Abstract: Described herein are fault current limiters including an input terminal for electrically connecting to a power source that provides a load current, and an output terminal for electrically connecting with a load circuit that draws the load current. The fault current limiters include a magnetically saturable core including at least one coil receiving limb disposed intermediate at least two return limbs, wherein the limbs longitudinally extend between at least two yokes, and wherein the at least two yokes and the at least two return limbs define at least a portion of one or more magnetic flux return paths for the at least one coil receiving limb. The fault current limiters further includes at least one AC coil disposed about the at least one coil receiving limb for carrying the load current between the input terminal and the output terminal.

Abstract: A fault current limiter of the type having at least one elongated core biased magnetically towards saturation by means of a surrounding magnetic field, and an AC coil surrounding the core, the fault current limiter including: an elongated core having a variable cross section along the axis of the core in the vicinity of the AC coil, providing increased saturation of the core and enhanced fault current limiting for a lower DC bias.

Abstract: A fault current limiter of the type having at least one elongated core biased magnetically towards saturation by means of a surrounding magnetic field, and an AC coil surrounding the core, the fault current limiter including: an elongated core having a variable cross section along the axis of the core in the vicinity of the AC coil, providing increased saturation of the core and enhanced fault current limiting for a lower DC bias.

Abstract: Described herein are fault current limiters including an input terminal for electrically connecting to a power source that provides a load current, and an output terminal for electrically connecting with a load circuit that draws the load current. The fault current limiters include a magnetically saturable core including at least one coil receiving limb disposed intermediate at least two return limbs, wherein the limbs longitudinally extend between at least two yokes, and wherein the at least two yokes and the at least two return limbs define at least a portion of one or more magnetic flux return paths for the at least one coil receiving limb. The fault current limiters further includes at least one AC coil disposed about the at least one coil receiving limb for carrying the load current between the input terminal and the output terminal.

Abstract: In a fault current limiter (FCL) of a saturated core type having at least one coil wound around a high permeability material, a method of suppressing the time derivative of the fault current at the zero current point includes the following step: utilizing an electromagnetic screen or shield around the AC coil to suppress the time derivative current levels during zero current conditions.

Abstract: A three-phase fault current limiter FCL has three spaced apart input terminals for electrically connecting to respective terminals of a transformer. Three output terminals electrically connect FCL with a load circuit which draws load current ILOAD. FCL includes two longitudinally spaced apart generally circular High Temperature Superconducting (HTS) DC coils which have central generally cylindrical cavities. FCL also includes a longitudinally extending magnetically saturable core which has six like coextensive parallel and elongate posts. Each post includes a first longitudinal portion and, a second longitudinal portion and a third longitudinal portion extending longitudinally oppositely away from the first portion. Each second portion and third portion is received within one of the central cavities. Three copper-based insulated AC coils are each wound about respective first portions for carrying load current ILOAD between input terminals to respective output terminals.

Abstract: In a fault current limiter (FCL) of a saturated core type having at least one coil wound around a high permeability material, a method of suppressing the time derivative of the fault current at the zero current point includes the following step: utilizing an electromagnetic screen or shield around the AC coil to suppress the time derivative current levels during zero current conditions.