US 12,132,303 B2 · DC circuit breaker with an alternating commutating circuit

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a DC mechanical circuit breaker that can utilize two switches, one of which can generate zero-crossing with an alternate oscillatory circuit for the other one, which can be a conventional zero-crossing-based AC breaker and can be used in the main circuit. This is different from the conventional single-switch commute-and-absorb method currently used. The present disclosure shows that disclosed circuit breaker improves the fault current extinction and significantly reduces the voltage rate-of-change while creating the current zero-crossing faster compared to the available technology. Thus, disclosed circuit breaker is capable of interrupting high DC currents with minimal arc through a less expensive AC circuit breaker. Simulation and hardware results are provided to show the efficiency of the disclosed circuit breaker.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A direct current (DC) circuit breaker for creating a forced zero-crossing current, the DC circuit breaker comprising:

an alternating current (AC) circuit breaker;
and
an alternating commutating circuit connected in series with the AC circuit breaker, the alternating commutating circuit comprising:
a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the mechanical switch connected to the AC circuit breaker;
and
a parallel capacitor connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the mechanical switch,
wherein the mechanical switch is configured to open in response to detection of a fault current thereby creating a zero-crossing of the fault current and close in response to disruption of the fault current by the AC circuit breaker.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

DC circuit breaker with an alternating commutating circuit

Life of this patent

DC circuit breaker with an alternating commutating circuit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16