US 12,444,558 B2
System and method for point on wave closing of a vacuum interrupter
David G. Porter, East Troy, WI (US); Thomas S. Kelley, Highland Park, IL (US); Joseph W. Milton, Milwaukee, WI (US); and Andrew B. Berman, Racine, WI (US)
Assigned to S&C Electric Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by S&C Electric Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Oct. 9, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/483,133.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/423,518, filed on Nov. 8, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0153725 A1, May 9, 2024
Int. Cl. H01H 33/59 (2006.01); H01H 9/56 (2006.01); H01H 33/666 (2006.01)
CPC H01H 33/593 (2013.01) [H01H 9/56 (2013.01); H01H 33/6662 (2013.01); H01H 2009/566 (2013.01); H01H 2033/6668 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for closing contacts in a switching device during a switching device closing operation, the method comprising:
determining bounce characteristic of the contacts during the closing operation;
identifying available close initiation points on a voltage wave for a voltage across the contacts;
selecting close initiation points from a plurality of possible close initiation points on the voltage wave that minimizes the accumulation of current during the closing operation; and
closing the switching device using the selected close initiation point.