H01H9/541

SWITCHING DEVICE
20200083001 · 2020-03-12 ·

A switching device for low or medium voltage electric power distribution network, the switching device including one or more electric poles, each electric pole including: an insulating housing extending along a longitudinal axis and fixed to a main support structure of the switching device; a first pole terminal and a second pole terminal electrically connectable with a corresponding phase conductor of an electric power source and with a corresponding load conductor of an electric load, respectively; a movable contact and a fixed contact, which are electrically coupleable or decoupleable one with or from another upon a movement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact, the fixed contact being electrically connected with the first pole terminal, the movable contact being electrically connectable with the second pole terminal; a movable circuit assembly including a plurality of semiconductor devices adapted to switch in a conduction state or in an interdiction state depending on the voltage applied thereto, the semiconductor devices being electrically connected in series one to another in such a way that a current can flow according to a predefined conduction direction when the semiconductor devices are in a conduction state, the movable circuit assembly including first and second assembly terminals for the plurality of semiconductor devices. The movable circuit assembly is operatively coupled with the movable contact and moves together with the movable contact during a movement of the movable contact towards or away from the fixed contact, the semiconductor devices switching in a conduction on state or in an interdiction state depending on the position of the movable contact.

MICRO-LOSS COMBINED MECHANICAL DC CIRCUIT BREAKER AND ITS CONTROL METHOD
20200014190 · 2020-01-09 ·

The present disclosure relates to a micro-loss combined mechanical DC circuit breaker and its control method, consisting n ports, n load current paths and a main breaker; wherein the n load current paths are parallel with the main breaker, and each load current path is divided into an upper bridge arm and a lower bridge arm at a connection point; each port is electrically connected to the connection point of a load current path; the upper bridge arm of each load current path is made of an ultra-fast mechanical switch; the lower bridge arm of each load current path is made of a residual current breaker and a fast closing switch; the main breaker consists of a high-voltage capacitor in series with a low-voltage capacitor that is pre-charged.

ELECTRONIC SWITCH MODULE WITH OPPOSITELY-ARRANGED POWER SWITCHES AND DISCRETE HEAT SINKS
20200006021 · 2020-01-02 ·

An electronic module is provided including a circuit board defining a longitudinal axis and having a first surface and a second surface. A module housing is provided having a bottom surface and side walls extending from the bottom surface to form an open face through which the circuit board is received. Power switches configured as an inverter circuit to drive an electric motor are mounted on the second surface of the circuit board facing the bottom surface of the module housing, and a series of heat sinks are discretely mounted on the first surface of the circuit board facing the open face opposite the power switches. Potting material is disposed in the distance between the circuit board and the bottom surface of the module housing to cover the power switches. Thermal vias are disposed through the circuit board between corresponding ones of the heat sinks and the power switches.

ELECTRONIC SWITCH MODULE WITH AN INTEGRATED FLYBACK DIODE
20200008300 · 2020-01-02 ·

An electronic module is provided including power switches mounted on a circuit board and configured as an inverter circuit for an electric motor. A sliding member is coupled to an actuator. A power contact switch is provided including a first conductive body, a second conductive body, and a contact switch. The first and second conductive bodies are mounted on a first surface of the circuit board and include pins received through through-holes of the circuit board to make electrical contact with two conductive tracks on a second surface of the circuit board. The contact switch pivotably is secured to the first conductive body and pivotably moveable by the sliding member to make contact with the second conductive body with movement of the actuator. A flyback diode is electrically connected between the first and second conductive track on the second surface of the circuit board parallel to the power contact switch.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING SOLID-STATE BREAKER OPERATIONS BASED ON LOAD PROFILES

A method includes receiving a first set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more semiconductor devices of a solid-state circuit breaker and sending a first command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn off the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters exceeding a first set of thresholds. The method includes sending a second command to the solid-state circuit breaker to turn on the one or more semiconductors in response to the first set of operational parameters being equal to or less than the first set of thresholds. The method includes receiving a second set of operational parameters that correspond to one or more electrical properties associated with an operation of the solid-state circuit breaker coupled to a load device and generating a baseline profile representative of the first set of operational parameters and the second operational parameters.

