Passive leakage management circuit for switch leakage current

Abstract

A passive leakage management circuit (40) for a switch leakage current includes a switch (44) operable in a first mode of operation in which the switch outputs an output current supplied with a first predetermined voltage and in a second mode of operation in which the switch outputs a leakage current supplied with a second voltage, a first current path, and a leakage current path.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0001] The circuit can be configured with a switch for controlling electrical operation (e.g., enabling or disabling an electrical load). For example, the switch can be controllable to switch between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in which the switch is "closed" to allow current to flow from the switch input to the switch output, and in the second operating mode, the switch is "open" to prevent current from flowing between the switch input and the switch output.

[0002] In some switches, due to the switch's electrical characteristics or physical limitations, current can leak between the switch input and output when the switch is open. In some environments, it may be desirable to plan for and control the leakage current, which can include specific leakage current paths for transmitting the leakage current. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a passive leakage management circuit for switch leakage current includes: a switch having a switch input electrically coupled to an alternating current (AC) source and a switch output electrically coupled to an electrical load, and operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode, the switch output supplies an AC output current to the switch input having a first AC voltage, and in the second operating mode, the switch output supplies an AC leakage current from the switch input having a second AC voltage lower than the first AC voltage; a rectifier module electrically coupled to the switch output and configured to rectify the AC output current into a direct current (DC) output current during both the first and second operating modes; a first current path configured to receive the DC output current and including a first transistor, wherein the first transistor conducts current along the first current path based on the switch output; and a leakage current path configured to receive the DC output current and including a second transistor, wherein the second transistor conducts current along the leakage current path based on the current conducted by the first transistor. At least one of the first current path or the leakage current path automatically conducts current based on the switch output, independent of the switch's operating mode.

[0004] In another embodiment, the power management circuit includes: a switch having an input for receiving AC power, an AC output, and a switching component that selectively couples the input to the AC output between an open switching state and a closed switching state; a rectifier configured to rectify the AC switch output into a DC output; and a voltage-controlled current sink configured to receive the DC output, and defining a first current path for dissipating a first amount of power when the switching state is closed and a leakage current path for dissipating a second amount of power when the switching state is open. Regardless of the switching state, the voltage-controlled current sink automatically conducts the DC output along at least one of the first current path or the leakage current path.

[0005] In another embodiment, the leakage management circuit includes: a rectifier configured to rectify an AC input into a DC output; and a voltage-controlled current sink configured to receive the DC output, and defining a first current path for dissipating a first amount of power when the AC input meets a first profile and a leakage current path for dissipating a second amount of power when the AC input meets a second profile. Regardless of the AC input, the voltage-controlled current sink automatically conducts the DC output along at least one of the first current path or the leakage current path. Attached Figure Description

[0006] In the attached diagram:

[0007] Figure 1 This is a top-down diagram of an aircraft and its electrical system.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of a prior art circuit with a leakage current path.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a simplified diagram of a passive leakage management circuit.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A detailed simplified diagram of the passive leakage management circuit. Detailed Implementation

[0011] As used herein, a switch is an electrical device that is controllable to switch between a first operating mode and a second operating mode, in which the switch is "closed" to allow current to flow from the switch input to the switch output, and in the second operating mode, the switch is "open" to prevent current from flowing between the switch input and the switch output. The invention can be implemented in any circuit environment with a switch, where leakage current exists when the switch is in the open state. Non-limiting examples of circuit environments that can include embodiments of the invention could include an aircraft power system architecture that generates electrical power from at least one spool of a turbine engine (preferably a gas turbine engine) and delivers the electrical power to a set of electrical loads via at least one solid-state switch (e.g., a solid-state power controller (SSPC) switching device).

[0012] Furthermore, while terms such as “voltage,” “current,” and “power” can be used herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms can be used interchangeably when describing aspects of a circuit or its operation.

[0013] like Figure 1 As illustrated, aircraft 1 is shown having at least one gas turbine engine, shown as a left engine system 2 and a right engine system 3. Alternatively, the power system can have fewer engine systems or additional engine systems. The left engine system 2 and the right engine system 3 can be substantially identical and can also include at least one power source, such as an electric motor or generator 5. The aircraft is also shown having a set of power-consuming components or electrical loads 6, such as actuator loads, flight-critical loads, and non-flight-critical loads. The electrical loads 6 are electrically coupled to at least one of the generators 5 via a power distribution system, which includes, for example, transmission lines or buses and distribution nodes 4. It will be understood that... Figure 1 The illustrated embodiments of the present invention are merely a non-limiting example of a power distribution system, and many other possible embodiments and configurations beyond those shown are contemplated by this disclosure. Furthermore, Figure 1 The number and placement of the various components depicted are also non-limiting examples of embodiments associated with this disclosure.

