Abstract: A system includes: a ring bus; a plurality of static uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), each static UPS of the plurality of static UPSs including: at least one battery; an input that is electrically connected to a first external electrical power source; and an output that is electrically connected to a load, and, via a first corresponding choke, to the ring bus; at least one fuel-cell interface converter (FIC) that converts direct current (DC) electrical power to alternating current (AC) electrical power, each FIC of the at least one FIC being electrically connected to the ring bus via a second corresponding choke; and a fuel cell module corresponding to and electrically connected to each FIC, the fuel cell module including a fuel cell.

Abstract: In one aspect, a hybrid circuit protection device for current-limiting a fault current between a source and a load during a fault is provided. The hybrid circuit protection device includes an input configured to couple to the source, an output configured to couple to the load, a return configured to couple the source to the load, a main switch configured to selectively couple the input to the output, a switching network coupled in parallel with the main switch, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that the main switch has opened in response to the fault current, where the fault current has an initial value, and activate the switching network to current-limit the fault current to less than the initial value during the fault.

Abstract: In one aspect, a hybrid circuit protection device for current-limiting a fault current between a source and a load during a fault is provided. The hybrid circuit protection device includes an input configured to couple to the source, an output configured to couple to the load, a return configured to couple the source to the load, a main switch configured to selectively couple the input to the output, a switching network coupled in parallel with the main switch, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine that the main switch has opened in response to the fault current, where the fault current has an initial value, and activate the switching network to current-limit the fault current to less than the initial value during the fault.

Abstract: A system includes: a ring bus; a plurality of static uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), each static UPS of the plurality of static UPSs including: at least one battery; an input that is electrically connected to a first external electrical power source; and an output that is electrically connected to a load, and, via a first corresponding choke, to the ring bus; at least one fuel-cell interface converter (FIC) that converts direct current (DC) electrical power to alternating current (AC) electrical power, each FIC of the at least one FIC being electrically connected to the ring bus via a second corresponding choke; and a fuel cell module corresponding to and electrically connected to each FIC, the fuel cell module including a fuel cell.

Abstract: Solid state switching device including: a pair of line terminals including first and second line terminals for electrical connection with a corresponding phase conductor of an electric line; a switching assembly including one or more solid state power switches, the switching assembly having a first and second power terminals electrically connected with the first and second lines terminals, respectively; a heat sink element in thermal coupling with the switching assembly to adsorb heat from the switching assembly; an additional heat extraction arrangement to extract heat from the switching assembly and convey at least a portion of the adsorbed heat along the phase conductor through the first and second line terminals.

Abstract: A prefabricated substation is provided with a solid state breaker and a transformer. The substation preferably transforms voltage from a medium voltage to a low voltage. The substation also breaks current flow through the substation when a fault occurs. The primary components of the substation, including the transformer and solid state breaker, are located together within the housing.

Abstract: A multi-port solid-state circuit breaker system includes a first electrical power bus, a second electrical power bus, and a plurality of breaker legs conductively coupled with the first electrical power bus and the second electrical power bus in parallel with one another. Each of the plurality of breaker legs includes a first power semiconductor device coupled in series with a second power semiconductor device and an input/output port intermediate the first power semiconductor device and the second power semiconductor device. At least one of the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device includes an actively controlled switching device. A surge suppressor is conductively coupled in parallel with the plurality of breaker legs.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a temperature of a power system using a cooling system that includes an impeller and a phase change material. During normal operation of the cooling system, heat that is generated by the operation of an electronic device(s) of the power system can be transferred primarily by conduction through an upper base plate and fins of a heat sink, and dissipated via forced convection that is generated by the impeller. Additionally, the phase change material is positioned outside of a main heat flux path of the heat sink such that, during normal operation of the cooling system, the phase change material does not provide a heat flux obstruction. In the event of an impeller failure, the phase change material provides at least a temporary cooling source for an extended period of time via the relatively large latent heat capacity of the phase change material.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of high current protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power system comprising a solid-state circuit breaker including a solid-state switching device, an energy dissipation branch, an assistive branch, and a controller. The energy dissipation branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes an energy dissipation device. The assistive branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes a resistor, an inductor, and a galvanic isolation switching device coupled together in series. The controller is configured to determine the solid-state circuit breaker is conducting a high magnitude current, select a continuous current limiting mode or an intermittent current limiting mode, and operate the solid-state switching device based on the selected current limiting mode.

