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EP-3855471-B1 - RELAY CONTACTOR WITH COMBINED LINEAR AND ROTATION MOTION

EP3855471B1EP 3855471 B1EP3855471 B1EP 3855471B1EP-3855471-B1

Inventors

  • BELISLE, FRANCIS C.
  • DICKEY, JOHN A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20210105

Claims (6)

  1. A relay contactor, comprising: a shaft assembly (330) comprising a plate (332), which comprises contact pads (311, 321) and is movable between an open position at which the contact pads of the plate are displaced from contact pads of leads (310,320) and a closed position at which the contact pads of the plate contacts the contact pads of the leads; and an actuation system (340,350) configured to selectively move the plate into the closed position, at least one of the shaft assembly and the actuation system is configured such that, as the plate moves into and away from the closed position, a movement of the plate relative to the leads comprises a linear movement pattern of the plate combined with a rotation or a circular movement pattern of the plate, characterised in that the relay contactor further comprises first insulation provided to the contact pads of the plate and second insulation with an opening; and in that the contact pads rotate and slide into the open position via the opening whereby the first and second insulation cooperatively form an insulating enclosure that facilitates arc-breaking.
  2. The relay contactor according to claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly is configured to facilitate the movement of the plate and comprises at least one of a sloped track, a power screw and an alignment bushing.
  3. The relay contact according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the contact pads comprises electrically conductive materials in a central region thereof and arc-resistant materials in a perimeter thereof.
  4. The relay contact according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the contact pads comprises a silver alloy in a central region thereof and at least one of a tungsten ally, a nickel alloy or stainless steel in a perimeter thereof.
  5. The relay contactor according to any preceding claim, wherein in the open position the first insulation cooperates with the second insulation to close the insulating enclosure.
  6. The relay contactor according to any preceding claim, wherein in the open position the first insulation cooperates with the second insulation to close the insulating enclosure and to completely block any possible arcing.

Description

BACKGROUND The following description relates to relay contactors and, more particularly, to a relay contactor with combined linear and rotational motion. The present standard actuator for high amperage relays, or relay contactors, is to have a linearly moveable electrical conductor with contacts that closes and opens the electrical connections. In these cases, an armature shaft of a solenoid motor (i.e., an actuator) is connected to moveable contacts and moves in a straight linear line (straight-in or straight-out) to open or close the electrical contacts in the relay contactor. This configuration results in the electrically conductive contact surfaces of the contacts making (i.e. close) the electrical contact on a closing movement and then breaking (i.e. open) the electrical contact in an opening movement. As such, the electrical contact area that is required for low voltage drop (i.e., high current carrying density) is also the area that sustains arcing during the closings and openings. Therefore, as the electrical contact area degrades (due to arcing wear along other factors) at the material surface, there is an increase in the voltage drop and a corresponding increase in heating effects. The material properties of the electrical contact surfaces needed for low voltage drop current carrying capability are typically not the same material properties that are needed to be robust against degradation due to electrical arcing. EP 2 996 136 A1 discloses a relay contactor according to the preamble of claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION According to an aspect of the disclosure, a relay contactor is provided as defined by claim 1. In embodiments, the linear movement pattern and the rotation or circular movement pattern are simultaneous, overlapping or sequential. In embodiments, the shaft assembly is configured to facilitate the movement of the plate and includes at least one of a sloped track, a power screw and an alignment bushing. In embodiments, at least one of the contact pads includes electrically conductive materials in a central region thereof and arc-resistant or arc-affecting materials in a perimeter thereof. These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an aircraft power distribution system;FIG. 2 is a top elevation view of a portion of a primary power distribution board shown in FIG. 1;FIG. 3 is a side schematic illustration of a relay contactor for use with the aircraft distribution system of FIG. 1 and the primary power distribution board of FIG. 2 in accordance with an example which is not part of the invention;FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a relay contactor with simultaneous linear and rotational movements in accordance with an example which is not part of the invention;FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a relay contactor with a rotational movement in accordance with an example which is not part of the invention;FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a relay contactor with sequential rotational and linear movements in accordance with an example which is not part of the invention;FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a relay contactor with abnormal and normal linear movements in accordance with an example which is not part of the invention;FIG. 8 is a side view of a contact pad in accordance with embodiments;FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a relay contactor configuration with an insulating enclosure in accordance with embodiments of the invention These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION As will be described below, a relay contactor is provided and is moveable with combined linear and rotational or abnormally linear (hereinafter referred to as simply "rotational" for purposes of clarity and brevity) movements for closing or opening an electrical circuit. In some cases, the relay contactor is configured such that the linear and rotational movements are simultaneous and, in other cases, the linear and rotational movements are sequential. In each case, the combined or sequential linear and rotational movements result in electrically conductive contact points being made during closing or broken during opening with a wiping or sliding surface motion so that a main electrical arc wear-out operation can be done without direct degradation of main conductive area low voltage drop materials required for low heat dissipation (low electrical resistance). With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an aircraft po