Abstract: Cooling arrangements are disclosed for solid state circuit breakers. In one arrangement, a MOV is disposed between two pulsating heat pipes. An IGCT is disposed on the other side of each pulsating heat pipe away from the MOV. In another arrangement, a bus bar is integral with a heat spreader disposed between a pulsating heat pipe and an IGCT.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of power switches are disclosed. One embodiment is a power switch comprising a first reverse blocking integrated gate-commutated thyristor (RB-IGCT); a second RB-IGCT coupled in an antiparallel configuration with the first RB-IGCT; a transient voltage suppressor coupled in parallel with the first RB-IGCT and the second RB-IGCT; and a controller. The controller is structured to determine a direction of a current flowing through the power switch, determine a magnitude of the current flowing through the power switch exceeds a threshold, and turn off the one of the first RB-IGCT and the second RB-IGCT receiving a current flowing in a reverse direction in response to determining the magnitude of the current flowing through the power switch exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A solid state switch for connecting and disconnecting an electrical device has at least one FET-type device and at least one thyristor-type device coupled in parallel to the at least one FET-type device. A gate driver is operative to send gate drive signals to the at least one FET-type device and to the at least one thyristor-type device for providing current to the electrical device. The gate driver is constructed to control a split of the current as between the at least one FET-type device and the at least one thyristor-type device.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a temperature of a power system using a cooling system that includes an impeller and a phase change material. During normal operation of the cooling system, heat that is generated by the operation of an electronic device(s) of the power system can be transferred primarily by conduction through an upper base plate and fins of a heat sink, and dissipated via forced convection that is generated by the impeller. Additionally, the phase change material is positioned outside of a main heat flux path of the heat sink such that, during normal operation of the cooling system, the phase change material does not provide a heat flux obstruction. In the event of an impeller failure, the phase change material provides at least a temporary cooling source for an extended period of time via the relatively large latent heat capacity of the phase change material.

Abstract: A solid state switch has at least one FET-type device and at least one thyristor-type device coupled in parallel to the at least one FET-type device. The at least one FET-type device is constructed with a first power loss profile based on a rated current of an electrical device; and the at least one thyristor-type device is constructed with a second power loss profile based on a surge current associated with the electrical device.

Abstract: One embodiment is a uninterruptable power supply (UPS) system including a utility disconnect switch (UDS) coupled with an input line and an output line and structured to selectably connect and disconnect the input line and the output line. The UDS includes a semiconductor switching device connected between the input line and the output line, a surge arrester coupled in parallel with the semiconductor switching device, a dynamic voltage balancing device and a static voltage balancing device which are coupled in parallel with the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: A surge arrester system includes a surge arrester, and an active cooling system having a cooling interface in contact with the surge arrester and operative to transfer heat from the surge arrester. The active cooling system includes a forced convection apparatus operative to provide forced convection cooling. A circuit breaker system includes a power semiconductor switch and an active cooling system constructed to cool the power semiconductor switch. The active cooling system includes a forced convection apparatus configured to provide forced convection cooling. The power semiconductor switch is in contact with the active cooling system. A surge arrester is disposed adjacent to and in contact with the active cooling system. The active cooling system includes a cooling interface constructed for contact with the surge arrester and operative to provide cooling to the surge arrester. The power semiconductor switch and the surge arrester dissipate power alternatively.

Abstract: An industrial electrical machine includes a stator; a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator; a plurality of windings disposed in the rotor and/or the stator; and an embedded solid state controller. The solid state controller is operative to control the operation of the industrial electrical machine. The solid state controller includes a power semiconductor switching device coupled to the plurality of windings, and includes a communication interface. The power semiconductor switching device is operative to provide switching during operation of the industrial electrical machine, and is operative to turn the electrical machine on and to turn the electrical machine off in response to a control input received by the communication interface.

Abstract: A solid state switch has at least one FET-type device and at least one thyristor-type device coupled in parallel to the at least one FET-type device. The at least one FET-type device is constructed with a first power loss profile based on a rated current of an electrical device; and the at least one thyristor-type device is constructed with a second power loss profile based on a surge current associated with the electrical device.

Abstract: A solid state switch for connecting and disconnecting an electrical device has at least one FET-type device and at least one thyristor-type device coupled in parallel to the at least one FET-type device. A gate driver is operative to send gate drive signals to the at least one FET-type device and to the at least one thyristor-type device for providing current to the electrical device. The gate driver is constructed to control a split of the current as between the at least one FET-type device and the at least one thyristor-type device.

Abstract: One embodiment is a uninterruptable power supply (UPS) system including a utility disconnect switch (UDS) coupled with an input line and an output line and structured to selectably connect and disconnect the input line and the output line. The UDS includes a semiconductor switching device connected between the input line and the output line, a surge arrester coupled in parallel with the semiconductor switching device, a dynamic voltage balancing device and a static voltage balancing device which are coupled in parallel with the semiconductor switching device.