[0014] In aircraft 1, the operating left engine system 2 and right engine system 3 provide mechanical energy (which can typically be extracted via shafts) to drive generator 5. Generator 5 then generates power such as AC or DC power and supplies the generated power to transmission line 8, which delivers the power to distribution nodes 4 located throughout aircraft 1. Distribution nodes 4 receive AC or DC power via transmission line 8 and are capable of providing switching, power conversion, or distribution management functions as needed to provide the desired electrical power to electrical load 6 for load operation.

[0015] The example power distribution management functions can include, but are not limited to, selectively enabling, disabling, or switching power delivery to a specific electrical load 6, depending on factors such as available power supply, critical states of the functionality of the electrical load 6, or aircraft operating modes (e.g., takeoff, cruise, or ground operations). Additional management functions can be included. Furthermore, additional power sources can be included for supplying power to electrical loads 6, such as emergency power sources, ram air turbine systems, starters / generators, or batteries, and these additional power sources can replace the power sources. It will be understood that while one embodiment of the invention is shown in an aircraft environment, the invention is not so limited and has general applicability to electrical power systems in non-aircraft applications (e.g., other mobile applications and non-mobile industrial, commercial, and residential applications).

[0016] Figure 2 The illustration is as follows, for example, in Figure 1 The diagram shows a prior art leakage management circuit 10 for a power distribution system. The leakage management circuit 10 includes a voltage source 12 (e.g., an alternating current (AC) voltage source) connected in series with a switching component 14 (hereinafter referred to as a "switch"). The switching component 14 has a switch input 16 and a switch output 18. The switch input 16 is coupled to the voltage source 12, and the switch output 18 is further coupled to a voltage output 22 and a leakage resistor 20. The leakage resistor 20 can be configured in parallel with the voltage output 22, which can be electrically coupled, for example, to one or more electrical loads (shown as a single load 24). In this example, the switch 14 controls the "on" and "off" operation of the circuit 10 or the load 24, but when the switch 14 is on, leakage current is supplied. In this sense, the switch 14 can operate as a distribution node by selectively enabling, disabling, or switching on or off the supply of power from the voltage source 12 to the electrical load 24.

[0017] Circuit 10 is configured such that when switch 14 is closed, current flows from voltage source 12 through switch 14 to electrical load 24. Although switch 14 is closed, a portion of the current can still travel across leakage resistor 20; however, leakage resistor 20 is chosen such that most of the power in circuit 10 is supplied to electrical load 24. Circuit 10 is similarly configured such that when switch 14 is open (as shown), most of any leakage current 26 still flows from switch output 18, and thus most of the leakage power is dissipated across resistor 20. In this sense, even when circuit 10 is “closed,” a small amount of leakage current 26 can still exist, and this small amount of leakage current 26 must be accounted for in circuit 10.

[0018] An undesirable effect of this configuration is that, regardless of the presence of leakage current 26, when switch 14 is closed (i.e., in the absence of leakage current 26 to be accounted for), resistor 20 conducts current and thus undesirably dissipates a certain amount of power. In circuit 10, which conducts a large amount of current when switch 14 is closed, resistor 20 is thus able to dissipate a large amount of power. To account for this otherwise wasted power dissipation, known alternative prior art embodiments include a second switch that is controllable to enable or disable the path of leakage current 26 so as to correspond to whether switch 14 is open or closed, respectively. However, these prior art embodiments require "awareness" or "knowledge" of the state of switch 14 (i.e., whether the switch is open or closed). In this sense, such embodiments are actively controlled based on the state of switch 14.

[0019] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a passive leakage management circuit 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The leakage management circuit 40 includes a voltage source (e.g., an AC voltage source 42 of 115 or 240 volts at 400 Hz) connected in series with a solid-state switch 44 (shown as an SSPC) and a rectifier module 45 having a rectifier module output 49. The rectifier module 45 can be configured in parallel with the voltage output, for example, the voltage output can be electrically coupled to one or more electrical loads, shown as a single load 24. The leakage management circuit 40 also includes a nonlinear voltage-controlled current sink (VCCS) 46 electrically coupled to the rectifier module output 49.

