A through 7D show a schematic circuit diagram partially in block diagram form for an electrical control system for the contactor of Figs. l and 2;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of a printed circuit board which includes the circuit elements of Fig. 7 as well as the contactor coil, current transducers and voltage transformers of Fig. 2;
Figure 9 shows an elevation of the circuit board of Fig. 8;

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Figure lO shows the circuit board of Figs. 8 and 9 in isometric view in a disposition for mounting in _he contactor of Fig. 2;
Figure 11 shows a circuit diagram and wiring schematic partially in block diagram form for the contactor of Figs. 2 and 7 as utilized in conjunction with a motor controlled thereby;
Figure 12 shows a schematic arrangement of a current-to-voltage transducer for utilization in an embodi-ment of the present invention;
Figure 13 shows a schematic arrangement of thetransformer of Fig. 12 with an integrator circuit;
Figure 14 shows a plot of air gap length versus the voltage-to-current ratio for the transducer arrange-ments of Figs. 12 and 13;
Figure 15,shows an embodiment of a current-to-voltage transducer utilizing a magnetic shim;
Figure 16 shows an embodiment of a current-to-voltage transducer using an adjustable protrusion member;
20Figure 17 shows an embodiment of a current-to-voltage transducer utilizing a movable core portion;
Figure 18 shows an embodiment of a current-to-voltage transducer utilizing a powdered metal core;
Figure 19 shows an algoritnm, READSWITCHES, in block diagram form for utilization by a microprocessor for reading switches and discharging capacitors for the input circuitry of the coil control board of Figure 7;
Figure 20 shows an algorithm, READVOLTS, in block diagram form for reading line voltage for the coil control board of Figure 7;
Figure 21 shows an algorithm, C~OLD, in block diagram form for reading the coil current for the coil control circult of Figure 7;
Figure 22 shows an algorithm, RANGE, in block diagram form for reading line current as determined by the overload relay board of Figure 7;

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Figure 23 shows a scnemat c representa~ion of an A-to-D converter and storage locations associa.ed w_-h determining iine current as found in the microprocessor of the coil control board of the present invention;
Figure 24 shows an algorithm, FIRE TRIAC, in block diagram form for utilization by a micro~rocessor for firing the coil controlling triac for the coil control board of Figure 7;
Figure 25A shows a plot of the derivatives of the line current shown in Figure 25A;
Figure 25B shows a plot of a one-half per unit, a one per unit and a two per unit sinusoidal representation of a line current for the apparatus controlled by the present invention;
Figure 25C shows a plot of resultant analog-to-digital converter i~put voltage versus half-cycle sampling intervals (time) for three examples of line current magni-tude of Figure 25A;
Figure 26 shows a representation of the binary numbers stored in storage locations in the microprocessor of Fig. 23 for Example 1 of an analog-to-digital conversion for six sampling times in the RANGE sampling routine of Figure 22 for the one-half per unit line cycle;
Figure 27 shows a representation of the binary numbers stored in storage locations in the mi~roprocessor of Fig. 23 for Example 2 of an analog-to-digital conversion for six sampling times in the RANGE sampling routine of Figure 22 for the one per unit line cycle;
Figure 28 shows a representation of the binary numbers stored in storage locations in the microprocessor of Fig. 23 for Example 3 of an analog-to-digital conversion for six sampling times in the RANGE sampling routine of Figure 22 for the two per unit line cycle;
Figure 29 shows plots of VLINE, VRUN(T), and VRUN(F) at the input of the microprocessor;

9 lZ5~761 Figure 30 ~hows a plan view oî a prin~ed circ~
board similar to that shown in Figures 3 and 9 'cr utilization in another embodiment of tihe invention;
Figure 31 shows a cutaway elevation of a contac-tor similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 for anotherembodiment of the invention; and Figure 32 shows a sectional view of the contactor of Figure 31 along the section lines XXXII-XXXII.
3ESCRIPTION OF THE P~EFERRr'D Ei~ ODI~iiNT
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a three phase elec-trical contactor or controller 10 is shown. For the purpose of simplicity of illustration the construction features of only one of the three poles will be described it being understood that the other two poles are the same.
Contactor 10 comprises a housing 12 made of suitable electrical insulating material such as glass/nylon composi-tion upon which are disposed electrical load terminals 14 and 16 for interconnection with an electrical apparatus, a circuit or a system to be serviced or controlled by the contactor 10. Such a system is shown schematically in Fig.
11, for example. Terminals 14 and 16 may each form part of a set of three phase electrical terminals as mentioned previously. Terminals 14 and 16 are spaced apart and interconnected internally with conductors 20 and 24, respectively, which extend into the central region of the housing 12. There, conductors 20 and 24 are terminated by appropriate fixed contacts 22 and 26, respectively.
Interconnection of contacts 22 and 26 will establish circuit continuity between terminals 14 and 16 and render the contactor 10 effective for conducting electrical current therethrough. A separately manufactured coil control board 28 (as shown hereinafter in Figs. 8, 9 and 10) may be securely disposed within housing 12 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Disposed on the coil control board 28 is a coil or solenoid assembly 30 which may include an electrical coil or solenoid 31 disposed as part thereof. Spaced away from the coil control board 28 and 129Z7~i1 ~3,12~
forming one end of the coil assembly 30 is a spring seaL 32 upon wh~ch is secu~ely disposed one end of a kickou' sprir.g 34. The other end of the kickout spring 32 resides against portion 12A of base 12 until movement of carrier 42 in a manner to be described hereinafter causes bottom portion 42A thereof to pick up spring 34 and compress it against seat 32. This occurs in a plane outside of the plane of Fig. 2. Spring 34 encircles armature 40. It is picked up by bottom portion 42A where they intersect. The dimension of member 42 into the plane of Fig. 2 is larger than the diameter of the spring 34. A fixed magnet or slug of magnetizable material 36 is strategically disposed within a channel 38 radially aligned with the solenoid or coil 31 of the coil assembly 30. Axially displaced from the fixed magnet 36 and disposed in the same channel 38 is a magnetic armature or magnetic, flux conductive member 40 which is longitudinally (axially) movable in the channel 38 relative to the fixed magnet 36. At the end of the armature 40 and spaced away from the fixed magnet 36 is the longitudinally extending electrically insulating contact carrier 42 upon which is disposed an electrically conducting contact bridge 44. On one radial arm of contact bridge 44 is disposed a contact 46, and on another radial arm of contact bridge 44 is disposed a contact 48. Of course, it is to be remem-bered that the contacts are in triplicate for a 3 polecontactor. Contact 46 abuts contact 22 (22-46), and contact 48 abuts contact 26 (26-48) when a circuit is internally completed between the terminal 14 and terminal 16 as the contactor 10 closes. On the other hand, when the contact 22 is spaced apart from the contact 46 and the contact 26 is spaced apart from contact 48, the internal circuit between the terminals 14 and 16 is open. The open circuit position is shown in Fig. 2. There is provided an arc box 50 which is disposed to enclose the contact bridge 44 and the terminals 22, 26, 46 and 48, to thus provide a partially enclosed volume in which electrical current flowing internally between the terminals 14 and 16 may ~e 11 12~Z-7f 1 53,1,~
interrupted safely. There is provided centrally in she a _ box 50 a recess 52 into ~hich the crossbar 54 of _h.e carrier 42 is disposed and constrained from moving trans-versely (radially) as shown in Fig. 2, but is free to move or slide longitudinally (axially) of the center line 38A of the aforementioned channel 38. Contact bridge 44 is maintained in carrier 42 with the help of a contact spring 56. The contact spring 56 compresses to allow continued movement of the carrier 42 towards slug 35 even after the contacts 22-46 and 26-48 have abutted or "made". Further compression of contact spring 56 greatly increases the pressure on the closed contacts 42-46 and 26-48 to increase the current-carrying capability of the internal circuit between the terminals 14 and 16 and to provide an automatic adjustment feature for allowing the contacts to attain an abutted or "made" po$ition even after significant contact wear has occurred. The longitudinal region between the magnet 36 and the movable armature 40 comprises an air gap 58 in which magnetic flux exists when the coil 31 is electrically energi~ed.
Externally accessible terminals on a terminal block J1 may be disposed upon the coil control board 28 for interconnection with the coil or solenoid 31, among other things, by way of printed circuit paths or other conductors on the control board 28. Another terminal block JX (shown in Fig. 32) may also be disposed on printed circuit board 28 for other useful purposes. Electrical energization of the coil or solenoid 31 by electrical power provided at the externally accessible terminals on terminal block J1 and in response to a contact closing signal available at external-ly accessible terminal block J1 for example, generates a magnetic flux path through fixed magnet or slug 36, the air gap 58 and the armature 40. As is well known, such a condition causes the armature 40 to longitudinallv move within the channel 38 in an attempt to shorten or eliminate the air gap 58 and to eventually abut magnet or slug 35.
This movement is in opposition to, or is resisted by, the 12 ~ 53,~,~
force of compression of the kickout spring 34 ln inislai stages of movement and is further resis~ed by the fo.ce of compression of the contact spring 56 after the contacts 22-46 and 26-48 have abutted at a later portion of the movement stroke of the armature 40.
There may also be provided within the nousiny 12 of the contactor 10 an overload relay printed circuit board or card 60 (also shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10) upon which are disposed current-to-voltage transducers or transformers 62 (only one of which 62B is shown in Fig. 2). In those embodiments of the invention in which the overload relay board 60 is utilized, the conductor 24 may extend through the toroidal opening 62T of the current-to-voltage trans-former or transducer 62B so that current flowing in the conductor 24 is sensed by the current-to-voltage trans-former or transducer 62B. The information thus sensed is utilized advantageously in a manner to be described herein-after for providing useful circuit information for the contactor 10.
There may be also provided at one end of the overload relay board 60, selector switches 64, which may be accessible from a region external of the housing 12.
Another embodiment of the invention is depicted on Fig. 30 and Fig. 31 the description of which and operation of which will be provided hereinafter.
Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, four superim-posed curves are shown for the purpose of depicting the state or the art prior to the present invention. In particular, plots of force versus distance for a magnetic solenoid such as 31 in Fig. 2, a kickout spring such as 34 shown in Fig. 2, and a contact spring such as 56 shown in Fig. 2, are depicted. In addition, a superimposed plot 92 of instantaneous velocity versus distance is depicted for an armature such as 40 shown in Fig. 2. Although the independent variable in each case is distance, it could just as well be time as the two variables are closely related for the curves shown in Fig. 3. It is to be 13 1292761 , 3,-~
understood that the r,eference to componen~ parts o ,re contactor 10 of Fig. 2 is made for the ~urpose of simp~ y-ing the illustration; it is not to be presumed that tne elements shown in Fig. 2, when taken together as a whole, are covered by the prior art. There is shown a first curve which depicts force versus distance (time could be utilized) for a kickout spring (such as 34) as the spring is compressed starting at point 72. The spring 34 ofCers initial force 74. The spring 34 gradually resists compres-sion with greater and greater force until point 78 isreached on the distance axis. The area enclosed by the lines interconnecting point 72, point 74, the curve 70, point 76, point 78 and point 72 once again represents the total amount of energy that is necessary to compress a kickout spring by the movement of the armature 40 as it is accelerated to close the air gap 58 between it and the fixed magnet 36. This~force resists the movement of the armature 40. At point 80 on the distance axis, the con-tacts 22-42 and 26-48, for example of Fig. 2, abut, and continued movement of the armature 40 causes compression of the contact spring 56 which operates to place increasing force on the now abutted contacts for reasons described previously. Curve 79 represents the total force which the moving armature 40 works against as it is accelerated to close the air gap 58. A step function increase in force between point 81 and point 82 occurs as the contacts 22-42 and 26-48 touch. This force grows increasingly larger until at point 78 the moving armature 40 experiences the maximum force applied by the combination of the kickout spring 34 and contact spring 56. That amount of additional energy which the moving armature must supply to overcome the resistance of the contact spring 56 is represented by the area enclosed by the lines which interconnect the points 81 and 82, curve 79, points 84 and 76, curve 76A and point 81 once again. Consequently, as the armature 40 is accelerated from its position of rest at 72 to its position of abutment against the magnet 36 at 78 the coil or lZ927~`1 14 ~3, 2~
solenold 31 must supply at least tne amount oî energy represented by the lines which conr.ect the ooin's 72, 74, 81, 82, 84, 78 and 72 once again. Tne positive slope o curve 70 is purposely kept as small as possible consistent with allowing the armature 40 to be àriven in the reverse direction when the coil energy is removed so that the contactor may reopen. The initial force required to be overcome by the armature 40 in its first instant of move-ment is the threshold value of force represented by the difference between the points 72 and 74. Consequently, the armature must supply at least that much force at that instant of time. For purposes of simplicity of illustra-tion, therefore, in an illustrative sense, it will be presumed that the electromagnetic coil 31 provides the force represented at point 88 in Fig. 3 for the armature 40 at 72. It is also n~cessary that the amount of force provided by the coil or solenoid 31 at the instant that the contacts 22-42 and 26-48 touch and the contact spring 56 is engaged at 80 be greater than the amount of force repre-sented by the distance between the points 80 and 82 in Fig.
3, otherwise, the accelerating armature 40 will stall in midstroke, thus providing a very weak abutment of contacts 22-46 and 26-48. This is an undesirable situation as the tendency for the contacts to weld shunt is greatly in-creased under this condition. Consequently, the forcesupplied by the coil 31 in accelerating the armature 40 must be greater at point 80 than the force represented at point 82. A magnetic pull curve for solenoids and their associated movable armatures follows relatively predictable configurations which are a function of many things includ-ing the weight of the armature, the strength of the magnet-ic field, the size of the air gap, etc. Such a curve is shown at 86 in Fig. 3. With the relative shape of the curve 86 and the previous conditions of constraint associ-ated with the value of the force required of the coil 31 atpoints 72 and 80 on the distance axis of Fig. 3, the entire profile for the magnet pull curve for the armature 40 and 12~Z7~1 53,12~
coil 31 of Fig. 2 is fi'xed. It ends ~;th a force value ~0.
It is to be understood that it is a char~cterist - Gf magnetic pull curves that the magnetlc force increases appreciably as the air gap 58 narrows as the moving arma-ture 40 approaches the stationary magnet 36. Consequentl-y, at point 78, the force 90 exists. It is at this point tha~
the armature 40 first abuts or touches the fixed magnet 36.
This unfortunately creates two undesirable situations:
First, it can be easily seen that the total energy supplied to the magnetic system by way of the coil 31, as repre-sented by the lines which interconnect the points 72, 88, curve 86, points 90, 78 and point 72 once again, is signif-icantly greater than the amount of energy needed to over-come the various spring resistances. The difference in energy is represented by the area enclosed by the lines which connect the points 74, 88, curve 86, points 90, 84, 82, 81 and 74 once again. This energy is wasted or unnec-essary energy, and it would be very desirable not to have to produce this energy. The second undesirable character-istic or situation is the fact that the armature 80 isaccelerating at its maximum and producing its most force of kinetic energy at the instant immediately before it makes abutting contact with the permanent magnet 36. A velocity curve 92 which starts at point 72 and ends at point 94 as shown in Fig. 3, represents the velocity of the armature 40 as it accelerates along its axial motion path. Note the change in shape at 80 as the kickout spring 34 is engaged.
At the time immediately before the armature 4C touches the permanent magnet 36, the velocity V1 is maximum. This has the very undesirable characteristic of transferring high kinetic energy due to high velocity at the instant of impact or abutment between the armature 40 and the perma-nent magnet 36. This energy must be instantaneously dissipated or absorbed by other elements of the system.
Typically, the reduction of the armature velocity to zero instantaneously at 78 requires the energy to be instantane-ously reduced. This kinetic energy is converted to the sound of abutmer.t, to heat, to !bounce", to vibration, --.d mechanical wear, among other things. If the armat~ J~
bounces, since it is loosely interconnected with he contacts 46-48 on the contact bridge 44 by way of .he 5 contast spring 56, there is a high likelihood that the mechanical system represented thereby will oscillate or vibrate in such a manner that the contact arrangements 22-42 and 26-48 will rapidly and repeatedly make and breaX.
This is a very undesirable characteristic in an electrical 10 circuit. It would therefore be desirable to utilize the contactor 10 of Fig. 2 in such a manner that the energy which is supplied to the coil 31 is carefully monitored and chosen so that only the exact amount of energy (or an energy value close to that amount) which is necessary to 15 overcome the resistance of the kickout spring 34 and the contact spring 56 is provided. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the velocity of the moving armature 40 is signi~icantly reduced as the armature abuts against the permanent magnet 36 so that the likelihood of "bounce" is 20 correspondingly reduced. The solution to the aforemen-tioned problems is accomplished by the present invention as shown graphically in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, for example.
Referring now to Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, a series of curves similar to those shown in Fig. 3 is 25 depicted in Fig. 4 for the present inventicn. In this case, the spring force curves 70 and 79 for the kickout spring 34 and contact spring 56 respectively are the same as those shown in Fig. 3. However, the energy represented by the contact spring and kickout spring are designated X
30 and Y respectively. In this embodiment of the invention, the magnet pull curve 86' representing the force applied by the coil 31 starts at point or force level 95 in order to overcome the kickout spring threshold force as described previously and continues on to point or force level 97 35 which occurs at distance 96. It will be noted that the electrical energy supplied to the armature 40 by the coil 31 ceases at distance 96 corresponding to force level 97.

