Multi-level electronic protection system providing safe fault recovery for multiple digital control outputs

Abstract

A multi-level over-current electronic protection system for protecting a plurality of outputs includes a first solid state reversibly interruptible electronic switch including first output control logic and a plurality of first controlled output channels controlled by the first control logic. The first switching device is coupled to receive power from at least one power supply selected to power a plurality of loads. The first switching device provides power at its plurality of first output channels under normal operating conditions, wherein the first output control logic is operable for reversibly interrupting power at any of the first output channels when current in any of the first output channels exceed limits for the first output channels. At least one second solid state reversibly interruptible electronic switch including second control logic and a plurality of second controlled outputs control by the second control logic is also provided. A power supply input of the second switch is coupled to one of the plurality of first controlled output channels to receive the power, wherein the second controlled outputs are coupled to provide the power to the plurality of loads under normal operating conditions and reversibly interrupting the power for any of the second output channels when current in any of said second output channels exceeds limits for the second output channels. A CPU having associated firmware can be coupled to the second output channels and external inputs of the second switches via an isolation device to provide a supervisory and monitoring function.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.