METHOD FOR LIMITING CURRENT IN A CIRCUIT
First Claim
1. A method for limiting current in a circuit having a power source electrically coupled with a solid state power controller (SSPC), the SSPC configured to operate in a first conducting state and a second non-conducting state and further coupled with an electrical load via a transmission wire having an inductance, and a flywheel diode configured across the transmission wire, the method comprising:
- a) a first sensing of a current along the transmission wire while the SSPC is operated in the first conducting state;
b) determining when the first sensing of the current satisfies a first current threshold;
c) reducing a power transmission along the transmission wire by operating the SSPC in the second non-conducting state and allowing electrical energy stored in the inductance to generate current through the flywheel diode;
d) a second sensing of a current along the transmission wire;
e) determining if the second sensing of the current satisfies a second current threshold; and
f) increasing the power transmission along the transmission wire by operating the SSPC in the first conducting state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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.
12 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for limiting current in a circuit having a power source electrically coupled with a solid state power controller (SSPC), the SSPC configured to operate in a first conducting state and a second non-conducting state and further coupled with an electrical load via a transmission wire having an inductance, and a flywheel diode configured across the transmission wire, the method comprising:
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a) a first sensing of a current along the transmission wire while the SSPC is operated in the first conducting state; b) determining when the first sensing of the current satisfies a first current threshold; c) reducing a power transmission along the transmission wire by operating the SSPC in the second non-conducting state and allowing electrical energy stored in the inductance to generate current through the flywheel diode; d) a second sensing of a current along the transmission wire; e) determining if the second sensing of the current satisfies a second current threshold; and f) increasing the power transmission along the transmission wire by operating the SSPC in the first conducting state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system comprising:
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a power source; a solid state power controller (SSPC) configured to operate in a first conducting state and a second non-conducting state, wherein the SSPC is electrically coupled with the power source and wherein the SSPC is also electrically coupled with an electrical load via a transmission wire having an inductance; a flywheel diode coupled across the transmission wire; and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to; determine when a first sensing of a current along the transmission wire, while the SSPC is operated in the first conducting state, satisfies a first current threshold; reduce a power transmission along the transmission wire by operating the SSPC in the second non-conducting state and allowing electrical energy stored in the inductance to generate current through the flywheel diode; determine if a second sensing of a current along the transmission wire satisfies a second current threshold; and increase the power transmission along the transmission wire by operating the SSPC in the first conducting state.
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19. A method for limiting current in a circuit having a power source electrically coupled with a solid state power controller (SSPC), the SSPC configured to operate in a first conducting state and a second non-conducting state and further coupled with an electrical load via a transmission wire, the method comprising:
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a sensing of a current along the transmission wire; comparing the sensing of the current to a current profile; determining a pulse width modulation (PWM) duty cycle for operating the SSPC in the first state and second state based on the comparing; and operating the SSPC according to the duty cycle. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21-38. -38. (canceled)
Specification