US 12,249,824 B2
DC electrical network and overcurrent protection system for a DC electrical network
Patrick Bareaud, Toulouse (FR)
Assigned to Airbus Operations SAS, Toulouse (FR)
Filed by Airbus Operations SAS, Toulouse (FR)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/990,928.
Claims priority of application No. 2112437 (FR), filed on Nov. 24, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0163586 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. H02H 3/00 (2006.01); H02H 1/00 (2006.01); H02H 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 3/08 (2013.01) [H02H 1/0007 (2013.01); B64D 2221/00 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A DC electrical network provided to supply electricity to an electrical load by an electrical power source, the electrical network comprising:
said electrical power source, comprising a first pole and a second pole; and
said electrical load, comprising a first pole and a second pole;
a first electrical line linking the first pole of the electrical load to the first pole of the electrical power source;
a second electrical line linking the second pole of the electrical load to the second pole of the electrical power source;
an overcurrent protection system mounted in series on the first electrical line, the overcurrent protection system comprising
an input pole linked to the first pole of the electrical power source by an upstream part of the first electrical line, and
an output pole linked to the first pole of the electrical load by a downstream part of the first electrical line,
wherein the overcurrent protection system comprises
an electronic switch mounted in series between the input pole and the output pole,
an electrical current sensor provided to measure an electrical current circulating between the input pole and the output pole, and
a controller configured to control the electronic switch,
wherein the overcurrent protection system comprises an electronic device comprising a first pole linked to the input pole of the overcurrent protection system and a second pole linked to the second electrical line, this electronic device being designed to present a non-conducting state in normal operation and a conducting state when a command is applied to it, wherein the electronic device comprises a discharge tube, and
wherein the controller is configured to:
acquire an electrical current measurement from the electrical current sensor;
compare the current measurement to a predetermined current threshold; and
when the current measurement is above the predetermined current threshold, apply a command to the electronic device to command its conducting state, then command an opening of the electronic switch.