Solid-State Load Protection with Virtual Diode Current Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid State Circuit Breakers (SSCBs) do not protect electrical devices against polarity inversions and current returns, which can drain energy from the circuit, and they incur losses compared to traditional circuit breakers.
Innovation Solution
An electronic protection device with a series arrangement of transistors, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a control module that controls the transistors to manage overcurrents, polarity inversions, and current returns, integrating a 'virtual' diode function to eliminate the need for separate diode components and reduce energy losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional circuit breaker is used to protect against overcurrents, then overcurrent protection is provided, but the device does not protect against polarity reversals or current returns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a virtual diode function within the SSCB control system that enables the device to perform multiple protection functions including overcurrent protection, polarity reversal protection, and current return protection. The control module monitors voltage polarity and current direction, allowing a single device to provide comprehensive protection against multiple electrical faults that previously required separate components.
2Reliability
If a real diode is added to protect against current returns, then protection against current returns is provided, but energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical diode component with a virtual diode implemented through electronic control of the transistor arrangement. The control module uses voltage sensing and control signals to create the diode effect electronically, eliminating the need for a real diode and its associated energy losses while maintaining the same protection function against current returns.
3Reliability
If separate diode and circuit breaker components are used, then comprehensive protection is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the circuit breaker and diode functions into a single integrated device. The transistor arrangement, controlled by the control module, simultaneously performs overcurrent breaking and diode rectification functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate diode and circuit breaker components, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive protection capabilities.
4Device complexity
If a virtual diode is implemented via transistor control, then the need for separate diode components is eliminated, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module autonomously monitors voltage polarity across the transistor and automatically adjusts the control signal to maintain the virtual diode effect. The system self-regulates by detecting voltage conditions and adjusting transistor conduction accordingly, eliminating the need for external control circuits or additional components while managing the control complexity through intelligent automation.
Data Source
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AI summary
This electronic load protection device (10) comprises: - an arrangement of transistor(s) (20) in series with the load, controllable in one of the following states: conducting (A) and blocking (B, C), the blocking state being one of the first (B) and second (C) blocking states; - a current sensor (24); - a control module (26) connected to the current sensor and controlling the arrangement of transistor(s) in its second blocking state if a current (I), measured by the current sensor, is greater than a first threshold (I1); and - a voltage sensor (25) connected to the control module; the control module controlling the arrangement of transistor(s) (20) in its conducting state (A) if the voltage (V) is greater than a voltage threshold (Vth) and in its first blocking state (B) if the current (I) is less than a second threshold (I2).