公开(公告)号：US10896790B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-19

申请号：US15995383

申请日：2018-06-01

Applicant: Atom Power, Inc.

Inventor： Ryan Kennedy ,  Denis Kouroussis

IPC: H02J3/14 ,  H02H3/033 ,  H02H3/00 ,  H02H7/30 ,  H02H7/26 ,  H01H9/54

Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

公开(公告)号：US10811867B2

公开(公告)日：2020-10-20

申请号：US16683774

申请日：2019-11-14

Applicant: Atom Power, Inc.

Inventor： Ryan Kennedy ,  Denis Kouroussis

IPC: H02H7/08 ,  H02H7/085 ,  H02H3/20 ,  H02H7/22 ,  H02H3/38 ,  H02H3/08 ,  H02H3/42 ,  H01H71/12 ,  H01H9/54 ,  H02P1/26 ,  H01H71/10

Abstract: A hybrid air-gap/solid-state device protection device (PD) for use in an electrical power distribution system includes an air-gap disconnect unit connected in series with a solid-state device, a sense and drive circuit, and a microcontroller. Upon the sense and drive circuit detecting an impending fault or exceedingly high and unacceptable overvoltage condition in the PD's load circuit, the sense and drive circuit generates a gating signal that quickly switches the solid-state device OFF. Meanwhile, the microcontroller generates a disconnect pulse for the air-gap disconnect unit, which responds by forming an air gap in the load circuit. Together, the switched-OFF solid-state device and air gap protect the load and associated load circuit from being damaged. They also serve to electrically and physically isolate the source of the fault or overload condition from the remainder of the electrical power distribution system.

公开(公告)号：US20190157021A1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-23

申请号：US16259484

申请日：2019-01-28

Applicant: Atom Power, Inc.

Inventor： Ryan Kennedy ,  Denis Kouroussis

IPC: H01H9/54 ,  H02H7/26 ,  H02H7/30

CPC classification number: H01H9/54 ,  G05B2219/25004 ,  H02H3/006 ,  H02H3/033 ,  H02H7/261 ,  H02H7/30

Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.

公开(公告)号：US20180366936A1

公开(公告)日：2018-12-20

申请号：US15995851

申请日：2018-06-01

Applicant: Atom Power, Inc.

Inventor： Ryan Kennedy ,  Denis Kouroussis

IPC: H02H3/06 ,  H01L29/16 ,  H02H3/08

CPC classification number: H02H3/06 ,  H01L29/1602 ,  H01L29/1608 ,  H01L29/2003 ,  H01L29/7802 ,  H02H3/05 ,  H02H3/08 ,  H02H3/0935 ,  H02H7/005

Abstract: A solid-state circuit protector includes a first power semiconductor device having an ON resistance that increases with increasing temperature and a second power semiconductor device connected in parallel with the first power semiconductor device having an ON resistance that decreases with increasing temperature. During times when abnormally high currents are flowing through the solid-state circuit protector, the second power semiconductor is switched ON so that some or all of the current is diverted through it, thus protecting the first power semiconductor device from being damaged due to overheating. The first power semiconductor device is either switched OFF, allowing it to cool in anticipation of a lighter load, or is configured to remain ON so that it shares the burden of carrying the high current with the parallel-connected second power semiconductor device yet operates cooler and at a lower ON resistance since it is not required to pass the full current.