SOLID STATE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A VENTILATION SYSTEM THAT USES MULTI-LAYER COVERS FOR VENTILATION AND COOLING.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SIEMENS INDUSTRY INC
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing solid-state circuit breakers lack effective thermal management, particularly through natural convection, which is crucial for preventing overheating of electronic components.
A ventilation system using multi-layer covers with integrated holes and ribs to facilitate natural convection for cooling, maximizing the use of the entire side surface area for heat dissipation.
The system effectively manages thermal issues by utilizing natural convection to prevent overheating, ensuring safe operation and reducing heat concentration within residential panels.
Smart Images
Figure MX434132B0
Abstract
Description
SOLID STATE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A VENTILATION SYSTEM THAT USES MULTI-LAYER COVERS FOR VENTILATION AND COOLING iviA / a / zuzo / uuy io» BACKGROUND 1· FIELD Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a solid-state circuit breaker with a ventilation system utilizing multi-layer covers to ventilate and cool the solid-state circuit breaker. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE Circuit breakers are essential for electrical safety. They supply current to the loads connected to them and interrupt the circuit once a fault is detected, such as an overload, short circuit, ground fault, or arc fault. Due to the nature of current carrying, heat is generated within circuit breakers, and this is especially important for solid-state circuit breakers. To ensure safe operation of circuit breakers, adequate cooling is necessary, as operating electronic components within an assembly can overheat. In the past, individual lines of ducting were used to ventilate an assembly. For solid-state circuit breakers, direct cooling components such as heat pipes and heat sinks are typically used for thermal management. To our knowledge, natural convection is not typically considered. Therefore, there is a need for better thermal management in a circuit breaker. SUMMARY Briefly described, aspects of the present invention relate to a solid-state circuit breaker with a ventilation system that utilizes multi-layer enclosures to ventilate and cool the solid-state circuit breaker when overheating of operating electronic components within an assembly occurs. The use of natural convection is considered. Natural convection is a heat transport mechanism in which fluid motion is not generated by an external source. Instead, fluid motion is caused by buoyancy; the difference in fluid density occurs due to temperature gradients. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a solid-state circuit breaker comprises a base housing semiconductors, electronic components, and advanced software algorithms that monitor power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker. The base has a first profile region. The solid-state circuit breaker further comprises a ventilation system for cooling the solid-state circuit breaker. The ventilation system includes a main cover configured to be mounted on the base covering the first profile region of the base. The main cover has a second profile region, where the second profile region has an array of holes integrated into the main cover, where the array of holes face perpendicularly to a side plane of the solid-state circuit breaker.The ventilation system further includes an outer cover configured to be mounted over the main cover, covering the second profile region of the main cover to form a multi-layer cover assembly. The outer cover has a third profile region, such that the third profile region has a set of ribs integrated into the outer cover, such that the set of ribs faces an exterior plane of the solid-state circuit breaker. The solid-state circuit breaker is configured to be installed in a panel of electronic circuit breakers, each of which has a corresponding ventilation system, such that the electronic breaker ventilation mitigates the effect of heat from neighboring breakers, further reducing the heat concentration within a residential panel. The neighboring breakers may be fully electronic, hybrid, or solely mechanical. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a residential circuit breaker comprises a base housing electronic components and 1.5 amp or 20 amp circuitry. The base has a first profile region. The residential circuit breaker further comprises a ventilation system for cooling the residential circuit breaker. The ventilation system includes a main cover configured to be mounted on the base overlying the first profile region of the base. The main cover has a second profile region, wherein the second profile region has an array of holes integrated into the main cover, wherein the array of holes face perpendicularly to a side plane of the residential circuit breaker. The ventilation system further includes an outer cover configured to be mounted on the main cover overlying the second profile region of the main cover to form a multi-layer cover assembly.The outer cover has a third profile zone, such that the third profile zone has a set of ribs integrated into the outer cover, such that the set of ribs faces an exterior plane of the residential circuit breaker. The residential circuit breaker is configured to be installed in an electronic circuit breaker panel, each of which has a corresponding ventilation system, such that the electronic breaker ventilation mitigates the effect of heat from neighboring circuit breakers, further reducing the heat concentration within a residential panel. Neighboring circuit breakers may be fully electronic, hybrid, or solely mechanical. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for cooling an electronic circuit breaker that is a solid-state circuit breaker. The method comprises providing a base that houses semiconductors, electronic components, and advanced software algorithms that control power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker. The base has a first profile region. The method further comprises providing a ventilation system for cooling the solid-state circuit breaker. The ventilation system includes a main cover configured to be mounted on the base covering the first profile region of the base.The main cover has a second profile region, such that the second profile region has a set of holes integrated into the main cover, the set of holes perpendicularly facing a lateral plane of the solid-state circuit breaker. The ventilation system further includes an outer cover configured to be mounted on the main cover, covering the second profile region of the main cover to form a multi-layer cover assembly. The outer cover has a third profile region, the third profile region having a set of ribs integrated into the outer cover, the set of ribs facing an exterior plane of the solid-state circuit breaker. The features and advantages described above, as well as others, will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying figures. While it would be desirable to provide one or more of these or other advantageous features, the teachings described herein extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they achieve one or more of the aforementioned advantages. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference will now be made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate like objects. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a solid-state circuit breaker with an integrated ventilation system utilizing multi-layer covers for ventilation wherein a convection feature provides cooling by utilizing an entire lateral surface area of the solid-state circuit breaker to cool the internal electronics in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of a solid-state circuit breaker with an integrated ventilation system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a solid-state circuit breaker with an integrated ventilation system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a flowchart of a cooling method of an electronic circuit breaker which is a solid-state circuit breaker according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Various technologies pertaining to systems and methods that facilitate an integrated ventilation system for a solid-state circuit breaker will now be described with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. The drawings discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any apparatus suitably arranged. It should be understood that the functionality described as being performed by certain elements of the system may be performed by multiple elements.Similarly, for example, one element may be configured to perform a functionality described as being performed by multiple elements. The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with reference to non-limiting exemplary embodiments. To facilitate understanding of the embodiments, principles, and features of the present invention, they are explained below with reference to implementation in illustrative embodiments. In particular, they are described in the context of an integrated ventilation system for a solid-state circuit breaker. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to use in the systems or methods described. The components and materials described below as components of the various embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable components and materials that would perform the same or a similar function to the materials described herein are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention. These and other embodiments of the integrated ventilation system for a solid-state circuit breaker according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to FIGS. 1-4 herein. Like reference numerals used in the drawings identify similar or identical elements throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a solid state circuit breaker 105 with an integrated ventilation system 107 utilizing multi-layer covers for ventilation wherein a convection feature provides cooling utilizing an entire side surface 110 of the solid state circuit breaker 105 to cool the electronic components 115 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Natural convection is a type of flow, motion of a liquid such as water or a gas such as air, wherein the motion of the fluid is not generated by any external source (such as a pump, fan, suction device, etc.) but by some portions of the fluid being heavier than other portions.Free convection, also known as natural convection, is the type of convection heat transfer in which fluid molecules move due to density and temperature gradient to transfer heat. Referring to FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of a solid state circuit breaker 105 with integrated ventilation system 107 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The solid state circuit breaker 105 may be a residential circuit breaker rated for 15 amp or 20 amp circuits. For the solid-state circuit breaker 105, direct cooling is used for thermal management via natural convection. This ensures safe operation of the solid-state circuit breaker 105 by providing adequate cooling, as overheating of operating electronic components within an assembly may occur. Substantially, the entire surface area of the assembly is utilized to achieve maximum cooling efficiency. Turning to FIG. 3, this illustrates an exploded view of solid state circuit breaker 105 with integrated ventilation system 107 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Solid state circuit breaker 105 comprises a base 305 housing semiconductors, electronic components, and advanced software algorithms that monitor power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than traditional electromechanical breaker moving parts. Base 305 having a first profile area 307 (1). Solid state circuit breaker 105 comprises integrated ventilation system 107 for cooling solid state circuit breaker 105. The integrated ventilation system 107 includes a main cover 310 configured to be mounted on the base 305 covering the first profile area 307(1) of the base 305. The main cover 310 has a second profile area 307(2), such that the second profile area 307(2) has an array of holes 315(1-n) integrated in the main cover 310, such that the array of holes 315(1-n) face perpendicularly to a side plane of the solid state circuit breaker 105. The array of holes 315(1-n) allows heat to be carried away from the electronic components of the solid state circuit breaker 105 to prevent overheating of the electronic components within the assembly by venting a surface area of the assembly. The integrated ventilation system 107 includes an outer cover 320 configured to be mounted over the main cover 310 covering the second profile area 307(2) of the main cover 310 to form a multi-layer cover assembly as seen in FIGS. 1 -2. The outer cover 320 has a third profile area 307(3), where the third profile area 307(3) has an array of ribs 325(1-m) integrated in the outer cover 320, where the array of ribs 325(1-m) face an exterior plane of the solid state circuit breaker 105. The array of ribs 325(1-m) is configured to increase a surface area on the outer cover 320 in the exterior plane of the solid state circuit breaker 105.The outer cover 320 has a third profile 330 with an edge having a plurality of slotted openings 335(1-k) to provide channels for venting the assembly by allowing heat to be carried away from the electronics of the solid state circuit breaker 105. In one embodiment, the base 305, the main cover 310, and the outer cover 320 may be made of plastic. Alternatively, the base 305 is made of plastic, and the main cover 310 and the outer cover 320 are made of thermally conductive plastic. The solid-state circuit breaker 105 is configured to be installed in a panel (not shown) of electronic circuit breakers, each of which has a corresponding ventilation system, such that the ventilation per electronic breaker mitigates the effect of heat from neighboring breakers, further reducing the heat concentration within a residential panel. The neighboring breakers may be fully electronic, hybrid, or solely mechanical. FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a flow diagram of a method 