Hybrid switch for substation and other applications and methods of operating same
AssigneeEaton Intelligent Power Limited
InventorsEddie Wilkie, Geraldo Nojima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a mechanical switch and a solid-state switch, such as a diamond switch or antiparallel-connected thyristor pair, coupled in series between an AC source and the load, such as a substation input transformer. The control circuit may be configured to connect the AC power source to the load by closing the mechanical switch and turning on the solid-state switch thereafter. The control circuit may be configured to interrupt a connection of the AC source to the load by turning off the solid-state switch and closing the mechanical switch thereafter. Operations of the switches may be coordinated with a fuse coupled in series with the solid-state switch to address different types of fault conditions.
Claims13
An apparatus comprising:
- a mechanical switch and a semiconductor switch configured to couple an AC power source to a primary side of a transformer;
- and
- a control circuit configured to control the mechanical switch and the semiconductor switch, wherein the control circuit is configured to intermittently turn on the semiconductor switch to provide a controlled current that pre-charges the transformer before continuously connecting the AC power source to the primary side of the transformer.
An apparatus comprising:
- a mechanical switch and a semiconductor switch configured to couple an AC power source to a primary side of a transformer;
- and
- a control circuit configured to control the mechanical switch and the semiconductor switch, wherein the control circuit is configured to turn off the semiconductor switch and open the mechanical switch responsive to a first fault condition and to maintain the semiconductor switch in an on state to allow a fuse connected in series with the semiconductor switch to clear a second fault condition responsive to the second fault condition.
An apparatus comprising:
- a substation comprising an input transformer having a primary side and a secondary side and distribution equipment connected to the secondary side of the input transformer;
- a mechanical switch and a semiconductor switch configured to couple an AC power source to the primary side of the input transformer;
- and
- a control circuit configured to control the mechanical switch and the semiconductor switch, wherein the control circuit is configured to intermittently turn on the semiconductor switch to provide a controlled current that pre-charges the input transformer before continuously connecting the AC power source to the primary side of the input transformer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.