Patent ID: 8854774
Filing Date: 2014-10-07
Classification: H02H

Abstract:
1. A fault current limiter for limiting a fault current of an alternate current (AC) power source drawn by a load, the fault current limiter comprising: a rectifier having AC terminals and direct current (DC) terminals, the AC terminals to be coupled to the AC power source and the load; a DC diode coupled in parallel across the DC terminals of the rectifier; and a DC reactor coupled to the DC diode, wherein when an AC current drawn from the AC power source is less than a predetermined threshold, the DC diode is in a forward bias state to allow the AC current flowing to the load through the DC diode, wherein when the AC current drawn from the AC power source is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the DC diode is in a reverse bias state, forcing the AC current to flow to the load through the DC reactor, and wherein the DC reactor is to limit an amount of the AC current flowing through the DC reactor; and a bias DC source coupled to the DC reactor and the DC diode, wherein the bias DC source is to provide a bias DC current defining the predetermined threshold.