Electronic circuit breaker

Details Electronic circuit breaker Electronic circuit breaker

1997-09-12

1999-08-24

Sherry, Michael J.

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Safety and protection of systems and devices

Automatic reclosing

361 93, 361103, H02H 300

Patent

active

059432039

ABSTRACT:
A monolithic electronic circuit breaker having an input terminal, an output terminal, and a controllable impedance connected between the input and output terminals. A current sensor generates a current magnitude signal indicative of the current flowing between the input and output terminals. In one embodiment, an over-current circuit generates an over-current signal when the current magnitude signal exceeds a threshold. In response to at least a first occurrence of the over-current signal, a control circuit controls the controllable impedance so as to reduce current through the controllable impedance for a period of time, and then automatically increase current through the controllable impedance. Further, in response to an N.sup.th (N>1) occurrence of the over-current signal, the control circuit controls the controllable impedance so as to reduce current through the controllable impedance and does not thereafter automatically increase current through the controllable impedance. In another embodiment, an over-current and control circuit controls the controllable impedance so as to reduce current through the controllable impedance when the current magnitude signal exceeds a threshold. A first time period after current through the controllable impedance is reduced, the over-current and control circuit automatically increases current through the controllable impedance by gradually reducing the impedance of the controllable impedance over a second time period. Thus, the impedance at the output terminal slowly transitions from a high impedance state to a low impedance state.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3875463 (1975-04-01), Reuter et al.
patent: 4084204 (1978-04-01), Jacobus, Jr.
patent: 4223365 (1980-09-01), Moran
patent: 4331997 (1982-05-01), Engel et al.
patent: 4371824 (1983-02-01), Gritter
patent: 4544981 (1985-10-01), Hakoopian
patent: 4686383 (1987-08-01), Croft
patent: 5119265 (1992-06-01), Qualich et al.
patent: 5400206 (1995-03-01), Barnes et al.
patent: 5581433 (1996-12-01), Jordan
patent: 5698973 (1997-12-01), Goerke et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electronic circuit breaker does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electronic circuit breaker, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic circuit breaker will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-472650