US5099187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power connect safety and connection interlock
Assignee: California Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1990-03-21
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A power connect safety and connection interlock system is shown for use with inverters and other DC loads (16) which include capacitor filter banks (14) at their DC inputs. A safety circuit (20) operates a spring (26) biased, solenoid (22) driven mechanical connection interference (24) which prevents mating and therefore electrical connection between the power contactor halves (11, 13) of the main power contacts (12) until the capacitor bank is safely precharged through auxiliary contacts (18). When the DC load (16) is shut down, the capacitor bank (14) is automatically discharged through a discharging power resistor (66) by a MOSFET transistor (60) through a discharging power resistor (66) only when both the main power contacts and auxiliary contacts are disconnected.
Inventors
- 👤 Wally E. Rippel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:51
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/707; H02; H02H; H02H9/00; H02H9/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A power interconnection system for connecting a DC power source to a capacitor bank at the input of a DC load, comprising: a pair of power contact halves connectable between the DC power source and the capacitor bank; a safety circuit for precharging the capacitor bank; and mechanical interference responsive to the safety circuit for selectively preventing electrical connection through the power contact halves until the capacitor bank has been safely precharged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A power interconnection system for connecting a DC power source to a capacitor bank at the input of a DC load, comprising: a pair of power contact halves connectable between the DC power source and the capacitor bank; a safety circuit for precharging the capacitor bank; and mechanical interference responsive to the safety circuit for selectively preventing electrical connection through the power contact halves until the capacitor bank has been safely precharged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
The power interconnection system claimed in claim 1 further comprising: spring means for urging the mechanical interference into a first position preventing electrical connection through the contact halves, and solenoid means responsive to the safety circuit for urging the mechanical interference into a second position permitting electrical connection through the power contact halves when the capacitor bank has been safely precharged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power interconnection system claimed in claim 2 wherein the safety circuit urges the mechanical interference into the second position when the charge on the capacitor bank reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The power interconnection system claimed in claim 2 wherein the safety circuit further comprises: auxiliary contact for connecting the safety circuit to the DC power source; a discharging circuit for selectively discharging the capacitor bank only when both the power contact halves and the auxiliary contacts are disconnected.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of connecting a DC power source to a capacitor bank at the input of a DC load, comprising the steps of: connecting a safety circuit to the DC power source for precharging the capacitor bank; and mechanically interfering with the mating of a pair of power contact halves connectable between the DC power source and the capacitor bank for selectively preventing electrical connection through the power contact halves until the capacitor bank has been safely precharged.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of connecting a DC power source to a capacitor bank at the input of a DC load, comprising the steps of: connecting a safety circuit to the DC power source for precharging the capacitor bank; and mechanically interfering with the mating of a pair of power contact halves connectable between the DC power source and the capacitor bank for selectively preventing electrical connection through the power contact halves until the capacitor bank has been safely precharged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method claimed in claim 5 wherein the mechanical interference steps further comprise the step of: removing the mechanical interference when the capacitor bank has been safely precharged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 6 wherein the mechanical interference is removed when the charge on the capacitor bank reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method claimed in claim 6 wherein the safety circuit step further comprises the steps of: connecting the safety circuit to the DC power source through auxiliary contacts; and discharging the capacitor bank only when both the power contact halves and the auxiliary contacts are disconnected.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |