IP Library Granted Patent US 7,778,000
Granted Patent B2
US 7,778,000 · App. 11/366,948 · Granted Aug 17, 2010

Measure for increasing the short-circuit resistance of a device by introducing parallel current paths

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,778,000
App. No.
11/366,948
Granted
Aug 17, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An overcurrent protection arrangement for aircraft to protect an electric element from an overcurrent, the overcurrent protection arrangement including an overcurrent protection device designed for detecting the overcurrent of a current through the electric element to be protected via the overcurrent protection device in such a way that the current through the element to be protected does not exceed an upper current limit.

Claims (33)

1. An overcurrent protection arrangement for an aircraft to protect an electric element from an overcurrent, the overcurrent protection arrangement comprising:

an overcurrent protection device,

at least one additional overcurrent protection device;

an impedance connected upstream of and in series to the electric element to be protected;

wherein the overcurrent protection device is designed for detecting the overcurrent of a current by a voltage drop and diverting the current through the electric element via the overcurrent protection device in such a way that the current through the element to be protected does not exceed an upper current limit;

wherein the overcurrent protection device is connected in parallel to the impedance and the electric element; and

wherein the at least one additional overcurrent protection device can be connected in parallel to the overcurrent protection device.

2. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the overcurrent protection device has a symmetric current/voltage curve.

3. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the overcurrent protection device has a non-linear current/voltage characteristic.

4. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the overcurrent protection device comprises an anti-parallel connection of at least two diodes.

5. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 4 , wherein the diodes are selected from the group consisting of a silicon diode, a germanium diode, a Schottky diode, a Zener diode, and a suppressor diode.

6. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 5 , wherein the diodes have different characteristic lines.

7. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 5 , wherein current intensity is taken over by respective branches in a ratio that corresponds to a specific voltage/current characteristic of the diodes.

8. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the impedance is an ohmic resistance.

9. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the impedance is a coil.

10. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the overcurrent protection device is designed for diverting a current from the electric element to be protected when a predetermined current intensity threshold value is exceeded.

11. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the electric component acts as a current measuring device.

12. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the impedance can be adapted.

13. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein a conducting state-voltage and a characteristic curve of the overcurrent protection device can be adapted.

14. The overcurrent protection arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the electronic component to be protected is a Hall sensor of a control unit for heating devices.

15. A method of protecting an electric element in an aircraft from an overcurrent, comprising

detecting the overcurrent of a current by a voltage drop via an overcurrent protection device; diverting a current through the electric element to be protected via the overcurrent protection device in such a way that the current through the element to be protected does not exceed an upper current limit;

connecting an impedance upstream of and in series to the electric element to be protected;

connecting the overcurrent protection device in parallel to the impedance and the electric element; and

connecting at least one additional overcurrent protection device in parallel to the overcurrent protection device.

16. A means of transportation comprising:

an overcurrent protection device,

at least one additional overcurrent protection device;

an impedance connected upstream of and in series to the electric element to be protected;

wherein the overcurrent protection device is designed for detecting the overcurrent of a current by a voltage drop and diverting the current through the electric element via the overcurrent protection device in such a way that the current through the element to be protected does not exceed an upper current limit,

wherein the overcurrent protection device is connected in parallel to the impedance and the electric element; and

wherein the at least one additional overcurrent protection device can be connected in parallel to the overcurrent protection device.

17. The means of transportation of claim 16 , wherein the means of transportation is an aircraft.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 31, 2011
From: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
To: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
Reel/Frame 026360/0849 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 30, 2006
From: SCHEFFLER, SEBASTIAN
To: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 017688/0540 →