Patent Application
20180190441
The present application relates to a transmission subsystem with an automatic transfer switch operating mechanism.
Automatic transfer switches (ATSs) for consumer applications may be used, for example, to selectively couple a local load from a residential or commercial building to a utility power grid. Such devices may also be used to selectively couple a local load to a generator when a power outage has occurred. A typical ATS has two power source inputs and an output. A typical ATS is composed of multiple parts such as an actuator, solenoids and contactor cartridges. ATS designs have complicated constructions and numerous parts, particularly with respect to the actuator and solenoid subsystems.
Various embodiments provide for apparatuses and systems for automated transfer switches, as well as methods for automated transfer switching. In one embodiment, an automatic transfer switch system includes a plurality of movable contact members including at least one first movable contact member at a first location and at least one second movable contact member at a second location. The automatic transfer switch system further includes at least one fixed contact member, and a permanent magnet operating mechanism configured to control opening and closing of the plurality of movable contact members relative to the at least one fixed contact member via one or more linkages, and to generate a holding force so as to maintain a state of the at least one first movable contact member at the first location and a state of the at least one second movable contact member at the second location.
Another embodiment relates to a transmission subsystem having an automatic transfer switch comprising a pair of movable contact members including a first movable contact member at a first location and a second movable contact member at a second location. The automatic transfer switch further includes a fixed member; a controller configured to select one of the first and second movable contact members; and a permanent magnetic actuator comprising an actuator body, a first driving rod, and a second driving rod. The permanent magnet actuator is configured to move the first driving rod in a first direction independently of movement of the second driving rod. The first driving rod is configured to move the first movable contact member, and the second driving rod is configured to move the second movable contact member.
An additional embodiment relates to a method of carrying out automatic transfer switching in a system. The automatic transfer switch includes a plurality of movable contact members including a first set of movable contact members fixed on and rotatable with a first shaft, and a second set of movable contact members fixed on and rotatable with a second shaft. The switch further includes at least one fixed member; and first and second driving rods respectively fixed with the first and second shafts. The method comprises controlling opening and closing of the plurality of movable contact members relative to the at least one fixed member, and generating a magnetic holding force with one or more permanent magnet actuators so as to maintain a state of the first set of movable contact members and a state of the second set of movable contact members. The first shaft and second shaft are configured such that the first shaft opens before the second shaft closes, and the second shaft opens before the first shaft closes.
Various embodiments of the systems, apparatuses and methods described herein may result in improved reliability and an extended lifetime by achieving a more robust design. Additionally, in various embodiments, the overall complexity and precision required in manufacturing may be reduced. Assembly time may also be reduced.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be set forth from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the present disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without further limiting the scope of the present disclosure claimed.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.
As noted above, ATS devices typically are made of complex structures that may have less robust designs and which necessitate obtaining and integrating numerous parts. Accordingly, more robust and simplified switches may alleviate the manufacturing and reliability challenges associated with these devices.
Some ATS devices may include permanent magnetic actuators. ATS devices with such actuators are described in PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT/CN2014/071857, entitled “Automatic Transfer Switch” and filed on Jan. 30, 2014, and PCT/CN2014/079590 entitled “Automatic Transfer Switch,” filed on Jun. 10, 2014, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for the technical and background information described therein.
Referring to the figures generally, the various embodiments disclosed herein relate to an automatic transfer switch (“ATS”) having a permanent magnetic actuator. In some embodiments, the permanent magnetic actuator operates transmission components to open or close movable contact subsystems (also referred to as contact members) onto fixed contact subsystems. A switch is used to select a first movable contact subsystem (“source A”) or a second movable contact subsystem (“source B”). The operation of the transmission components by the permanent magnetic actuator moves the selected movable contact subsystem into an open or closed position. The movable contact subsystems are held in place using the force generated from the permanent magnetic actuator without relying on traditional mechanical locking and tripping devices or solenoids.
In the embodiment shown in
Referring again to
As shown in
As indicated in
Returning again to
Further, various embodiments include a control module 68 as shown in
Referring again to
The movable contact subsystems 28, 30 are in an open neutral position and held in place by the permanent magnetic actuator 65. The first and second oscillating rods 17, 19 both stay in a position corresponding to an angle that the rotating square shafts 16, 18 are rotated to, thereby placing the movable contact subsystems 28, 30 in a neutral position at a distance from the fixed contact subsystem 29. The distance can be, for example, a distance corresponding to a maximum angle from the fixed contact subsystem 29.
In some embodiments, the actuator has a first state in which the permanent magnet operating mechanism is configured to retain the actuator unless a coil is powered to retain the actuator in a second state. In at least one embodiment, the actuator has a first magnetically stable retained state and second magnetically stable retained state, and the actuator is configured to transition between the first and the second states when at least one coil of the actuator receives power. The actuator of certain embodiments is connected at first and second ends of the actuator, and is configured to move the automatic transfer switch between a first state, a second state, and a third state. In at least one embodiment, the first state corresponds to a first source, the second state corresponds to a neutral, and the third state corresponds to a second source. Further, the actuator of certain embodiments may be a dual-end, dual-slug actuator or a single-slug piston actuator.
It is noted that the permanent magnetic actuator of various embodiments may be either bistable, with permanent magnetic holding states at each first and second end of the throw of each actuator. Alternatively, the actuators may be monostable, with only one coil receiving power to keep permanent magnetic holding states at each first and second end of the throw of each actuator. Further, in some instances, at least one bistable actuator may be provided, while in other instances, at least one monostable actuator may be provided.
Turning now to
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.
The terms “coupled,” “connected,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the drawings. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other example embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
The construction and arrangement of the aforementioned various example embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, unless specifically noted, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Unless specifically noted, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.
The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations, such as those discussed above, are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various example embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2015/082436 | 6/26/2015 | WO | 00 |
