US 12,444,920 B2
Direct current hybrid circuit breaker with reverse biased voltage source
Michael Johann Steurer, Tallahassee, FL (US); and Yanjun Shi, Tallahassee, FL (US)
Assigned to The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc, Tallahassee, FL (US)
Filed by The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc., Tallahassee, FL (US)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/070,896.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/283,674, filed on Nov. 29, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0170683 A1, Jun. 1, 2023
Int. Cl. H02H 3/00 (2006.01); H01H 89/00 (2006.01); H02H 1/00 (2006.01); H02H 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 3/08 (2013.01) [H01H 89/00 (2013.01); H02H 1/0007 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A direct current (DC) hybrid circuit breaker (HCB), comprising:
an input;
an output;
a mechanical switch path comprising a current sensor, a mechanical switch and a variable inductor in series with the mechanical switch and the current sensor, wherein the mechanical switch path is coupled between the input and the output;
a semiconductor switch path comprising a semiconductor switch connected in series with a commutation unit, the semiconductor switch path in parallel with the mechanical switch and the variable inductor; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor, wherein the controller is further coupled to the semiconductor switch in the semiconductor switch path for controlling closing and opening of the semiconductor switch path, wherein the variable inductor is communicatively connected to the controller, such that variable inductor provides a signal to the controller upon being driven out of saturation, wherein the controller provides a signal to the semiconductor switch to open the semiconductor switch.