Passively activated switch system for a high-current coil

Abstract

A passively activated switch system for a high-current coil including a plurality of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) each electrically coupled to a high-current coil, each SCR electrically coupled in parallel to a fast-acting mechanical switch. A passive voltage detector is responsive to an increase in voltage above a predetermined threshold value indicating a start of an over-current event which closes each of the plurality of SCRs to enable a loop current to create a large electromagnetic force. Each fast-acting switch is responsive to the large electromagnetic force and is configured to close to shunt current from each SCR to prevent damage of at least one of the high-current coils or a system that utilizes a high-current coil, or both.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.