US6972972B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power inverter with optical isolation
Assignee: ALRAK Inc
•
Filing: 2003-04-15
•
Granted: 2005-12-06
•
Expires: 2023-04-15
Abstract
Abstract An optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit that includes an input electrical power source, a heat pipe, a power electronic switch or plurality of interconnected power electronic switches, a mechanism for connecting the switch to the input power source, a mechanism for connecting comprising an interconnecting cable and/or bus bar or plurality of interconnecting cables and/or input bus bars, an optically isolated drive circuit connected to the switch, a heat sink assembly upon which the power electronic switch or switches is mounted, an output load, a mechanism for connecting the switch to the output load, the mechanism for connecting including an interconnecting cable and/or bus bar or plurality of interconnecting cables and/or output bus bars, at least one a fiber optic temperature sensor mounted on the heat sink assembly, at least one fiber optic current sensor mounted on the load interconnection cable and/or output bus bar, at least one fiber optic voltage sensor mounted on the load interconnection cable and/or output bus bar, at least one fiber optic current sensor mounted on the input power interconnection cable and/or input bus bar, and at least one fiber optic voltage sensor mounted on the input power interconnection cable and/or input bus bar.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul G. Duncan
- 👤 John Alan Schroeder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M7/00; H02M7/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit comprising: an input electrical power source; a power electronic switch; a means for connecting said switch to said input power source, said means for connecting comprising an interconnecting cable and/or bus bar; an optically isolated drive circuit operatively connected to said switch; a heat sink assembly; an output load; means for connecting said switch to said output load comprising at least one interconnecting cable and/or bus bar; and, at least one optical sensor for sensing conditions in a high-power stage of the converter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit comprising: an input electrical power source; a power electronic switch; a means for connecting said switch to said input power source, said means for connecting comprising an interconnecting cable and/or bus bar; an optically isolated drive circuit operatively connected to said switch; a heat sink assembly; an output load; means for connecting said switch to said output load comprising at least one interconnecting cable and/or bus bar; and, at least one optical sensor for sensing conditions in a high-power stage of the converter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a fiber optic temperature sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 2 , wherein said fiber optic temperature sensor is mounted on said heat sink assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a fiber optic current sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 4 , wherein said fiber optic current sensor is mounted on a load interconnection cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 4 , wherein said fiber optic cuurent sensor is mounted on an output bus bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 4 , wherein said fiber optic current sensor is mounted on an input bus bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 4 , wherein said fiber optic current sensor is mounted on an input power interconnection cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said at least one optical sensor comprises a fiber optic voltage sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 9 , wherein said fiber optic voltage sensor is mounted on the load interconnection cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 9 , wherein said fiber optic voltage sensor is mounted on the output bus bar.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 9 , wherein said at fiber optic voltage sensor is mounted on an input power interconnection cable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 9 , wherein said at fiber optic voltage sensor is mounted on an input bus bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a heat pipe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said at least one power electronic switch comprises a plurality of interconnected power electronic switches.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said at least one power electronic switch is mounted upon said heat sink assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said means for connecting said switch to said input power source comprises a plurality of interconnecting cables and/or input bus bars.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein said means for connecting said switch to said output load comprises a plurality of interconnecting cables and/or output bus bars.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein the power conversion circuit is a power inverter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optically isolated power electronic power conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein the power conversion circuit is a rectifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5181026A
Cited
US6700802B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-12-05 | 2009-06-06 | 2009-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-12-05 | 2013-06-06 | 2013-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-12-05 | 2017-06-06 | 2017-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |