System and methods for using thyristors to conduct surge currents away from critical infrastructure
US11303110B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2020 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K19/017509
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method using thyristors to protect a series-connected Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) device from surge currents are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the system includes a thyristor connected in shunt with the FACTS device to be protected. The system further includes control circuitry coupled to the thyristor to drive a gate of the thyristor with a direct current (DC) signal and turn on the thyristor in a time span on order of microseconds. The system and method can be used to protect any series-connected FACTS device that is in danger of being exposed to surge current such as a reclose after a deadline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.