Overcurrent detection in an electronic switch
US11476656B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 12, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 18, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/0027
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An electronic switch is composed of two anti-serially connected turn-off semiconductor switches having at least four terminals and at least three terminals, respectively. A method for detecting a turn-off current through the electronic switch for a DC voltage grid includes measuring a first voltage between an emitter terminal and an auxiliary emitter terminal at the first switch, measuring a second voltage between a collector terminal and an emitter terminal or between a drain terminal and a source terminal at the second switch, comparing the first and second measured voltage or a time integral of the first and second measured voltage with a reference value, and turning off at least one of the two turn-off semiconductor switches when the reference value is exceeded. An electronic switch for performing the method and a DC voltage grid with such an electronic switch are also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.