SSPC For Parallel Arc Fault Detection in DC Power System
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsGregory I. Rozman, Joshua C. Swenson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solid state power controller (SSPC) for detecting a parallel arc fault in a direct current (DC) power distribution system includes an input, the input being connected to a DC power source; a power switch connected to the input; an output connected to the power switch, the output being connected to a DC motor controller and associated capacitive load; an output current sensor; an output voltage sensor; and an SSPC controller, the SSPC controller being configured to determine the presence of a parallel arc fault in the DC power distribution system and control the power switch via a gate drive based on inputs from the output current sensor and the output voltage sensor.
Claims18
A method for detecting a parallel arc fault by a solid state power controller (SSPC) in a direct current (DC) power distribution system, the method comprising:
- determining whether an output current slew rate from an output current sensor of the SSPC is above an output current slew rate threshold, and, in the event the output current slew rate is above the output current slew rate threshold:
- setting a power switch of the SSPC to saturation at a current limit;
- and
- determining whether an output voltage of the SSPC is below an output voltage threshold, and, in the event the output voltage is below the output voltage threshold:
- enabling pulse width modulation of the power switch;
- and
- determining whether an output voltage waveform and a output current waveform of the SSPC are consistent with a capacitive load attached to an output of the SSPC, and, in the event the output voltage waveform and the output current waveform are not consistent with the capacitive load:
- issuing a parallel arc fault status;
- and
- turning off the power switch.
A solid state power controller (SSPC) for detecting a parallel arc fault in a direct current (DC) power distribution system, the SSPC comprising:
- an input, the input being connected to a DC power source;
- a power switch connected to the input;
- an output connected to the power switch, the output being connected to a DC motor controller and associated capacitive load;
- an output current sensor;
- an output voltage sensor;
- and
- an SSPC controller, the SSPC controller being configured to determine the presence of a parallel arc fault in the DC power distribution system and control the power switch via a gate drive based on inputs from the output current sensor and the output voltage sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.