Solid-state circuit breaker with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities
US11437211B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 2, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H3/044
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.