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Ihis occurs before the armature lO has comp eted ._s movement to the position of abutment w~th fixed magnet 35 It will be noted at this time that the maximum velocity ~
attained by the armature 40 is indicated at point 98 on the velocity curve 92'. This is the maximum velocity that the armature will attain during its movement to the position of abutment with the magnet 36. Said in another way, this means that once the electrical energy has been removed from the coil 31, the armature will cease accelerating and begin to decelerate. The deceleration curve is shown at 100 in Fig. 4 and it ranges from point 98 to point 78 with a slope change where the kickoùt spring is engaged. This is accomplished by prematurely interrupting the flow of electrical energy to the coil 31 at the time distance 96 is achieved. Prior to the armature 40 completing its movement to the position of ab,utment with fixed magnet 36, only that amount of energy necessary to overcome the spring forces need be applied, thus providing for an energy-efficient system. At the time the electrical energy is removed from the solenoid 31, the energy necessary to complete ~he movement of the armature to its resting position of abut-ment with magnet 26, is represented by the area enclosed by the lines interconnecting the points 96, 99, curve 70, points 81, 82, curve 79, points 84, 78 and 96 once again.
This energy is supplied during that portion of time that electrical energy is being supplied to the armature coil 31 which is represented by the area Z (not necessarily to scale) enclosed by the lines interconnecting the points 74, 95, curve 86', points 97, 99 and point 74 once again. The latter-mentioned energy balance is chosen in some conve-nient way which may include empirical analysis in which the energy levels are determined experimentally. The energy represented by area Z' is utilized to compress the kickout spring 34 during initial movement of the armature and is not available for utilization later in the travel stroke.
As will be described hereinafter, a microprocessor may be utilized to determine the amount of energy to be supplied.

18 1~761 ~3~ ~~
The continued mo~ion of tne armature 40 during tne aeceLer-ation phase depicted by curve 1~0 is a func.ion of 'h-kinetic energy level E attained by the armature 40 at point 96 as the electrical energy is removed from coil 31. This S e.;erg~ E is equdl ~o one-hali the ma~â ~r) o. ~e a~--a-_~re times the velocity (Vm) it achieves at point 98 s~u-rcd In a perfectly energy-balanced system, the decelerating armature 40 strikes the permanent magnet 36 with zero velocity at 78, thus eliminating bounce and the need ~o absorb excessive energy in the form of noise, wear, heat, etc. It is to be understood, of course, that the attain-ment of the ideal as shown in Fig. 4 is difficult and is, in fact, not necessary for a hiyhly efficient system to be nevertheless produced. Consequently, Fig. 4 should be viewed as depicting an ideal system which is provided to illustrate the teachings of the present invention. It may become very difficult to have the armature 40 impact the permanent magnet 36 with exactly zero velocity at 78. A
small residual velocity is tolerable, especially when compared with the velocity 94 which is attained in the prior system as shown in Fig. 3.
Referring now to Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, a collection of curves similar to that shown in Fig. 4, is depicted for a system in which the contact spring 56 is stiffer and thus offers more force against which the moving armature 40 must work. In addition to the foregoing, other illustrative features are depicted; for example, the electrical power is applied to the coil for a longer period of time, thus allowing the velocity of the moving armature 40 to attain a higher value. The higher value of velocity is necessary because increased kinetic energy is necessary to overcome the increased spring force of the contact spring 56. With regard to the comparison of Figs. 4 and 5, like reference symbols represent like points on the curves of the two figures. In the embodiment of the invention of Fig. 5, the total energy necessary to compress the kickout and contact springs 34 and 56, respectively, is increased ~5~ 7~'1 , 19 ~3,_~-by an amount U represented by ~;.e area enclosed b~ _he curves or lines connecting the points 82, 102, clr-.e -?', points 104, 84, curve 79 and point a2 once again. ~he remaining area, i.e., the area enclosed by the lines interconnecting the points 72, 74, curve 70, polnts 31, ~2, curve 79, points 84, 78, and 72 once again, is the same as that shown in Fig. 4. In order to provide the increased energy U, a different magnet pull curve 86'' is generated.
This magnetic pull curve has a slightly higher average slope and continues for a time period represented b~ the distance difference between point 96 and point 100 thus generating an incremental increase in energy U. The new magnetic pull curve 86'' starts at point 95, which may the same as that shown in Fig. 4, and ends at point 97' at time represented by distance 100. This in turn generates a steeper and longer velocity curve 92'' for the moving armature 40. The peak velocity V2 is attained at point 98' on velocity curve 92''. At this time, the kinetic energ~
(E2) of the armature 40 is equal to one-half MV2 squared.
The instantaneous velocity then decreases, following curve lOO' with a definite breakpoint at velocity Vl. This breakpoint represents the armature initially abutting against the contact spring 56. A portion of the increased ~elocity V2 and thus increased energy E is quickly absorbed by the previously described increase in energy provided by the stiffened or more resistive contact spring such that the curve 100' theoretically reaches zero at the point 78 which corresponds to the moving armature 40 abutting the fixed magnet 36.
Referring now to Figs. 2, 4 and 6, voltage and current curves for the coil 31 and their relationship to force curves of Fig. 4 are shown and described. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coil current and voltage are controlled in a manner described with respect to the embodiment of Fig. 7 in a four-stage operation. (1) the ACCELERATION stage, for accelerating the armature 40, (2) the COAST stage, for adjusting the speed of the lZ9~7~1 ~3,124 armature later in _he armature movement operation prior to abutment of the armature 40 with the fixed magnetic 35, (3) the ~RA3 stage, fol^ seal1ng 5~- _he arma_ure 40 aga:ns~ ~he fixed magnet 36 near or immediately after abutment to dampen oscillation or bounce, if any, and ~4) the HOLD
stage, for armature hold-in. Refererce may be had to Table 1 to help understand the foregoing and that which follows.
Information from cable 1 is disposed as a menu in memory in a microprocessor as will be described hereinafter. Elec-trical energy is supplied to the coil or solenoid 31 at atime 72' which is related to point 72 on the distance axis of Fig. 4 and ending at a time 96' which is related to point 96 on the distance axis of Fig. 4 for the ACCELERA-TION stage. The energy represented by areas Z and Z' in Fig. 4 is provided by judicious choice of the electrical voltage across the terminals of coil 31 and the electrical current flowing therethrough.

