Patent ID: 6624993
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: H02H,H02P

Abstract:
A solid-state fault current limiting system for a direct current circuit including a direct current voltage source, having a source impedance, a direct current circuit breaker, a transmission line, having a line impedance including all line impedances of said direct current circuit, and a load, said solid-state current limiting system comprising:a diode having a cathode and an anode, said cathode being connected to said transmission line, and said anode being connected to a first pole of said load; a controllable direct current source having a first pole connected to said cathode of said diode; an inductor having an impedance greater with respect to said source impedance of said direct current voltage source and said line impedance of said transmission line, said inductor being connected between a second pole of said controllable direct current source and said anode of said diode; wherein said controllable direct current source biases said diode into a conducting state until fault current from said direct current voltage source is greater in value than current flowing through said diode from said controllable direct current source, causing said diode to cease conducting, thereby routing said fault current through said controllable direct current source and said inductor and limiting rate of rise of said fault current until said circuit breaker opens.