Abstract: A multi-port solid-state circuit breaker system includes a first electrical power bus, a second electrical power bus, and a plurality of breaker legs conductively coupled with the first electrical power bus and the second electrical power bus in parallel with one another. Each of the plurality of breaker legs includes a first power semiconductor device coupled in series with a second power semiconductor device and an input/output port intermediate the first power semiconductor device and the second power semiconductor device. At least one of the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device includes an actively controlled switching device. A surge suppressor is conductively coupled in parallel with the plurality of breaker legs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of high current protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a power system comprising a solid-state circuit breaker including a solid-state switching device, an energy dissipation branch, an assistive branch, and a controller. The energy dissipation branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes an energy dissipation device. The assistive branch is coupled in parallel with the solid-state switching device and includes a resistor, an inductor, and a galvanic isolation switching device coupled together in series. The controller is configured to determine the solid-state circuit breaker is conducting a high magnitude current, select a continuous current limiting mode or an intermittent current limiting mode, and operate the solid-state switching device based on the selected current limiting mode.

Abstract: A prefabricated substation is provided with a solid state breaker and a transformer. The substation preferably transforms voltage from a medium voltage to a low voltage. The substation also breaks current flow through the substation when a fault occurs. The primary components of the substation, including the transformer and solid state breaker, are located together within the housing.

Abstract: Solid state switching device including: a pair of line terminals including first and second line terminals for electrical connection with a corresponding phase conductor of an electric line; a switching assembly including one or more solid state power switches, the switching assembly having a first and second power terminals electrically connected with the first and second lines terminals, respectively; a heat sink element in thermal coupling with the switching assembly to adsorb heat from the switching assembly; an additional heat extraction arrangement to extract heat from the switching assembly and convey at least a portion of the adsorbed heat along the phase conductor through the first and second line terminals.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of inrush current detection and reduction are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for transmitting power to a load comprising operating a solid-state switching device of a power distribution network device with a microcontroller-based controller, the solid-state switching device including a gate and structured to receive a signal with the gate so as to control the switching device to receive power from a power source and selectively provide power including an output current to the load; detecting an overcurrent condition in the output current; operating the solid-state switching device in order to determine the load is a capacitive load in a charging condition in response to detecting an overcurrent condition; and operating the solid-state switching device so as to reduce the magnitude of the output current during the charging condition.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a temperature of a power system using a cooling system that includes an impeller and a phase change material. During normal operation of the cooling system, heat that is generated by the operation of an electronic device(s) of the power system can be transferred primarily by conduction through an upper base plate and fins of a heat sink, and dissipated via forced convection that is generated by the impeller. Additionally, the phase change material is positioned outside of a main heat flux path of the heat sink such that, during normal operation of the cooling system, the phase change material does not provide a heat flux obstruction. In the event of an impeller failure, the phase change material provides at least a temporary cooling source for an extended period of time via the relatively large latent heat capacity of the phase change material.

Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of inrush current detection and reduction are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for transmitting power to a load comprising operating a solid-state switching device of a power distribution network device with a microcontroller-based controller, the solid-state switching device including a gate and structured to receive a signal with the gate so as to control the switching device to receive power from a power source and selectively provide power including an output current to the load; detecting an overcurrent condition in the output current; operating the solid-state switching device in order to determine the load is a capacitive load in a charging condition in response to detecting an overcurrent condition; and operating the solid-state switching device so as to reduce the magnitude of the output current during the charging condition.

Abstract: A resettable solid state fuse that automatically restores an interrupted circuit after an overcurrent event is cleared. The resettable solid state fuse can include one or more switching devices, such as, for example, a normally-on power semiconductor, and one or more positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistive elements. The switching device is structured to extend the voltage rating of the resettable fuse, allowing the solid state resettable fuse to attain both a relatively elevated voltage rating and a relatively elevated electrical current rating while using a PTC resistive element. According to certain embodiments, the solid state resettable fuse can be tripped by a cascaded PTC resistive element, thereby providing a passive electronic device that can operate in the absence of electronic sensing, detection, and tripping, as well as without reliance on an auxiliary power supply.

Abstract: A resettable solid state fuse that automatically restores an interrupted circuit after an overcurrent event is cleared. The resettable solid state fuse can include one or more switching devices, such as, for example, a normally-on power semiconductor, and one or more positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistive elements. The switching device is structured to extend the voltage rating of the resettable fuse, allowing the solid state resettable fuse to attain both a relatively elevated voltage rating and a relatively elevated electrical current rating while using a PTC resistive element. According to certain embodiments, the solid state resettable fuse can be tripped by a cascaded PTC resistive element, thereby providing a passive electronic device that can operate in the absence of electronic sensing, detection, and tripping, as well as without reliance on an auxiliary power supply.