2 1 1292~761 5 3, 1 24 ~ _ ~_~ C~c~ _ o ,~ , _ - o:o- ~ _0_ 0~_ I _ : a ~ e " _ G ^~ - ~ o ~ ~ _ ~ ~, _ _ O O L Z ,~ > .~ O
_ _ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ l L'~ I`q r'~
~0 O~ ~ _ _ _ _ O L Z _ > Z
_~_ _ .__ _ O ~ l ~ ~

~ Z
_ ~
__ C O r~ ~::
_ ~_~ ~ I O

22 1 ~ ~7 ~1 53,124 The apparatus and method for controlling that -~oltage and current will be described more fully hereinafter with respect to Fig. 7. At this time, for purpose of simpllci~y of illustration, the appropriate wave shapes will be shown with the understanding that the apparatus for providing the wave shapes will be described hereinafter. The voltage available for being impressed across the terminals of coil 31 in a preferred embodiment of the invention may be unfiltered full wave rectified AC voltage represented by waveshape 106 with a peak magnitude 110. The electrical current flowing through the coil 31 may be full wave rectified, unfiltered conduction angle controlled AC
current pulses 108 which flow through coil 31 in accordance with Table 1. Voltage may ~e impressed across coil 31 as is shown at 106A, 106B, 106C, and 106D in Fig. 6. In one embodiment of the invention, the total power supplied to the magnetic coil 31 during the period between time 72' and time 96' may be provided by adjusting the amplitude of a full conduction current wave in conjunction with a known peak amplitude 110 for the voltage wave 106 so that the combination of the current and voltage which makes up the power supplied to the coil 31 will be equal over the aforementioned time period (72'-96') to the mechani-cal energy required to close the contacts as described previously. In another embodiment of the invention, however, as is indicated in Ta~le 1, a gate controlled device such as a triac may be connected in series with the coil 31 in a manner to be described hereinafter with respect to Fig. 7 for rendering the coil generally non-conductive during certain predetermined portions al, a2, etc. of the half wave current pulses 108 and thus for rendering the coil generally conductive for the portions represented at ~ 2, etc. for the purpose of adjusting the total power supplied to the coil 31 during the period of time (72'-96). Note that between conduction intervals some coil current flows due to the discharge of 7~1 23 53,124 magnetically stored energy which was buiit up during ne preceding conduction interval. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the number of conduction angle controlled pulses of current 108 is determined by the length of time that the magnetic energy must be supplied by ~he coil 31 in the manner described previously In some embodiments of the invention, the appropriate adjustment to pulses 108 may be accompl`ished before the time 96' and still accomplish the appropriate supply of electrical energy to the coil 31 for accelerating the armature 40 in the manner described previous. In another embodiment of the invention suffi-cient energy may not be available from adjustment of the current conduction cycle in the appropriate time and a necessary later adjustment may be provided in a manner to be described hereinafter. It is to be understood that the smooth curves or waves 106 and 108, for example, are illustrative of the ideal wave shapes envisioned but in actuality may deviate therefrom. In the ideal si'uation shown in Fig. 6, the armature 40 may be accelerated to a level of energy E as shown in Fig. 4 at time 96' sufficient to continue to compress the kickout spring 34 and contact spring 56 with ever-decreasing armature velocity until a point in time 78' is reached at which the armature 40 foIlowing curve lO0 gently abuts against the magnet 36 with zero velocity as is shown in Fig. 4. In actuality, howev-er, the attainment of such is difficult. For instance, the amount of electrical energy supplied by the combination of the voltage waveshape 106 and the conduction-controlled current waveshape 108 within the appropriate time (72'-96') may be insufficient to supply the necessary kinetic energy to the armature 40 to allow it to complete the closing cycle. This may be represented by velocity curve lOOA of Fig. 4, for example, which shows the armature 40 stopping or attaining a zero velocity, before it touches the fixed magnet 36. In such a case the combination of the contact spring 56 and the kickout spring 34 would likely accelerate the armature 40 back in the other direction until the 2~ 12927~1 ~3 , springs 34-56 had relaxed Inus preven_lng closure of ~he electrical contacts mechanically interconnected w h the armature 40, thus, defeating the closing of the contactor 10. As undesirable as this situation may seem, a situation in which the armature 40 almost touches the permanent magnet 36 would be even worse as the likelihood of the contacts striking an arc therebetween and subse~uent contact welding is greatly increased. Recognizing that insu ficient energy may be available during the appropriate time frame for accelerating the armature, a "mid-flight"
correction based on new information may be necessary to "fine tunel' the velocity curve of the armature 40. The time for this correction occurs during the COAST part of Fig. 6. Provision is made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for re-accelerating the armature ~0 by providing an adjustmen~ current pulse 116 at a time 118' which deviates the deceleration curve of the armature from curve 100 to curve lOOB of Fig. 4 so that assured abutment of the armature 40 with the permanent magnet 36 at rela-tively low if not zero velocity may occur. This adjustmentpulse 116 is made by providing triac firing control angle a3 which may be greatly larger than angles ~1 and ~2, for example. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is envisio~ed that angles ~1 and a2 are equal although this is non-limiting and is merely a function of the cor.trol system utilized for the current conduction path for the coil 31.
After the armature 40 has abutted the permanent magnet 36 at a relatively low velocity, the contactor 10 attains the status of being "closed". Since it is possible that vibration or other factors may induce contact bounce at this time which bounce is highly undesirable, the control circuit for the current in the coil 31 may be manipulated in a convenient manner as described hereinafter to provide a number of "seal-in" or GRAB pulses for the abutting armature 40 and fixed magnet 36. Since at least theoreti-cally, the forward motion of the armature 40 has been, or will shortly be, stopped by abutment with the magnet 36, 1~7~1 53,'2-the introduction OI se~l-in pulses wiil not cause acceiera-tion cf the armature because the armature's path is physi-cally blocked by the disposition of the fixed magnet 36.
Rather all oscillations will be ~uickly damped. Assured seal-in of the contacts is thus attained. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, seal-in or G~AB may Gccur by allowing coil current to flow for a portion of a current half-wave represented by conduction angles ~4, ~5 and ~6, for example, to generate seal-in or GRAB pulses 120. The ACCELERATION, COAST and GRAB operations work on the princi-ple of feed forward voltage control. In the last stage of operation, HOLD, it is recognized that the mechanical system has essentially come to rest but a certain amount of magnetism is nevertheless necessary to keep the armature 40 abutted against the fixed magnet 36 thus keeping the contacts closed. A relatively small and variable hold-in pulse 124 may be repeated once each current half-cycle indefinitely for as long as the contacts are to remain closed in order to prevent the kickout spring 34 from accelerating the armature 40 in the opposite direction and thus opening the contacts. The amount of electrical energy necessary to hold the armature 40 against the magnet 36 in an a~utted disposition is significantly less than the amount necessary to accelerate the armature 40 towards the magnet 36 to overcome the force of the kickout spring 34 and the contact spring 56 during the closing operation.
The pulse 124 may be obtained by significantly increasing the phase back, delay or firing angle to a value 7 for example. Angle a7 may vary from current pulse to current pulse, i.e., the next delay angle a8 may ~e larger or smaller than angle a7. This may be accomplished by closed loop current control; that is, the current flowing in the coil 31 is sensed and readjusted if necessary as is further described with respect to Fig. 21.
Referring now to Figs. 7A through 7D, an electri-cal block diagram for the control circuit of the present invention is shown. Coil control card 28 of Figs. 2, 8, 9 12~;~7~1 26 ~3,::-and 10 has provlde the~eon the te~-mlnal ~io_}~ or s~
for conr.ectlon with external cor.trol e7emen~s such as s-.-wn in Fig. 11 for example. Terminal block Ji has termina' â 1 through 5 with designations "C", "E", "P", "3", and "R", respectively. Connected to terminal "2" is one end of resistive element Rl, one end of a resistive element R2, and the first AC input terminal of a full-wave bridge rectifier BR1. The other end of resistive element R1 is connected to one end of a capacitive element Cl, and one end of a resistive element R16. This latter electrical point is designated "120 VAC". The other end of the resistive element R2 is the "LINE" input terminal of a bipolar linear, custom, analog, integrated circuit module U1, the function of which will be described hereinafter.
This latter terminal is also connected to the B40 terminal of a microprocessor U2 and to one side of a capacitance element CX, the other side of which is grounded. Module Ul is similar to apparatus described in U.S. patent no.
4,626,831 entitled "Analog Signal Processing Circuit," and in U.S. patent no. 4,674,035 entitled "A ~upeLvisory Circuit for a Programmed Processing Unit," both of which are assigned to the assignee of this application. Micro-processor U2 may be the kind manufactured by "Nippon Electric Co." and identified as ~PD75CG33E or the kind identified as ~PD7533. Connected to the second AC inpu.
terminal of the bridge rectifier BRl are one side of a resistive e~ement R6, the other side of which is system grounded and the anode of a TRIAC or similar gated device Q1. The other end of the capacitive element Cl is connect-ed to the anode of a diode CRl, the cathode of a diode CR2 and the regulating terminal of a Zener diode ZNl. The cathode of the diode CRl is connected to one side of a capacitive element C2, the other side of which is system grounded, and to the "+V" terminal of the integrated circuit Ul. This latter point represents the power supply voltage VY and in the preferred embodiment of the invention ~' 27 1 2S 2 76i ,124 is ~iOVDC. The anode o the diode C22 is connected to one side of a capaCltiVe element C7, the other side of which is grounded. The other terminal of the Zener diode ZN1 is connected to the non-regulating terminal of another Zener diode ZN2. The other side or regulating terminal of the 2ener diode ZN2 is grounded. The junction between the anodes of the device CR2 and the capacitive element C7 carries the power supply voltage VX which in a preferred embodiment of the invention is designated -7V DC.
Input terminal "1" on terminal board J1 is grounded. Input terminal "3" on terminal board J1 is connected to one side of a resistive element R3, the other side of which is connected to one side of a capacitive element C4, to the "RUN" input terminal of the linear integrated circuit U1 and to the B41 terminal of the microprocessor U2. The other side of the capacitive element C4 is grounded. Terminal "4" of terminal board J1 is connected to one side of a resistive element R4, the other side of which is connected to one side of a capaci-tive element C5, the "START" input terminal of the linearcircuit U1 and to the B42 terminal of the microprocessor U2. The other side of the capacitive element C5 is con-nected to ground. Input terminal "5" of the terminal board J1 is connected to one side of a resistive element R5, the other side of which is connected to one side of capacitive element C6, the "RESET" input terminal of the linear integrated circuit U1 and to the B43 terminal of the microprocessor U2. The other side of the capacitive element C6 is connected to ground. The combination of resistive and capacitor elements R3-C4, R4-C5, and R5-C6 represent filter networks for the input terminals "3", "4"
and "5" of terminal boa'rd J1, respectively. These filters in turn feed high impedance circuits represented by the inputs "RUN", "START" and "RESET", respectively, of the linear integrated circuit U1.
Across the DC or output terminals of the full wave bridge rectifier BR1 is connected the aforementioned 28 l~Z 7til 53,~
solenoid coil 31 to bc used ln a manner previously de-scribed ar,d further described hereinafter. The other main conduction terminal or cathode of the silicon-controlled rectifier or similar gated device Q1 is connected to one side of a resistive element R7 and to the "CCI" terminal of the device Ui. Tne otler _i~e of the -resis~ive e'_.~ent ~7 is grounded. The gate of the silicon-controlled rectifier or similar gated device Q1 is connected to the "GATE"
output terminal of the linear integrated circuit U1.
The linear integrated circuit Ul has a "+5V"
power supply terminal which is designated VZ and which is connected to the REF input terminal of the microprocessor U2, and a resistive potentiometer element R8 for adjust-ment. The integrated circuit module U1 has an output terminal "VDD" which is connected to the VDD input terminal of the microprocessor~U2, to one side of a capacitive element Cl6 and to one side of a resistive element R15, the other side of which is connected to one side of a capaci-tive element C9 and to the "VDDS" input ~terminal of the linear analog module U1. The other sides of the capacitive elements C9 and C16 are grounded. The linear integrated circuit module U1 also has a ground terminal "GND" which is connected to the system common or ground. Integrated circuit U1 has a terminal "RS" which supplies the "RES"
signal to the RES input terminal of the microprocessor U2.
Linear integrated circuit module or chip U1 has a terminal "DM" (DEADMAN) which is connected to one side of a capaci-tive element C8 and to one side of a resistive element R14.
The other side of the resistive element R14 is connected to the 022 terminal of the microprocessor U2. The other side of the capacitor element C8 is connected to ground. Chip or circuit ~1 has a "TRIG" input terminal upon which the signal "TRIG" is supplied from the B52 terminal of the microprocessor U2. Integrated circuit U1 has a "V0~"
output terminal which provides the signal "VDDOK" to the INT0 terminal of the microprocessor U2. Finally, inte-29 ~7~1 ,3,_-~
grated circuit U1 ha~ a "C~0" output terminai wn ~
provides t~le signal "COILCUR" to the A~12 ~np~t termln~L of the microprocessor U2. Signai "CClLCUR" carries an indica-tion of the amount of coil current flowing in coil 31.
Further description of the internal operation of the bipolar linear integrated circuit U1 and the operation of the varlously described inputs and outputs will be provided hereinafter.
The other side of resistive element R16 is connected to the anode of a diode CR4, the cathode of which is connected to one side of a capacitive element C13, one side of a resistive element R17 and the AN3 input terminal of the microprocessor U2. The latter terminal receives the signal "LVOLT" which is indicative of line voltage for the system under control. The other side of the capacitive element C13 and the other side of the resistive element R17 are system grounded.
There is also provided on the coil control board 28 another connector or terminal block J2 having terminals upon which the following signals or functions are provided "GND" (connected to ground), "MCUR" (an input), "DELAY" (an input), "+5V" (power supply), "+lOV" (power supply) and "-7V" (power supply). The control signals Z, A, B, C and SW are also provided here.
The following terminals of the micropr~cessor U2 are grounded: GND and AGND. The terminal AN2 of the microprocessor U2 is connected to the "MCUR" terminal of the terminal board J2. Terminal CL2 of microprocessor U2 is connected to one side of a crystal Y1, the other side of which is connected to terminal CL1 of the microprocessor U2. Terminal CL2 is also connected to one side of the capacitive element C14. Terminal CL1 is also connected to one side of capacitive element C15. The other sides of the capacitive elements C1~ and C15 are connected to sys~em ground. Terminal DVL of microprocessor U2 is connected to the "+5V" terminal on terminal board J2.

7~i1 3 o 53 , 12 ~
The linear analog circuit U1 internaliy incIudes a regulated power suppl~ RPS, the input of which is connected to the "~V" input terminal and tne output of whlch is connected to the "+5V" output terminal In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the unregulated 10 volt value VY is converted within the regulated power supply RPS to the highly regulated 5 volt signal VZ or +5V.
In addition, an internal output line COMPO for the regulat-ed power supply RPS which in a preferred embodiment of the invention may be 3.2 volts is supplied to the reference terminal (-) of a comparator COMP. One input t+) of the comparator COMP is provided with the VDDS signal. The output of the comparator COMP is is designated VOK. The input terminals designated "LINE", "RUN", "START" and "RESET" are connected to a clippinq and clamping circuit CLA in the linear integrated circuit Ul which in a pre-ferred embodiment of the invention limits the range of the signal supplied to the microprocessor U2 to between +4.6 volts positive and -.4 volts negative regardless of whether the associated signal is a DC voltage or an alternating voltage signal. Internal of the linear circuit Ul is a gate amplifier circuit GA which receives its input from the "TRIG" input and supplies the GATE output. Furthermore, a DEADMAN and reset circuit DMC which is interconnected to receive the DEADMAN signal "DM" and to provide the reset signal RES at "RS" also provides an inhibit signal for gate amplifier GA at "I" such that the gate amplifier GA will produce no gating signal GATE if the DEADMAN function is occurring. There is also provided a coil current amplifier CCA which receives the coil current signal from terminaL
"CCI" and provides the output signal COILCUR at terminaL
CCO for utilization by the microprocessor U2 in a manner to be described hereinafter. The description of the functions provided by the microprocessor U2 at the various inpul and output terminals thereof will be described hereinafter.
There is also provided the overload relay board 60 which includes a connector J101 and connector J102 which 12~
31 ~3,' ~
are compiementary wlth and connec~a~le to the conne-.-~ ;, on coil current control board 28 by way of a c~ble 6~ T~e previously-mentioned currer.t-to-volLaye transducer former 62 may be represented by three transformers 62A, 62B and 62C, respectively for a three-phase electrical system which is controlled by the overload relay board 60. One side of each of the secondary windings of these current-to-volLage transducers 62A, 62B and 62C is grounded while the other side is connected to one side of a resistive element ~101, R102 and R103, respectively. There is also provided a triple two-channel analog multiplexer/demultiplexer or transmission gate U101 having terminals aOR, bOR and cOR
connected to the other sides of resistive elements R101, R102 and R103, respectively. The ay, by and cy terminals of gate U101 are connected to ground. Terminals ax, bx and cx of gate U101 are all tied together electrically and connected to one side of an integrating capacitor C101 and the anode of a rectifier CR101. The other side of the capacitor C101 is connected to the cathode of a rectifier CR102, the anode of which is connected to the cathode of the aforementioned rectifier CR101, to the output of a differential amplifier U103 and to the bOR terminal of a second triple two-channel analog multiplexer/demultiplexer U102. The other side of the integrating capacitor C101 is also connected to the positive input terminal of a buffer amplifier with gain U105 and to the cOR output terminal of the aforementioned second analog multiplexer/demultiplexer or transmission gate U102. The aforementioned joined terminals ax, bx and cx of transmission gate U101 are also connected to the ay and cx terminals of the transmission gate U102. The ax terminal of the transmission gate or analog multiplexer/de~ultiplexer U102 is connected to ground. The aOR terminal of the device U102 is connected to one side of a capacitive element C102, the other side of which is connected to the bx terminal of the multiplexer/demultiplexer U102 and to the negative input terminal of the aforementioned differential amplifier U103.

32 lZ~2~il 5 3, ' 2 -L
The positive input ~ermlnal of the aîoreme~ionea al_ ere:l-tial amplifier U103 is gro-.nded. ~he negative ir.p~t terminal of the dif.erential amplifier ulû5 is conr.ected o the wiper of a potentiometer PlOl, one main terminal of wnich is yroun.ded ard _he cther r,ain. te~minal of ;-. -h s connected to provide ~he "~ICUR" outp~t slg..ai _o .':e terminal board Jl02. This latter signal is provided from one side of a resistive element Rl03, the other side of which is connected to the output of the differential amplifier U105, the anode of a diode CR104 and the cathode of a diode CR105. The anode of the diode CR105 is connect-ed to ground and the cathode of the diode CR104 is connect-ed to the +5V power supply terminal VZ. Devices UlOl, U102 and U103 are supplied from the -7 power supply. The +lOV
power supply voltage is supplied to the aforementioned amplifier-with-gain U105 and to one side of a resistive element 104, the other side of which is connected to supply power to the aforementioned transmission gates U101 and Ul02 as well as the anode of a diode CRl06, the cathode of which is connected to the +5V power supply voltage. The +5V power supply level VZ on terminal board Jl02 is also supplied to one side of filter capacitive element Cl03, the other side of which is grounded and to one main terminal of a potentiometer Pl02, the other main terminal of which is grounded. The wiper of the potentiometer Pl02 is connected to provide the "DELAY" output signal on terminal board J101 and thence to terminal ANO of microprocessor U2. The control terminals A, B and C of the aforementioned analog multiplexer/demultiplexer device UlO1 are connected to the A, B and C signal terminals, respectively, of a parallel to serial eight-bit static shift register Ul04. Signals A, B
and C come from terminals 032, 031 and 030, respectively, of microprocessor 42.
There is provided an eight-pole switch SW101 with the following designations: AM, CO, C1, SP, HO, Hl, H2, and H3. One end of each of the switch poles is grounded while the other end of each is connected to the 5 volt power 33 12~Z7~1 ~3,'2-supply ~Z by way of the PO ~hrough P7 ~nput cermlna;s ~f the parallel to serial eight-bit statlc shift ~-gis_e~
U104, the "COM" output termirlal of which receives the "aW"
signal from terminal board J101 and the terminal I10 of microprocessor U2. The previously described designations "HO" through "H3" represent "heater" classes for the types of devices controlled by the overload relay board 60.
Proper manipulation of any or all of the latter four poles in switch SW101 provides a convenient way to represent the heater class of the device protected by the overload relay board 60.
Referring now to Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 10, construc-tion features of the printed circuit board which is uti-lized to make the coil control board 28 and the overload relay board 60 are illustrated and described. In particu-lar, the terminal block Jl is shown disposed upon the coil control board 28. Also shown disposed upon the coil control board 28 is the coil assembly 30 (without coil).
The coil control assembly 30 includes the spring seat arrangement 32 and a coil seat arrangement 31A. There is also disposed on the coil control board 28 the connector J2 into which is soldered or otherwise disposed one end of the flat ribbon cable 64. Flat ribbon cable 64 is terminated at the other end there of at the connectors J101 and J102 on the overload relay board assembly 60. The three-phase current transducers or transformers 62, depicted as 62A, 62B, 62C in Fig. 8 for three-phase electrical current, are shown on the overload relay board 60. There is provided the switch SW101 which is an 8-pole dip switch. Also shown are the potentiometers P101 and P102 for factory calibra-tion and time delay adjustment, respectively.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the coil control board 28 and the overload relay board 60 may be formed on one piece of preshaped, soldered and connected printed circuit board material. The single piece of printed circuit board material is then separated at region 100 by breaking the isthmus 102, for example, to form a 34 ~9Z7~1 , 3, 2-hinged right angle reiationship between ne over_oac ~-e_a~
board 60 and the coil control board 28, deDic~ed bes I r.
Figs. 2 and lO.
Referring now to Fig. 2 and Fig. ll, an illustra-tlon and exemplary but non-limiting control arrangeme..
utilizing the apparatus and electrical elements of the coil control board 28 and the overload relay board 60 is shown.
In particular, there are provided three main power lines--Ll, L2, L3--which provide three-phase AC electrical power from a suitable three phase power source. These lines are fed through contactors MA, M3, MC respectively.
The terminal board Jl is shown with its terminals designat-ed: "C", "E", "P", "3" and "R". These designations repre-sent the functions or connections: "COMMON", "AC POWE~", "RUN PERMIT/STOP", "START-REQUEST", and "RESET", respec-tively. As was shown ,with respect to Figs. 8, 9, lO for example, the coil control board 28 communicates with the overload relay board 60 by way of the multipurpose cable 64. The overload relay board 60 has, among other things, the switch SWlOl thereon which performs the functions described previously. In addition, the secondary windings of the current transducers or transformers 62A throuqh 62C
are shown interconnected with the overload relay board 60.
The transducers 62A through 62C monitor the instantaneous line currents iLl, iL2 and iL3 in lines Ll, L2, L3, respec-tively, which are drawn by a MOTOR interconnected with _~.e lines Ll, L2, L3 by way of terminals Tl, T2, T3, respec-tively. Power is provided to.the coil control board 28 and the overload relay board 60 by way of a transformer CPT, the primary winding of which is connected across lir.es Ll, L2, for example. The secondary winding thereof is connec~-ed to the "C" and "E" terminals of the terminal board Jl.
One side of the secondary winding of the transformer CPT
may be interconnected to one side of a normally closed STOP
pushbutton and one side of a normally open RESET pushbut-ton. The other side of the STOP pushbutton is connected to the "P" input terminal of the Jl terminal board and to one 12~27~1 ~3,i2 s-de of a normali~ opened ~lr.RT pushbutton. I:~e other s ~e of the normally open START pushbutton is connected to h~
"3" input terminal of the terminal board J1, The other side of the RESET pushbutton is connected to the reset terminal ~ o~ e ~ rlal 'vv~r~ vl. The arG~-~.r~
may be manipulated in a manner well kno~h~n in ~he art to provide control information to the coil control board 28 and overload relay board 60.
Referring now to Figs. 2, 7C and 12 through 18, the construction and operation features of various kinds of current transformers or transducers 62 associated with the present invention are described. Conventional prior art current sensing transformers produce a secondary winding current which is proportional to the primary winding current. When an output current signal from this type of transformer is fed to a,resistive current shunt and voltage across the shunt is provided to a voltage-sensing electron-ic circuit such as might be found in the overload relay board 60, a linear relationship between input and output exists. This voltage source then can be utilized for measurement purposes. On the other hand, air-core type transformer, sometimes called liner couplers, may be used for current-sensing applications by providing a voltage across the secondary winding which is proportional to the derivative of the current in the primary winding. The conventional iron-core current transformer and the linear coupler have certain disadvantages. One is that the "turns-ratio" of the conventional transfor~er must be varied to change the output voltage for a given current transformer design. In the current transformers or trans-ducers described with respect to the present invention, the rate of change with respect to time of the magnetic flux in the magnetic core of the transducer is proportional to the current in the primary winding absent flux saturation in the core. An output voltage is produced which is propor-tional to the derivative of the current in the primary winding, and the ratio of the output voltage to current is Z7~1 53,_2~
easily changed for var~ous current-sensing applica~lons.
Iron core transformers tend to be relatively large. ~h.e transformer of the present invention may be minia~urized.
Referring specifically to Fig. 12, a transformer 62X of the present invention may comprise a toroidal magnetic iron core 110 with a substantial discrete air yap 111. The primary current iL1, i.e., the current to be sensed, passes through the center of the core 110 and hence provides a single turn input primary winding for the line L1. The secondary winding 112 of the transformer 62X
comprises multiple turns which may, for the purposes of illustration, be designated as having N2 turns. The secondary winding 112 has sufficient turns to provide a voltage level which is sufficient to drive electronic circuitry which monitors the transformer or transducer.
The circumferential le~gth of the iron core 110 is arbi-trarily chosen for purposes of illustration as l1 and the length of the air gap 111 is arbitrarily chosen as 12. The cross-sectional area of the core is designated Al and the cross-sectional area of the air gap is designated A2. The output voltage of the transformer is varied by changing the effective length of the air gap 12. This can be accomplished by either inserting metallic shims into the air gap 111 as is shown in Figs. 15 and 16, or by moving separate portions of the core structure of the transformer as shown in Fig. 17, to provide a relatively smaller or larger air gap lll. Once the length of the air gap 111 has been chosen, a relatively small current-sensing transformer or transducer is formed which produces an output voltage eO(t) which is generally proportional to the derivative of the input current iLl in the input winding of the trans-former. One advantage of this arrangement is that it is not limited to use on sinusoidal or even periodic input currents. However for purposes of simplicity of illustra-tion the following will be described with a sinusoidal input current. The output voltage eO(t) produced by the secondary winding of the transformer or transducer 62X

lZ9~761 37 53,12~
shown in Fig. 12, for example, is given by Equa~lon (1) 2 dt (IL1 Sin wt) (1) ~ 2 A2 The terms ~1 and ~2 are the magnetic permeability of the core llO and air gap 111, respectively. ~ (omega) is the frequency of the instantaneous current iL1 and ILl equals the peak magnitude of the instantaneous current iLl. For applications where all parameters remain constant except the length of the air gap 12 and the applied frequency ~, equation (1) reduces to equation (2):

e (t) = Nl N2 ~ILl Cos ~t] (2) where the bracketed term is equivalent to the derivative portion of Equation (1).
If the voltage eO(t) of equation (2) is supplied to the terminals of an integrating circuit or integrator such as 113 shown in Fig. 13 which, in a preferred embodi-ment of the invention, may be as shown in Fig. 7, equation (3) applies at the output of the in+egrator 113.

