Granted Patent B2

US 8,331,071 · App. 12/483,546 · Granted Dec 11, 2012

Abstract

Claims (48)

1. An interconnection device for connecting a distributed energy resource (DER) having a first reactance-to-resistance ratio (X/R) to an electrical power system (EPS) via an EPS protector having a second X/R lower than the first X/R, the interconnection device comprising:

a DER switch that includes:

an input for receiving power from the DER when the interconnection device is installed between the DER and the EPS protector and the DER is operating;

an output for providing, when said DER switch is closed, the DER is operating, and the interconnection device is installed between the DER and the EPS protector, the power to the EPS protector; and

a switching device electrically connected between said input and said output, said switching device responsive to, when the interconnection device is installed between the DER and the EPS, an over-current from the DER so as to provide at said output a non-zero third X/R that is no greater than the second X/R.

2. The interconnection device according to claim 1 , wherein said switching device comprises a semiconductor switch operatable in a saturation operating mode and an active operating mode, said semiconductor switch configured to operate in the saturation operating mode during normal operation and operate in the active operating mode during the over-current, the active operating mode providing said semiconductor switch device with an intentionally increased electrical resistance during the over-current so as to effectively reduce the first X/R to the non-zero third X/R.

3. The interconnection device according to claim 2 , wherein said switching device comprises two semiconductor switches electrically connected so as to control current in two opposing directions.

4. The interconnection device according to claim 3 , wherein said switching device comprises two back-to-back insulated-gate bipolar transistors.

5. The interconnection device according to claim 2 , wherein said DER switch further includes a controller in electrical communication with said semiconductor switch, said controller configured to allow said semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode so as to pass current during the over-current.

6. The interconnection device according to claim 5 , wherein said controller is configured to pulse said semiconductor switch off in response to the over-current and to turn said semiconductor switch on after the over-current clears.

7. The interconnection device according to claim 6 , further comprising a heat sink and a temperature sensor, said heat sink thermally coupled with said semiconductor switch for sinking heat therefrom when said semiconductor switch is operating, said temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of heat generated by said semiconductor-switching device, wherein said controller is configured to turn off and on said semiconductor switch as a function of the temperature.

8. The interconnection device according to claim 5 , wherein said semiconductor switch includes a gate and said controller including gate-control circuitry in electrical communication with said gate and configured to allow said semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode during the over-current.

9. The interconnection device according to claim 8 , wherein said semiconductor switch has a collector-emitter voltage and said gate-control circuitry is configured to control the semiconductor switch as a function of the collector-emitter voltage.

10. The interconnection device according to claim 9 , wherein said gate-control circuitry includes conventional de-saturation protection circuitry designed to inhibit said semiconductor switch from exiting the saturation operating mode, said gate control circuitry further including a voltage divider located between said semiconductor switch and said gate-control circuitry, said voltage divider provided to alter functioning of said conventional de-saturation protection circuitry to allow said semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode.

11. The interconnection device according to claim 5 , wherein said semiconductor switch has a current-limiting response and said controller includes response-selection circuitry that permits tuning of said current-limiting response.

12. The interconnection device according to claim 11 , wherein said controller includes feedback circuitry for automatically controlling said current-limiting response.

13. The interconnection device according to claim 12 , wherein said DER switch includes a current sensor for sensing current at said input, said feedback circuitry controlling aid current-limiting response as a function of the current detected by said current sensor.

14. A system, comprising:

a distributed energy resource (DER) having a first reactance-to-resistance ratio (X/R);

an electrical power system that includes a power protector having a second X/R smaller than said first X/R;

a DER switch that includes:

an input for receiving power from said DER;

an output for providing the power to said power protector; and

a switching device electrically connected between said input and said output, said switching device responsive to an over-current from said DER so as to provide at said output a non-zero third X/R that is no greater than said second X/R.

15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein said DER comprises a rotating machine electrical power generator.

