Method and apparatus for power controller operation using master and slave firing units
First Claim
1. A power controller for use in supplying power to a power distribution network in which power from a polyphase source of power is routed to a using equipment connected to the network through the power controller, comprising:
- electronic switch means for routing separate phases of the polyphase power from the source to the equipment, there being a defined firing interval during which power is routed to the equipment through the switch means;
firing means for gating the switch means to enable the switch means to route the power, said firing means including a first and master firing means and a second and slave firing means, the respective first and second firing means each enabling the switch means during each firing interval with the first firing means enabling the switch means for one portion of the interval, and the second firing means enabling the switch means for the balance of the interval;
fuse means connected between the switch means and the using equipment to shutdown power flow to the equipment if the equipment begins drawing excessive current;
circuit breaker means connected between the power source and the switch means to shutdown flow of current to the switch means if excessive current is drawn by the using equipment; and
,control means for controlling operation of the respective firing means and shutdown of power if excessive current is being drawn.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power controller (10) and a method for supplying power to a power distribution network (N) in which power from a polyphase source (G) is routed to using equipment (E) connected to the network through the power controller. A plurality of solid-state power devices (82) switch each separate phase of the polyphase power to the equipment. A firing circuit (14) controls gating of the switches to route the power. Fuses (F) are connected between the switches and the using equipment to interrupt power flow to the equipment if excessive current begins to be drawn. Circuit breakers (74) are connected between the power source and the switches to interrupt current flow to the equipment if excessive current is drawn. A control unit (20) controls operation of the controller. The firing circuit includes a master firing unit (164a) and a slave firing unit (164b). These units each enable the switches during each firing interval with the master unit enabling the switches for one portion of the interval, and the slave unit the balance thereof.
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A power controller for use in supplying power to a power distribution network in which power from a polyphase source of power is routed to a using equipment connected to the network through the power controller, comprising:
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electronic switch means for routing separate phases of the polyphase power from the source to the equipment, there being a defined firing interval during which power is routed to the equipment through the switch means; firing means for gating the switch means to enable the switch means to route the power, said firing means including a first and master firing means and a second and slave firing means, the respective first and second firing means each enabling the switch means during each firing interval with the first firing means enabling the switch means for one portion of the interval, and the second firing means enabling the switch means for the balance of the interval; fuse means connected between the switch means and the using equipment to shutdown power flow to the equipment if the equipment begins drawing excessive current; circuit breaker means connected between the power source and the switch means to shutdown flow of current to the switch means if excessive current is drawn by the using equipment; and
,control means for controlling operation of the respective firing means and shutdown of power if excessive current is being drawn. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a power controller supplying power from a polyphase source to a using equipment connected to the power controller, the power controller including a plurality of electronic switches for routing phases of the polyphase power source to the equipment, firing means for gating the switches enable the switches to route the power, fuse means connected between the switches and the equipment to interrupt power flow to the equipment if the equipment begins drawing excessive current;
- and circuit breaker means connected between the power source and the switch means for interrupting flow of current to the switch means if excessive current is drawn by the using equipment, the improvement wherein there is a defined firing interval during which power is routed to the equipment through the switches, and the firing means includes a first and master firing means and a second and slave firing means, said respective first and second firing means each enabling the switches during each firing interval with the first firing means enabling the switch means for one portion of the interval, and the second firing means enabling the switch means for the balance of the interval; and
control means for controlling operation of the respective firing means and the initiation of a shutdown sequence by which power to the equipment is interrupted in a controlled manner if excessive current is being drawn. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- and circuit breaker means connected between the power source and the switch means for interrupting flow of current to the switch means if excessive current is drawn by the using equipment, the improvement wherein there is a defined firing interval during which power is routed to the equipment through the switches, and the firing means includes a first and master firing means and a second and slave firing means, said respective first and second firing means each enabling the switches during each firing interval with the first firing means enabling the switch means for one portion of the interval, and the second firing means enabling the switch means for the balance of the interval; and
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16. A method of controlling the supply of power from a polyphase power source to a using equipment comprising:
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routing separate phases of the polyphase power from the source to the equipment through a plurality of solid state switches; gating the switches into conduction to route the power to the equipment, there being a defined firing interval during which power is routed to the equipment through the switch means, and gating the switches including supplying respective gating signals to the switches from a first and master firing means and a second and slave firing means, the respective first and second firing means each enabling the switch means during each firing interval with the first firing means enabling the switch means for one portion of the interval, and the second firing means enabling the switch means for the balance of the interval; interposing a fuse between the switches using equipment to interrupt power flow to the equipment if the equipment begins drawing excessive current; interposing a circuit breaker between the power source and the switches for interrupting flow of current to the switches if excessive current is drawn by the using equipment; and
,controlling operation of the respective firing means to shutdown control of power in a defined sequence if excessive current is being drawn. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification