Abstract: An electrical contactor has an arc extinguishing component. The electrical contactor includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that, when the contactor is open, define a gap therebetween. The arc extinguishing component includes a magnet adjacent a first side of the gap and an electrically non-conductive shutter adjacent an opposing second side of the gap. The electrically non-conductive shutter capable of reciprocating from a first position to a second position wherein the first position is outside of the gap and the second position is within the gap.

Abstract: The present invention detects contact bouncing in a contactor by measuring contact voltage fluctuations caused by the bouncing power delivery contacts controlled by the contactor. When these fluctuations are detected, a circuit causes a pull-in coil of the contactor to be temporarily re-energized to re-establish a higher magnetic field needed to pull and maintain the power delivery contacts into proper position, which eliminates the bouncing. Because of the high power required by the pull-in coil, the time that it is actuated is limited in order to avoid thermal damage to the coil or other electronic components. After the pull-in coil is activated to move the power delivery contacts into proper position, a lower magnetic field hold coil is instead energized to maintain the power delivery contacts in place.

Abstract: An electrical contactor has an arc extinguishing component. The electrical contactor includes a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact that, when the contactor is open, define a gap therebetween. The arc extinguishing component includes a magnet adjacent a first side of the gap and an electrically non-conductive shutter adjacent an opposing second side of the gap. The electrically non-conductive shutter capable of reciprocating from a first position to a second position wherein the first position is outside of the gap and the second position is within the gap.

Abstract: Multiple relays are connected in parallel by including one or more semiconductor devices connected across the relay contacts. The semiconductor devices are triggered to conduct and shunt transient currents during the opening and closing of the relay contacts to protect the relay contacts from overcurrent and to eliminate arcing during relay switching. This permits a combination of smaller relays to replace a larger and more expensive relay in applications that require switching of large load currents.

Abstract: A hybrid contactor device that provides the ability to use the device with both AC and DC circuits is provided. The hybrid contactor includes a series-parallel arrangement of mechanical contacts with solid state devices, increasing the switching capacity of the mechanical contacts, and maintains galvanic isolation when open. The hybrid contactor includes two mechanical contacts, and is arranged so that one contact closes shortly before the other. The second contact forms a parallel circuit with an electronic switch.

Abstract: A hybrid contactor device that provides the ability to use the device with both AC and DC circuits is provided. The hybrid contactor includes a series-parallel arrangement of mechanical contacts with solid state devices, increasing the switching capacity of the mechanical contacts, and maintains galvanic isolation when open. The hybrid contactor includes two mechanical contacts, and is arranged so that one contact closes shortly before the other. The second contact forms a parallel circuit with an electronic switch.

Abstract: Multiple relays are connected in parallel by including one or more semiconductor devices connected across the relay contacts. The semiconductor devices are triggered to conduct and shunt transient currents during the opening and closing of the relay contacts to protect the relay contacts from overcurrent and to eliminate arcing during relay switching. This permits a combination of smaller relays to replace a larger and more expensive relay in applications that require switching of large load currents.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit is disclosed, containing a first and second group of FETs, the groups being connected in parallel. The first FET group contains commutation FETs capable of handling the commutation load of the circuit. The second FET group contains secondary FETs of lower resistance than the commutation FETs. The circuit is configured such that, when the circuit is activated, the commutation FETs are driven on before the secondary FETs. The circuit is also configured such that, when the circuit is deactivated, the commutation FETs are driven off only after the secondary FETs.

Abstract: A solid state relay circuit is disclosed, containing a first and second group of FETs, the groups being connected in parallel. The first FET group contains commutation FETs capable of handling the commutation load of the circuit. The second FET group contains secondary FETs of lower resistance than the commutation FETs. The circuit is configured such that, when the circuit is activated, the commutation FETs are driven on before the secondary FETs. The circuit is also configured such that, when the circuit is deactivated, the commutation FETs are driven off only after the secondary FETs.

Abstract: Methods to determine the location of an arc fault include a first method utilizing the inherent resistance per unit length of the wire. A second and a third method utilize an inherent inductance per unit length of the wire. The second method derives the inherent inductance from the output voltage and a rate of current rise. The third method derives the inherent inductance from a resonant frequency of an oscillating current. The information is useful to locate a fault emanating from a wire member of a wiring harness used to distribute power about an aircraft.

Abstract: Methods to determine the location of an arc fault include a first method utilizing the inherent resistance per unit length of the wire. A second and a third method utilize an inherent inductance per unit length of the wire. The second method derives the inherent inductance from the output voltage and a rate of current rise. The third method derives the inherent inductance from a resonant frequency of an oscillating current. The information is useful to locate a fault emanating from a wire member of a wiring harness used to distribute power about an aircraft.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a serial arc fault in an electrical circuit are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: a. measuring a current in the circuit; b. determining whether the current is below a predetermined value; c. if the current is below ten percent of the predetermined value, determining whether a countdown timer value indicated by a cell pointer value is equal to zero; d. if the countdown timer value is equal to zero, starting a countdown timer, advancing the cell pointer value by one, and restarting the method at step a.; e. if the countdown timer value is not equal to zero, determining whether the interruptions in the current are periodic; f. if the interruptions in the current are not periodic, checking whether an arc event countdown timer is running; and g. if the arc event countdown timer is running, tripping a circuit breaker.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for controlling a serial arc fault in an electrical circuit are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: a. measuring a current in the circuit; b. determining whether the current is below a predetermined value; c. if the current is below ten percent of the predetermined value, determining whether a countdown timer value indicated by a cell pointer value is equal to zero; d. if the countdown timer value is equal to zero, starting a countdown timer, advancing the cell pointer value by one, and restarting the method at step a.; e. if the countdown timer value is not equal to zero, determining whether the interruptions in the current are periodic; f. if the interruptions in the current are not periodic, checking whether an arc event countdown timer is running; and g. if the arc event countdown timer is running, tripping a circuit breaker.