O k1 2 2 ILl Sin ~t (3) As the length 12 f the air gap 111 is varied, the output voltage e'o(t) which is now directly proportional to the input current iLl will vary in inverse proportion to the length 12 of the air gap 111. Fig. 14 shows a typical plot lZ~27~i1 38 53,124 of the output voltage e'O(t) divided by the input cu.ren-(iLl for example) for variations in the length 111 of the air gap 12. In a special case where the primary frequency ~ remains constant or is assumed to be constant, the use of the integrating circuit or integrator 113 of Fig. 13 may be eliminaled. In this case, e~uatiGn (2) can ~_nen be depict-ed as shown in e~uation (4).

O kl k212 Ll where the constant frequency term ~ forms part of k4. In this case the output eO(t) from the transformer secondary winding 112 is proportional to the input current ILl and varies inversely with the length 12 of the air gap 111.
Referring specifically to Figs. 15, 16, 17, in applications where it i5 desirable to use the same current transformer or transducer for sensing several ranges of current, the output voltage eO(t) may be varied by effectively changing the length 12 f the air gap 111.
This is accomplished by inserting a shim in the air gap of the transformer 62Y of predetermined width, depending upon the range of output voltage eO(t) desired. Alternately, a wedge-shaped semicore 119 may be inserted into the air gap 111 of the transformer 62Z for accomplishing the sa~e purpose; and finally, the core of the transformer may be cut into two sections--116A, 116B--for the transformer 62U
of Fig. 17 to accomplish the same purpose, by providing two complementary air gaps lllA, lllB. Figures 12-17 teach a current-to-voltage transformer which has a primary winding disposed on a magnetic core for providing magnetic flux in the magnetic core in general proportion to the amount of electrical current flowing in the primary winding. The magnetic core has a discrete but variable air gap. The discrete but variable air gap has a first magnetic reluc-tance which prevents magnetic saturation of the magnetic core for values of electrical current which are less than 39 1~Z'7~1 53,124 or equal to a value I1. There is also provided a secondary winding which is disposed on the magnetic core for produc-ing an electrical voltage V at the output terminals thereof which is generally proportional to the magnetic flux in the S magnetic core. Voltage V is less than or equal to voltage V2 for the first magnetic reluctance and for values of current I less than or equal to Il. The variable but discrete air gap is changeable to provide a second and higher value of air gap reluctance which prevents magnetic saturation of the magnetic core for values of eLectrical current I less than or equal to I2 where I2 is greater than Il. The voltage V remains less than or equal to V1 for the second value of air gap reluctance and for val~ues of current less than or equal to I2.
Referring specifically to Fig. 18, a homogeneous magnetic core 120 fort a transformer 62S may be provided ~hich apparently has no large discrete air gap lll, but which, in fact, is comprised of sintered or compressed powdered metal in which microscopic clumps or quantrums of magnetically conductive core material 122 with homogeneous-ly or evenly distributed air gaps 124. This has the same effect as a discrete air gap such as lll shown in Fig. 12 but reduces the effect of stray magnetic field influences and provides a very reliable and small transformer. This type of transformer may be formed by compressing powdered metal or otherwise forming it into a core shape which has sections of powdered metal 122 and the air gaps or inter-stices 124 microscopically and evenly distributed around the body thereof. Thusly constructed, the magnetic core need not saturate, thus providing an output voltage which is proportional to the mathematical derivative of the excitation current. ~n one embodiment of the invention, non-magnetic insulating material is disposed in the afore-mentioned interstices.
Referring now to Figs. 7A through 7D, Figs. 11, 19, 20 and 21, the operation of the system will be de-scribed. The system line voltage (see VAB of Fig. 11 for 1~ ~ 2 7 ~1 53 ,,.
example) is represented by the LINE slgnal which is USl-lized to provide synchronization of the microprocessor U2 with the AC line voltage. This generates the various power supply voltages VX, VY, VZ for example. The deadman circuit DMC which is also utilized as a power-on reset circui~ initially provides a 5 volt 10 mi''is-c reset signal RES to the microprocessor U2. This signal initial-izes the microprocessor U2 by placing its outputs at high impedance level and by placing its internal program at memory location 0. Switch inputs are read via the inputs B41-B43. The algorithm is shown in Fig. 19. Normally terminals B41, B42 and B43 are input terminals for the microprocessor U2 but also are configured as output termi-nals to provide discharge paths for the aforementioned capacitors for the discharge purpose previously described.
The reason for this, is as follows. Whenever the input pushbuttons are open, C4, C5 and C6 may become charged as described previously or by leakage currents emanating from the microprocessor. The leakage currents will charge the capacitors to voltage levels that may be falsely inter-preted as logic 1. Therefore, it is necessary to periodi-cally discharge the capacitive elements C4, C5 and C6. The "READSWITCHES" algorithm of Fig. 19 Logic block 152 asks the question: Is the line voltage as read from the line signal LINE at the B40 input terminal of the microprocessor U2 in a positive half-cycle?". If the answer to that question is "Yes", then logic block 154 is utilized which essentially checks to see if the "START", "RUN" and "RESET"
signals at the input terminals B41, B42 and B43, respec-tively, are at digital ones or digital zeros. Regardlessof the answer, when the aforementioned questions have been asked, the next step in the algorithm is shown in function block 156 which issues the following command: "DISCHARGE
CAPACITORS" At this point the terminals B41 through B43 of the microprocessor U2 have zeros placed internally thereon to discharge the capacitors as described previous-ly. This occurs during a positive half cycle of the line 41 ~ 53,-2.
voltage. If the answer to tne ques'ion posed in func;-on block 152 is "~o", then the line voltage is in 'he nGg~';,G
half cycle and it is during this half cycle that the input terminals B41 through B43 are released from the capacitor discharging mode. Although the foregoing is described for a motor cor.t.ol apparatus, ~he concept may be used ~y apparatus for detecting the presence of an AC voltage signal.
After initialization has taken place, the micro-processor U2 checks the input terminal INTO thereof to monitor the status of the VOK output signal from the linearintegrated circuit U1. This signal will be at a digital zero if the voltage on the internal random access memory RAM of the microprocessor U2 is sufficiently high to guarantee that any previously stored data therein is still reliable. The capacitive element C9 monitors and stores the random access memory power supply voltage VDD. After the voltage VDD has been removed, for example by interrup-tion of the power supply for the entire system during a power failure, the capacitive element C9 will maintain voltage VDD thereacross for a short period of time but will eventually discharge. The voltage across the capacitive element C9 is VDDS and is fed back or supplied lo the linear integrated circuit U1 in the manner described previously. It is this voltage which causes the output signal VOK to be either digital one which is indicative of too low a value for the voltage VDD or a digital zero which is indicative of a safe value for voltage VDD.
The microprocessor U2 also receives an input signal LVOLT at input terminal AN3 thereof. This signal appears across Rl7. ,This voltage which ranges from O to 5 volts is proportional to the voltage on the control line LINE. The microprocessor U2 uses this information three ways: (l) It is utilized to select the closing profile for the contacts of the contactor lO in a way which was de-scribed previously with respect to Fig. 6. A proper coil ~2 1~9Z7~1 ~3,12~
closing profiie varies with line voltage. The signai ~C~
thus provides line voltage information to ~he mi-roproces-sor U2 so that the microprocessor U2 can act accordingly to change the firing phase or delay angles, ~1, 2, etc. for the triac or similar gated device Q1 if the line voltage varies. (2) The LVOLT signal is also utilized to a-ter..,i.e whether or not the line voltage is sufficiently high to permit the contactor 10 to close at all (refer to Table 1).
There is a value of line or control voltage below which it is unlikely that a reliable closing operation will occur.
That voltage tends to be 65% of nominal line voltage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this is chosen to be 78VAC. (3) Finally, the LVOLT signal is utilized by the microprocessor to determine if a minimum voltage value is present below which there is a danger of not logically opening the contacts~ at an appropriate time. This voltage tends to be 40% of maximum voltage. If the line voltage signal LVOLT indicates that the line voltage is below 50%
of the maximum value, the microprocessor U2 will automati-cally open the contacts to provide fail safe operation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this is chosen to be 48VAC. The microprocessor U2 reads the LVOLT signal according to the "READ VOLTS" algorithm of Fig. 20.
The LVOLT signal is utilized in the "READVOLTS"
algorithm of Fig. 20. A decision block 162 asks the question "Is this a positive voltage half cycle?". The question is asked and answered in the same manner associat-ed with the question in decision block 152 associated with Fig. 19. If the answer to the question in decision block 162 is "No", then the algorithm is exited. If the answer is "Yes", then command block 164 orders the microprocessor to select the AN3 input of the microprocessor U2 to perform an analog-to-digital conversion on the signal there present in correspondence with the command block 162. This infor-mation is then stored in the memory locations of the microprocessor U2 according to command block 168 for use in a manner described previously and the algorithm is exited.

43 1~7~ 53,124 Referring again to Table 1 the next input for the microprocessor is designated COILCUR. This is part of a closed loop coil current control scheme. The input CCI
for the linear circuit U1 measures the current through coil 31 as a function of the voltage drop across the resistive element R7. This information is appropriately scaled as described previously and passed along to the microprocessor U2 by way o~f the COILCUR signal. Just as it is necessary to know the voltage on the line as provided by the LVOLT
signal, it is also desirable to know the current through the coil 31 as provided by the COILCUR signal.
The COILCUR signal is utilized in accordance with the "CHOLD" algorithm shown in Fig. 21. The first thing that is done is outlined in command block 172 where the microprocessor is ordered to fetch a supplementary conduc-tion delay which angle a7 is the sum of the fixed predeter-mined conduction angle delay which might be 5 milliseconds and the supplementary component. The microprocessor U2 then waits until the appropriate time, that is until the point in time at which angle a7 has passed and fires the triac or silicon controlled device Q1 in accordance with the instructions of command block 174. The microprocessor does this by issuing the "TRIG" signal from terminal B52 thereof and passes this signal in a manner described with respect to Figs. 7A and 7B to the integrated circuit Ul at the TRIG input terminal thereof, through the amplifier GA
and to the GATE output terminal thereon for energizing the gate of the silicon controlled rectifier triac or similar gated device Q1. Then in accordance with command blocX 176 the electrical current flowing through resistive element R7, as measured at the CCI input of the semicustom inte-grated circuit U1, is passed through the amplifier CCA
thereof to the CCO output as the COILCU~ signal for termi-nal AN2 of microprocessor U2. The microprocessor then does a repetitive analog-to-digital conversion of the COILCUR
signal to determine its maximum value. Then in accordance with the decision block 178, this maximum current is 4~ 7~1 53 compared in the mlcroprocessor U2 agai~st a re~ at c~
point which is pro~ided to the mlcroprocessor U2 'o-determining if the maximum current is greater than the current determined by the regulation point or not. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the regulation point peak current is selected so ~hat a ~C ccmpoLlent oî 2v~
milliamps results. Angle a7 is changed if necessary to preserve this level of excitation. If the answer to the ~uestion posed by decision block 178 is "Yes", then conduc-tion delay is incremented upwardly digitally within themicroprocessor to the next higher value. This is done b~
incrementing a counter by one least significant bit at a time. This causes the delay angle a7, for example of Fig.
6, to become larger so that the current pulse 124 becomes smaller, thus reducing the average current per half cycle through the triac o~ similar gated device Q1. On the other hand, if the answer to the question posed in decision block 178 is "No", then the delay angle a7 is reduced by decre-menting a counter within the microprocessor by one least significant bit, thus enlarging the current pulse 124.
Regardless of the answer to the question posed in function block 178, after the increment or decrement action, as the case may be, required by command blocks 180 and 182, respectively, has been finished, the algorithm is exited for utilization again later on in a periodic manner. The net effect of changing a7 each half cycle if necessary is to keep the coil current at the regulation value during the HOLD stage regardless of how the driving voLtage or coil resistance charge.
The inputs LVOLT and COILCUR are signi~icant values for determining the time at which the trigger signal TRIG is provided by output B52 of the microprocessor U2 to the trigger input TRIG on the linear circuit Ul. It will be remembered that the trigger signal TRIG is utilized by the linear circuit U1 in a manner described previously to provide the gate output signal GATE at the gate terminal of thyristor Q1 in a manner described previously.