[0020] The rectifier module 45 is configured to rectify the AC power supplied by the AC voltage source 42 into DC power at the rectifier module output 49 via the solid-state switch 44. The rectifier module 45 may include an arrangement of rectifier components 51, such as diodes, configured to rectify the AC power into DC power. In the illustrated example, a single-phase AC power supplied by the AC voltage source 42 can be rectified via a full-bridge configuration of the rectifier module 45 to supply DC power output. The DC power is then supplied to the VCCS 46, where, for example, a certain amount of power can be dissipated. Although a full-bridge rectifier module 45 configuration is illustrated, a half-bridge rectifier module 45 or alternative rectifier components 51 may be included.

[0021] A non-limiting example of the solid-state switch 44 can include high-power switches based on silicon carbide (SiC) or gallium nitride (GaN). SiC or GaN can be selected based on their solid-state material construction, their ability to handle high voltage and high power levels with a small and lightweight form factor, and their high-speed switching capabilities for performing electrical operations very quickly. Additional switching devices and additional silicon-based power switches can be included.

[0022] Now, turn to Figure 4 Additional details of the passive leakage management circuitry 40 are shown and described. The solid-state switch 44 may also include a switching component 48 electrically coupled to the AC voltage source 42 via a solid-state switch input 50 and electrically coupled to the VCCS 46 via a solid-state switch output 52. The switching component 48 can operate in a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the switching component 48 is closed, and the solid-state switch output 52 supplies the output current provided by the voltage source 42 to the solid-state switch input 50 (“closed state”). In the second operating mode, the switching component 48 is open, and the solid-state switch output 52 still supplies the leakage current from the solid-state switch input 50 (“open state”). The solid-state switch 44 may also include a controller 54 configured to provide a control signal 56 to the switching component 48 to enable the switch to operate in the open and closed states.

[0023] In the closed state, the switching component 48 is configured to supply a predetermined voltage from a voltage source 42, such as 115VAC, to the electrical load 24. Due to the parallel electrical configuration, the predetermined voltage from the voltage source 42 is further supplied to a rectifier module 45, which is configured to rectify the solid-state switch output 52 into a DC voltage rectifier module output 49 via one or more rectifier components 51. The rectifier module output 49 is supplied to a VCCS 46. While the switching component 48 in the closed state is configured to supply the predetermined voltage from the voltage source 42, in the open state, the switching component 48 will supply a leakage current having a leakage voltage lower than or smaller than the predetermined voltage. The leakage voltage is similarly supplied to the rectifier module 45, rectified by one or more rectifier components 51, and supplied to the VCCS 46. A non-limiting example of the leakage voltage could include 25VAC, which is rectified to 25VDC by the rectifier module 45.

[0024] The VCCS46 may also include a voltage control circuit section 58 and a current sink circuit section 60 configured in parallel with each other. The voltage control circuit section 58 may include, for example, a first resistor 62 shown as a 2 megohm resistor, a second resistor 64 shown as a 39 kilohm resistor, and a first transistor 66 such as a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), the first transistor 66 having a gate terminal 68, a source terminal 70, and a drain terminal 72. The first resistor 62 and the second resistor 64 are configured in series between the rectifier module output 49 and the rectifier return 74, wherein a first node 76 is located between resistors 62 and 64 and is electrically coupled to the gate terminal 68 of the first transistor 66. The drain terminal 72 of the first transistor 66 is further electrically coupled to the voltage control circuit output 78, and the source terminal 70 of the first transistor 66 is electrically coupled to a common ground 74.

[0025] The voltage control circuit section 58 may optionally include one or more filter components 75 or energy storage components, illustrated as a capacitor and diode electrically connected in parallel with the second resistor 64 (i.e., between the first node 76 and the common ground 74). The filter component 75 may be selected and configured to regulate, smooth, or filter a portion of the DC voltage supplied by the rectifier module output 49. The filter component 75 may also be selected based on at least one of the AC output current or the AC leakage current. For example, rectification of the AC voltage can result in a DC voltage that includes voltage “ripple,” i.e., a variation in the voltage output due to incomplete rectification by the rectifier module 45 or rectifier component 51. The filter component 75 may be configured to regulate a portion of the DC voltage ripple, smooth a portion of the DC voltage ripple, reduce, eliminate, or filter a portion of the DC voltage ripple to provide a DC voltage with less variation. A DC voltage with less variation is desirable for the configuration, operation, or predictability of the leakage management circuit 40.

[0026] The current sink circuit section 60 of the VCCS46 includes a third resistor 80, shown as a 1 megohm resistor; at least one diode, shown as an identical dual diode 82; a second transistor 84, such as a bipolar transistor having a base terminal 86, a collector terminal 88, and an emitter terminal 90; and a current device or leakage resistor 92 capable of including, for example, a 680-ohm resistor. The third resistor 80 is configured in series with each diode 82 between the rectifier module output 49 and the rectifier return 74, wherein the diodes 82 are forward-facing towards the rectifier return 74. A second node 94 is located between the third resistor 80 and the diodes 82, and is electrically coupled to both the base terminal 86 of the second transistor 84 and the voltage control circuit output 78. The collector terminal 88 of the second transistor 84 is further coupled to the rectifier module output 49, and the emitter terminal 90 of the second transistor 84 is further coupled to the rectifier return 74 via the leakage resistor 92. Although a leakage resistor 92 is described, the leakage resistor 92 can also include, for example, one or more shunt resistors, variable resistors, or Zener diodes. Furthermore, although a 680-ohm resistor is described, additional leakage resistors 92, diodes, etc., can be included, and, as explained below, for example, the additional leakage resistors 92, diodes, etc., can be selected based on the expected or anticipated leakage power to be dissipated or its configuration. For example, in a non-limiting example configuration, the selected leakage resistor 92 can include an active or passing cooling configuration, and thus, a greater amount of leakage power can be dissipated.

[0027] A first resistor 62 and a second resistor 64 are selected in the voltage control circuit section 58 to provide the first node 76 with a voltage and current sufficient to operate the gate terminal 68 of the first transistor 66 during different solid-state switch outputs 52. Alternatively, the first transistor 66 can be selected to operate in a specific configuration, for example, selecting a first transistor 66 with a specific gate threshold voltage to allow current to conduct between the source terminal 70 and the drain terminal 72. Embodiments of the invention can include a configuration of the first resistor 62, the second resistor 64, or the first transistor 66 such that when the solid-state switch output 52 or the rectifier module output 49 provides a current having a predetermined voltage indicating that the switching component 48 is closed, the first node 76 will provide a voltage sufficient to enable or “turn on” the first transistor 66, causing the first transistor 66 to conduct current between the source terminal 70 and the drain terminal 72, thereby effectively providing a “low” voltage signal (e.g., zero volts) to the voltage control circuit output 78.

[0028] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may include a configuration of a first resistor 62, a second resistor 64, or a first transistor 66 such that when the solid-state switch output 52 provides a leakage current having a leakage voltage indicating that the switching component 48 is on, the first node 76 will provide a voltage insufficient to turn on the first transistor 66 (i.e., the first transistor 66 is "off"), so that the first transistor 66 will not conduct current between the source terminal 70 and the drain terminal 72, thereby effectively providing a "high" voltage signal (e.g., approximately 1.2V) at the voltage control circuit output 78.

[0029] The current sink circuit section 60 of the VCCS46 operates to disable or "turn off" the second transistor 84, causing the second transistor 84 to not conduct current between the collector terminal 88 and the emitter terminal 90 in response to a "low" voltage signal on the base terminal 86, which is electrically coupled to the voltage control circuit output 78. Conversely, the current sink circuit section 60 of the VCCS46 operates to enable or "turn on" the second transistor 84, causing the second transistor 84 to conduct current between the collector terminal 88 and the emitter terminal 90 in response to a "high" voltage signal on the base terminal 86. The third resistor 80 or the second transistor 84 can be selected in combination with the diode 82 or the first transistor 66 to provide sufficient on / off operation based on the threshold voltage of the second transistor 84 or the expected voltage at the second node.

[0030] Therefore, the leakage management circuit 40 operates in two distinct modes. In the first closed mode, a closed switching component 48 allows the solid-state switch output 52 to supply an output current to the solid-state switch input 50, having a predetermined voltage such as 115VAC, to power or operate the electrical load 24. During this closed mode, the rectifier module 45 operates to rectify the AC solid-state switch output 52 into a DC rectifier module output 49, and provides the output 49 to the VCCS 46. The selection or configuration of the voltage control circuit section 58, the first resistor 62, the second resistor 64, or the first transistor 66 turns on the first transistor 66, causing it to provide a "low" voltage signal to the base terminal 86 of the current sink circuit section 60 via the voltage control circuit output 78. The current sink circuit section 60 of the VCCS 46 turns off the second transistor 84 in response to the "low" voltage signal from the voltage control circuit output 78. This operation then defines a first current path that originates from the solid-state switch output 52 and passes through at least the third resistor 80, the second node 94, and traverses between the source terminal 70 and the drain terminal 72 of the first transistor 66 to reach the rectifier return 74.

