Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit interrupter and arc prevention device (SSI/APD) is disclosed. The SSI/APD is designed to be configured in series with a mechanical circuit breaker and serves to interrupt current flowing through the circuit it is protecting upon a short circuit being detected or if an overload has persisted for an inordinate amount of time. The SSI/APD is capable of detecting and responding to faults in a matter of microseconds and detects and responds to faults on its own, without requiring the mechanical circuit breaker to trip. The mechanical circuit breaker can be optionally tripped after the SSI/APD has opened the circuit. However, the mechanical circuit breaker is tripped only after the SSI/APD has interrupted the circuit, so electrical arcing across the circuit breaker's contacts is avoided. The SSI/APD can also be reset remotely after a fault has been cleared, obviating the need for a person to be present to reset it.

Abstract: A hybrid air-gap/solid-state device protection device (PD) for use in an electrical power distribution system includes an air-gap disconnect unit connected in series with a solid-state device, a sense and drive circuit, and a microcontroller. Upon the sense and drive circuit detecting an impending fault or exceedingly high and unacceptable overvoltage condition in the PD's load circuit, the sense and drive circuit generates a gating signal that quickly switches the solid-state device OFF. Meanwhile, the microcontroller generates a disconnect pulse for the air-gap disconnect unit, which responds by forming an air gap in the load circuit. Together, the switched-OFF solid-state device and air gap protect the load and associated load circuit from being damaged. They also serve to electrically and physically isolate the source of the fault or overload condition from the remainder of the electrical power distribution system.

Abstract: A hybrid air-gap/solid-state device protection device (PD) for use in an electrical power distribution system includes an air-gap disconnect unit connected in series with a solid-state device, a sense and drive circuit, and a microcontroller. Upon the sense and drive circuit detecting an impending fault or exceedingly high and unacceptable overvoltage condition in the PD's load circuit, the sense and drive circuit generates a gating signal that quickly switches the solid-state device OFF. Meanwhile, the microcontroller generates a disconnect pulse for the air-gap disconnect unit, which responds by forming an air gap in the load circuit. Together, the switched-OFF solid-state device and air gap protect the load and associated load circuit from being damaged. They also serve to electrically and physically isolate the source of the fault or overload condition from the remainder of the electrical power distribution system.

Abstract: In an electrical distribution system including a solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) and one or more downstream mechanical circuit breakers (CBs), a solid-state switching device in the SSCB is repeatedly switched ON and OFF during a short circuit event, to reduce a root-mean-square (RMS) value of the short circuit current. The resulting pulsed short circuit current is regulated in a hysteresis control loop, to limit the RMS to a value low enough to prevent the SSCB from tripping prematurely but high enough to allow one of the downstream mechanical CBs to trip and isolate the short circuit. Pulsing is allowed to continue for a maximum short circuit pulsing time. Only if none of the downstream mechanical CBs is able to trip to isolate the short circuit within the maximum short circuit pulsing time is the SSCB allowed to trip.

Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit interrupter and arc prevention device (SSI/APD) is disclosed. The SSI/APD is designed to be configured in series with a mechanical circuit breaker and serves to interrupt current flowing through the circuit it is protecting upon a short circuit being detected or if an overload has persisted for an inordinate amount of time. The SSI/APD is capable of detecting and responding to faults in a matter of microseconds and detects and responds to faults on its own, without requiring the mechanical circuit breaker to trip. The mechanical circuit breaker can be optionally tripped after the SSI/APD has opened the circuit. However, the mechanical circuit breaker is tripped only after the SSI/APD has interrupted the circuit, so electrical arcing across the circuit breaker's contacts is avoided. The SSI/APD can also be reset remotely after a fault has been cleared, obviating the need for a person to be present to reset it.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit protector includes a first power semiconductor device having an ON resistance that increases with increasing temperature and a second power semiconductor device connected in parallel with the first power semiconductor device having an ON resistance that decreases with increasing temperature. During times when abnormally high currents are flowing through the solid-state circuit protector, the second power semiconductor is switched ON so that some or all of the current is diverted through it, thus protecting the first power semiconductor device from being damaged due to overheating. The first power semiconductor device is either switched OFF, allowing it to cool in anticipation of a lighter load, or is configured to remain ON so that it shares the burden of carrying the high current with the parallel-connected second power semiconductor device yet operates cooler and at a lower ON resistance since it is not required to pass the full current.

Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

Abstract: A hybrid air-gap/solid-state device protection device (PD) for use in an electrical power distribution system includes an air-gap disconnect unit connected in series with a solid-state device, a sense and drive circuit, and a microcontroller. Upon the sense and drive circuit detecting an impending fault or exceedingly high and unacceptable overvoltage condition in the PD's load circuit, the sense and drive circuit generates a gating signal that quickly switches the solid-state device OFF. Meanwhile, the microcontroller generates a disconnect pulse for the air-gap disconnect unit, which responds by forming an air gap in the load circuit. Together, the switched-OFF solid-state device and air gap protect the load and associated load circuit from being damaged. They also serve to electrically and physically isolate the source of the fault or overload condition from the remainder of the electrical power distribution system.