12927~1 53,'24 Referrlng n'ow to Figs. 22, 23, 24 and 25 as wel_ as Fias. 7A through 7D the apparatus and me hod for de_ect-ing and measuring line current iLl, iL~ and iL3 is taught.
With regard to the transmission gate U101, its ax, bx and cx output terminals are tied together and to one side of the integrating capacitor C101. The microprocessor U2 provides signals A, B and C to the related inputs of the transmission gate U101 in accordance with the digital arrangement shown in Table 2 to control parameter selection in switch U101. The net effect of this operation is to sequentially sample the secondary winding voltage of current transformers or transducers 62A, 62B or 62C in 32 half-line cycle increments. The integrating capacitor C101 is charged in a manner to be described hereinafter. As was described previously, the output voltages across the secondary winding of the current transformer 62A, 62B and 62C are related to the mathematical differential of the line currents iLl, iL2 or iL3 flowing in the main lines A, B and C, respectively. Since this voltage is converted to a charging current by impressing it across a resistive element R101, R102 or R103 respectively, the voltage VclOl across the integrating capacitor C101 correspondingly changes with each successive line cycle. The capacitor is not discharged until after the 32-line cycles of integra-tion in a manner to be described hereinafter.

U101 Logic Input Current C B A Sensed i LA
l o 1 iLB
O 1 1 iLC
0 0 0 iGRD

1~9;~7~1 46 53,124 The transmission gate U102 operating in conjunc-tion with the Z input signal rearranges the interconnectionof the integrating circuitry in which the integrating capacitor C101 is placed for periodically re-initializing the circuit operation. This happens when Z = zero. The output voltage VclOl across the integrating capacitor C101 is provided to the buffer amplifier with gain U105 for creating the signal MCUR which is provided to the ANl input terminal of the microprocessor U2. The microprocessor U2 digitizes the data provided by the signal MCUR in a manner associated with the "RANGE" algorithm of Fig. 22. The voltage signal MCUR is provided as a single analog input to an eight-bit five-volt A-to-D (analog-to-digital) converter 200 which is an internal part of the microprocessor U2.
The A-to-D converter 200 is shown in Fig. 23. It is desired to utilize the system of the present invention to be able to measure line currents which vary over a wide range depending upon the application. For example, it may be desirous in some stages to measure line currents as high as 1,200 amperes, whereas in other cases it may be desirous to measure line currents which are less than 10 amperes.
In order to extend the dynamic range of the system the microprocessor U2 expands the fixed eight-bit output of the A-to-D converter 200 within the microprocessor U2 to twelve bits.
For purposes of simplicity of illustration, the previously described operation will be set forth in greater detail with illustrative examples associated with the sensing current transformer or transducer 62A and resistor RlOl. It is to be understood that transducer 62B and resistor R102 and transducer 62C and resistor 103 respec-tively could be utilized in the same manner. Eurther it is to be understood that eO(t) / ~L

is true for any current function. Presuming that the 47 1 ~ 9 ~ 7~1 53,124 length 12 of air gap 'lll in transducer 62A is fixed for a particular application (or that the transformer 62S of Fig.
18 is utilized) and presuming that i(t) is sinusoidal, i.e.
lLl sin wt, the output voltage for the transducer as originally defined by Equation (l) may be rewritten in the form shown in Equation (5).

( Ll in ~t) eO(t) = dt (5) The output voltage eO(t) is impressed across the resistor RlOl for conversion into a charging current iCH for the integrating capacitor ClOl according to Equation (6). A
plot of this expressed in per units (P.U.) is shown in Fig.
25B.

iCH = R101 - 6 d( Ll sin ~t) (6) It is important to remember that the charging current iCH for the integrating capacitor ClOl is propor-tional to the derivative of the line current iLl rather than the line current itself. Consequently, as set forth in Equation (7), the voltage VClOl across the capacitive element ClOl which exists as the result of the flow of the charging current iCH(t) during negative half cycles thereof may be expressed as I K6 \ ~d(ILl sin ~t) dt 7 ClOl ~ClOl ) lRlllJ dt ( ) ClOl 7 Ll sin ~t (8) 76`1 48 53,124 Equation (8) shows Equation (7) in a more simpli-fied form. A plot of IL~ sin wt expressed in per units (P.U.) is shown in Fig. 25A; the plot of the derivative of iLl sin wt, after integration by capacitor C101, i.e. -K7 ILl sin ~t expressed in per units (P.U.) is incorporated into Fig. 25C. The current iCH for charging the capacitive element C101 comes from the output terminal ax of the transmission gate U101. This current is provided to the transmission gate U101 at the aOR input terminal and is chosen in accordance with appropriate signals on the A, B, C control terminals of the transmission gate U101 (see Table 2). In a like manner the current from the transducer 62B could have been utilized by choosing the bOR-bx termi-nal arrangement and the transducer 62C could have been utilized by choosing the cOR-cx terminal arrangement.
Terminals ax, bx and cx are tied or connected together into a single lead which supplies charging current to integrat-ing capacitor C101. This latter common line is intercon-nected with the ay and cx terminals of the transmission gate U102. The ax terminal of the transmission gate U102 is grounded and the aOR common terminal is connected to one side of a capacitor C102. The cOR terminal is connected to the other side of the capacitor C101. The bx terminal of the transmission gate U102 is connected to the negative input terminal of the operational amplifier U103 and the associated bOR common terminal is connected to the output of the operational amplifier U103. Normally, the diode arrangement CR101-CR103 is such that during the integrating operation, positive half cycles of the integrating current lCH bypass the integrating capacitor C101 by way of the bridge arrangement wh,ich includes the diodes CR101 and CR102 and the output of the operational amplifier U103, but negative half cycles thereof charge the capacitive element C101 to the peak value of the appropriate half cycle. The capacitive element C101 is repeatedly charged to increas-ingly higher values of voltage, each one corresponding to 49 ~9'~7~jl 53,124 the peak value of the negative half cycle of the charging current.
It is not unusual for a small voltage, in the order of .25 millivolts, to exist between the negative and positive input terminals of the operational amplifier U103.
Capacitive element Cl02 is periodically charged to the negative of this value for creating a net input offset voltage of zero for the amplifier U103 the charging current iCH.
Referring now to Fig. 22, Fig. 23 and Fig. 25, the "RANG~" algorithm of Fig. 22 operating in conjunction with the integrating circuit described previously which includes the capacitive element C101 and the microprocessor U2 is described with illustrative examples. It is impor-tant to remember that dynamic range for sensing line current is important., However, as is well shown in Fig.
23, the analog-to-digital converter 200 within the micro-processor U2 has a maximum input voltage beyond which a reliable digital output number cannot be guaranteed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the A-to-D converter 200 can accept input voltages up to 5 volts positive for producing an 8-bit signal for provision to the first eight locations, 204, of an accumulator or storage device 202 which is located in the memory of the microprocessor U2.
In such a case, the maximum five volts input is represented by a decimal number of 256 which corresponds to digital ones in all eight locations of portion 204 of accumulator 202.
Fig. 25B shows a representative plot of amplitude versus time for the current iL1 sin ~t. The plot of Fig.
25A shows the charging current iCH which is the derivative of the line current of Fig. 25B. Furthermore, Fig. 25A
shows that only the negative half cycles of the current depicted therein are integrated. Convenient amplitude references 220, 230 and 240 are provided for the line current of Fig. 25B to show the difference between a 1 per unit amplitude, a l-2 per unit amplitude, and a 2 per unit 50 lZ9Z761 53 124 amplitude respectivelylfor the purpose of providing three illustrative Examples. Amplitudes 220A, 230A and 240A for the graph of Fig. 25A show correspondence with the per unit amplitude variations for the curve of Fig. 25B.
Correspondingly, two curves or traces 230B, and 220B for Example 1 and Example 2, respectively, are shown. The 5-volt maximum input voltage line is shown at 246 in Fig.
25C. The algorithm of Fig. 22 is entered once each half cycle for 32 consecutive half cycles. Each half cycle within this interval of time is uniquely identified with a number stored as HCYCLE. Half cycles numbered 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 identify intervals of integration each a factor of two longer than its predecessor. It is at the end of these specific intervals that the algorithm re-evaluates the voltage VC101.
Assume that the input signal is repeating each cycle during the course of the 32 intervals. Then the voltage VC101 at the end of any interval identified by HCYCLE = 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 will be twice the size it was at the end of the preceding interval. Thus if a previous interval yielded an A/D conversion in excess of 80H, corresponding to a value of VC101 in excess of 2.5 V, it can be safely assumed that in the present interval, VC101 is in excess of 5 volts and that an A/D conversion now performed would yield an invalid result since the A/D
converter is not capable of digitizing values in excess of 5 volts. Thus the algorithm, in the event that a previous result is in excess of 80H, retains that result as the best possible A/D conversion with which to proceed.
On the other hand, if a previous A/D conversion is less than 80H, it can safely be assumed that a meaning-ful A/D conversion can now be performed since the signal at the present time can be no greater than twice the previous value and still less than 5 volts. The advantage of replacing an earlier A/D conversion with one performed now is that the signal to be converted is twice as large and will yield more bits of resolution.

129Z7~1 ~ 51 53,'2~
Once an A~D result in excess of &OH has ~een realized, it must be ad,usted to account for the in~erva' in which the A/D conversion was performed. The left sh ft operation 188 performs this function. For instance, a r~s;it o,^ 80H acquired at the erd o' in'-~val r 1 S '_i`'`.
result of an input signal twice as large as an input sig..a' which yields a result of 80H at the end of interval 8. The left shift of the interval 4 result correspondingly doubles this result by the end of interval eight. At the end of thirty-two half cycles a 12 bit answer contained in the accumulator 202 of Fig. 23 represents at least a very close approximation of the value of the electrical current in the line being measured. It is this value that is utilized by the microprocessor U2 in a manner described previously and hereinafter for controlling the contactor 10. At HCYCLE 33 the entire process is re-initialized for subsequent utili-zation on another transformer or transducer 62B and there-after 62C. Of course, this is repeated periodically in a regular manner by the microprocessor U2.
Plot 220B of Fig. 25C shows that the voltage VclOl increases as a function of the integration of the current iCH of Fig. 25A. For each positive half cycle of the charging current iCH, no integration occurs. However, for each negative half cycle an integration following the negative cosine curve occurs. These latter values are accumulated to form voltage VclOl. Voltage VclOl thus increases in correspondence with the value of the line current being sampled over the time represented by the thirty-two half cycles until the capacitive element C101 is discharged to zero during the thirty-third half cycle.
Referring now to Figs. 22, 24, 25 and 26 the accumulator portrait for Example 1, is shown and described.
In Exa~ple 1 the 1/2 per unit charging current iCH 230a is utilized to charge the capacitor C101 to produce the capacitor voltage VC101. The profile for this voltage is shown generally at 230b on Fig. 25C. This voltage is sampled by the "RANGE" algorithm according to function 52 1~9;~7~ 3, ~
block 184 of Flg. 22. ~t the "2", "4" "8", "i6" and '32"
HCYCLE ~enchmarks the "R.~N5E" algori'hm then deter.r.lnes as is set forth in function block 136 of Fig. 22 whether the previous analog-to-digital conversion result was equal to 5 or greater than 80 hex. 80 hex equals a digital number o 128. If tne answe~^ to ~at queszion is no t.^.en '}.- anaiog voltage VC101 present on the input ANl of the analog-to-digital converter 200 is digitized and saved as is indicated in function block 192 of Fig. 22 and shown 10 graphically in Fig. 26. HCLCLE is incremented by 1 and the routine is begun again. As long as the previous analog-to-digital conversion result is not greater than or equal to 80 hex there is no need to utilize the "left shifting" technique of the present invention. Consequent-15 ly, Example 1 depicted in Fig. 26 shows a sampling routinewhich never is forced to utilize the left shifting tech-nique. In particular in Example 1 of Fig. 26 at HCYCLE
equal to .2 volts is available at the input of the analog-to-digital converter 200 on terminal ANl this will be 20 digitized providing a binary number equivalent to the decimal number 10. The binary number in question has a digital 1 in the "2" and "8" locations of the memory portion 204 and digital zeros in all the other bit loca-tions. The "HCYCLE 4" digitizes the analog voltage .4 25 volts provides a decimal number of 20 which places a digital 1 in the "16" "4" bit locations of the portion 204 with digital zeros in all other portions. At "HCYCLE 8" .8 volts is digitized providing a binary number which is equivalent to the decimal number 40 and which is formed by 30 placing digital ones in the "32" and "8" locations of the portion 204. At HCYCLE 16 1.6 volts is digitized providing a digital number which is represented by the decimal number 81. The digital number has digital ones in the "64" and "16" bit locations of the portion 204. Finally, at HCYCL~
35 equal 32 3.2 volts is digitized generating a digital number equivalent to the decimal number 163. Where the digital number in question has digital 1 in the "128", "32", "2"

