The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 10, 2024
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2021
Lawrence Livermore National Security, Llc, Livermore, CA (US);
Opcondys, Inc., Manteca, CA (US);
Stephen E. Sampayan, Manteca, CA (US);
Kristin C. Sampayan, Manteca, CA (US);
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US);
Opcondys, Inc., Manteca, CA (US);
Abstract
Devices, methods and techniques are disclosed to interrupt a fault current in a high-voltage direct-current circuit. In one example aspect, a device includes a mechanical switch including a pair of contacts configured to be positioned apart upon activation of the circuit breaker, and a photoconductive component connected in parallel with the mechanical switch. The photoconductive component is configured to establish a current upon activation of the circuit breaker. The photoconductive component comprises a crystalline material positioned to receive a pulsed light signal from a laser light source, and a pair of electrodes coupled to the crystalline material and configured to allow an electric field to be established across the crystalline material to generate the current.