[0031] The leakage management circuit 40 further operates in a second leakage mode, having an on switching component 48 such that the AC solid-state switch output 52 supplies a leakage current with a maximum leakage AC voltage such as 25VAC, wherein the leakage voltage is determined by multiplying the leakage current through the leakage resistor 92 by the resistance of the leakage resistor 92, as explained below, according to Ohm's law. Although 25VAC is given as a non-limiting example, it is understood that the selection of the leakage resistor 92 is not a parameter of the leakage itself, but is determined by the resistor 92 selected to affect the controlled amount of leakage current.

[0032] During this leakage mode, rectifier module 45 operates to rectify the AC solid-state switch output 52 into a DC rectifier module output 49, and provides output 49 to VCCS46. The selection or configuration of voltage control circuit section 58, first resistor 62, second resistor 64, or first transistor 66 turns off the first transistor 66, causing it to provide a "high" voltage signal to the third terminal 94 of current sink circuit section 60 via voltage control circuit output 78. Current sink circuit section 60 of VCCS46 turns on the second transistor 84 in response to the "high" voltage signal from voltage control circuit output 78. This operation, in turn, defines a leakage current path originating from solid-state switch output 52, passing through rectifier module 45, and between the collector terminal 88 and emitter terminal 90 of the second transistor 84, through leakage resistor 92, and reaching rectifier return 74. At any given time, embodiments of the invention can enable only one of the first current path or the leakage current path.

[0033] In this sense, the leakage management circuit 40 conducts current along the first current path based on the solid-state switch output 52, and the circuit 40 conducts current along the leakage current path based on the first transistor 66. Therefore, the leakage management circuit 40 is passive or unmanaged, and will operate independently of the state of the switching component 48 or without being aware of the state of the switching component 48, based on the solid-state switch output 52.

[0034] Therefore, when the solid-state switch output 52 supplies power to the electrical load 24, a third resistor 80 can be selected to provide low power dissipation along the first current path, and a leakage resistor 92 can be selected to provide different low power dissipation along the leakage current path when the solid-state switch output 52 provides leakage current. When the switching component 48 is on, the leakage resistor 92 can also be selected to provide a given leakage voltage for a given amount of leakage current.

[0035] This disclosure contemplates many other possible embodiments and configurations besides those shown in the figures above. For example, while the first transistor 66 is shown as a MOSFET and the second transistor 84 as a bipolar transistor, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these devices are interchangeable with alternative transistor types or configurations to provide controlled operation in response to selected circuit operation. Furthermore, while examples are illustrated, such as the first transistor 66 or the second transistor 84 generating “low” or “high” voltage signals and correspondingly performing “on” or “off” operation, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternative transistor or circuit configurations can reverse high / low or on / off operation while still providing operation for a substantially similar leakage management circuit 40. Additionally, embodiments of the invention can include transistors that are not necessarily operated in a strictly “on” or “off” operating mode, but can operate according to one or more non-linear operating modes. In these embodiments, non-linear operating modes can generate transitional electrical characteristics on circuit 40 until they enter a steady-state operating mode, which can be considered as an “on” or “off” operating mode as described above.

[0036] In another embodiment of the invention, leakage current can be caused by components other than simply switching component 48. For example, an input or output voltage monitor in or around solid-state switch 44 can contribute to the overall leakage current. Additional sources of leakage current can be included. In yet another embodiment of the invention, leakage current dissipation can be further improved by providing a second or more redundant leakage current circuits 40 to prevent potential component failure in VCCS46. Although a set of various components is described herein, it will be understood that “set” can include any number of separately described elements, including only one element. Furthermore, the design and placement of the various components can be rearranged to enable many different in-line configurations.

[0037] The embodiments disclosed herein provide leakage management circuitry for leaky switches by enabling leakage current paths independently of or without awareness of the switching state. One advantage of the embodiments described above is that they provide leakage current paths for dissipating leakage power, thereby reducing the likelihood that hazardous voltages or unmanaged currents will have unintended consequences for the circuit, including short circuits, voltage spikes, and thermal consequences such as fire or electric shock hazards. Furthermore, by including redundant leakage management circuitry, the likelihood of unintended consequences is further reduced in the event of component failure. This reduction in the likelihood of unintended consequences improves the overall safety of the electrical system.

[0038] Another advantage that can be achieved in the above embodiments is that the activation of different current paths provides leakage management circuitry that avoids unnecessary power dissipation by providing a first current path for low power dissipation when the switch is closed and a leakage current path for low power dissipation when the switch is open. Low power dissipation results in less wasted power in the circuit.

[0039] Another advantage achievable in the above embodiments is that the leakage management circuitry operates efficiently without requiring awareness or knowledge of switch states to maintain leakage management functionality. This eliminates the need to monitor switch states for leakage management and further eliminates the need for any additional controllers, second switches, and additional power or circuitry requirements associated with the state-based leakage management circuitry. The reduced number of components results in improved reliability of the overall leakage management circuitry.

[0040] For those not yet described, it is contemplated that different features and structures of various embodiments can be combined and used with each other. The fact that a feature is not illustrated in all embodiments is not to be construed as implying that it cannot be, but is done for the sake of brevity. Thus, it is contemplated that various features of different embodiments can be mixed and matched to form new embodiments, regardless of whether new embodiments are explicitly described. All combinations or substitutions of the features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

[0041] This written description uses examples containing the best mode to disclose the invention and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any computing device or system, and performing any combination method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that may occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are expected to fall within the scope of the claims if they have structural units that are exactly the same as the wording of the claims, or if they contain equivalent structural units that have a non-substantially different wording from the claims.

Claims

1. A passive leakage management circuit for switching leakage current, comprising: A switch having an input and an output, the switch being operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, wherein in the first operating mode the output supplies an AC output current having a first AC voltage to the input, and in the second operating mode the output supplies an AC leakage current from the input having a second AC voltage lower than the first AC voltage. A rectifier module having an input and a rectified output, the input being electrically coupled to a switch output and configured to rectify the AC output current into a DC rectified output current during a first operating mode and a second operating mode; as well as Voltage-controlled current sink (VCCS), further comprising: The input electrically coupled to the rectified output of the rectifier module; A voltage control circuit having a first transistor including a drain terminal and a gate terminal electrically coupled to the VCCS input, and configured to operate such that the first transistor is enabled to provide a "low" signal at the drain terminal in response to a predetermined voltage provided at the VCCS input, and the first transistor is disabled to allow a "high" signal at the drain terminal in response to a voltage less than the predetermined voltage provided at the VCCS input; and A current sink circuit has a second transistor and a leakage resistor. The second transistor includes a collector terminal electrically coupled to the VCCS input, a base terminal electrically coupled to the drain terminal of the first transistor, and an emitter terminal electrically coupled to the leakage resistor. The current sink circuit is configured to operate such that, in response to a "high" signal at the base terminal, the second transistor is enabled to conduct current from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor, and in response to a "low" signal at the base terminal, the second transistor is disabled to conduct current from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor. The leakage resistor is selected to dissipate a first amount of power when the second transistor is operably conducting current from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor. The current sink circuit further includes a second resistor, which is selected to dissipate a second amount of power when the second transistor does not conduct from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor.

2. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The VCCS input is directly coupled to the rectified output current of the rectifier module.

3. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The collector terminal of the second transistor is directly electrically coupled to the VCCS input.

4. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The rectified output current limits the rectified voltage.

5. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 4, wherein, The AC leakage current is rectified by the rectifier module, thereby limiting the predetermined voltage.

6. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 5, wherein, The predetermined voltage is 25 volts DC (VDC).

7. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The second transistor is operable to conduct current from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor based on the switch output, regardless of the first or second operating mode of the switch.

8. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The second transistor is operable to conduct current from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor based on the rectified output current.

9. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The power of the first quantity is less than the power of the second quantity.

10. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The leakage resistor includes at least one of a shunt resistor, a variable resistor, or a Zener diode.

11. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The switch includes a solid-state power controller (SSPC).

12. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, Without being aware of the operating mode of the switch, the second transistor conducts from the VCCS input through the leakage resistor based on the switch output.

13. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 1, wherein, The rectifier module includes a full-bridge configuration.

14. The passive leakage management circuit of claim 1 further includes at least one of a filter component or an energy storage component located downstream of the rectifier module, configured to reduce the current ripple of the rectifier.

15. The passive leakage management circuit according to claim 14, wherein, The at least one of the filter component or the energy storage component is selected based on at least one of the AC output current or the AC leakage current.

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