US 12,132,303 B2
DC circuit breaker with an alternating commutating circuit
Shahab Mehraeen, Baton Rouge, LA (US); and Sudipta Sen, Baton Rouge, LA (US)
Assigned to BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY AND AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE, Baton Rouge, LA (US)
Filed by Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/110,509.
Application 18/110,509 is a division of application No. 16/586,405, filed on Sep. 27, 2019, granted, now 11,611,207.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/737,796, filed on Sep. 27, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0275417 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. H02H 3/087 (2006.01); G01R 31/327 (2006.01); H01H 9/54 (2006.01); H01H 33/59 (2006.01); H02H 1/06 (2006.01); H02H 3/02 (2006.01); H02H 9/02 (2006.01); H03K 17/13 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 3/087 (2013.01) [G01R 31/3272 (2013.01); H01H 9/54 (2013.01); H01H 33/596 (2013.01); H02H 1/063 (2013.01); H02H 3/021 (2013.01); H02H 9/02 (2013.01); H03K 17/13 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A direct current (DC) circuit breaker for creating a forced zero-crossing current, the DC circuit breaker comprising:
an alternating current (AC) circuit breaker; and
an alternating commutating circuit connected in series with the AC circuit breaker, the alternating commutating circuit comprising:
a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal of the mechanical switch connected to the AC circuit breaker; and
a parallel capacitor connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the mechanical switch,
wherein the mechanical switch is configured to open in response to detection of a fault current thereby creating a zero-crossing of the fault current and close in response to disruption of the fault current by the AC circuit breaker.