16. The system according to claim 14 , wherein said electrical power system comprises a utility power grid.

17. The system according to claim 14 , wherein said switching device comprises a semiconductor switch having a saturation operating mode and an active operating mode, said semiconductor switch operating in the saturation operating mode during normal operation and operating in the active operating mode during the over-current, the active operating mode increasing resistance of the semiconductor switch during the over-current so as to effectively reduce the first X/R to the non-zero third X/R.

18. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said switching device comprises two semiconductor switches electrically connected so as to control current in two opposing directions.

19. The system according to claim 18 , wherein said switching device comprises two back-to-back insulated-gate bipolar transistors.

20. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said DER switch further includes a controller in electrical communication with said semiconductor switch, said controller configured to allow said semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode so as to pass current during the over-current.

21. The system according to claim 20 , wherein said controller is configured to pulse said semiconductor switch off and on when said semiconductor switch is in the active operating mode.

22. The system according to claim 21 , further comprising a heat sink and a temperature sensor, said heat sink thermally coupled with said semiconductor switch for sinking heat therefrom when said semiconductor switch is operating in the active operating mode, said temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of heat generated by said semiconductor-switching device, wherein said controller is configured to control operation of said semiconductor switch as a function of the temperature.

23. The system according to claim 20 , wherein said semiconductor switch includes a gate and said controller including gate-control circuitry in electrical communication with said gate and configured to allow said semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode during the over-current.

24. The system according to claim 23 , wherein said semiconductor switch has a collector-emitter voltage and said gate-control circuitry is configured to control the semiconductor switch as a function of the collector-emitter voltage.

25. The system according to claim 24 , wherein said gate-control circuitry includes conventional de-saturation protection circuitry designed to keep said semiconductor switch from entering the active operating mode, said gate control circuitry further including a voltage divider located between said semiconductor switch and said gate-control circuitry, said voltage divider provided to alter functioning of said conventional de-saturation protection circuitry to allow said semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode.

26. The system according to claim 20 , wherein said semiconductor switch has a current-limiting response and said controller includes response-selection circuitry that permits tuning of said current-limiting response.

27. The system according to claim 26 , wherein said controller includes feedback circuitry for automatically controlling said current-limiting response.

28. The system according to claim 27 , wherein said DER switch includes a current sensor for sensing current at said input, said feedback circuitry controlling aid current-limiting response as a function of the current detected by said current sensor.

29. A method of controlling electrical power provided by a distributed energy resource (DER) to an electrical power system, wherein the DER has a first reactance-to-resistance ratio (X/R) and the power protector has a second X/R less than the first X/R, the method comprising:

receiving electrical current from the DER;

while the electrical current is in a non-over-current condition, passing substantially all of the electrical current to the electrical power system; and

when the electrical current is in an over-current condition, effectively reducing, at a location between the DER and the electrical power system, the first X/R to a non-zero value no greater than the second X/R.

30. The method according to claim 29 , wherein said passing substantially all of the electrical current is accomplished by operating a semiconductor switch in a saturation operating mode and said effective reducing of the first X/R being accomplished by allowing the semiconductor switch to operate in an active operating mode.

31. The method according to claim 30 , wherein said effectively reducing the first X/R includes rapidly switching the semiconductor switch off and on while the semiconductor switch is operating in the active operating mode.

32. The method according to claim 31 , further comprising sensing a temperature of heat generated by the semiconductor switch and said rapid switching is controlled as a function of the temperature.

33. The method according to claim 30 , further comprising sensing a current entering the semiconductor switch and controlling performance of the semiconductor switch as a function of the current.

34. The method according to claim 33 , wherein said controlling of the performance of the semiconductor switch includes controlling a voltage applied to a gate of the semiconductor switch.

35. The method according to claim 30 , wherein the semiconductor switch includes a de-saturation protection circuit designed to keep the semiconductor switch operating in the saturation region in response to a collector voltage of the semiconductor switch, said allowing of the semiconductor switch to operate in the active operating mode including reducing the collector voltage seen by the de-saturation protection circuit.

Assignments (6)