Emission controlled current limiter for use in electric power transmission and distribution
First Claim
1. For use in limiting fault currents in electrical power transmission and distribution lines, a fault current limiting circuit comprising a first emission limited device having a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission;
- a second emission limited device having a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission; and
means connecting said first emission limited device and said second emission limited device in parallel and in opposite polarity.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus are provided for an emission controlled current limiting device. The apparatus may control the current thermionically, by cold cathode emission, by photo-emission, or with plasma devices; the common feature being that the current is limited by controlling a series emission process. The apparatus has applications in both power line transmission and distribution networks to protect existing utility equipment and reduce the cost of new equipment.
65 Citations
10 Claims
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1. For use in limiting fault currents in electrical power transmission and distribution lines, a fault current limiting circuit comprising a first emission limited device having a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission;
- a second emission limited device having a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission; and
means connecting said first emission limited device and said second emission limited device in parallel and in opposite polarity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
- a second emission limited device having a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission; and
- 6. For use in limiting fault currents in electrical power transmission and distribution lines, an emission limited device comprising a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission, said cathode comprising a surface layer of material which ionizes at a rate that decreases above a level determined by the volume and surface area of said material, and said anode and said cathode are separated by a varying gap distance.
- 9. For use in limiting fault currents in electrical power transmission and distribution lines, an emission limited device comprising a cathode element, an anode element, and means for effecting the emission of current carriers from said cathode whereby current carrier emission is limited above the current level established by said means for effecting the emission, said cathode comprising a surface layer of material which ionizes at a rate that decreases above a level determined by the volume and surface area of said material, and at least one element is segmented.
Specification