Hybrid circuit breaker with solid state devices
US11901140B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2022 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2009/544
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
This disclosure describes a hybrid circuit breaker for an industrial automation system. The hybrid circuit breaker may include a mechanical switch and solid-state switches. The hybrid circuit breaker may receive control signals to open and close a current path based on moving a spanner of the mechanical switch. In some cases, moving the spanner of the mechanical switch may generate electrical arcs when the hybrid circuit breaker is conducting electrical current. In such cases, the hybrid circuit breaker may remove the electrical arcs by drawing the electrical arcs to a conductive bar and away from the spanner. Moreover, the hybrid circuit breaker may dissipate the electrical arcs on the conductive bar by opening one or multiple solid-state switches disposed on the conductive bar. In some cases, one or multiple voltage suppressors may receive (e.g., suppress or ground) an electrical power of the electrical arcs when the solid-state switches are opened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.