US6917186B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitoring and control for power electronic system
Assignee: S&C Electric Co
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Filing: 2003-03-19
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Granted: 2005-07-12
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Expires: 2023-03-19
Abstract
Abstract A control method and arrangement that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the parameters of the power electronic switches including drive current, drive voltage and operating temperature and for communicating the status information in a coordinated fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd W. Klippel
- 👤 Richard P. Mikosz
- 👤 Ronald D. Atanus
- 👤 Michael G. Ennis
- 👤 Raymond P. O'Leary
- 👤 Joseph W. Ruta
- 👤 Gregory C. Mears
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:49
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An arrangement for monitoring an operating parameter of a plurality of solid-state switches comprising: means for receiving a first signal of a first type from each component representing a gating control signal of the solid-state switches; means for determining when one of said first signals is not received; and means for outputting a signal indicating a malfunction, said first signals being provided as a series of signals in a predetermined format, said receiving means comprising means for determining which solid-state switch is malfunctioning based on the position in said series of signals of a first signal that is not received.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An arrangement for monitoring an operating parameter of a plurality of solid-state switches comprising: means for receiving a first signal of a first type from each component representing a gating control signal of the solid-state switches; means for determining when one of said first signals is not received; and means for outputting a signal indicating a malfunction, said first signals being provided as a series of signals in a predetermined format, said receiving means comprising means for determining which solid-state switch is malfunctioning based on the position in said series of signals of a first signal that is not received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
An arrangement for monitoring an operating parameter of a plurality of solid-state switches comprising: means for receiving a first signal of a first type from each component representing a gating control signal of the solid-state switches; means for determining when one of said first signals is not received; and means for outputting a signal indicating a malfunction, means for sending a predetermined second signal and means responsive to said predetermined second signal for sending a third signal of a second type representing an additional operating parameter for each solid-state switch, said first signals being provided as a series of signals in a predetermined format, said receiving means comprises means for determining which solid-state switch is malfunctioning based on the position in said series of signals of a first signal that is not received, further comprising.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
135 words
An arrangement for monitoring an operating parameter of a plurality of solid-state switches comprising: means for receiving a first signal of a first type from each component representing a gating control signal of the solid-state switches; means for determining when one of said first signals is not received; and means for outputting a signal indicating a malfunction, means for sending a predetermined second signal and means responsive to said predetermined second signal for sending a third signal of a second type representing an additional operating parameter for each solid-state switch, said first signals being provided as a series of signals in a predetermined format, said receiving means comprises means for determining which solid-state switch is malfunctioning based on the position in said series of signals of a first signal that is not received, further comprising.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement of claim 2 further comprising means responsive to a first occurrence of said predetermined second signal for controlling op ration of the solid-state switches.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said third signals are provided as a series of signals in a predetermined format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 4 wherein said third signal represents the temperature of the component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The arrangement of claim 5 wherein said third signal is a pulse signal having a width proportional to the temperature of the component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 2 wherein said gating control signal is utilized to initiate the generation of said third signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The arrangement of claim 4 wherein said first and third signals are provided on the same signal path in a predetermined series with the first and third signals alternating in said series.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 5 wherein one of said third signals represents an ambient temperature remote from the solid-state switches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said receiving means comprises communication means responsive to each of the solid-state switches for sending said first signal for each solid-state switch over a respective communication link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The arrangement of claim 10 wherein said communication means further comprises means responsive to said communication links for transmitting said first signals in a predetermined serial format on a first signal path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein a periodic signal associated with the solid-state switch is utilized to initiate said pulse signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The arrangement of claim 1 further comprising control means for sending a control signal to the plurality of solid-state switches for rendering the plurality of solid-state switches operable, the plurality of solid-state switches being series connected.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The arrangement of claim 13 wherein said control means further comprises means for rendering a first portion of the plurality of components operable, thereafter rendering said first portion inoperable, and for thereafter rendering the remaining of the plurality of components operable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said gating control signal includes representations of both the current into the control connection and the voltage at the control connection.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for monitoring an operating parameter of a plurality of components comprising: receiving a first signal of a first type from each component representing an operating parameter of the component; determining when one of said first signals is not received; and outputting a signal indicating a malfunction based on said determining step, wherein the component is a solid-state switch having a control connection input and wherein the first signal represents a control connection signal for the solid-state switch including a representation about the current into the control connection and the voltage at the control connection.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for monitoring an operating parameter of a plurality of components comprising: receiving a first signal of a first type from each component representing an operating parameter of the component; determining when one of said first signals is not received; and outputting a signal indicating a malfunction based on said determining step, wherein the component is a solid-state switch having a control connection input and wherein the first signal represents a control connection signal for the solid-state switch including a representation about the current into the control connection and the voltage at the control connection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-07-11 | 2009-01-10 | 2009-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-07-11 | 2013-01-10 | 2013-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-07-11 | 2017-01-10 | 2017-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |