DIRECT CURRENT HYBRID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH REVERSE BIASED VOLTAGE SOURCE
First Claim
1. A direct current (DC) hybrid circuit breaker (HCB), comprising:
- an input;
an output;
a mechanical switch path comprising a mechanical switch, wherein the mechanical switch path is coupled between the input and the output;
a semiconductor switch path comprising a semiconductor switch connected in series with a commutation unit configured to supply a reverse biased voltage source on the semiconductor switch path, wherein the semiconductor switch path is coupled between the input and the output in parallel to the mechanical switch path.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Within a direct current hybrid circuit breaker (DC HCB), a commutation unit (CU) is provided in a semiconductor switch path in series with a semiconductor switch to facilitate opening the DC HCB. The semiconductor switch path is connected in parallel with a mechanical switch path that includes a mechanical switch. The CU is a controlled voltage source which applies a reverse biased voltage on the semiconductor switch path. The CU causes the current through the mechanical switch to ramp down while the current through the semiconductor switch ramps up to a supply current. The CU maintains the current through the mechanical switch to remain at a zero vale by compensating for the voltage drop across the semiconductor switch and the self-inductance of the semiconductor switch path. The mechanical switch can open without current and against no recovery voltage.
2 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A direct current (DC) hybrid circuit breaker (HCB), comprising:
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an input; an output; a mechanical switch path comprising a mechanical switch, wherein the mechanical switch path is coupled between the input and the output; a semiconductor switch path comprising a semiconductor switch connected in series with a commutation unit configured to supply a reverse biased voltage source on the semiconductor switch path, wherein the semiconductor switch path is coupled between the input and the output in parallel to the mechanical switch path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a direct current (DC) hybrid circuit breaker (HCB), the method comprising:
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detecting an over-current condition in a switch current across a closed mechanical switch in a mechanical switch path of the DC HCB; in response to detecting the over-current condition, closing a semiconductor switch and providing a reverse biased commutation voltage by a commutation unit, wherein the semiconductor switch and the commutation unit are connected in series across a semiconductor switch path of the DC HCB and the semiconductor switch path is coupled in parallel to the mechanical switch path; and detecting that the switch current reaches a zero-current condition and responsively opening the mechanical switch. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification