US3611031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Series sequential circuit breaker
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1970-06-11
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-06-11
Abstract
Abstract The circuit breaker for high-voltage, high-current DC circuits comprises at least two serially connected transfer switches, an electronic switch connected in parallel across each of said transfer switches, an energy absorbing resistor connected in parallel across each electronic switch except the last electronic switch so that successive opening of the first transfer switch and first electronic switch, followed by successive opening of the remaining transfer switches and electronic switches, causes current reduction and subsequent interruption.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A Lutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H33/00; H01H33/02; H01H33/59; H01H33/596; H02; H02H; H02H3/00; H02H3/02; H02H3/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A DC circuit breaker comprising: a DC electric line, first and last transfer switch contacts serially connected in said DC electric line to open said DC electric line; first and last serially connected electronic switches each connected in parallel to said transfer switch contacts; a first energy-absorbing resistor connected in parallel around said first electronic switch; a current surge absorbing capacitor connected in parallel around said last electronic switch; and control means connected to said transfer switch contacts and to said electronic switches for opening said first transfer switch contacts while said last transfer switch contacts are closed to cause current flow through said first electronic switch, and for subsequently causing said first electronic switches to become nonconductive to cause current flow through said first energy-absorbing resistor, and for subsequently opening said last transfer switch contacts to cause current flow through said last electronic switch and then causing said last electronic switch to become nonconductive to cause current flow into said surge-absorbing capacitor to interrupt current flow in said DC line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A DC circuit breaker comprising: a DC electric line, first and last transfer switch contacts serially connected in said DC electric line to open said DC electric line; first and last serially connected electronic switches each connected in parallel to said transfer switch contacts; a first energy-absorbing resistor connected in parallel around said first electronic switch; a current surge absorbing capacitor connected in parallel around said last electronic switch; and control means connected to said transfer switch contacts and to said electronic switches for opening said first transfer switch contacts while said last transfer switch contacts are closed to cause current flow through said first electronic switch, and for subsequently causing said first electronic switches to become nonconductive to cause current flow through said first energy-absorbing resistor, and for subsequently opening said last transfer switch contacts to cause current flow through said last electronic switch and then causing said last electronic switch to become nonconductive to cause current flow into said surge-absorbing capacitor to interrupt current flow in said DC line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The breaker of claim 1 wherein there are first, second and last serially connected transfer switch contacts; first, second and last serially connected electronic switches each connected in parallel to its respective transfer switch and first and second energy-absorbing resistors respectively connected in parallel with said first and second electronic switches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The breaker of claim 2 wherein said first and second energy-absorbing resistors are nonlinear resistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The breaker of claim 3 wherein an energy-absorbing resistor is connected in series with said surge-absorbing capacitor to absorb system energy upon said third electronic switch becoming nonconductive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The breaker of claim 4 wherein fault-sensing means is connected to said DC line to detect a fault therein, said fault-sensing means being connected to said control means so that upon sensing a fault in said DC line, said control means causes said interrupter to interrupt current in said DC line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breaker of claim 4 wherein said electronic switch is a crossed field switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breaker of claim 4 wherein said electronic switch is a liquid metal cathode switch tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The breaker of claim 1 wherein fault-sensing means is connected to said DC line to detect the fault therein, said fault-sensing means being connected to said control means so that upon sensing the fault in said DC line, said control meAns causes said interrupter to interrupt current in said DC line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The breaker of claim 8 wherein said electronic switch is a crossed field switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The breaker of claim 8 wherein said electronic switch is a liquid metal cathode switch tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |