Inventors:
Joseph H. Rockot - N. Huntingdon PA
Harvey E. Mikesell - McMurray PA
Kamal N. Jha - Bethel Park PA
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States
Department of Energy - Washington DC
International Classification:
H02H 300
Abstract:
A device and a method for interrupting very high direct currents (greater than 100,000 amperes) and simultaneously blocking high voltages (greater than 600 volts). The device utilizes a mechanical switch to carry very high currents continuously with low loss and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) to bypass the current around the mechanical switch while its contacts are separating. A commutation circuit, connected in parallel with the SCR, turns off the SCR by utilizing a resonant circuit to divert the SCR current after the switch opens.