Method for limiting current in a circuit

Method(s) for limiting current in an electrical circuit having transmission wires for power transmission include determining whether an unexpected operating condition exists along the transmission wires and limiting the current to prevent (damage caused by) the unexpected operating condition. The method may further include disabling the electrical circuit if the unexpected operating condition persists. Additionally, a system includes a power source, a solid state power controller (SSPC) configured to operate in a first conducting state and a second non-conducing state, and a controller.

Arc-extinguishing power device driving apparatus and arc extinguishing apparatus
10468207 · 2019-11-05 · ·

An arc extinguishing power device driving apparatus and an arc extinguishing apparatus of the present disclosure belong to the electrical field, and are particularly an arc extinguishing power device driving apparatus applicable to an electronic arc extinguishing apparatus for driving a power device. The power device that needs to be driven is connected in parallel to a mechanical switch that requires arc extinguishing, and includes a first voltage detection switch. An input end of the first voltage detection switch is connected to two ends of the power device. The first voltage detection switch is connected in series in a driving loop of the power device. The first voltage detection switch is turned on when detecting that there is a potential difference between the two ends of the power device. A driving signal is transferred to the power device by using the first voltage detection switch, to drive the power device to be turned on. The first voltage detection switch is a semi-controllable switch, or a fully-controllable switch whose threshold is less than an on-state voltage of the power device. The present disclosure has advantages of no need of a semiconductor device with a high withstand voltage, real-time detection on disconnection of a mechanical switch, and low driving energy consumption.

HYBRID DC CIRCUIT BREAKER
20190334340 · 2019-10-31 ·

A direct current circuit breaker includes: a positive supply line between a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal; a negative supply line between a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal connecting a direct current load to a supply; a series connection of a first galvanic separation switch and a bypass switch in the positive supply line, and a second galvanic separation switch in the negative supply line; a semiconductor switch element connected parallel to the bypass switch; and a series connected inductor in the positive supply line. The first and second galvanic separation switch, the bypass switch, and the semiconductor switch element are controlled using a processing unit.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DC ARC DETECTION/SUPPRESSION
20190311864 · 2019-10-10 ·

Some embodiments are directed to an apparatus for detecting and suppressing DC electric arcs at a component, and are particularly adapted for vehicle wiring harnesses. The apparatus can include a detector circuit electrically connected to input and output terminals so as to be electrically connected in parallel to the component, the detector circuit being configured to detect a significant voltage spike across the component upon the component actuating between open and closed positions. The detector circuit can also be configured to transmit a control signal upon detecting the significant voltage spike. The detector circuit can include multiple circuit elements, enabling both the detection of the significant voltage spike and the transmission of the control signal, that are directly electrically connected to each other. A switching circuit conducts electricity from the power source side of the component to the load side of the component upon receipt of the control signal.

BIDIRECTIONAL POWER VALVE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR AND HYBRID MULTI-TERMINAL HVDC SYSTEM USING THE SAME
20190267198 · 2019-08-29 ·

An objective of the invention is to provide a bidirectional power valve for current occurring in a high voltage DC conductor, control method therefor, hybrid multi-terminal HVDC System using the same. The bidirectional power valve includes a first power diode arrangement of a first conducting direction, a second power diode arrangement of a second conducting direction; a mechanical disconnector, being connected with the second power diode arrangement in series; wherein: the first power diode arrangement and the series-connected second power diode arrangement and the mechanical disconnector are connected in parallel; and the first conducting direction of the first power diode arrangement and the second conducting direction of the second power diode arrangement are opposite to each other. The current commutation and re-commutation can be achieved with less requirement of the timing accuracy of switching event which makes the usage of a mechanical disconnector and power diode feasible. This will then result in a significant reduction of cost and power transfer losses.