Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

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: A lighting device includes a light permeable body which has an aperture through which light enters the body. A light source is moveable relative to the body to enable the lighting device to adopt selectively one of a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the light source is positioned over the aperture so that light emitted by the light source passes through the body before illuminating the room. In the second configuration, the light source is spaced laterally from the aperture so that the room is illuminated directly by light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

Abstract: A device for spreading doughs includes at least one supporting surface on which a predefined quantity of dough can be accommodated, and movement elements for a frame which accommodates sliding blocks which protrude toward the supporting surface. The movement elements are configured for at least one displacement of the frame from a first configuration of maximum distance of the blocks from the surface to a second configuration of minimum distance. The blocks are controlled by a respective actuator configured for their translation according to a predefined stroke on their plane of arrangement. When the frame is in the second configuration, the translation of the blocks occurs from a first arrangement, in which they are mutually close, to a second arrangement, in which they are mutually spaced, producing the transverse stretching of the predefined quantity of dough with consequent widening thereof and reduction of its thickness.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light permeable body which has an aperture through which light enters the body. A light source is moveable relative to the body to enable the lighting device to adopt selectively one of a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the light source is positioned over the aperture so that light emitted by the light source passes through the body before illuminating the room. In the second configuration, the light source is spaced laterally from the aperture so that the room is illuminated directly by light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

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 lighting device includes a support and an arm which is mountable on the support in a selected orientation for movement relative thereto. The arm has a channel extending at least partially along the length of the arm. A light source is mounted on the arm. A first electrical connector is mounted on the support, and a second electrical connector is mounted on the arm. The second electrical connector is detachably electrically connected to the first electrical connector, and is moveable along the channel with lengthwise movement of the arm relative to the support.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

Abstract: A solid-state circuit breaker (SSCB) with self-diagnostic, self-maintenance, and self-protection capabilities includes: a power semiconductor device; an air gap disconnect unit connected in series with the power semiconductor device; a sense and drive circuit that switches the power semiconductor device OFF upon detecting a short circuit or overload of unacceptably long duration; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that triggers the air gap disconnect unit to form an air gap and galvanically isolate an attached load, after the sense and drive circuit switches the power semiconductor device OFF. The MCU is further configured to monitor the operability of the air gap disconnect unit, the power semiconductor device, and other critical components of the SSCB and, when applicable, take corrective actions to prevent the SSCB and the connected load from being damaged or destroyed and/or to protect persons and the environment from being exposed to hazardous electrical conditions.

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: 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.