FR2909819A1 - Switching device for electrical circuit-breaker, has semiconductor power module, whose storage unit stores bias voltage to control conduction of transistor during blocking of circulation current of supply circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (300) has a supply circuit (308) providing a bias voltage (VP) on a bias voltage output (310) when a polarity permits current passage between a supply voltage input (309) and a common output (304) of semiconductor power modules (301, 305). Each module has a diode for blocking current circulation of the circuit when another opposite polarity is applied between the input and the common output. Each module has a storage unit (330) for storing the bias voltage to control conduction of a semiconductor power component (324) i.e. transistor, during blocking of the circulation current. An independent claim is also included for an electrical circuit-breaker comprising a terminal block.

Description

1 ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE AND CIRCUIT BREAKER COMPRISING SUCH

  TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to an electrical switching device comprising: at least one power semiconductor module having a control input, a first output and a second common output, and a power supply circuit comprising minus a first supply voltage input and a bias voltage output for controlling said control input of at least one semiconductor module. The invention also relates to an electric circuit breaker comprising: an electronic trip device to trigger the opening of said circuit breaker in the event of an electrical fault, and an auxiliary state-transfer device of said circuit breaker comprising such a switching device. STATE-OF-THE-ART Solid state semiconductor switching devices can easily be paralleled with a common output when operating on the DC power lines with a predetermined polarity. In the case of switching devices having to operate in alternating current, the paralleling or the connection of several modules with a common terminal is not easily achievable. It is often necessary to provide switching devices with electrically insulated power circuits to properly bias the power semiconductors. FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a switching device having a first channel 201 and a second channel 202 connected to a common output 203. The first channel 201 comprises a first power semiconductor module 204 having a first output 205 is a second output connected to the common output 203. The module 204 is controlled by an input decoupled by an optical coupler 206 which isolates the input and the output. The polarization of the first module is provided by a first power supply circuit 207 electrically isolated. The second channel also comprises a second power semiconductor module 208 having a first output 209 is a second output connected to the common output 203. The module 208 is controlled by a decoupled input by another optical coupler 210 which isolates the input and output, and the bias is provided by a second power supply circuit 211 electrically isolated. With such a diagram of the state of the art, the two-way switching device must have the common output 203, a control ground of the first module 212, a control ground of the second module, and a reference ground of entrance 214 all electrically insulated. Moreover, this situation is very restrictive if the semiconductor power modules are designed to operate in alternating current and direct current. Such devices are complex to produce and very bulky. Therefore, they can not be integrated into devices having a very small footprint. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a switching device which can be of reduced volume and easier to produce. In a switching device according to the invention, the supply circuit supplies a bias voltage on said bias voltage output when there is a first voltage polarity between said first voltage input and said common output allowing current passage, and the at least one power semiconductor module comprises: current blocking means for blocking a current flow of the supply circuit when there is a second polarity opposite to the first polarity between said first input and said common output, and polarization electrical energy storage means for controlling the conduction of said power semiconductors during current blocking of the power supply circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least two power semiconductor modules, the second common outputs of each module being connected to be grouped into a main common output. Preferably, each module comprises a rectifier bridge having two alternative terminals corresponding to the outputs of the modules and DC terminals connected to power electrodes of an electronic power component, said current blocking means being constituted by at least one diode said rectifier bridge connected between a power reference electrode of the power semiconductor and a second common output of the power semiconductor module. Advantageously, each module includes bias voltage storage means for power semiconductor control connected to a power semiconductor control electrode. Preferably, the device includes reference line changing means for changing the control signal reference line between a first input signal reference line and a second reference line dependent on the bias voltage output. . Preferably, the supply circuit comprises: a second supply voltage input connected to said common output of the power semiconductor modules, and means for supplying a supply voltage to a control circuit providing control signals of said modules. Preferably, the device comprises at least a first control input connected to a control circuit, the control circuit having control outputs for providing control signals of the at least one power semiconductor module. Advantageously, the device comprises electrically isolated decoupling means disposed between said at least one first control input and the control circuit. Preferably, said decoupling means comprise at least one optical coupler and hermetic protection means. In a particular embodiment, the device comprises at least a second control input connected to said control circuit and intended to be connected to a switch connected to said second common output. In an electric circuit breaker according to the invention comprising: an electronic trigger for triggering the opening of said circuit breaker in the event of an electrical fault, and an auxiliary state-transfer device of said circuit breaker, said auxiliary device is connected to said trigger and / or to a mechanism of said circuit breaker and comprises a switching device as defined above connected to said electronic trigger for receiving control signals.

