US 12,445,046 B2
Circuitry and methods for detecting an electrical fault in power conversion circuitry
Francisco Javier Chivite Zabalza, Stafford (GB); David R Trainer, Derby (GB); Mark Sweet, Chesterfield (GB); and Matthew C Morris, Glasgow (GB)
Assigned to ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed by ROLLS-ROYCE plc, London (GB)
Filed on May 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/323,884.
Claims priority of application No. 2209219 (GB), filed on Jun. 23, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0421053 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. H02M 1/32 (2007.01); H02M 3/155 (2006.01)
CPC H02M 1/32 (2013.01) [H02M 3/155 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Power conversion circuitry configured to detect an electrical fault, the power conversion circuitry comprising:
switching circuitry configured to control a current flowing along a current path between first and second nodes of the power conversion circuitry;
a current sensor connected to the current path, the current sensor configured to measure a rate of change of the current flowing along the current path; and
control circuitry connected to the current sensor and the switching circuitry,
the control circuitry configured to:
detect an electrical fault if a rate of change of the current measured by the current sensor exceeds a fault threshold, and
configure the switching circuitry to adjust current flow in the power conversion circuitry when an electrical fault is detected and wherein
the switching circuitry is configured to control currents flowing along a plurality of current paths between respective pairs of nodes of the power conversion circuitry comprising at least the first and second nodes;
the power conversion circuitry comprises a plurality of current sensors comprising at least the current sensor, connected to the respective current paths, each current sensor configured to measure a rate of change of the current flowing along its current path;
the control circuitry is connected between the plurality of current sensors and the switching circuitry, the control circuitry configured to:
detect an electrical fault if a rate of change of the current measured by one or more of the current sensors exceeds a fault threshold, and
configure the switching circuitry to control current flow in the power conversion circuitry when an electrical fault is detected.