Non-linear snubber circuit
View Patent ↗A control circuit for a motor including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit. The snubber circuit includes a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit, a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit, a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, and a second a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports. The first sub-circuit includes a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches, and the second sub circuit includes an energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.
1. A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:
a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends; and
a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches,
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device and a second non-linear device, the energy storage device and the second non-linear device are electrically connected in parallel branches.
2. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the non-linear device includes a diode.
3. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
4. A control circuit as set forth in claim 1 wherein the snubber circuit receives a first current flowing from the first port through the first and second sub-circuits to the second port, and wherein a substantial portion of the first current flows through the non-linear device when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit.
5. A control circuit as set forth in claim 4 wherein the energy storage device charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
6. A control circuit as set forth in claim 5 wherein the energy storage device discharges when the contactor is closed, wherein the energy discharged from the energy storage device creates a second current that flows through the first sub-circuit opposite the first current, and wherein a substantial portion of the second current flows through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit.
7. A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:
a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends;
a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches,
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device; and
wherein the non-linear device is a first diode, wherein the second sub-circuit further includes a second non-linear device, and wherein the energy storage device and the second non-linear device are electrically connected in parallel branches.
8. A control circuit as set forth in claim 7 wherein the first and second non-linear devices each includes a diode, and wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
9. A control circuit as set forth in claim 7 wherein the snubber circuit receives a first current flowing from the first port through the first and second sub-circuits to the second port, and wherein a substantial portion of the first current flows through the first non-linear device when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit.
10. A control circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein the energy storage device charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
11. A control circuit as set forth in claim 10 wherein the energy storage device discharges when the contactor is closed, wherein the energy discharged from the energy storage device creates a second current that flows through the first sub-circuit opposite the first current, and wherein the a substantial portion of the second current flows through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit.
12. A control circuit as set forth in claim 9 wherein the snubber circuit receives a second current flowing from the second port through the first and second sub-circuits to the first port, and wherein a substantial portion of the second current flows through the second non-linear device when the second current flows through the second sub-circuit.
13. A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:
a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends; and
a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit;
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit;
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches; and
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including a energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.
14. A control circuit as set forth in claim 13 wherein the snubber circuit receives a first current flowing from the first port through the first and second sub-circuits to the second port, wherein a substantial portion of the first current flows through the non-linear device when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit, and wherein the energy storage device charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
15. A control circuit as set forth in claim 14 wherein the energy storage device discharges when the contactor is closed, wherein the energy discharged from the energy storage device creates a second current that flows through the first sub-circuit opposite the first current, and wherein a substantial portion of the second current flows through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit.
16. A control circuit as set forth in claim 15 wherein the first and second non-linear devices each includes a diode, and where the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
17. A control circuit for controlling a motor, the control circuit comprising:
a contactor circuit including a contactor and having first and second ends; and
a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit and operable to receive a first current flow having a first direction,
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit and operable to receive a second current flow having a second direction opposite the first direction,
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports and including a resistor and a first diode electrically connected in circuit in parallel branches, the first diode being operable to allow a substantial portion of the first current to flow through the first diode when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit, and the resister being operable to allow a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit, and
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including a capacitor and a second diode electrically connected in circuit in parallel branches, the second diode being operable to allow a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the second diode when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit, and the capacitor charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
18. A vehicle comprising:
a motor; and
a control circuit operable to control the motor, the control circuit including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches,
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.
19. A vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the non-linear device includes a diode.
20. A vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
21. A vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the snubber circuit receives a first current flowing from the first port through the first and second sub-circuits to the second port, and wherein a substantial portion of the first current flows through the non-linear device when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit.
22. A vehicle as set forth in claim 21 wherein the energy storage device charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
23. A vehicle as set forth in claim 22 wherein the energy storage device discharges when the contactor is closed, wherein the energy discharged from the energy storage device creates a second current that flows through the first sub-circuit opposite the first current, and wherein a substantial portion of the second current flows through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit.
24. A vehicle comprising:
a motor; and
a control circuit operable to control the motor, the control circuit including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit,
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit,
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches, and
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including an energy storage device; and
wherein the non-linear device is a first diode, wherein the second sub-circuit further includes a second non-linear device, and wherein the energy storage device and the second non-linear device are electrically connected in parallel branches.
