Patent ID: 7259945
Filing Date: 2007-08-21
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. An active arc suppression circuit of the type for suppressing an arc between mechanical relay contacts, the arc suppression circuit comprising in combination: A. a power relay having (i) a first relay contact end connectable to one portion of a circuit, (ii) a second relay end connectable to a second portion of said circuit, and (iii) at least one electro-mechanical relay contact element intermediate the first relay contact end and second relay end, the mechanical relay contact element being moveable from a closed relay contact position in electrical communication with the first relay contact end to an open relay contact position distal from the first relay contact end; B. an active shunt relay connected across said one portion of said circuit and said second portion of said circuit; C. a power-off signal supply; D. an active shunt relay timing controller section in communication with the power-off signal supply and said solid state shunt relay; and E. a contact open delay controller section in communication with the power-off signal supply and to said power relay; whereby the active shunt relay may temporarily shunt current from said one portion of said circuit to said second portion said circuit while the electro-mechanical relay contact element moves from said closed relay contact position toward said open relay contact position.