lZ9Z761 , 53 ~3,i24 and "1" bit locations of the accumulator 204. At thls point the "RANGE" algorithm has bean co~.p7 ete for Example l. It will be no~ed as was described previousiy tlla tne "RANGE" algorithm never entered into function block 188 where a left shifting would be req~ red. ~o~.:ever, G`. ~
be described hereinafter witlL respect to rxample 2 ani Example 3, the left shifting technique will be utilized.
Referring now to Figs. 22, 24, 25 and 27 an Example 2 is depicted in which a one per unit charging current iCH 220a is utilized to generate a voltage VCl01 across the capacitive element Cl01. The voltage generated when plotted against HCYCLE is shown at 220b in Fig. 25C.
Once again the "RANGE" algorithm of Fig. 22 is utilized.
As was the case previously the "RANGE" algorithm is uti-lized in such a manner that the memory locations 202 are updated at the "2", l'4", "8", "16" and "32" HCYCLE samples.
At the "2" HCYCLE sample .4 volts is digitized providing a digital number in the portion 204 of the accumulator 202 which is equivalent to the decimal number 20. That digital number has a digital 1 in the "16" and "4" bit locations of the portion 204. There are digital zeros in all the other bit locations. At HCYCLE equal 4 .8 volts is digitized providing a digital number equivalent to the decimal number 40. The digital number has a digital 1 in the "32" and "8"
bit locations of the portion 204 of the accumulator 202.
At HCYCLE equal 8 1.6 volts is digitized providing a digital number in the portion 204 of the accumulator 202 which is equivalent to the decimal number 81. The digital in question has digital or logic ones in bit locations "64", "16" and "1". At HCYCLE equal 16 3.2 volts is digitized providing.a digital number for portion 204 of accumulator 202 which is equivalent ~o the decimal number 163. The latter digital number has digital ones in bit locations "128", "32", "2" and "1". At HCYCLE equal 32 the "RANGE" algorithm determines by utilizing functional block 186 that the previous A-to-D result produced a digital number which was larger than 80 hex. Consequently, for the 54 12~,276~ 53,'2~
first time in this series of examples, functlonal bioc~
is utilized and a "left shift" is accomplished. Conse-quently, even though 6.4 volts is availaole at the input of the analog-to-digital converter 200 for digitization, the diqitization does not take place for the simple reason that the output of the analog-to-digital converter would :e unreliable with such a large analog number on its input.
Instead, the digital number stored in the portion 204 of the accumulator 200 during the previous digitization of the 3.2 volt analog signal is merely shifted one place to the left for each bit in the digital number to provide a new digital number which is equivalent to the decimal number 326. The new digital number utilizes a portion of the spill-over member 206 of the accumulator 202 as is clearly shown in Fig. 27. The new digital number has digital ones in the "256", "64",t "4" and "2" bit locations of the expanded accumulator 202. Notice how the digital number in the "32" HCYCLE location of Fig. 27 is the same digital number shown in HCYCLE location "16" but moved one bit location to the left. This example shows the left shifting technique in operation. The number stored in the accumula-tor 202 at the end of the 32nd HCYCLE is indicative of the line current iLl(t) that was measured in the overload relay portion 60' of the contactor lO.
Referring now to Figs. 22, 24, 25 and 28 still a third example of the left shifting technique is described.
In particular in Example 3 a two per unit charging current iCH indicated at 240a in Fig. 25B is integrated by the capacitor ClOl to provide the voltage VClOl. This voltage produces an output profile similar to that shown with respect to Examples l and 2 in Fig. 25C but following the slope generally depicted at Example 3 in Fig. 25C. The step-like relationship for the voltages is deleted from Example 3 in order to avoid confusion. However it is to be understood that the step-like voltages exist for Example 3 in much the same way as they exist for Example l and Example 2. With regard to Example 3 the "RANGE" algorithm 53,124 samples at HCYCLE equal "2" "4" and "8" and provides appropriate analog-to-digital conversior.s to update the portion 204 of the accumulator 202. However, at HCYCLE
samples "16" and "32" the portion 204 of the accumulator 202 is updated by two successive serial left shifts of the previous information stored in the location 204 rather ~han by an analog-to-digital conversion. It is clear that an analog to-digital conversion would have produced an unreli-able result for the latter two samples. To be specific at HCYCLE equal "2" .8 volts is digitized producing a digital number equivalent to the decimal number 40. The digital number has digital ones in the "32" and "8" bit locations of the portion 204 of the accumulator 202. At the "4"
HCYCLE sample 1.6 volts is digitized producing a digital number equivalent to the decimal number 81. The latter digital number has digital ones in the "64", "16" and "1"
bit locations of the portion 204 of the accumulator 202.
At sample HCYCLE equals 8 3.2 volts is digitized providing a digital number equivalent to the decimal number 163. The digital number has digital ones in the "128", "32", "2" and "1" bit locations of the portion 204 of the accumulator 200. At HCYCLE equal 16 the "RANGE" algorithm recognizes that the previous A-to-D result (equivalent to the digital number 163) was greater than 80 hex and therefore the accumulator 202 is updated not by a way of an analog-to-digital conversion of voltage on the input of the analog-to-digital converter 200 but rather than by left shifting by one bit the digital information previously stored in the accumulator 202 as a result of completion of the HCYCLE equal "8" sample. Consequently, for the "16"
HCYCLE sample a digital number equivalent to the decimal 326 is formed. This is done by left shifting the informa-tion that was previously stored in the accumulator by one bit to the left. This causes the aforementioned digital number to pour over into one bit location of the pour-over portion 206 of the accumulator 202. ~he new digital number has a digital 1 in the "256", "64", "4" and "2" bit loca-~6 12~Z7~1 ~ 3~
zions of the a_cumuiazor 202. At the HCIC~ equaisample the number stored previously in accumulator 202 s left shifted once again in the accumulator 202 to now occupy two of the locations in pour-over portion 206 as well as all eight locations in portion 204. The ne~
digital number has a d-cimal e~ui-~alen. o,^ 65~. The ne~
digital number has a digital one in the "512" locat;on, "128" location, the "8" bit location and the "4" bit location. This number is then utilized to represent _he current measured in the line by way of the overload relay board 60, the value stored in the accumuLator 202 will be utilized as described previously for performing useful functions by the contactor or controller 10.
Referring once again to Figs. 7A through 7D
apparatus and technique associated with switch SW101 and the 8-bit static sh,ift register U104 is described. The inputs designated H0 through H4 on switch SW101 represents switch arrangements for programming a digital number which can be read by the microprocessor U2 for making a decision and determination about the ultimate value of the full load current detected by the previously described system. These switch values as well as the switch values associated with "A~", "C0", and "C1" are serially read out by the micropro-cessor U2 as part of the signal on line SW in correspon-dence with input information provided by the A, B and Cinput signals. Input information SW is provided to input terminal IlO of the microprocessor U2. By utilizing the heater switch arrangement, 16 values of ultimate trip can be selected with four heater switches, H0 through H3, programmed in a binary fashion. The switches replace mechanical heaters which form part of the prior art for adjusting the overload range of the motor. There are also provided two inputs C0 and Cl which are utilized to input the motor class. A class lO motor will tolerate a locked rotor condition for lO seconds and not be damaged, a class 20 motor, for 20 seconds, and a class 30 motor for 30 lZ~Z7f~1 57 ,3,i~
seconds. Locked rotor current is assumed to oe six ~lmeS
normal current.
Referring once again to Figures 7A and 7B, Figure ll and ~igure 29, apparatus and method for discriminating ~etween a true l~?~ - signal a~d ^ 'al_e -:p~t signal cn ~
"RUN", "SîAR~", and "RESEî" ir.pu's is dep,_-~ed. In ~igure 11, a parasitic distributed capacitance CLL is shown between inputs lines connected to the "E" and "P" terminals of the terminal block J1 of the board 28. This capacitance may be due to the presence of extremely long input lines between the pushbuttons "STOP", "START" and "RESET" and the terminal block J1. Similar capacitance may exist between the other lines shown illustratively in Figure 11. Para-sitic capacitance has the undesirable feature of coupling signals among the input lines. The affect of this is to introduce a false siignal which appears to the microproces-sor U2 to be a true signal indicative of the fact that the pushbutton "STOP", "START" and "RESET" are closed when in fact they may be open. Therefore, the purpose of the following apparatus is to distinguish between a true signal and a false signal on the latter mentioned input lines. It is necessary to understand that the capacitive current iCLL
flowing through the distributed parasitic capacitance CLL
leads the voltage which appears across it, that is, the voltage between terminals "E" and "P". Referring to Figure 29A, VLINE as seen by the microprocessor U2 in its truncat-ed form is shown. Figure 29C shows the voltage that the microprocessor U2 sees, for example, on terminal B41 thereof as the result of the phantom current iCLL flowing through resistive element R3, the capacitive element C4 and the internal impedance on the RUN input terminal of the circuit U1. This voltage identified as VRUN(F) -- for a false indication of voltage -- leads the voltage VLINE by a value ~. If the capacitive elements CX and C4--are differ-ent and more specifically if the capacitive element CX islarger than the capacitive element C4, a true VRUN signal VRUN~T), that is a signal produced by closing the STOP

58 12~Z761 ~3,12~
switch as shown in Figure 11, wiil be nearly ln pnase .;i~n voltage VLIME. The only difference bei.ng due to he difference in capacitance of the capacitive elements CX and C4. I f capacitive element CX is smalier than capacitive e'e-ent C4, the difference will cause the true voltaye VRUN(T) to lag VLINE by an amount ~ as shown in Figure 29B.
The microprocessor U2 therefore is asked to compare voltage VLINE with the voltage on input terminal B41 within a short period of time -- equal to or smaller than a -- after voltage VLINE has changed state or passed through an alternation indicated at "UP" and "DOWN" in Figure 29A. If the digital value of the voltage on terminal B41 is the opposite digital signal from that associate with the voltage VLINE at this time, then the signal is a true signal as shown in Figure 29B. If on the other hand it is of the same polarity, it is a false signal as shown in Figure 29C. That is to say, for example, if voltage VLINE
is measured within time period ~ after an "UP" and compared with the voltage on terminal B41, and the voltage on terminal B41 is a digital zero, the voltage signal on terminal B41 is a true signal. However, if the voltage signal is a digital 1 it is indicative that the voltage signal on terminal B41 is a false signal. By choosing the appropriate values for capacitive element CX and capacitive element C4, the amount by which a true signal will lead the line voltage, i.e., the delay ~ can be varied. The value of ~ is less than the value ~ so that the sign of a false signal cannot also be different from the sign of the reference voltage during the sampling or comparison interval.
Referring now to Figure 30, a printed circuit card shown to that in Figs. 8, 9 and lO is depicted for another embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of Figure 30 elements which are similar to elements of the apparatus shown in Figs. 8, 9 and lO are depicted with the same reference symbols primed ('). For simplicity of illustration and description reference may be had to Figs.

