Electric current limiting device for winch responsive to multiple device states

摘要

A winch system including an electric motor is protected against an overload condition by use of a current sense device and a current limiting device. The current limiting device employs multiple current thresholds to account for normal current usage by the motor during an initial current inrush period and during subsequent normal operation. The current limiting device also references battery voltage to establish current thresholds as a function thereof and thereby establish shutdown conditions corresponding to consistent motor load conditions. Overall, the current limiting device is responsive to multiple winch device states of operation and more fully protects the winch system against damage due to an overload condition.