Optically switched circuit breaker with cascaded transistor topology

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America

PATENT NO 12218497
SERIAL NO

17964772

Stats

ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

Loading Importance Indicators... loading....

Abstract

See full text

A disclosed switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker, includes a transistor switch circuit connected between a power input terminal and a load terminal, and, connected to the power input terminal and bypassing the transistor switch circuit, a switchable bypass leg that is optically switched by a series-connected photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS). The transistor switch circuit includes at least one cascade of three or more series-connected transistors, and at least one resistor network configured to divide a voltage from a voltage source across a cascade of series-connected transistors. Operating the switch apparatus includes detecting whether a sensed electric current is in a fault condition, opening the transistor switch circuit upon detecting a fault condition, and then closing the PCSS so that the electric current is diverted onto a switchable bypass path. The opening of the transistor switch circuit comprises turning OFF a normally-ON transistor switch circuit.

Loading the Abstract Image... loading....

First Claim

See full text

Family

Loading Family data... loading....

Patent Owner(s)

  • NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS OF SANDIA, LLC; UNM RAINFOREST INNOVATIONS

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Flicker, Jack David Albuquerque, US 6 4
Garcia, Rodriguez Luciano Andres Albuquerque, US 2 0
Gill, Lee Albuquerque, US 2 0
Hjalmarson, Harold P Albuquerque, US 3 6
Kaplar, Robert Albuquerque, US 7 24
Lehr, Jane Placitas, US 2 0
Mueller, Jacob Albuquerque, US 4 1
Neely, Jason Christopher Albuquerque, US 2 0
Pickrell, Gregory Rio Rancho, US 5 46
Schrock, Emily Ann Albuquerque, US 1 0

Cited Art Landscape

Load Citation

Patent Citation Ranking

Forward Cite Landscape

Load Citation

Maintenance Fees

Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee due date
3.5 Year Payment $1600.00 $800.00 $400.00 Aug 4, 2028
7.5 Year Payment $3600.00 $1800.00 $900.00 Aug 4, 2032
11.5 Year Payment $7400.00 $3700.00 $1850.00 Aug 4, 2036
Fee Large entity fee small entity fee micro entity fee
Surcharge - 3.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 7.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge - 11.5 year - Late payment within 6 months $160.00 $80.00 $40.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable $700.00 $350.00 $175.00
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional $1,640.00 $820.00 $410.00