US 12,316,095 B2
Solid-state circuit breaker having a sealed vacuum gap section for providing an intrinsic safe operation
Guang Yang, Johns Creek, GA (US)
Assigned to Siemens Industry, Inc., Alpharetta, GA (US)
Filed by Siemens Industry, Inc., Alpharetta, GA (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/194,046.
Prior Publication US 2024/0332948 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. H02H 3/20 (2006.01); H02H 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 3/20 (2013.01) [H02H 1/0007 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solid-state circuit breaker comprising:
a sensing and control circuit configured to realize designed functions;
a power electronics section that includes solid-state switching components for normal operations;
a vacuum gap section that includes a sealed vacuum tube,
wherein the vacuum gap section is disposed in series with the power electronics section, and
wherein the vacuum gap section is configured to open to interrupt a current such that the associated arcs are contained in the sealed vacuum tube;
a first overvoltage protection device in parallel to the solid-state switching components;
wherein the solid-state switching components includes a first solid-state component and a second solid-state component and wherein the first overvoltage protection device is provided to protect the solid-state switching components during an overvoltage after interruptions;
a second overvoltage protection device for protecting the sensing and control circuit; and
a vacuum gap actuator placed in series with a switching component, and both disposed in parallel to the sensing and control circuit,
wherein the first and second solid-state components may be a single component or multiple components connected in parallel.