  In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary state transfer device of said circuit breaker comprises a block of electrical terminals connected to said switching device. Advantageously, said electrical terminal block comprises an electrical contact actuated by a circuit breaker mechanism and is connected to a circuit for controlling the modules of the switching device.

Preferably, the circuit breaker comprises a protected optical link between the auxiliary device and the electronic release. Advantageously, the terminal block comprises a common output terminal, a terminal 5 of a first output of a first power semiconductor module and a terminal of a first output of a second semiconductor module. power. Preferably, the auxiliary device comprises a terminal of a first supply voltage input. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages and features will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, and represented in the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 represents a diagram of a switching device of the two-way state of the art; FIG. 2 represents a first diagram of a switching device according to one embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate signals present in a device according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 represents a second diagram of a switching device according to one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 represents a third diagram of a switching device according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 6 shows a circuit breaker according to one embodiment of the invention comprising a switching device; Figures 7 and 8 show devices according to embodiments of the invention applied to a circuit breaker auxiliary. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A switching device 300 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in a diagram of FIG. 2. In this diagram, the device comprises a first power semiconductor module 301. having a control input 302, a first output 303 and a second common output 304, and a second power semiconductor module 305 having a control input 306, a first output 307 and a second common output 304. Thus, the second common outputs of each module are connected to be grouped into a main common output 304. The switching device also comprises a supply circuit 308 comprising at least a first supply voltage input 309 and a bias voltage output 310 VP. To avoid decoupling problems of the power supply circuits, in this device according to one embodiment of the invention, the supply circuit supplies a bias voltage VP on said bias voltage output 310 when there is a first voltage. polarity allowing a passage of current between said first input 309 and said common output 304. In this device, the power semiconductor modules 301 and 305 comprise: current blocking means for blocking a flow of current when there is a second polarity opposite the first polarity between said first input 303, 307 and said common output 304, and - polarization electrical energy storage means for controlling the conduction of said power semiconductors during the blocking of power circuit current ..

Each module comprises a rectifier bridge 320 formed of four diodes having two alternating terminals 321 corresponding to the outputs 303, 304, 307 of the modules 301 and 305 and continuous terminals 322 connected to power electrodes of an electronic power component 324. Said current blocking means are constituted by at least one diode 325 of said rectifier bridge connected between a reference electrode 30 of the power semiconductor 30 and the second common output 304 of the power semiconductor module. In this case, the bias voltage VP is supplied by the power supply circuit when a positive voltage polarity is applied to the input 309 and a negative voltage polarity is applied to the second common output 304. The line reference 326 of the power semiconductors is the line corresponding to the reference electrode, ie the source or the emitter according to the type of power transistor that is used.

In the diagram of FIG. 2, each module includes bias voltage storage means 330 for controlling the power semiconductor 324 connected to a control electrode of said power semiconductor. The storage means are constituted in this case by an RC circuit comprising a capacitor 331 and a resistor 332 connected in parallel and a series diode 333 anti-return. The capacitor stores a control energy or voltage for a predetermined time by the values of the capacitor 331 and the resistor 332. The storage means are referenced to the reference electrode 326 of the power semiconductor, either the source or the transmitter according to the type of transistor used.

In order to improve the control of the modules 301 and 305, a switching device according to one embodiment of the invention includes reference line changing means 340 for changing a reference line of control signals between a first reference line. 341 of input signals and a second reference line dependent on the bias voltage output 310 VP. In the diagram of FIG. 2, circuits 340 change the control reference of the modules by applying the voltage VP without being referenced to the reference line 341 of the control circuit 342. The circuits 340 thus operate an electrical decoupling between the line of reference 341 input of the control circuit and the common output 304.

