Gas discharge tube DC circuit breaker
AssigneeGeneral Electric Technology GmbH
InventorsTimothy John Sommerer, Joseph Darryl Michael, David John Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A DC circuit breaker includes a gas discharge tube (GDT) coupled in parallel with an extinguishing path. The GDT conducts and interrupts a load current through a normal current path. The GDT includes a thermionic cathode, an anode, and a control grid. The control grid is configured to regulate opening and closing of the normal current path. The extinguishing path is configured to lengthen a break time for the DC circuit breaker.
Claims21
A direct current (DC) circuit breaker, comprising:
- a gas discharge tube (GDT) for conducting and interrupting a load current through a normal current path, said GDT comprising:
- a thermionic cathode comprising a thermionic emitter material with a low work-function;
- an anode;
- and
- a control grid configured to regulate opening and closing of the normal current path;
- and
- an extinguishing path coupled in parallel with said GDT and configured to lengthen a break time for said DC circuit breaker.
A method of interrupting a direct current (DC) in an electrical system using a DC circuit breaker, said method comprising:
- receiving a triggering logic signal;
- opening, in response to the triggering logic signal, a gas discharge tube (GDT) through which the DC is conducting, wherein the GDT comprises a thermionic cathode with a thermionic emitter material with a low work-function;
- directing the DC through an extinguishing path coupled in parallel with the GDT;
- and
- dissipating energy inductively stored in the electrical system into the extinguishing path over a controlled period of time.
A gas discharge tube (GDT) comprising:
- a housing defining an interior portion;
- a thermionic cathode comprising lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) and disposed within the interior portion, said thermionic cathode having a low forward voltage;
- an anode disposed within the interior portion and spaced apart from said thermionic cathode;
- a gas disposed in the interior portion and configured to insulate said thermionic cathode from said anode;
- and
- a control grid disposed between said thermionic cathode and said anode within the interior portion, said control grid configured to generate an electric field to establish a conductive plasma between said thermionic cathode and said anode to close a normal current path extending between the thermionic cathode and the anode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.