Abstract: A line voltage charging type DC circuit breaker for use in DC transmission, having a series circuit connected in parallel with a commutation breaker, the series circuit being constituted by a capacitor to be charged by a line voltage, a reactor, and a circuit-closing means connected in series with each other, the DC circuit breaker comprising a circuit for charging the capacitor, the charging circuit including a current direction restricting circuit for restricting a current flowing through the restricting circuit only in one direction and a reverse control circuit for controlling the current direction restricting circuit to reverse the direction of a current for charging the capacitor in accordance with the power flow reversal control of the DC transmission.

Abstract: There is disclosed a high-voltage DC circuit breaker apparatus with reverse current insertion system by line voltage charge, which comprises a commutation switch, a series circuit of a capacitor, a reactor and a switch connected in parallel with the commutation switch, a resistor connected so as to charge the capacitor by a line voltage. The charging time constant of the capacitor determined by the capacity of the capacitor and the resistor is used as a reference in a manner so that the rise time constant of the line voltage is smaller than the charging time constant of the capacitor, and the rise time constant of the line current is larger than the charging time constant of the capacitor, thereby interrupting the fault current without fail.

Abstract: A circuit for the arcless de-energization of a direct current load receiving direct current from a rectified alternating current source. The circuit includes a means for rectifying alternating current from an alternating current source to provide direct current to the direct current load. The means for rectifying has a current flow controller, such as a silicon controlled rectifier, connected with each phase of the alternating current source. The circuit also has means for de-energizing the then conducting current flow controller in said means for rectifying, the means for de-energizing having a current flow controller, such as a silicon controlled rectifier. The circuit further includes a voltage detection device for detecting a predetermined voltage drop in the circuit; and a time delay device for regulating the activation of the means for de-energizing.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electromagnetic device includes an inductor which can be connected across a pair of supply lines by way of a first switch. Energy is stored in the core of the inductor which can be released into the device to cause rapid operation thereof by opening the first switch and closing a second switch. When the energy in the inductor has been dissipated a low level of current is allowed to flow into the device by way of the inductor from the supply lines and this flow of current can be maintained by means of a diode when the first switch is closed to re-energize the inductor.

Abstract: A DC circuit breaker apparatus comprises a first interrupter and a second interrupter connected in series. A first capacitor and a discharge gap are respectively connected in parallel with the first and second interrupters. An impedance element is connected between a first junction between the first capacitor and the discharge gap and a second function between the first and second interrupter, and a second capacitor is connected in parallel with the second interrupter.

Abstract: A method and circuit for minimizing DC current offset generated by the voltage-integrating property of an inductive load. First, second and third hybrid contactors connect first, second, and third output lines of an AC power source to first, second, and third input lines of an inductive load. Each hybrid contactor includes a pair of relay contacts in parallel with a semiconductor switching unit having two antiparallel-connected silicon-controlled-rectifiers. A latching circuit and several delay circuits are used to turn on and off the hybrid contactors; the timing of the turn-on points is controlled relative to a zero-crossing of a voltage from the AC power source such that minimal DC offset current occurs.

Abstract: A magnetoplasmadynamic switch adapted to be coupled in parallel with an ictive energy storage circuit carrying current through an initially closed circuit interrupter. The switch includes an electrode spaced by a gap from an arcjet source which is triggered by a capacitor. The capacitor is connected to the arcjet source by a closing switch so that a plasma jet is created between the source and the electrode. The voltage on the capacitor is chosen such that the arcjet source current will equal the current in the energy storage circuit at the time when the circuit interrupter has completely opened. The circuit interrupter is opened after the plasma jet is established between the source and the electrode, and the energy storage circuit current is conducted by the magnetoplasmadynamic switch until the dielectric strength of the circuit interrupter reaches a satisfactory level. Another switch is then closed providing a low impedance conduction path parallel to the arcjet source current.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for interrupting current employing a plurality of series connected vacuum arcs in parallel with a resonating circuit. At least one of the series vacuum arcs is subjected to an oscillating transverse magnetic field which produces modulations in the arc voltage. The arc voltage modulations initiate oscillations in the parallel resonating circuit, producing current modulations in the series connected vacuum arcs. The current modulations rapidly extinguish the arcs, interrupting the current. Use of a plurality of series connected vacuum arcs improves the recovery voltage hold-off potential of the circuit.