The power supply circuit shown in FIG. 2 also includes a second supply voltage input 344 connected to said common output 304 of the power semiconductor modules, and means for supplying a supply voltage VC to the circuit. control 342 for its own operation. A control input 343 is connected to the control circuit, and said control circuit 342 has control outputs for providing control signals to the power semiconductor modules. Thus, said control circuit 342 receives control signals over at least one input 343 and provides control signals from said modules 301 and 305 through the reference line change circuits 340. In this embodiment, the reference lines 341 of the control circuit 342, the bias voltage VP, the reference electrodes 326 of the power semiconductors 324, and the common output 304 are at different electrical voltages. . FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate examples of signals present in a device according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3A shows a curve 400 representative of the active state of a control signal at the output of the control circuit 342 for controlling the reference change circuits 340. FIG. 3B shows a curve 401 representative of a voltage on control inputs 302 or 306 of the circuits 301 or 305 when the control signals are active. Fig. 3C shows a signal representative curve 402 on the bias voltage storage means 330 for controlling the power semiconductor 324 connected to a control electrode 15 of said power semiconductor. FIG. 3D shows a curve 403 representative of an alternating voltage between the first supply voltage input 309 and a second supply voltage input 344 connected to said common output 304. Between times t0 and t1, a positive alternation is applied between the input 309 and the supply voltage input 344 connected to said common output 304. In this case, the output 310 supplies a positive bias voltage VP to the reference change circuits 340 and the switching means. storage if the command is activated as in Figure 3C. The control of the power semiconductors 324 is active, so they are in an on state. Between time t1 and moment t2 a negative half cycle is applied between input 309 and input 344 of supply voltage connected to said common output 304. During this alternation output 310 does not provide bias voltage VP. The signal of the curve 401 representative of a voltage on control inputs 302 or 306 of the circuits 301 or 305 is low even though the control signals must be active. The storage means then maintain a control voltage on the control electrode of said power semiconductor for the duration of the negative half cycle. during this alternation, the current (the commutation can circulate in the power semiconductors and the rectifier bridge while the supply current or polarization voltage is blocked.) Then, during the instant t2 and a time t3 a new positive alternation allows to recharge the storage means since the control of the power semiconductor is still active.

FIG. 4 shows a second diagram of a switching device according to one embodiment of the invention. In this diagram, the blocking diode 325 is in a true integrated rectifier bridge 320. The reference line changing means 340 comprise a transistor having a type of conduction different from that of the power semiconductors 324. For example, the power semiconductors 324 are transistors having their sources or their transmitters referenced to a negative polarity reference and the transistors 345 have their sources or their transmitters referenced to a reference of positive polarity VP. A diode 346 connected in series with the input 309 of the power supply circuit contributes to the blocking of the power supply in case of negative alternation. In this FIG. 4, the control circuit 342 also has an input 347 responsive to an electrical contact 348, and an input 349 associated with a coupler photo 350. A terminal block 351 has terminals for the outputs 303, 304, 307. modules 301 and 305. A power supply line is connected to the common output 304 and for example signaling lights 352 and 353 are connected to the outputs 303 and 307. Advantageously, the terminal block also comprises an electric switch 354 for the transfer of mechanical information. The control circuit includes a control input for connection to the switch 354 connected to said second common output 304. Fig. 5 shows a third scheme of a switching device according to one embodiment of the invention. In this diagram, the supply circuit is made in two parts. A first regulating circuit 356 provides the bias voltage VP for the reference change and a second regulating circuit 357 provides the voltage VC for supplying the control circuit 342. The reference line changing means 340 comprises transistors 358 controlled by the control circuit. Transistors 358 have their sources or transmitters referenced at reference line 341 of the control circuit. The output electrode, drain or collector, controls the transistor 345 for the reference change. Advantageously, the transistors 358 and 345 are of different polarization type so that the transistor 345 is referenced to the voltage VP and the transistor 358 is referenced to the reference of the control circuit 341 of polarity different from the voltage VP. Preferably, electrically isolated decoupling means 359 are disposed between a control input and the control circuit. These decoupling means comprise at least one optical coupler and hermetic protection means. FIG. 6 shows a circuit breaker 360 according to one embodiment of the invention comprising a switching device 300. The electric circuit breaker comprises an electronic trip device 361 for triggering the opening of electrical contacts 365 in the event of a fault, and an auxiliary device 362 circuit breaker status report connect to the trigger and / or a mechanism 363 of the circuit breaker. The auxiliary device 362 includes a switching device 300 such as those described above connected to said electronic release 361 for receiving control signals, and a block 363 of 15 electrical terminals connected to the main body of the switching device 300. FIGS. and 8 represent devices according to embodiments of the invention applied to a circuit breaker auxiliary. The electrical terminal block has an electrical contact 354 actuated by a mechanism 363 of the circuit breaker 360 and is connected to a control circuit 341 of the modules of the switching device 300. The mechanism 363 actuates the opening and closing of contacts 365 of the power of the circuit breaker and reports status information to the contact 354 used as the position sensor. The link 359 between the device 300 and the trigger 361 is preferably a protected optical link. To improve the protection and the sealing of the connection, the mechanical coupling 25 is made by a sliding device 364. Advantageously, the slide device may have a dovetail shape as shown in FIG. 7 or a form of FIG. rectangular slides and grooves. Such protection of the optical link makes it possible to prevent projections or fumes present during breaks in the very high-current circuit breaker from disturbing the optical beam communication.

