US 12,444,928 B2
Power system protection device with current limiting and controlled switching functions for AC and DC applications
Steven Z. Chen, Coraopolis, PA (US); Karthikeyan Subramaniam, Carnegie, PA (US); Xin Zhou, Wexford, PA (US); Tyler Holp, Coraopolis, PA (US); Andy Schroedermeier, Whitefish Bay, WI (US); and Steven Schmalz, Franklin, WI (US)
Assigned to EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED, Dublin (IE)
Filed by EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED, Dublin (IE)
Filed on Jul. 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/220,322.
Prior Publication US 2025/0023341 A1, Jan. 16, 2025
Int. Cl. H02H 7/22 (2006.01); H02H 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 7/222 (2013.01) [H02H 1/0023 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An arc fault mitigator for a power system protection device, comprising:
a sensor structured to detect at least one of a user within vicinity of the power system protection device, a light within the power system protection device and an overcurrent within the power system protection device;
a mechanical switching device comprising a fast mechanical circuit interrupter and an actuator structured to actuate the fast mechanical circuit interrupter;
a power electronics circuit coupled to the mechanical switching device in parallel, the power electronics circuit comprising a current commutator structured to commutate current from the fast mechanical circuit interrupter to the power electronics circuit upon turning OFF of the fast mechanical circuit interrupter, a power electronic circuit interrupter coupled to the current commutator and structured to allow the current to ride there-through up to a threshold current, and a current limiter coupled to the current commutator and the power electronic circuit interrupter, the current limiter structured to limit the current flowing through the power electronics circuit interrupter within the threshold current; and
a controller coupled to the sensor, the mechanical switching device and the power electronics circuit, the controller comprising a trip control structured to control operations of the mechanical switching device and the power electronics circuit based at least in part on a signal from the sensor,
wherein the trip control is further structured to:
cause the fast mechanical circuit interrupter to be turned OFF upon detecting by the sensor at least one of the user within the vicinity of the power system protection device, or
cause the fast mechanical circuit interrupter to be turned OFF upon detecting by the sensor the light and/or the overcurrent, but not the user, and confirm if the light and/or the overcurrent is an arc fault,
wherein, upon causing the fast mechanical circuit interrupter to be turned OFF upon detecting by the sensor at least one of the user, the trip control is further structured to:
cause the current commutator and the power electronic circuit interrupter to be turned ON upon reaching a first period; and
cause the power electronic circuit interrupter to be turned OFF within a third period.