400 of cooling an electronic or residential circuit breaker which is the solid state circuit breaker 105 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Reference is made to the elements and features described in FIGS. 1-3. It should be noted that some steps need not be performed in any particular order, and some steps are optional. The method 400 comprises a step 405 of providing a base 305 that houses semiconductors, electronic components, and advanced software algorithms that control power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker. The base 305 has a first profile region 307(1). The method 400 further comprises a step 410 of providing an integrated ventilation system 107 for cooling the solid-state circuit breaker 105. The integrated ventilation system 107 includes a main cover 310 configured to be mounted on the base 305 covering the first profile area 307(1) of the base 305. The main cover 310 has a second profile area 307(2), such that the second profile area 307(2) has a set of holes 315(1-n) integrated in the main cover 310, such that the set of holes 315(1-n) face perpendicularly to a lateral plane of the solid state circuit breaker 105. The integrated ventilation system 107 further includes an outer cover 320 configured to be mounted on the main cover 310 covering the second profile area 307(2) of the main cover 310 to form a multi-layer cover assembly. The outer cover 320 has a third profile area 307(3), such that the third profile area 307(3) has an array of ribs 325(1m) integrated in the outer cover 320, such that the array of ribs 325(1-m) face an exterior plane of the solid state circuit breaker 105. While one design for a solid-state circuit breaker is described herein, the present invention also contemplates a variety of one or more other circuit breakers. For example, other circuit breakers, such as an electronic circuit breaker or a residential circuit breaker, may be implemented based on one or more of the features presented above without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The techniques described herein may be particularly useful for a convection feature that provides cooling by utilizing an entire side surface of a solid-state circuit breaker. While particular embodiments are described in terms of the entire side surface, the techniques described herein are not limited to such designs, but may also be used with a partial side surface. While embodiments of the present invention have been described in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions and deletions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and its equivalents, as set forth in the following claims. The embodiments and the various advantageous features and details thereof are explained in more detail with reference to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of known starting materials, processing techniques, components, and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily complicate the details of the embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments, are provided by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or rearrangements within the spirit and / or scope of the underlying inventive concept will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description. As used herein, the terms comprise, comprising, includes, including, has, having, or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the examples or illustrations provided herein are not to be construed in any way as express restrictions, limits, or definitions of any term or terms with which they are used. Instead, these examples or illustrations should be considered described with respect to a particular embodiment and are illustrative only. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any term or terms with which these examples or illustrations are used will encompass other embodiments that may or may not be provided with the same or elsewhere in the specification, and all such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of that term or terms in the specification. In the foregoing description, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and figures should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. While the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments thereof, these embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the invention. The present description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described herein (and, in particular, the inclusion of any particular embodiment, feature, or function is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to that embodiment, feature, or function). Rather, the description is intended to describe illustrative embodiments, features, and functions to provide one of ordinary skill in the art with an understanding of the invention without limiting the invention to any particular embodiment, feature, or function described.While specific embodiments and examples of the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, as will be recognized and appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art. As indicated, these modifications can be made to the invention in light of the foregoing description of the illustrated embodiments of the invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances, some features of the embodiments of the invention will be employed without corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth.Therefore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the scope and essential spirit of the invention. The respective appearances of the phrases "in an embodiment," "in the embodiment," "in a specific embodiment," or similar terminology in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular functions, structures, or features of any specific embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It should be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and should be considered within the spirit and scope of the invention. In the present description, various specific details are provided, as examples of components and / or methods, to provide a complete understanding of the embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatuses, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts and / or the like. In other cases, known structures, components, systems, materials or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail so as not to complicate aspects of the embodiments of the invention. While the invention can be illustrated through the use of a specific embodiment, this is not and does not limit the invention to any specific embodiment and one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that additional embodiments are readily understandable and are part of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings / figures may also be implemented in a more separate or integrated manner, or even eliminated or rendered inoperable in certain cases, as may be useful according to a specific application. The benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with respect to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced should not be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component.
Claims
Claims 1. A solid-state circuit breaker, comprising: a base housing semiconductors, electronic components, and advanced software algorithms that control power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker, the base having a first profile region; and a ventilation system for cooling the solid-state circuit breaker, the ventilation system including: a main cover configured to be mounted on the base covering the first profile region of the base, the main cover having a second profile region, the second profile region having a set of holes integrated into the main cover, the set of holes facing perpendicularly to a side plane of the solid-state circuit breaker,and an outer cover configured to be mounted over the main cover covering the second profile area of the main cover to form a multi-layer cover assembly, wherein the outer cover has a third profile area, the third profile area having a set of ribs integrated into the outer cover, the set of ribs facing an outer plane of the solid-state circuit breaker, wherein the solid-state circuit breaker is configured to be installed in a panel of electronic circuit breakers, each of which has a corresponding ventilation system, such that the electronic breaker ventilation mitigates the effect of heat from neighboring breakers, further reducing heat buildup within a residential panel, and wherein the neighboring breakers may be fully electronic, hybrid, or solely mechanical.
2. The solid-state circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the outer cover has a third profile with an edge having a plurality of slotted openings to provide channels for venting the assembly by allowing heat to be carried away from the electronic components of the solid-state circuit breaker.
3. The solid-state circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the rib assembly is configured to increase a surface area on the outer cover in the outer plane of the solid-state circuit breaker.
4. The solid-state circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the array of holes allows heat to be drawn away from the electronic components of the solid-state circuit breaker to prevent overheating of the electronic components within the assembly by venting a surface area of the assembly.
5. The solid-state circuit breaker of claim 1, characterized in that substantially all of the surface area of the assembly is utilized to obtain maximum cooling efficiency.
6. The solid state circuit breaker of claim 1, wherein the solid state circuit breaker is a residential circuit breaker rated for 15 amp or 20 amp circuits.
7. The solid-state circuit breaker of claim 1, characterized in that the base, the main cover and the outer cover are made of plastic.
8. The solid-state circuit breaker of claim 1, characterized in that the base is made of plastic and the main cover and the outer cover are made of thermally conductive plastic.
9. A residential circuit breaker, comprising: a base housing 15 amp or 20 amp electronic components and circuitry, the base having a first profile region; and a ventilation system for cooling the residential circuit breaker, the ventilation system including: a main cover configured to be mounted on the base covering the first profile region of the base, the main cover having a second profile region, the second profile region having a set of holes integrated into the main cover, the set of holes facing perpendicularly to a side plane of the residential circuit breaker, and an outer cover configured to be mounted on the main cover covering the second profile region of the main cover to form a multi-layer cover assembly, the outer cover having a third profile region,wherein the third profile region has a set of ribs integrated into the outer cover, the set of ribs facing an outer plane of the residential circuit breaker, wherein the residential circuit breaker is configured to be installed in an electronic circuit breaker panel, each of which has a corresponding ventilation system, such that the electronic breaker ventilation mitigates the effect of heat from neighboring circuit breakers, further reducing heat concentration within a residential panel, and wherein the neighboring circuit breakers may be fully electronic, hybrid, or solely mechanical.
10. The residential circuit breaker of claim 9, characterized in that the outer cover has a third profile with an edge having a plurality of slotted openings to provide channels for venting the assembly by allowing heat to be carried away from the electronic components of the residential circuit breaker.
11. The residential circuit breaker of claim 9, characterized in that the set of ribs is configured to increase a surface area on the outer cover in the outer plane of the residential circuit breaker.
12. The residential circuit breaker of claim 9, wherein the array of holes (ινΐΛ / a / zuzó / uua io») allows heat to be drawn away from the electronic components of the residential circuit breaker to prevent overheating of the electronic components within the assembly by ventilating a surface area of the assembly.
13. The residential circuit breaker of claim 9, characterized in that substantially all of the surface area of the assembly is utilized to obtain maximum cooling efficiency.
14. A method for cooling an electronic circuit breaker that is a solid state circuit breaker, characterized in that the method comprises: providing a base that houses semiconductors, electronic components and advanced software algorithms that control power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker, wherein the base has a first profile zone;and providing a ventilation system for cooling the solid state circuit breaker, a ventilation system including: a main cover configured to be mounted on the base covering the first profile area of the base, wherein the main cover has a second profile area, the second profile area having a set of holes integrated in the main cover, the set of holes facing perpendicularly to a lateral plane of the solid state circuit breaker, and an outer cover configured to be mounted on the main cover covering the second profile area of the main cover to form a multi-layer cover set, wherein the outer cover has a third profile area, the third profile area having a set of ribs integrated in the outer cover, the set of ribs facing an exterior plane of the solid state circuit breaker.; 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the outer cover has a third profile with an edge having a plurality of slotted openings to provide channels for venting the assembly by allowing heat to be carried away from the electronic components of the solid state circuit breaker.