25. A vehicle as set forth in claim 24 wherein the first and second non-linear devices each includes a diode, and wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
26. A vehicle as set forth in claim 24 wherein the snubber circuit receives a first current flowing from the first port through the first and second sub-circuits to the second port, and wherein a substantial portion of the first current flows through the first non-linear device when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit.
27. A vehicle as set forth in claim 26 wherein the energy storage device charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
28. A vehicle as set forth in claim 27 wherein the energy storage device discharges when the contactor is closed, wherein the energy discharged from the energy storage device creates a second current that flows through the first sub-circuit opposite the first current, and wherein the a substantial portion of the second current flows through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit.
29. A vehicle comprising:
a motor; and
a control circuit operable to control the motor, the control circuit including a contactor circuit having a contactor, a first end and a second end, and a snubber circuit connected across the contactor circuit, the snubber circuit including
a first port electrically connected to the first end of the contactor circuit;
a second port electrically connected to the second end of the contactor circuit;
a first sub-circuit electrically connected to one of the first and second ports, the first sub-circuit including a resistor and a first non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches; and
a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series with the first sub-circuit and to the other of the first and second ports, the second sub-circuit including a energy storage device and a second non-linear device electrically connected in parallel branches.
30. A vehicle as set forth in claim 29 wherein the snubber circuit receives a first current flowing from the first port through the first and second sub-circuits to the second port, wherein a substantial portion of the first current flows through the non-linear device when the first current flows through the first sub-circuit, and wherein the energy storage device charges when the first current flows through the second sub-circuit.
31. A vehicle as set forth in claim 29 wherein the energy storage device discharges when the contactor is closed, wherein the energy discharged from the energy storage device creates a second current that flows through the first sub-circuit opposite the first current, and wherein a substantial portion of the second current flows through the resistor when the second current flows through the first sub-circuit.
32. A vehicle as set forth in claim 30 wherein the first and second non-linear devices each includes a diode, and where the energy storage device includes a capacitor.
33. A method of suppressing arcing in a contactor circuit including a contactor having at least two contacts that make and break an electrical connection, the method comprising the acts of:
providing a snubber circuit including a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series, the first sub-circuit including a first branch having a resistor and a second branch having a first non-linear device, and the second sub-circuit having a third branch having a second non-linear device and a fourth branch having a storage device;
electrically connecting the first sub-circuit to one end of the contactor circuit;
electrically connecting the second sub-circuit to the other end of the contactor circuit;
breaking the electrical connection of the contacts;
generating a first current in response to the breaking of the electrical connection;
allowing a substantial portion of the first current to flow through the non-linear device; and
charging the energy storage device with energy of the first current.
34. A method as set forth in claim 33 and further comprising the acts of:
after the charging act, making the electrical connection of the contacts;
generating a second current in response to the making of the electrical connection, the second current flowing in an opposite direction of the first current; and
allowing a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the resistor.
35. A method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the non-linear device includes a diode.
36. A method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the storage device includes a capacitor.
37. A method of suppressing arcing in a contactor circuit including a contactor having at least two contacts that make and break an electrical connection, the method comprising the acts of:
providing a snubber circuit including a first sub-circuit and a second sub-circuit electrically connected in series, the first sub-circuit including a first branch having a resistor and a second branch having a non-linear device, and the second sub-circuit including a storage device;
electrically connecting the first sub-circuit to one end of the contactor circuit;
electrically connecting the second sub-circuit to the other end of the contactor circuit;
breaking the electrical connection of the contacts;
generating a first current in response to the breaking of the electrical connection;
allowing a substantial portion of the first current to flow through the non-linear device; and
charging the energy storage device with energy of the first current; and
wherein the non-linear device is a first non-linear device, and wherein the second sub-circuit further includes a third branch having a second non-linear device and a fourth branch having the storage device.
38. A method as set forth in claim 37 and further comprising the acts of:
breaking the electrical connection of the contacts a second time;
generating a second current in an opposite direction of the first current in response to the breaking of the electrical connection the second time;
allowing a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the second non-linear device; and
allowing a substantial portion of the second current to flow through the resistor.
39. A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein the storage device includes a capacitor.
40. A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein the first and second non-linear devices include a first and second diode, respectively.