A Fast Acting Solid-State Circuit Breaker for Electrical Power Systems

Increased demands for electric vehicle performance have resulted in large power requirements and the potential for extremely large fault currents. This is true not only for over-the-road electric and hybrid vehicles, but also for ships and aircraft, which are increasingly moving toward all-electric propulsion. Without fast and reliable means to limit fault currents and isolate faulted sections, overall power capacity and mission performance will be constrained. Recent advances in extremely fast (sub-micro-seconds), high voltage and current (hundreds of volts and amps), and high temperature semiconductor switching devices (300 degrees C) provide the opportunity to develop advanced solid-state protection devices. This will allow large loads to be isolated quickly, enabling the move to greater system power capacity. Creare will develop a bi-directional, fast acting switch which can substantially increase electric power capacity. In Phase I, we will demonstrate feasibility with a comprehensive design study and prototype demonstration. We will demonstrate advanced fault management performance, the capability to withstand high voltage and current magnitudes, and an implementation plan that results in a scalable and cost effective protection device. During Phase II, we will demonstrate field operation in military hybrid electric vehicles with our partner, DRS Technologies Inc.