US 11,808,802 B2
System and method for monitoring the polarization and conduction of a thyristor
Jean-Francois St-Roch, Richelieu (CA); Aurelien Carte, Chambly (CA); Quentin Bricard, Chambly (CA); and Handy Fortin Blanchette, Montreal (CA)
Assigned to ANDRITZ HYDRO CANADA INC., Pointe-Claire (CA)
Filed by ANDRITZ HYDRO CANADA INC., Pointe-Claire (CA)
Filed on Oct. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/500,110.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/091,354, filed on Oct. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0113345 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. G01R 31/26 (2020.01); G01R 19/14 (2006.01); H03K 17/72 (2006.01)
CPC G01R 31/263 (2013.01) [G01R 19/14 (2013.01); H03K 17/72 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a thyristor;
a current transformer configured to generate a secondary electrical current from a triggering electrical current waveform, wherein the triggering electrical current waveform is applied to a gate of the thyristor;
a current to voltage converter configured to convert the secondary electrical current into a monitored voltage;
a first hysteresis comparator configured to receive the monitored voltage and to generate a first voltage pulse corresponding to a first current pulse having a first amplitude of the triggering electrical current waveform, wherein a duration of the first voltage pulse corresponds to a duration of the first current pulse;
a second hysteresis comparator configured to receive the monitored voltage and to generate one or more second voltage pulses corresponding to one or more second current pulses having a second amplitude of the triggering electrical current waveform, wherein a duration of each of the one or more second voltage pulses corresponds to a duration of each of the one or more second current pulses, and wherein the first amplitude is higher than the second amplitude; and
a monitoring unit configured to receive the first voltage pulse from the first hysteresis comparator and the one or more second voltage pulses from the second hysteresis comparator, wherein the monitoring unit is further configured to determine based on the first voltage pulse and the one or more second voltage pulses whether the triggering electrical current waveform is compliant with pre-defined characteristics.