The terminal block 363 has a common output terminal 304, an output terminal 303 of a first power semiconductor module, and an output terminal 307 of a second power semiconductor module. The auxiliary device 362 has a first supply voltage input 309 disposed on the main body of the switching device 300.

In the diagrams described above is shown in the figures, the transistors used are field effect transistors. However, other types of transistors or electronic components may be used, for example, bipolar transistors or insulated gate bipolar transistors known as IGBTs.

The reference line changing means, the storage means, and the modules can be made in a grouped manner on the same electronic circuit or separated on several interconnected circuits or boards.

Claims (16)

  A switching device comprising: - at least one power semiconductor module (301, 305) having a control input (302, 306), a first output (303, 307) and a second output (304) common and a power supply circuit (308) having at least a first supply voltage input (309) and a bias voltage output (310) for controlling said input control input (302, 306). at least one semiconductor module (301, 305), characterized in that the supply circuit (308) provides a bias voltage (VP) on said bias voltage output (310) when there is a first voltage polarity between said first voltage input (309) and said common output (304) allowing a current flow, and in that the at least one power semiconductor module comprises: - means (325) blocking current to block a flow of current from the supply circuit when there is a dry polarity wave opposite to the first polarity between said first input (309) and said common output (304), and - polarization electrical energy storage means (330) for controlling the conduction of said semiconductors (324) of power during current blocking of the supply circuit.   2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least two modules (301, 305) of power semiconductors, the second common outputs (304) of each module being connected to be grouped into a common output principal (304).   3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that each module comprises a rectifier bridge (320) having two alternating terminals (321) corresponding to the outputs of the modules and continuous terminals (322) connected to electrodes of power of an electronic power component (324), said current blocking means being constituted by at least one diode (325) of said rectifier bridge (320) connected between a reference power electrode (326) of the semiconductor power conductor and a second common output (304) of the power semiconductor module.   4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that each module comprises bias voltage storage means (330) for the control of semiconductor power connected to a semiconductor control electrode. power conductor (324).   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that it comprises means (340) for changing the reference line for changing the reference line of control signals between a first reference line (341). ) of input signals and a second reference line (310, VP) dependent on the bias voltage output (VP). 15   6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the supply circuit comprises: - a second input (344) supply voltage connected to said common output (304) of the semiconductor modules power supply; and - means (357) for supplying a supply voltage (VC) to a control circuit (342) providing control signals of said modules.   7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it comprises at least a first control input (359, 343, 349) connected to a control circuit (342), the control circuit comprising control outputs for providing control signals of the at least one power semiconductor module.   8. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that it comprises electrically isolated decoupling means (350, 359) arranged between said at least a first control input (359, 343, 349) and the control circuit (342). ). 30 2909819 14   9. Device according to claim 8 characterized in that said decoupling means (350, 359) comprise at least one optical coupler (359) and means (364) of hermetic protection. 5   10. Device according to claim 7 characterized in that it comprises at least a second control input (355) connected to said control circuit (342) and intended to be connected to a switch (354) connected to said second common output ( 304).   11. Electric circuit breaker comprising: an electronic trip unit (361) for triggering the opening of said circuit breaker in the event of an electrical fault, and an auxiliary state-of-state device for said circuit breaker, characterized in that said auxiliary device (362) is connected to said trigger (361) and / or a mechanism (363) of said circuit breaker and includes a switching device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 10 connected to said electronic trigger for receiving control signals.   12. Circuit breaker according to claim 11 characterized in that the auxiliary device (362) of the state of said circuit breaker comprises a block (363) of electrical terminals connected to said switching device (300).   13. Circuit breaker according to one of claims 11 or 12 characterized in that said electrical terminal block comprises an electrical contact (354) actuated by a mechanism (363) of the circuit breaker and is connected to a control circuit (300) of the modules. the switching device (362).   14. Circuit breaker according to any one of claims 11 to 13 characterized in that it comprises a protected optical connection between the auxiliary device (362) and the electronic trigger (361).   Circuit breaker according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the terminal block (363) has a common output terminal (304), a terminal of a first output (303) of a first power semiconductor module and a terminal of a first output (307) of a second power semiconductor module.   Circuit breaker according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the auxiliary device comprises a terminal of a first supply voltage input (309).