Method for protecting an electric motor of a motor driven consumer equipped with a controller for controlling the capacity or the power of the consumer, comprises the following steps: the determination of the thermal condition of the motor by direct measurement on the motor; and the limitation of the maximum capacity or the maximum power of the consumer as a function of the aforementioned determined thermal condition.

A power supply control device prevents an electrical wire and a switch element from smoking. The power supply control device includes a switch element provided at a midpoint in an electrical wire that connects a power supply and a load. A current detection unit detects the current value of current flowing in the electrical wire. A temperature estimation unit estimates the wire temperature of the electrical wire based on the current value detected by the current detection unit. A control unit turns on or off the switch element based on the wire temperature estimated. The control unit estimates the smoking temperature of the switch element by changing the heat dissipation time constant of the electrical wire used in temperature calculation to a smaller value, and turns off the switch element if the wire temperature is greater than or equal to the estimated smoking temperature of the switch element.

A power supply control device prevents an electrical wire and a switch element from smoking. The power supply control device includes a switch element provided at a midpoint in an electrical wire that connects a power supply and a load. A current detection unit detects the current value of current flowing in the electrical wire. A temperature estimation unit estimates the wire temperature of the electrical wire based on the current value detected by the current detection unit. A control unit turns on or off the switch element based on the wire temperature estimated. The control unit estimates the smoking temperature of the switch element by changing the heat dissipation time constant of the electrical wire used in temperature calculation to a smaller value, and turns off the switch element if the wire temperature is greater than or equal to the estimated smoking temperature of the switch element.

A circuit breaker includes: at least one switching path of a first terminal of the circuit breaker to a second terminal of the circuit breaker; at least one semiconductor switch arranged in the switching path; a semiconductor version switch for predefinably interrupting the switching path upon actuation by a release of the circuit breaker; a characteristic variable unit connected to the release; and a current measuring arrangement for ascertaining a current profile through the at least one semiconductor switch, the current measuring arrangement being connected with the characteristic variable unit. The characteristic variable unit correlates a characteristic variable with a junction temperature of the at least one semiconductor switch that is ascertained from the current profile through the at least one semiconductor switch.

A hardware-based detection system includes, among other things, a signal-generating circuit for generating a signal which is functionally related to current in a motor winding, a reference current, and a duration of time. The system may also include a comparator circuit for comparing the generated signal to a reference signal, and for thereby detecting an over-temperature condition in the motor winding. If desired, a compensating circuit may be used to generate a variable reference signal as a function of ambient temperature. A method of operating a detection system is also disclosed. If desired, the detection system may be completely implemented in hardware using an uncomplicated analog circuit architecture.

A control circuit turns ON or OFF a switch that is provided at a midpoint of a wire. Thus, power supply via the wire is controlled. A current output circuit outputs a current that corresponds to a current flowing through the wire to a resistance circuit. In the resistance circuit, a series circuit of a resistor (R2) and a capacitor (C1) is connected in parallel to a resistor (R1). The control circuit) turns OFF the switch if the end-to-end voltage value of a voltage across both ends of the resistance circuit is larger than or equal to a reference voltage value.

Systems, components, and methodologies are provided for electric power storage for electrically-propelled transportation vehicles for operation on roadways. An electric power storage system can include a housing with a compartment that contains a power storage device. The power storage device can include auxiliary terminals having terminal ends electrically connected with electrical power storage cells of the at least one power storage device. The auxiliary terminals can be arranged, apart from the main terminals, for engaging with safety enhancement material delivered to at least partially fill the housing for shorting the terminal ends.

Systems, components, and methodologies are provided for electric power storage for electrically-propelled transportation vehicles for operation on roadways. An electric power storage system can include a housing with a compartment that contains a power storage device. The power storage device can include auxiliary terminals having terminal ends electrically connected with electrical power storage cells of the at least one power storage device. The auxiliary terminals can be arranged, apart from the main terminals, for engaging with safety enhancement material delivered to at least partially fill the housing for shorting the terminal ends.

In a converter system having an AC/DC converter, and a method for operating a converter system, in which the terminal of the AC/DC converter on the direct-voltage side feeds a series circuit, which has a braking resistor and a controllable switch, the terminal of a DC/AC converter, on the direct-voltage side being connected in parallel to the series circuit. The output signal of a voltage-acquisition device is supplied to an evaluation unit, which generates a control signal for the controllable switch. The evaluation unit includes a device for determining the electric power supplied to the braking resistor. The output signal of the device is supplied to a controller, and the controller controls its set value toward the output signal of the device. The controller in particular has a linear controller element whose set value is forwarded to a difference generator for determining the difference between the set value and the value of the electric power, the set value being supplied, directly or via a limiter, to a parameterizable filter.

An embodiment electronic circuit includes an electronic switch comprising a load path, and a control circuit configured to drive the electronic switch. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operation mode and a second operation mode based at least on a level of a load current of the electronic switch. In the first operation mode the control circuit is configured to generate a first protection signal based on a current-time-characteristic of the load current and drive the electronic switch based on the first protection signal. The control circuit is configured to generate a status signal such that the status signal has a wakeup pulse when the operation mode changes from the second operation mode to the first operation mode and, after the wakeup pulse, a signal level representing a level of the load current.