129;~7~1 , 5~ ~3,12-8, 9 and 10 for identifying the simiiar ei~ments an-i _heir interrelationship. It will be noted with respect to h-apparatus of Figures 8, 9 and 10 that a ribbon connector o~
is utilized to interconnect solder connectors J2 with J131 a:d J102. Voweve~, ln the emboc'.iment o' the irvG~ or.
shown in Figure 30 the ribbon connector o4 is e;iminated.
Rather there is provided an electrically insulated base 30G
in which are disposed male plug connectors 303. These are shown on the overload relay board 60'. On printed circuit board 28' is provided the female connector 302 for the male connector 300 of circuit board 60'. Female connector 302 has recesses or openings 304 therein which match or are complementary with the male plugs 303 of connector 300.
Bobbin 32' is interconnected with board 28' by way of pens 318 which are soldered into appropriate openings in board 28' for assisting in supporting the board 28' as will be described hereinafter with respect to Figs. 31 and 32. As was the case with respect to the embodiment shown in Figs.
8, 9 and 10 the entire circuit board is broken after assembly at 100' and installed so that the connector 300 mates with the connector 302 in a manner shown and de-scribed with respect to Figures 31 and 32. In addition, a separate terminal block JX is provided for interconnection with a separate internal communication network (I~COM) for communication between separate contactors and remote control and communication elements.
Referring now to Figs. 31 and 32 an embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is depicted. In this embodiment of the invention elements which are identical to or similar to corresponding elements in the apparatus of.Figs. 1 and 2 are depicted with the same reference characters primed ('). For purposes of simplicity and clarity of illustration and description reference may be had to the description associated with the apparatus of Figs. 1 and 2 for the understanding of the cooperation, function and operating of similar or identical elements in Figs. 31 and 32. The circuit boards 60' and lZS~27til ~3,12~
28' are shown in their flnal assembled condition witn ~he plug 300 interconnected with the fe~ale receptacle 3C2 in a manner described previously. In such an arrangement male electrically conducting members 303 are inserted into and m-~:c - sc_.ical con_2ct ~hit''l ~ mi ~ 2r .~-,ma1 e r.-rber- 33~
interconnecting elements on ci.cuit 'ooard 63' wi'h elemen_s on circuit board 28'. It is also to be understood that circuit board 60' depicted in Figs. 31 and 32, for example, is interconnected with circuit board 28' in a manner which leaves an offset portion upon which the extra terminal block JX is disposed. The embodiment of the invention depicted in Figs. 31 and 32 shows a contactor comprising a one-piece thermoplastic insulating base 12' that holds terminal straps 20' and 24', terminal lugs 14' and 16', respectively, and stationary contacts 22' and 26', respec-tively. Appropriate~screws 400 hold the stationary con-tacts and the terminal straps to the base. The base 12' also provides a positioning and a guidance system for moving contacts 46', 48', cross bar 44', spacer or carrier 42' and the armature 40' which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The overload relay board 60' and the coil control board 28' are supported within the base 12' in a unique manner. More specifically, (as is best seen in Fig. 32) permanent magnet or slug 36' which may be identi-cal to armature 40' or very similar thereto has a lip thereon 329 which is forcefully held against a correspond-ing lip 330 in the base 12' by the action of a retaining spring or retainer 316. This firmly marries the slug or permanent magnet 36' to the base 12'. In turn, the slug or permanent magnet 36' has a second lip 314 thereupon (best shown in Fig. 31) which engages and is forcefully held against a corresponding lip 315 in the bobbin 317 of the coil assembly 30'. The retaining pins 318 are disposed in the bobbin 317 and in turn are soldered to or otherwise securely disposed upon the coil control board 28' so that the coil control board 28' which may comprise flexible, electrically insulating material is securely supported in 125'27~i1 61 ~3,_~-the central region thereof. ~he corners of the Clr_Ul-control board 28' are supported directl~ upon the base '2' at 320, for example. The overload relay board 60' is supported perpendicularly upon the coil control board 28' by '_h~ _nr^ -Lc_ion o' the pins anc' c~~ ors 330, 3C2, 333 and 304. Coil assembly 30' is suppor~ed at ~he o^~her ~n~-thereof by kickout spring 34' so that bobbin 317 is secu~e-ly held in place between the aforementioned ridge or lip 314 on the magnet 36' and the base 12' by way of ~he compressive force of the spring 34'. As is best seen by reference to Fig. 32, the top portion of the spring 34' is trapped against a lip 340 on the bottom portion of the carrier or spacer 42' and moves therewith during the movement of the movable system which includes the moving lS contacts 46' and 48', the spacer 42' and the armature 40'.
Referring 'specifically to Figure 32, the con-struction features and interaction of the generally E-shaped magnetic members 36' and 40' are shown. Movable armature 40' comprises a center leg 322 and two outboard legs 330 and 331. Legs 330 and 331 may be of slightly different cross-sectional area relative to each other in order to provide a keying function for the magnet 40'. The reason for this lies in the fact that after repeated use the face surfaces of the magnetic outboard legs 330 and 331 develop a wear pattern due to repeated striking of the complementary face surfaces of the magnetic slug or perma-nent magnet 36'. Consequently, when the magnetic members 40' and 36' are periodically removed for maintenance or other purposes, it is desirous to replace them in exactly the same orientation so that the previously begun wear pattern is maintained. If the two members 40' and 36' become reversed relative to each other a new wear pattern will emerge which is undesirable. The sum of the cross-sectional area of the legs 330 and 331 is generally equal to the cross-sectional area of the leg 332 for efficient magnetic flux conduction. In a preferred embodi-ment of the invention, a significant portion of the face of 62 1~9 27~ 1 ~3 '2' the middle leg 332 is milled away or otnerwi_e rens~ d therefrom in order to create a protru~ion or nipple 3 5 a~.d two significant air-gap regions 327 and 328. ~Ihen the armature 40' is abutted against the slug or permanent magnet 36' the complementary outboard legs 331 and 330 are abutted in a face-~o-face manler and the .ace port_or.s of the nipples or protrusions 326 for the middle leg 322 are abutted in a face-to-face manner leaving significant air gaps in the regions 327 and 328 for both magnets. The presence of the air gaps has the affect of reducing the residual magnetism in the magnetic circuit formed by the abutted armature 40' and permanent magnet 36'. This is desirous in order to allow the kickout spring 34' to be effective for separating the magnetic members and opening the aforementioned contacts during a contact opening operation. Were the,latter situation not the case contact separation may be defeated by the force of the residual magnetism. It is known that in a magnetic arrangement exposed to an alternating or periodic HOLD pulse. Magnetic noise may be introduced. Were the nipple portions 326 not present the HOLD pulses would cause the center leg 322 of the moving armature 40' to vibrate much in the way that the magnetic core of a radio speaker vibrates in the presence of its driving signal. Furthermore, the affect of the periodic HOLD pulse is to cause the back spine ~ortion 333 of the armature 40' to deflect toward the middle thus causing the legs 330 and 331 of the movable armature 40' to correspondingly move to wipe against or rub against the face surfaces of the complementary legs 330 and 331 of the permanent magnet 36'. This has the effect of increasing surface wear which is undesirable. In order to eliminate the deflection and wear yet maintain the air gap the nipple or protrusion 336 is provided. This prevents movement of the leg 322 under the influence of the hold pulses but nevertheless reduces the residual magnetism to a point where the operation of the kickout spring 34' is effective.

Claims (11)

1. An electrical contactor, comprising:
first contact means;
second contact means for being moved into a disposition of electrical continuity with said first contact means;
electromagnet means with armature means which is mechanically interconnected with said second contact means for moving from a first armature means position to a second armature means position to place said second contact means into said disposition of electrical continuity with said first contact means in response to the flow of electrical current through a winding of said electromagnet means;
abutment means against which said armature means abuts to define said second armature means position;
spring means disposed to resist the movement of said armature means, the minimum amount of kinetic energy which when applied to said armature means is sufficient to overcome said spring resistance to cause said first contact means and said second contact means to abut and to cause said armature means to just abut said abutment means without significant rebound at said second armature means position equaling K; and means for supplying electrical current to said winding of said electromagnet means, the total amount of said kinetic energy which is supplied to said armature means during movement thereof being substantially the result of said electrical current flowing in said winding and being substantially equal to K.

2. The contactor as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring means is compressed as it resists the movement of said armature means.

3. The contactor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spring means comprises a kickout spring which causes said second contact means to move away from said first contact means upon command to open said electrical circuit.

4. The contactor as claimed in claim 2 wherein said spring means comprises a contact spring which operates to apply pressure between said first and second contact means when they are in said disposition of electrical continuity.

5. The contactor as claimed in claim 4 wherein said spring means comprises a kickout spring which causes said second contact means to move away from said first contact means upon command to open said electrical circuit.

6. An electrical contactor, comprising:
movable armature means;
fixed armature means cooperable with said movable armature means to define an air gap therebetween;
electromagnet coil means cooperable with said movable armature means and said fixed armature means to cause said movable armature means to move toward said fixed armature means in response to the controlled flow of electrical current in said electromagnet coil means until said fixed armature means and said movable armature means abut;
spring means disposed to resist the movement of said movable armature means toward said fixed armature means;
control means for supplying said controlled flow of electrical current in said electromagnet coil means said controlled flow of electrical current accelerating said movable armature means to a first velocity prior to said movable armature means abutting said fixed armature means; and said movable armature means continuing movement to said fixed armature means as a function of the kinetic energy imparted thereto at said first velocity, said movable armature means abutting said fixed armature means at substantially zero velocity.

7. An electrical contactor, comprising:
movable armature means;
fixed armature means;
electromagnet means with electrical coil means for energizing said electromagnet means in response to controlled electrical energy for magnetically moving said movable armature means into a disposition of abutment with said fixed armature means;
spring means interconnected with said movable armature means which resists the movement of said movable armature means into said disposition of abutment with said fixed armature means;
control means for supplying said controlled electrical energy to said coil means, the total mechanical energy required to compress said spring means as said armature means is moved into said disposition of abutment with said electromagnet means being no less than K;
said control means cooperating with said coil means to supply generally only K electrical energy to said coil means previous to said movable armature means abutting said fixed armature means, continued movement of said movable armature means to said disposition of abutment after said K electrical energy has been supplied to said coil means being sustained by kinetic energy related to a velocity V1 imparted to said movable armature means by said K electrical energy, said armature means thereafter abutting said fixed armature means at generally zero velocity V2; and electrical contact means mechanically inter-connected with said movable armature means for being closed on an external electrical circuit as said movable armature means moves.

8. A contactor as claimed in claim 7 wherein said electrical energy comprises controlled electrical current.

9. The contactor as claimed in claim 7 wherein said spring means comprises a contactor kickout spring and a contactor contact spring.

10. Electrical apparatus, comprising:
first contact means;
second contact means movable into a disposition of electrical continuity with said first contact means;
electromagnet means with armature means which is mechanically interconnected with said second contact means for moving from a first armature means position to a second armature means position to place said second contact means into said disposition of electrical continuity with said first contact means in response to the flow of electrical current through a winding of said electromagnet means;
abutment means against which said armature means abuts to define said second armature means position;
resistance means which resist the movement of said armature means, the amount of kinetic energy which when applied to said armature means is sufficient to overcome said resistance means to cause said first contact means and said second contact means to abut and to cause said armature means to just abut said abutment means without significant rebound at said second armature means position equaling K; and means for supplying electrical current to said winding of said electromagnet means, the total amount of said kinetic energy which is supplied to said armature means during movement thereof as the result of said electrical current flowing in said winding being substantially equal to K.

11. An electrical contactor, comprising:
first contact means;
second contact means for being moved into a disposition of electrical continuity with said first contact means;

Claim 11 continued...

electromagnet means with armature means which is mechanically interconnected with said second contact means for moving from a first armature means position to a second armature means position to place said second contact means into said disposition of electrical continuity with said first contact means in response to the flow of electrical current through a winding of said electromagnet means;
abutment means against which said armature means abuts to define said second armature means position;
spring means disposed to resist the movement of said armature means, the minimum amount of kinetic energy which when applied to said armature means is sufficient to overcome said spring resistance to cause said first contact means and said second contact means to abut and to cause said armature means to abut said abutment means at substantially zero velocity at said second armature means position equaling K; and means for supplying electrical current to said winding of said electromagnet means, the total amount of said kinetic energy which is supplied to said armature means during movement thereof being substantially the result of said electrical current flowing in said winding and being substantially equal to K.