Abstract: A circuit breaker apparatus of high voltage direct currents is connected in series with an external circuit comprising an AC-DC converting device connected to an AC power supply and a DC reactor connected to the AC-DC converting device, and comprises a circuit breaker connected in series with the external circuit, a disconnecting switch connected to the circuit breaker, and a series circuit connected in parallel with the circuit breaker and constituted of a blocking capacitor and a primary winding in a transformer. A charge storage capacitor is connected to a secondary winding of the transformer through a starting switch and polarity changeover switch, and an AC power supply for charging is connected through a diode to the charge storage capacitor.

Abstract: A DC interrupter unit as provided between a DC power source unit and a load unit. The DC interrupter unit includes a DC interrupter section having at least one interrupter to interrupt a DC current and a saturable reactor connected between the interrupter section and one terminal of the load unit. The interrupter unit further includes a series circuit having a resistor and capacitor in series, the series circuit being connected between the junction of the interrupter section and the saturable reactor and the other terminal of the load unit.

Abstract: A commutation circuit for a high voltage DC circuit breaker incorporates a resistor capacitor combination and a charging circuit connected to the main breaker, such that a commutating capacitor is discharged in opposition to the load current to force the current in an arc after breaker opening to zero to facilitate arc interruption. In a particular embodiment, a normally open commutating circuit is connected across the contacts of a main DC circuit breaker to absorb the inductive system energy trapped by breaker opening and to limit recovery voltages to a level tolerable by the commutating circuit components.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for driving an inductive load includes an output transistor of one conductivity type and a detector transistor of the other conductivity type. The output transistor has an emitter connected to a power source, a base to which an input signal is supplied, and a collector connected to one end of an inductive load. The detector transistor has an emitter connected to the collector of the output transistor, a base connected to the other end of the inductive load, and a collector connected to the base of the output transistor. When the output transistor is rendered nonconductive, high counter electromotive force is induced between both ends of the inductive load. Thereby the detector transistor turns on and the output transistor is rendered conductive again.

Abstract: An arc quenching circuit senses initiation of an arc across the contacts of a contactor, commutates a capacitor discharge to the contacts that brings the contact voltage to zero for arc extinction and promptly recharges the capacitor to enable reoperation.

Abstract: A capacitor and an inductance are connected in parallel with an interruptor disposed in a d-c circuit before the interruptor is mechanically opened. An oscillating current i.sub.o occurs in a circuit composed of the interruptor, the capacitor having a predetermined capacitance and the inductance having a predetermined amount of inductance when the interruptor is mechanically opened. The amplitude of the oscillating current i.sub.o is gradually increased and is superposed on a d-c current I. The interruptor breaks itself when the sum of the d-c current I and the oscillating current i.sub.o across the interruptor reaches zero.

Abstract: A direct current circuit interrupting apparatus of the type wherein the arc of the circuit interruptor is extinguished by passing an oscillatory current from an oscillating circuit to the interrupted contacts via a switch means which is closed at the time when the circuit interruptor is opened includes a nonlinear resistor comprising a sintered mixture of metal oxides connected in parallel with the oscillating circuit.

Abstract: Circuit interrupting apparatus for interrupting large direct currents comprising a plurality of parallelly connected branch circuits each including a circuit breaker and a saturable reactor connected in series therewith, and a commutating circuit including a capacitor. When opening the circuit breakers the commutating circuit is connected across the branch circuits to pass commutating current in the direction opposite to the normal load current. When the current decreases below a predetermined value, the saturable reactors desaturate to efficiently interrupt the load current.

Abstract: Large current is interrupted against high voltage by a high speed mechanical opening line switch connected in series with a saturable reactor. A commutation capacitor is discharged through the closed switch against the line current to produce a current zero. Near the time of current zero the line switch is opened to produce arc free interruption. A dV/dt capacitor is paralleled around the switch to limit the rate of voltage rise. High contact speed of the line switch limits the size of the required dV/dt capacitor to what can be justified economically.

Abstract: A device for protecting an ignition device, particularly for motor vehicles, equipped with an internal combustion engine, in which a zener diode controls, by means of at least two transistors the placing in short-circuit of a resistor connected in series with the primary winding of an ignition coil and a control device in such a manner that when the supply voltage of the device exceeds a determined value, the resistor acts in series with the coil, which avoids damage to the ignition device.