Remote-operable micro-electromechanical system based over-current protection apparatus
First Claim
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1. A remote operable over-current protection system, comprising:
- a plurality of remote operable over-current protection apparatuses, wherein each of the plurality of remote operable over-current protection apparatuses includes;
control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path configured to receive an enable logic signal in the form of a logical-high or a logical-low voltage signal, and configured to provide a gate activation signal;
a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch comprising a first contact configured as a drain, a second contact configured as a source, and a third contact configured as a gate, the gate of the MEMS switch responsive to the gate activation signal from the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path;
detection circuitry operatively coupled to the control circuitry and the MEMS switch, the detection circuitry configured to provide synchronization signals to the MEMS switch in response to detection of a zero crossing of a current from a voltage source, and configured to provide an output signal to the control circuitry; and
a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to the enable logic on the communication connection in logical combination with the output signal from the detection circuitry to control a state of the MEMS switch, the enable logic signal being received from a location spatially displaced from the MEMS switch.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A remote operable over-current protection system, comprising:
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a plurality of remote operable over-current protection apparatuses, wherein each of the plurality of remote operable over-current protection apparatuses includes; control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path configured to receive an enable logic signal in the form of a logical-high or a logical-low voltage signal, and configured to provide a gate activation signal; a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch comprising a first contact configured as a drain, a second contact configured as a source, and a third contact configured as a gate, the gate of the MEMS switch responsive to the gate activation signal from the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path; detection circuitry operatively coupled to the control circuitry and the MEMS switch, the detection circuitry configured to provide synchronization signals to the MEMS switch in response to detection of a zero crossing of a current from a voltage source, and configured to provide an output signal to the control circuitry; and a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to the enable logic on the communication connection in logical combination with the output signal from the detection circuitry to control a state of the MEMS switch, the enable logic signal being received from a location spatially displaced from the MEMS switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of remote over-current protection of a current path, comprising:
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measuring electrical current via control circuitry arranged integrally with the current path, the control circuitry being configured for providing a gate activation signal; detecting a logical combination of receipt of an enable logic signal and a detection circuit output signal, the enable logic signal being in the form of a logical-high or a logical-low voltage signal and being representative of a remotely received control signal that enables interruption of the electrical current, the detection circuit output signal being representative of a zero-current crossing condition in the current path; facilitating interrupting of the electrical current via a MEMS switch comprising a first contact configured as a drain, a second contact configured as a source, and a third contact configured as a gate, the gate of the MEMS switch being responsive to the gate activation signal from the control circuitry, the MEMS switch disposed on the current path; and changing a state of the MEMS switch based on the detected logical combination of receipt of the enable logic signal and the detection circuit output signal communicated to the control circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A remote operable over-current protection apparatus, comprising:
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control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path configured to receive an enable logic signal in the form of a logical-high or a logical-low voltage signal, and configured to provide a gate activation signal; a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch comprising a first contact configured as a drain, a second contact configured as a source, and a third contact configured as a gate, the gate of the MEMS switch responsive to the gate activation signal from the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path; detection circuitry operatively coupled to the control circuitry and the MEMS switch, the detection circuitry configured to provide synchronization signals to the MEMS switch in response to detection of a zero crossing of a current from a voltage source, and configured to provide an output signal to the control circuitry; and a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to the enable logic on the communication connection in logical combination with the output signal from the detection circuitry to control a state of the MEMS switch, the enable logic signal being received from a location spatially displaced from the MEMS switch. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification