Patents by Inventor Jean-Pierre Dupraz
Jean-Pierre Dupraz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11049670Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechatronic circuit-breaker device adapted to break an electrical current flowing through electrical power transmission means, the device including a main branch comprising at least one electromechanical switch-disconnector connected in series with at least one breaker cell itself electrically in parallel with a snubber and a first voltage surge limiter; an auxiliary branch electrically in parallel with the main branch and comprising at least one power electronic switch, connected in series with at least one capacitor, itself electrically in parallel with its discharge resistance and a second voltage surge limiter. The first voltage surge limiter has a sharper voltage-current characteristic and offering a much steeper slope at low currents than the second surge limiter.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventor: Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 10811864Abstract: A circuit-breaker device, comprising a main branch and an auxiliary branch electrically in parallel with the main branch, wherein the main branch comprises at least one mechanical switch-disconnector in series with a breaker cell constituted of at least one semiconductor switch, and a snubber circuit in parallel with the at least one breaker cell, the snubber circuit including an energy storage element, wherein the mechanical switch-disconnector is switchable to selectively allow current to flow in the main branch in a first mode of operation or commutate current from the main branch to the auxiliary branch in a second mode of operation, characterized in that the snubber circuit further comprises a bleeder resistor arranged to create a counter current in the main branch when current is commutated from the main branch to the auxiliary branch by discharging the energy storage element.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventor: Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 10177706Abstract: A device for regulating the supply to a photovoltaic converter, the device comprising: a laser source (2); a photovoltaic converter (6) that feeds a DC-DC converter (8); circuit (100) for regulating the input impedance of said DC-DC converter (8) as a function of the operating voltage (Us) of the photovoltaic converter (6) and of its no-load voltage (Us0); and circuit (42) for measuring an output voltage of the DC-DC converter (8) and for producing a regulation signal (SR) for regulating the laser source.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventor: Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Publication number: 20180301295Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechatronic circuit-breaker device adapted to break an electrical current flowing through electrical power transmission means, the device including a main branch comprising at least one electromechanical switch-disconnector connected in series with at least one breaker cell itself electrically in parallel with a snubber and a first voltage surge limiter; an auxiliary branch electrically in parallel with the main branch and comprising at least one power electronic switch, connected in series with at least one capacitor, itself electrically in parallel with its discharge resistance and a second voltage surge limiter, The first voltage surge limiter has a sharper voltage-current characteristic and offering a much steeper slope at low currents than the second surge limiter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventor: Jean-Pierre DUPRAZ
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Publication number: 20180019583Abstract: A circuit-breaker device, comprising a main branch and an auxiliary branch electrically in parallel with the main branch, wherein the main branch comprises at least one mechanical switch-disconnector in series with a breaker cell constituted of at least one semiconductor switch, and a snubber circuit in parallel with the at least one breaker cell, the snubber circuit including an energy storage element, wherein the mechanical switch-disconnector is switchable to selectively allow current to flow in the main branch in a first mode of operation or commutate current from the main branch to the auxiliary branch in a second mode of operation, characterized in that the snubber circuit further comprises a bleeder resistor arranged to create a counter current in the main branch when current is commutated from the main branch to the auxiliary branch by discharging the energy storage element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventor: Jean-Pierre DUPRAZ
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Patent number: 9692226Abstract: An extinguishing branch (28) for an electrical circuit (32) includes: a snubber circuit (36) including an energy storage limb (40), wherein the energy storage limb (40) includes first and second energy storage limb portions separated by a first junction (46) to define a first voltage divider, and each energy storage limb portion includes at least one energy storage device (48,50); and an arrester limb (38) connected across the energy storage limb (40), wherein the arrester limb (38) includes first and second arrester limb portions separated by a second junction (52) to define a second voltage divider, and each arrester limb portion includes at least one arrester element (54,56), wherein the first and second junctions (46,52) are connected to define a voltage divider bridge, and the voltage divider bridge is electrically coupleable to the electrical circuit (32) so as to provide, in use, a driving voltage to drive the electrical circuit (32).Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventors: Colin Charnock Davidson, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 9589744Abstract: For application to medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers, the control device makes it possible to actuate opening of the circuit breakers used in the medium- and high-voltage networks very quickly. The spring used in the control device is a spring of the composite type, having a curved C- or ?-shape. The spring has a stationary first end and a movable second end that is pivotally connected to the end of a lever device, that is itself constrained to rotate with the drive shaft of the control device.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Heinz Aeschbach, Simon Ardyna, Jean-Pierre Dupraz, David Berard
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Publication number: 20160197578Abstract: A device for regulating the supply to a photovoltaic converter, the device comprising: a laser source (2); a photovoltaic converter (6) that feeds a DC-DC converter (8); circuit (100) for regulating the input impedance of said DC-DC converter (8) as a function of the operating voltage (Us) of the photovoltaic converter (6) and of its no-load voltage (Us0); and circuit (42) for measuring an output voltage of the DC-DC converter (8) and for producing a regulation signal (SR) for regulating the laser source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 9373473Abstract: The invention relates to a new mechatronic circuit-breaker and its associated triggering method for breaking either alternating currents or direct currents at high voltages.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Collet
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Publication number: 20150348718Abstract: For application to medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers, the control device makes it possible to actuate opening of the circuit breakers used in the medium- and high-voltage networks very quickly. The spring used in the control device is a spring of the composite type, having a curved C- or ?-shape. The spring has a stationary first end and a movable second end that is pivotally connected to the end of a lever device, that is itself constrained to rotate with the drive shaft of the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2013Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Heinz AESCHBACH, Simon ARDYNA, Jean-Pierre DUPRAZ, David BERARD
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Patent number: 9202641Abstract: A locked state for a movable part (11) of switchgear is created by deflected spring wires (15) entering a recess (12). Said device is reversible and has the advantage of being safe since it is completely passive, and it improves the dynamics of the movement of the movable part in particular by damping impacts when entering the abutment state. The invention can be applied to the drive rod of a vacuum circuit-breaker.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: David Berard, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 9202645Abstract: A movable portion of a vacuum circuit-breaker includes a circular spring sliding on an outer bearing surface in most positions, that is suitable for entering a recess on relaxing in order to define a maximally open position for the vacuum circuit-breaker in which locking is thus provided. The movable portion may be made up of two sections, of which one, made of copper, is a very good electrical conductor, and is directed towards the stationary contact and receives a connection element for connection to an outside electrical circuit; the section may be made of steel in order to promote sliding of the spring without wear.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: David Berard, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Publication number: 20150236498Abstract: An extinguishing branch (28) for an electrical circuit (32) includes: a snubber circuit (36) including an energy storage limb (40), wherein the energy storage limb (40) includes first and second energy storage limb portions separated by a first junction (46) to define a first voltage divider, and each energy storage limb portion includes at least one energy storage device (48,50); and an arrester limb (38) connected across the energy storage limb (40), wherein the arrester limb (38) includes first and second arrester limb portions separated by a second junction (52) to define a second voltage divider, and each arrester limb portion includes at least one arrester element (54,56), wherein the first and second junctions (46,52) are connected to define a voltage divider bridge, and the voltage divider bridge is electrically coupleable to the electrical circuit (32) so as to provide, in use, a driving voltage to drive the electrical circuit (32).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2013Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Colin Charnock Davidson, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 9094009Abstract: The invention relates to a method of opening a shunt switch carrying a current, the switch being connected in parallel with at least one thyristor of a high voltage DC network, interruption of the current flowing through the switch being initiated at the time of a current zero of the current flowing through the switch, the method being characterized in that it includes, based on a measurement effected by means for measuring the current flowing through the switch, a step of adjusting a control angle of the thyristor to position the current zero in a zone in which the time derivative of the measured current is a continuous function and the absolute value of a peak value of the measured current is substantially equal to the absolute value of the inaccuracy of the measurement of the current zero.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Wolfgang Grieshaber, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Patent number: 8994483Abstract: The invention relates to a novel permanent magnet electromagnetic actuator with triggering speed and drive torque improved relative to those of the prior art. The main target application is actuating an electromechanical switch-disconnector specifically for performing the operations to disconnect a mechatronic circuit-breaker for breaking high-voltage direct currents.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Collet
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Publication number: 20150002977Abstract: The invention relates to a new mechatronic circuit-breaker and its associated triggering method for breaking either alternating currents or direct currents at high voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Wolfgang Grieshaber, Michel Collet
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Publication number: 20140347101Abstract: The invention relates to a method of opening a shunt switch carrying a current, the switch being connected in parallel with at least one thyristor of a high voltage DC network, interruption of the current flowing through the switch being initiated at the time of a current zero of the current flowing through the switch, the method being characterized in that it includes, based on a measurement effected by means for measuring the current flowing through the switch, a step of adjusting a control angle of the thyristor to position the current zero in a zone in which the time derivative of the measured current is a continuous function and the absolute value of a peak value of the measured current is substantially equal to the absolute value of the inaccuracy of the measurement of the current zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Wolfgang Grieshaber, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Publication number: 20140340182Abstract: The invention relates to a novel permanent magnet electromagnetic actuator with triggering speed and drive torque improved relative to those of the prior art. The main target application is actuating an electromechanical switch-disconnector specifically for performing the operations to disconnect a mechatronic circuit-breaker for breaking high-voltage direct currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Jean-Pierre Dupraz, Wolfgang Greishaber, Michel Collet
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Publication number: 20130299321Abstract: The movable portion (35) of a vacuum circuit-breaker comprises a circular spring (46) sliding on an outer bearing surface (41) in most positions, that is suitable for entering a recess (40) on relaxing in order to define a maximally open position for the vacuum circuit-breaker in which locking is thus provided. The movable portion (35) may be made up of two sections (38, 39), of which one, made of copper, is a very good electrical conductor, and is directed towards the stationary contact (37) and receives a connection element for connection to an outside electrical circuit; the section (38) may be made of steel in order to promote sliding of the spring without wear.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: David Berard, Jean-Pierre Dupraz
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Publication number: 20130299320Abstract: A locked state for a movable part (11) of switchgear is created by deflected spring wires (15) entering a recess (12). Said device is reversible and has the advantage of being safe since it is completely passive, and it improves the dynamics of the movement of the movable part in particular by damping impacts when entering the abutment state. The invention can be applied to the drive rod of a vacuum circuit-breaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: David Berard, Jean-Pierre Dupraz