S&c Electric Company

S+c Electric Co.

Ronald D Atanus

Raymond P O'Leary

Richard P Mikosz

Michael G Ennis

Joseph W Ruta

Gregory C Mears

Raymond P O'leary

Todd W Klippel

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.

Monitoring and control for power electronic system

A control arrangement and method is provided that monitors the condition and operating parameters of a power electronic system having power electronic devices and responds to various detected abnormalities via appropriate action to optimize operation of the power electronic system. The arrangement increases reliability of operation and optimizes the continuous supply of power to a load. For example, the arrangement responds to an overheated power electronic switch by switching to an alternate power electronic switch, the overheated power electronic switch being made available as a temporary alternate path. The arrangement also includes the capability for diagnosing the power electronic switches by measuring the temperature of the power electronics switches and communicating the temperature information in a coordinated fashion with information regarding the operating status of the power electronics switches. Additionally, shorted power electronic switches are detected and appropriate action taken.

Control arrangement and method for power electronic system

A control arrangement and method is provided for electronic devices in which an electronic switch is maintained in a conducting state at all times other than when it is desired to render the electronic switch nonconducting. In a specific embodiment, a latched control signal is utilized which is changed by the receipt of a momentary signal to change the conducting state of the electronic switch. For example, according to one specific arrangement, the momentary signal is a secure, complex signal such that appropriate decoding and detection of the proper signal is required to change the conducting state of the electronic switch.

Control arrangement and method for electronic device

An efficient configuration for a power system is provided, e.g. for high-speed source transfer, utilizing power electronic assemblies and a directed ventilation arrangement. Each power electronic assembly includes a plurality of stacked power electronic device modules that are electrically series connected and energized at various voltages. Each power electronic device module includes two heat sinks, a power electronic component assembly interposed between the two heat sinks, and an arrangement for clamping the heat sinks and the power electronic component assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the power electronic component assembly includes two stacked, series connected power electronic components such that single-sided cooling is provided. In one application, the power-electronic components are thyristors that have a high short-term, fault-current rating and a relatively low average current requirement. This arrangement provides a reduced height configuration along with the advantages of modular clamping for ease of assembly, simplicity of components, ease of maintenance and overall reliability of components.

Configuration of power electronic device modules

A clamping arrangement is provided for compression mounted power electronic devices that is assembled from component parts to form a clamping module. The clamping module provides suitable clamping force to a power electronic device interposed between two heat sink arrangements. The clamping arrangement utilizes clamping beams disposed on either side of the two heat sinks and the interposed power electronic device, elongated members that span and retain each end of each clamping beam against relative movement, and an arrangement for applying a desired clamping force to the heat sinks and the power electronic device. The kit of component parts can be assembled into a clamping module about a power electronic device disposed between two heat sinks and is easily assembled or field disassembled from economical parts. The clamping modules are also adapted to be easily and efficiently combined into an overall stack of modules to provide a power electronic assembly of series connected power electronic devices for operation at medium voltages. In a preferred arrangement, the elongated members are implemented via the assembly of end cap assemblies about an elongated member. An arrangement to achieve predetermined clamping forces during assembly is also provided.

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Mt. Prospect, IL, United States of America

Ronald D Atanus