Patent ID: 7538990

Claim:
A high voltage contactor, comprising: a set of main contacts, wherein the main contacts provide a first current path; a solid state switch in parallel with the main contacts, wherein the solid state switch provides a second, parallel current path, wherein the second, parallel current path diverts current away from the main contacts when the main contacts are being opened or closed, and wherein the first and second current paths provide a path for direct current; a gate drive, wherein the gate drive is connected to the solid state switch and is operable to turn the solid state switch OFF or ON; a contactor coil; an actuator shaft, wherein the main contacts comprise spaced wires with a moving part to connect them, and wherein the contactor coil provides power to the actuator shaft to open and close the main contacts; a first current sensor, wherein the first current sensor monitors the status of the contactor coil; a controller, which is operable to control the gate drive; a pulse-width modulation driver connected to the controller and connected to the first current sensor, wherein the pulse-width modulation driver powers the contactor coil, and wherein the controller controls the pulse-width modulation driver; a discrete output module, wherein the discrete output module obtains information about the status of the main contacts from the controller; a control connector, wherein the control connector obtains contactor status data from the discrete output module, and transmits that data to an external component, and wherein the control connector is controlled by the controller; and a power supply, which obtains power from an external power source, and distributes the power to the controller, the gate drive, and the control connector.